Burj Al Arab Tour: How to Get Inside, 2026 Guide
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Burj Al Arab, the sail-shaped hotel on its own island off the Jumeirah coast, is closed for restoration. On 15 April 2026, Jumeirah announced a phased restoration programme planned to take about 18 months. The National reported the same day that the hotel had closed for the works. No reopening date has been officially announced. The project is led by French interior architect Tristan Auer. The hotel's own page says the restoration is under way and offers help with a stay at another Jumeirah hotel in the city. The usual way inside without staying overnight is the 90-minute guided atrium and suite tour, and online booking for it is not open on our site at the moment. This guide covers what has been announced, what the tour includes when it runs, and what you can see in the meantime.
What Jumeirah has announced
According to Jumeirah's press release of 15 April 2026, the restoration is planned to take about 18 months. The release stresses that it follows more than twenty-five years of uninterrupted operation since the hotel opened in 1999. It describes the work as a carefully phased programme designed to preserve the building's legacy. The release gives no reopening date and does not say how the guided tour will run during the works. The National's report of 15 April 2026 says the hotel has temporarily closed for the restoration. Auer told the paper the hotel will open when it is ready, because the aim is to get it perfect, not fast.
Jumeirah's hotel page frames the project as renewal, not reinvention. Auer's approach is to respect the sail silhouette and the building's identity. That means keeping most of the decor, craftsmanship and materials, from gold leaf and Statuario marble to Swarovski crystal, and adding custom fabrics, new finishes and discreet technology upgrades. In Jumeirah's words, the goal is for the hotel's spirit to endure for the next 25 years and beyond.
Burj Al Arab in numbers
- Opened: 1999, according to Jumeirah and Visit Dubai.
- Height: According to Visit Dubai, the sail-shaped building rises 321 metres on a man-made island.
- Suites: 198, according to Jumeirah's release. Every room in the hotel is a suite.
- Terrace: Visit Dubai describes the Burj Al Arab Terrace as 10,000 square metres of outdoor space, with a deck reaching up to 100 metres from the base of the hotel out into the sea.
- The seven-star label: Visit Dubai notes that no such official rating exists. The phrase came from a journalist who attended the hotel's opening.
What the guided tour covers when it runs
According to our tour page, the 90-minute guided visit covers the hotel's lobbies, atrium and suites, while the guide explains the building's design and history. It starts at the IBAA Ticketing Lounge at Jumeirah Beach Hotel. Sessions are booked in advance. All ages are welcome, and children must be accompanied by an adult. A smart elegant dress code applies: knee-length shorts and closed shoes are accepted, while sportswear, beachwear, vests and flip-flops are not. Bring ID or a passport and your ticket confirmation.
Where to see it from outside
Visit Dubai says Burj Al Arab is best seen from the coastline around it. Sunset Beach, next to the hotel, is free and open to the public and gives a clear view of the sail. Madinat Jumeirah is another good spot, where the building forms the backdrop to outdoor dining and abra rides. The beach closest to the tower is reserved for hotel guests. Worth knowing when you plan your day: Visit Dubai puts the distance between Burj Al Arab and Burj Khalifa at 16 kilometres.
What to see instead for now
If you want to see Dubai from inside an icon on this trip, Burj Khalifa At the Top is open and on sale. The levels you reach depend on the ticket option; At the Top Gold goes up to level 148. Visit Dubai puts this deck at 555 metres, one of the highest observation decks in the world.
For more things to do in Dubai, see our city guide and city break options.
Is Burj Al Arab open right now?
No. The hotel is closed for restoration. On 15 April 2026 Jumeirah announced a restoration planned to take about 18 months, and The National reported the closure the same day. No reopening date has been officially announced.
When will the restoration finish?
No reopening date has been officially announced. Jumeirah's announcement gives a period of about 18 months; check Jumeirah's own website before you plan.
Can I book the Burj Al Arab tour on your site?
Online booking is not open right now. If you leave your number on the tour page, our sales team will call you when a date opens.
Where can I see Burj Al Arab for free?
According to Visit Dubai, Sunset Beach next to the hotel is free and open to the public and gives a clear view of the sail.
How can I see Dubai from above instead?
Burj Khalifa At the Top is open; level options are on the experience page.
