Guinness World Records is celebrating its 70th anniversary by highlighting the Arab world’s role in extraordinary feats. Since the first book was published in 1955, they have chronicled thousands of achievements, with nearly 1,600 records set in the region.
Leading the way is the UAE, with 680 records to its name, including Burj Khalifa as the world’s tallest building, Dubai Mall as the largest shopping centre by area and Ras Al Khaimah’s longest fireworks waterfall.
Here’s a look at some of the other Guinness World Records set in the UAE.
2005: Highest altitude tennis court
Burj Al Arab holds the record for the highest altitude tennis court, which was installed on the circular helipad of the hotel, 213 metres above ground, on February 22, 2005. Tennis stars Roger Federer and Andre Agassi played a friendly game on the court to promote the ATP’s Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships.
2010: World's fastest rollercoaster
Formula Rossa at Ferrari World holds the record for being the fastest rollercoaster, with a top speed of 240kph (149.1mph). It can also accelerate from zero to 100kph in two seconds. The ride opened on November 4, 2010.
2010: Most expensive Christmas tree decorated
Emirates Palace unveiled a Dh42 million ($11.4 million) Christmas tree on December 16, 2010. The 13-metre tree was decorated with gold and gemstones including a Dh3.5 million diamond necklace. The jewels were provided by Style Gallery, which has an outlet in the hotel, and were returned to the jeweller when the tree came down in the new year.
2014: Highest outdoor observation deck
The world’s highest outdoor observation deck is At The Top, Burj Khalifa Sky, on the 148th floor of the 828-metre tower. Sitting 555.7 metres above ground, it features a terrace with sweeping views across Dubai. The deck opened to the public on October 15, 2014.
2015: Fastest goal in a football Asian Cup match
The UAE’s Ali Mabkhout holds the record for the fastest goal in AFC Asian Cup history. He scored after just 14 seconds in the UAE’s 2-1 win over Bahrain in Canberra on January 15, 2015. Only two other goals have been scored within the first minute of play: Kuwait’s Fathi Kameel against China in 1976 and China’s Xie Yuxin against Japan in 1992.
2015: Most buildings climbed
French climber Alain Robert, known as Spider-Man, holds the record for most buildings climbed externally with 121. He began climbing towers and skyscrapers in 1994, most recently scaling Dubai’s 306-metre Cayan Tower on April 12, 2015.
2015: Longest painting
The longest painting in the world measures 10,850 metres and was created in Dubai by Al Tayer Group on December 12, 2015. The project, part of an eight-month campaign titled I’m Different Just Like You to support autism, involved 20,000 students.
2017: Largest human image of a boat
Sharjah’s India International School set the record for the largest human image of a boat, with 4,882 participants on November 14, 2017.
2018: Most dominoes toppled in a circle field
A total of 89,995 dominoes were toppled in a circle field at Marina Mall Abu Dhabi on December 1, 2018. The record was organised in association with Sheikh Mohammed bin Sultan.
2018: Largest Christmas bauble ornament
Hung in the Star Atrium of Dubai Mall, the metallic bauble had a diameter of 4.68 metres, was 6.59 metres tall and weighed 1,100kg.
Designed by US company Venue Arts, it took a team of 15 people two nights to assemble the bauble – which was flown in inside 12 crates and three containers. Another night was spent hoisting it up with a forklift, spider lift and two boom lifts.
2019: Most nationalities on an aircraft
Emirates set this record with more than 500 passengers of 145 nationalities on a 90-minute flight from Dubai on November 29, 2019.
2020: First 3D-printed commercial building
Dubai Future Foundation achieved the world’s first 3D-printed commercial office building on February 20, 2020. Using a cement printer measuring 20 feet high, 120 feet long and 40 feet wide, the structure was printed in 17 days and assembled on site in just two days.
2020: Most messages to Santa collected in 24 hours
Dubai's Global Village set a record for the most letters to Santa collected in 24 hours on December 18, 2020. The feat was one of many world records set by the family attraction that year to mark its 25th anniversary. Starting at 3pm on December 17 and finishing at 3pm the next day, a total of 2,144 letters came from all over the UAE, addressed to Father Christmas.
2022: Largest inflatable aqua park
Aqua Fun, next to Jumeirah Beach Residences in Dubai Marina, is the world’s largest inflatable aqua park. Measuring more than 42,000 square metres, it sits off the coast and achieved the record on January 25, 2022.
2022: Fastest vertical-launch rollercoaster
The Storm Coaster at Dubai Hills Mall set the record as the fastest vertical-launch rollercoaster with a launch speed of 41kph. Developed by Emaar Entertainment, it opened on February 17, 2022.
2023: Largest magnet number
Amit Ramkumar, an autistic teenager living in Dubai, set a Guinness World Record when he was 13. Amit used 44,000 magnets to create a model of the number 44, which holds significance for him as one in 44 people in the US are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. The model was completed on April 16, 2023.
2023: Largest interactive immersive dome
Al Wasl Plaza in Expo City, Dubai, set the record for the largest interactive immersive dome on July 14, 2023. Covering 24,038 square metres, the dome measures 130 metres across and is 67.5 metres tall. It allows visitors to control light and sound features using a tablet.
2024: Tallest landmark sign
The Liwa sign, unveiled by Al Dhafra Region Municipality on January 26, 2024, is the world’s tallest landmark sign at 23.59 metres. Perched on a dune 197 metres above sea level, it weighs 49 tonnes, is 52 metres wide and was designed to withstand wind, humidity and earthquakes.
2024: Longest cantilevered building
One Za’abeel Dubai holds the record for the world’s longest cantilevered building at 67.277 metres. Completed in early 2024, it was designed as a landmark of architecture and engineering, redefining the city’s skyline. It was awarded the record on March 1, 2024.
2025: Most runners in a mall run event
The Dubai Mallathon, a month-long citywide initiative that transformed malls into indoor fitness tracks, attracted more than 40,000 participants. The record for most runners in a mall run event was set during the closing race at Dubai Hills Mall, which had 1,392 participants of various ages and nationalities, on August 31.
