The sail
Dubai's icon at sea.
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A luxury hotel on an artificial island 280 metres off Jumeirah Beach, reached by a private curving bridge, and a symbol of Dubai since it opened on 1 December 1999. Its shape recalls the sail of a dhow, and it is famous as the «seven-star hotel». It is one of the tallest hotels in the world, with a helipad near the top 210 metres above the ground, though about 39 per cent of its height is unoccupied. Its white facade is lit in changing colours at night, and it hosts fireworks on New Year's Eve. The hotel closed in April 2026 for a restoration of about 18 months, with reopening expected in October 2027; most of the original decor, and the famous aquarium at the entrance, are being kept. While it is closed, the Burj Al Arab remains a sight to enjoy from outside: from Jumeirah's public beaches, such as Umm Suqeim Beach, and from the nearby Souk Madinat Jumeirah. The best photos come at sunset and in the evening, when the facade is lit.
Dubai's icon at sea.
The best free view.
Changing colours.
Jumeirah Street, on an artificial island off Jumeirah Beach, Dubai
The hotel closed in April 2026 for a restoration expected to end in October 2027; you can still view it free from the nearby public beaches in Jumeirah.