The world's best observation decks

Standing 828 meters-tall (2,716 ft), the Burj Khalifa is the world's tallest building. Burj is the Arabic word for 'tower'. Access to the observation deck can cost up to €100 ($112). Not great for your budget, but guaranteed to make you happy: the panoramic view from the 124th floor over the rapidly growing city is astounding. Even better: the view from the 148th floor, at 555 meters (1,820 ft).

When the tower was opened in 2010, it was the world's tallest television tower for a few months, standing at an impressive 600 meters (1,968 ft ). Thrill-seekers can ride the so-called "Bubble Tram", a plexiglass bubble going around the perimeter of the top-floor at 433 meters (1,420 ft). Views to the ground included for free. Even more extreme: "Sky-Dop", a free-fall from 485 meters (1,591 ft).

The Tokyo Skytree took the Canton Tower's place as the world's tallest television tower in 2011. It stands 634 meters (2,080 ft) tall and its two observation decks are the highest in Japan. They can be found at a height of 350 m (1,148 ft) and 460 m (1,509 ft) and offer a breath-taking 360-degree-view of Tokyo. If you're lucky, you might even be able to catch a glimpse of Mount Fuji from there.

Surrounded by finance buildings in the Pundong district of Shanghai, Jin Mao Tower stands at 420 meters (1,377 ft). The express elevator takes you up to the 88th floor in a mere 45 seconds. While some are happy to enjoy the panoramic view from behind glass windows, others prefer the 'Skywalk': strapped into harnesses they make their way over a 1.2 m-wide open-air path. What an adrenaline rush!

The Orient Tower, built in 1995, isn't just a colorful eye-catcher, but also one of Shanghai's best-known tourist attractions. 11 differently sized balls are lined up at different heights. There are observation decks at 90 m (295 ft), 263 m (863 ft) and 342 m (1,122 ft) and there's also a rotating restaurant.

Similarly, the 553-meter-tall (1,814 ft) CN Tower isn't just a television tower but also a tourist attraction. A glass-fronted elevator takes visitors to the top of the tower. The floor of the observation deck is also made out of glass. If the thought of this is making you queasy, you can always take a culinary break in the tower's rotating panoramic restaurant.

The 86th floor of this famous building is open 365 days a year, always between 8am and 2am. It was made famous as the meet-up point between two lovebirds: Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr in "An Affair to Remember". In love or not — you'll get butterflies in your stomach simply because of the spectacular view of Central Park, Brooklyn Bridge and the Statue of Liberty: New York!

At 540 meters (1,771 feet) it is the USA's tallest building. It was built where the World Trade Center's twin towers used to stand. The observation deck offers a great view of the city, as well as a view of the streets below. But it's an optical illusion: the street scenes are real-time recordings, which are being projected onto the glass floor.

Hudson Yards is a neighborhood in the New York borough of Manhattan consisting of 15 skyscrapers. 30 Hudson Yards, an office building, is a new 395-meter tall (1,295 ft) super-skyscraper. It was inaugurated on March 15, 2019. The "Edge" 336 meters (1,102 ft) above the ground will become the building's observation deck. The grand opening is planned for early 2020.

The 310-meter-tall (1,017 ft) skyscraper looms over London's skyline, it was inaugurated in 2013. With its glass facade and its pyramid-like shape, it truly lives up to its name, by rising into the sky like a giant shard of glass. Inside the building's 72 floors one can find restaurants, luxury apartments, office and an observation deck. It made headlines as the location for a risky climbing tour.

This building shaped like a tulip is still a dream, but it's supposed to attract more than one million yearly visitors and stand taller than "The Shard". The proposal is by Sir Norman Foster. The highlight: moving transparent pods which run outside the building. In other words, a moving observation deck with a perfect view of London. The skyscraper was given planning permission in April 2019.