Did You Know? If You Live in Burj Khalifa, You May Have to Wait a Little Longer for Your First Sip of Water in Ramadan

There are few addresses in the world as iconic as the Burj Khalifa. Rising 828 meters into the sky, it is a symbol of ambition, engineering brilliance, and Dubai’s relentless pursuit of the extraordinary. But during Ramadan, living at the top of the world comes with an unexpected twist.

If you’re a resident in the upper floors of Burj Khalifa, you might have to hold on just a little longer before taking that first sip of water at iftar.

Yes, really.

It’s All About the Sunset

Ramadan fasting begins at dawn and ends at sunset. Traditionally, Muslims break their fast the moment the sun fully sets below the horizon. For most of us in Dubai, that moment arrives at the same time across the city.

But here’s where it gets fascinating: the higher you are above sea level, the longer you can see the sun.

Because Burj Khalifa stretches so high into the sky, residents on higher floors can actually see the sun for a few extra seconds — and in some cases, up to two or even three minutes — after it has already disappeared from view at ground level.

That means:

• Residents on lower floors can break their fast at the official sunset time announced across Dubai.

• Residents on mid-level floors may need to wait slightly longer.

• Those living on the highest residential levels may have to wait the longest — until the sun truly sets from their vantage point.

In practical terms, it’s usually just a short delay. But during Ramadan, when you’ve been fasting all day, even a minute can feel like a moment of eternity.

A Matter of Perspective — Literally

This phenomenon is rooted in simple physics and the curvature of the Earth. The higher you go, the farther your line of sight extends. At 828 meters above ground, your horizon expands significantly.

So while your friends breaking their fast at a villa in Jumeirah or an apartment in Downtown may already be enjoying their dates and water, you might still be watching the last sliver of orange sunlight dip below the skyline.

It’s a reminder that even in something as spiritual and universal as Ramadan, perspective matters.

Official Guidance for Tower Residents

Over the years, religious authorities in the UAE have addressed this unique scenario. For very tall buildings, including Burj Khalifa, guidance has been issued advising residents to break their fast according to the sunset visible from their floor — especially for those on the highest levels.

Some residents simply follow the official Dubai sunset time for convenience. Others prefer to observe the sun from their window and wait until it fully disappears from view.

Either way, it has become one of the most interesting Ramadan facts about life in Dubai.

A Beautiful Symbol of the City

There’s something poetic about it.

Living in the tallest building in the world means seeing the world differently — even when it comes to something as simple and sacred as breaking your fast.

It’s Dubai in a nutshell:
Ambition meets tradition.
Innovation meets faith.
Height meets humility.

So the next time you hear the Maghrib call to prayer echo across the city and reach for that first sip of water, remember — someone, somewhere at the top of Burj Khalifa, might still be waiting just a little longer.

And somehow, that makes Ramadan in Dubai even more extraordinary. 🌙