Top 10: Tallest Buildings in the World (2026)

Nowadayswhen visiting any modern cityit’s likely that visiting the tallest skyscraper will be part of your itinerary. Generally constructed in financial districtsthese epic structures soar unfathomably high into the sky above us and are a testament to human civilization’s desire for innovation and progress. What’s morethese structures also often offer unique and exciting tourist experiences. Today at Civitatiswe’re counting down the top 10 tallest buildings in the world—don’t look down!

1. Burj KhalifaDubai – 2,722 feet (829.8 meters)

Standing at an unfathomable height of 2,722 feet (829.8 meters) (just over half a mile) and with 163 floorsthe Burj Khalifa in Dubai is the tallest skyscraper on our planet. The legendary building is also the owner of several other world recordsincluding the tallest structure ever builtthe building with the most floorsand the highest restaurant. Incrediblythe Burj Khalifa is visible from up to 60 miles (95 kilometers) away and forms a vital part of the city’s iconic skyline.

If you choose to visit the Burj Khalifayou’ll find that there are two different observation decks that each offer fantastic views of the city. Visit the 124th/125th floor of the Burj Khalifaoralternativelygo to the 148th floor of the buildingwhich also includes a visit to the 124th and 125th floors! We recommend visiting each of the floors to enjoy various perspectives of the city.

2. Merdeka 118Kuala Lumpur – 2,717 feet (828 meters)

The latest entry to this listthe architectural marvel of Merdeka 118was completed in 2022. Measuring a staggering 2,717 feet (828 meters) in heightthis is the tallest building in Asiaand the second tallest in the world.

With 118 floorsincluding 5 below groundtourists can access levels 115 and 116where they’ll find an observation deck called ‘The View at 118‘. After flying up over 100 floors in less than a minuteyou’ll be met with truly staggering views!

If you’re visiting the citycheck out this Kuala Lumpur + Batu Caves tourwhich includes stops at some of the most iconic pieces of architecture in the city as well as Malaysia’s largest Hindu templeknown as Batu Caves.

3. Shanghai TowerShanghai – 2,073 feet (632 meters)

The third-tallest building in the world is the Shanghai Towerwith a height of 2,073 feet (632 meters). This building is located in the financial district of Pudong. The tower is especially of note for its sustainability and has been referred to as the most sustainable supertall skyscraper—home to 270 wind turbines and a rain harvesting system.

Shanghai Tower has quickly become an iconic part of the city’s skyline since the building was completed in 2014. You can learn more about this skyscraper and other of the city’s most iconic pieces of modern architecture as part of this private modern Shanghai guided tour—a must for architecture enthusiasts.

4. Abraj Al Bait Clock TowerMecca – 1,972 feet (601 meters)

Standing at 1,972 feet (601 meters) in height is the iconic Abraj Al Bait Tower. This huge construction is part of a complete set of seven skyscraper hotels in Mecca known as the Clock Towers. The building complex is just a short walk from Islam’s most sacred site—the Great Mosque of Mecca.

In additionthe clock tower houses the Clock Tower Museum on the four upper floors. You can visit an observation deck and enjoy superb views of Mecca from the 120th floor.

5. Ping An Finance CenterShenzhen – 1,965 feet (599 meters)

The Ping An Finance CenterShenzhen is the 5th tallest building in the worldmeasuring in at 1,965 ft (599 meters) in height. The Ping An Finance Center includes office spacesa hotelretail areasand an observation deck offering breathtaking views of Shenzhen and beyond.

To get to the topyou’ll only have to take one of its 80 elevators that travel at a speed of 22 miles per hour (36 kph).

6. Goldin Finance 117Tianjin – 1,957 feet (597 meters)

Goldin Finance 117 in TianjinChinameasuring 1,957 feet (597 meters) in heightis the only skyscraper in this area of the city. As of December 2023the building remains unfinished and unoccupied—China State Construction Engineering Coroporation (responsible for the building’s construction) has removed all on-site workersand there are currently no plans for construction to continue. Goldin Finance 117 has the Guinness World Record for being the world’s tallest unoccupied building.

7. Lotte World TowerSeoul – 1,823 feet (556 meters)

At 1,823 feet (556 meters)the Lotte World Tower stands tall in Seoul’s already impressive skyline and is ranked the 8th-tallest skyscraper in the world. One of the main attractions of this tower is the Seoul Skythe world’s tallest glass-floored observatory and a Guinness World Record holder!

Standing 1568 feet (478 meters) highSeoul Sky offers incredible views of the South Korean capital. Grab yourself a ticket for the Seoul Sky Observatory—the perfect opportunity to learn more about the history of this imposing tower.

8. One World Trade CenterNew York – 1,776 feet (546 meters)

Next up on our list is the One World Trade Center. Standing 1,776 feet (546 meters) in height and housing 110 floorsthis is the tallest skyscraper in the USA and the western hemisphere. Called the Freedom Tower during the planning processthis structure is a rebuilding of the original World Trade Centerwhich was destroyed during the tragic events of 9/11.

Grab a ticket to the One World Observatoryto breathtaking views of the New York skyline. From this viewpointyou’ll experience 360 panoramic views of Manhattan and New York. Also available inside are three different panoramic restaurantsoffering a wonderful range of culinary delights. Alternativelysee all of the city’s skyscrapers from the sky on this New York helicopter tour!

8. & 9. Tianjin CTF Finance Center & Guangzhou CTF Finance Center – 1,740 feet (530 meters)

The first two entries on our list are actually tied! Both located in Chinathe CTF Finance Center in Tianjin and the CTF Finance Center in Guangzhou both measure 1,740 feet (530 meters).

The CTF Finance Centerlike the Goldin Finance 117is located in the city of Tianjin. Used as the city’s trade and finance centerthis building is recognized by its rounded curvesair ventsand rounded top.

Its counterpartthe Guangzhou CTF Finance Center is one element of a two-skyscraper complex that overlooks the Pearl River in Guangzhou. Its 116 total floors can be navigated with its elevatorswhich can travel at speeds of up to 44 miles per hour (70 kilometers per hour)the fastest elevators in the world.

10. China Zun (CITC Tower)Beijing – 1,731 feet (527 meters)

The tenth and final item on our list is the CITC Tower in Beijingoften referred to as the China Zun. This giant building is located in Beijing’s Central Business District and is the tallest in the entire city. The ‘Zun’ in the building’s name comes from the traditional Chinese wine vessel of the same namewhich this super-tall skyscraper resembles.

The Tallest Buildings in the World By Continent

So those are the top 10 tallest buildings in the worldbut what about elsewhere in the world?

The Tallest Building in Europe – Lakhta CenterSt. Petersburg – 1,516 feet (462 meters)

The tallest building in Europeand the sixteenth tallest building in the worldthe Lakhta Centre is located in St. PetersburgRussia. Serving as the HQ of GazpromRussia’s energy giant. It features 90 total floors within a beautiful twisted designtopped by a bright LED crown that lights up this elegant structure at nighttime.

The tallest freestanding structure in Europe is in Moscowin the Ostankino Tower. Howevergiven that the tower is not occupiableit does not fit our criteria.

The Tallest Building in Africa – Iconic TowerNAC – 1,292 feet (393.8 meters)

The tallest building in Africathe Iconic Toweris located in the New Administrative Capital of Egypt. Serving as a mixed-use skyscraperthe Iconic Tower predominantly features office floorsbut also has some residentialhoteland commercial spaces.

The Tallest Building in Oceania – Q1Gold Coast – 1,060 feet (323 meters)

The Q1 Towerlocated on the Gold Coast in QueenslandAustraliais the tallest building in Oceania. Originally constructed as a residential and tourist complexthis 78-story skyscraper also features an observation deck offering panoramic views of the Pacific coastline. Its design is said to be inspired by the Sydney 2000 Olympic torch.

The Tallest Building in South America – Gran TorreSantiago – 980 feet (300 meters)

The Gran Torre Santiagopart of the Costanera Center complex in SantiagoChileis the tallest building in South America. With 62 floorsthe Gran Torre is located in Santiago’s financial district and dominates Santiago’s skylineproviding incredible views of the Andes Mountains.

With its grand opening in 2014 (following a construction delay due to the global financial crisis in 2008)this glass-clad tower features various technical innovations. Made from recycled steelthe Gran Torre uses water from the San Carlos Canal to cool the buildingand also features a sophisticated earthquake protection system.

The Tallest Building in Antarctica – Vostok Station – 57 feet (17.5 meters)

A skyscraper by Antarctica’s standardsthe Vostok Station is the tallest permanent structure on the continentmeasuring in at a vertigo-inducing 57 feet (17.5 meters)… The station serves as a research facilitysupporting scientific studies in extreme polar conditionsincluding climate and ice-core research.

The Future Tallest Building – Jeddah Tower – 3,280 feet (1,000 meters)

While the Burj Khalifa is now the reigning tallest building in the worldit is likely that the Jeddah Tower in Saudi Arabia will soon take its thronewith speculations that the structure will exceed 3,280 feet (1,000 meters)—around 591 feet (180 meters) taller than the Burj Khalifa. Although construction began in 2013there were some early difficulties with the project. Work has since resumedand Jeddah Tower is estimated to be completed in 2028.

There you have it. Those are the top 10 tallest buildings in the world today. It’s exciting to think about where human engineering and ingenuity will take us in the futureand how high future skyscrapers will go! If you decide to visit one of these incredible marks of human engineeringbe sure to check out experiences with Civitatis while you’re there!