The United Arab Emirates has long been a land where ambition rises higher than the desert sun. Its cities, once modest port towns, now boast skylines among the most dramatic in the world, defined by steel, glass and audacious vision. Today, the UAE ranks second globally in the number of supertall skyscrapers, monuments not only to engineering prowess but also to national identity, progress and global stature.
From Dubai to Abu Dhabi, each tower tells a story of futuristic design, luxury living and a determination to set global benchmarks. Here are the 15 tallest completed or topped-out skyscrapers in the UAE, where ambition truly meets the clouds.
1. Burj Khalifa (828 m, Dubai)
The world’s tallest building since 2010, the Burj Khalifa is a global icon. Home to luxury residences, the Armani Hotel and record-breaking observation decks, it remains the ultimate symbol of human ambition.
2. Marina 101 (425 m, Dubai Marina)
Completed in 2017, this 101-storey tower dominates Dubai Marina, combining residences and hotel spaces in a sleek glass design.
3. Princess Tower (413 m, Dubai Marina)
Once the tallest residential tower in the world, Princess Tower (2012) continues to stand out with its 101 floors overlooking the Arabian Gulf.
4. 23 Marina (393 m, Dubai Marina)
A luxury residential tower with private elevators and sky-high swimming pools, completed in 2012.
5. Burj Mohammed bin Rashid (381 m, Abu Dhabi)
Designed by Foster + Partners, this 2014 gem offers residences, offices and hotel space wrapped in an energy-efficient façade.
6. Elite Residence (380 m, Dubai Marina)
Since 2012, this skyscraper has stood as one of Dubai Marina’s most prestigious addresses.
7. The Address Boulevard (370 m, Downtown Dubai)
Opened in 2017, the tower blends hotel, residential and retail spaces near Dubai Mall.
8. Ciel Tower (364 m, Dubai Marina)
Completed in 2024, Ciel is the world’s tallest all-hotel tower, shimmering like a blade under the desert sun.
9. Almas Tower (360 m, JLT, Dubai)
The 2008 diamond-shaped centerpiece of Jumeirah Lakes Towers, serving as a hub for global businesses.
10. JW Marriott Marquis Dubai, Towers 1 & 2 (355 m)
These twin towers, opened in 2012, rank among the tallest hotels in the world.
11. Emirates Office Tower (355 m, Dubai)
Completed in 2000, it is one half of the iconic Emirates Towers complex, a longstanding symbol of Dubai’s rise.
12. The Marina Torch (352 m, Dubai Marina)
Despite enduring multiple fire incidents, the 2011 Torch Tower remains a proud landmark of resilience.
13. Al Yaqoub Tower (328 m, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai)
Completed in 2013, its design draws inspiration from London’s Big Ben, fused with Islamic architectural elements.
14. The Landmark (324 m, Abu Dhabi)
Designed by César Pelli and completed in 2013, The Landmark blends apartments, offices and sky gardens.
15. Ocean Heights (310 m, Dubai Marina)
Known for its twisting design, this 2010 residential tower redefined Dubai Marina’s skyline.
The Tallest Block
Beyond individual towers, Dubai Marina and Jumeirah Beach Residences (JBR) together form the world’s tallest block of skyscrapers, with over 180 towers creating one of the most iconic waterfront skylines on Earth.
