15 Towers That Outshine the Eiffel
The Eiffel Tower gets all the attention, but let’s be honest—it’s not the only impressive tower worth talking about. Sure, it’s iconic and beautiful, but towers around the world offer their own brand of magnificence that often goes unnoticed.
Some are taller, others more architecturally daring, and a few pack cultural significance that makes Paris’s Iron Lady look downright ordinary. Here are 15 towers that deserve just as much recognition as the Eiffel, each bringing something special to the table that might just make you rethink what makes a tower truly great.
Burj Khalifa, Dubai
At 2,717 feet tall, the Burj Khalifa doesn’t just outshine the Eiffel Tower—it absolutely towers over it. This architectural marvel shoots up nearly three times higher than Paris’s famous landmark, redefining what’s possible in skyscraper construction.
The building’s design, inspired by Islamic architecture and desert flowers, proves that modern engineering can create something both innovative and culturally meaningful.
CN Tower, Toronto
Toronto’s CN Tower held the title of the world’s tallest freestanding structure for over 30 years, and it still commands respect—for good reason. Unlike the Eiffel Tower’s primary function as a monument, the CN Tower serves as a vital telecommunications hub while offering visitors experiences like EdgeWalk—where you can literally walk around the outside of the tower.
Its sleek concrete design and practical purpose show that towers can be both functional and spectacular.
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Tokyo Skytree, Japan
Standing at 2,080 feet, Tokyo Skytree combines cutting-edge technology with traditional Japanese aesthetics in ways the Eiffel Tower never imagined. The tower’s base is triangular, gradually becoming circular as it rises—a design inspired by ancient Japanese pagodas.
Beyond its impressive height, Skytree serves as a broadcasting tower while housing restaurants, shops, and observation decks that offer stunning views of Mount Fuji on clear days.
Taipei 101, Taiwan
Taipei 101 revolutionized skyscraper design with innovations that make it one of the world’s most earthquake-resistant buildings—something the Eiffel Tower never had to worry about. Its bamboo-inspired design reflects Taiwan’s natural beauty while incorporating feng shui principles throughout its construction.
The building’s massive tuned mass damper, visible to visitors, shows how modern engineering can turn safety features into tourist attractions.
Petronas Towers, Malaysia
These twin towers in Kuala Lumpur don’t just impress with their height—they showcase Islamic architectural principles in a way that’s both modern and deeply cultural. Connected by a skybridge on the 41st and 42nd floors, the towers represent Malaysia’s economic growth and cultural identity.
Their stainless steel and glass facades create a shimmering effect that changes throughout the day, offering visual drama that the iron Eiffel Tower can’t match.
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Willis Tower, Chicago
Once called the Sears Tower, this Chicago giant held the title of the world’s tallest building for nearly 25 years. What makes it special isn’t just its height—it’s the Ledge, glass boxes that extend from the building’s 103rd floor, letting visitors look straight down to the street below.
The tower’s bundled-tube design revolutionized how tall buildings could be constructed, influencing skyscraper design worldwide.
Space Needle, Seattle
Seattle’s Space Needle proves that sometimes being unique matters more than being the tallest. Built for the 1962 World’s Fair, this futuristic tower captures the optimism of the Space Age with its flying saucer-like top and slender profile.
Recent renovations added glass floors to the observation deck, creating an experience that’s both thrilling and beautiful—something the Eiffel Tower’s traditional viewing platforms can’t quite match.
Oriental Pearl Tower, Shanghai
Shanghai’s Oriental Pearl Tower looks like it came straight out of a science fiction movie with its distinctive spheres stacked along a central column. This broadcasting tower became a symbol of China’s rapid modernization and economic growth, representing the country’s leap into the 21st century.
Its unique design and colorful LED lighting displays create a visual spectacle that transforms Shanghai’s skyline every night.
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Sydney Tower, Australia
Sydney Tower might not be as tall as some others, but its location gives it views that few towers can match—spanning from the Blue Mountains to the Pacific Ocean. The tower’s golden turret design makes it instantly recognizable in Sydney’s skyline, while its revolving restaurant offers diners a slowly changing panorama of one of the world’s most beautiful cities.
Its integration with a shopping complex below shows how towers can serve multiple purposes effectively.
Milad Tower, Tehran
Tehran’s Milad Tower combines Persian architectural elements with modern broadcasting technology, creating something uniquely Iranian. At 1,427 feet tall, it’s one of the tallest towers in Asia and serves as both a telecommunications hub and a cultural landmark.
The tower’s design incorporates traditional Iranian patterns and colors, proving that modern structures can honor cultural heritage while embracing contemporary function.
Ostankino Tower, Moscow
Moscow’s Ostankino Tower has been broadcasting to Russia since 1967 and remains one of the world’s tallest freestanding structures. What sets it apart isn’t just its impressive height but its role in Russian television history—nearly every Russian has seen programming transmitted from this tower.
Its concrete construction and utilitarian design reflect Soviet engineering philosophy while serving practical purposes that the decorative Eiffel Tower never needed to fulfill.
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Macau Tower, Macau
Macau Tower takes the concept of tower-based thrills to extreme levels with activities like bungee jumping from 764 feet up—the world’s highest commercial bungee jump. This entertainment-focused tower proves that modern towers can be adventure destinations rather than just observation points.
Its design incorporates elements reflecting Macau’s unique blend of Chinese and Portuguese cultures, making it both an architectural statement and a cultural symbol.
Skylon Tower, Niagara Falls
Positioned to offer unparalleled views of Niagara Falls, the Skylon Tower proves that location can be everything. While it may not compete on height, its panoramic views of one of nature’s most spectacular sites make it unforgettable for visitors.
The tower’s design, with its distinctive flying saucer-shaped observation deck, captures the optimism of 1960s architecture while serving as the perfect vantage point for the falls.
Lotus Tower, Colombo
Sri Lanka’s Lotus Tower draws inspiration from the country’s national flower while reaching toward the sky at 1,168 feet tall. This telecommunications tower incorporates LED lighting systems that can display the colors of any nation’s flag, making it a symbol of international friendship and cooperation.
Its lotus-inspired design connects modern engineering with Buddhist symbolism, creating something that speaks to both practical needs and spiritual values.
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Abraj Al-Bait Clock Tower, Mecca
Standing at 1,971 feet, this tower complex in Saudi Arabia houses one of the world’s largest clock faces—four times bigger than Big Ben’s. Built to rival London’s famous timekeeper, the tower serves Islamic pilgrims visiting Mecca while displaying the time according to Arabian Standard Time.
Its Islamic architectural design and massive scale create an imposing presence that serves both religious and practical purposes in one of the world’s most sacred cities.
Beyond Paris
These fifteen towers remind us that amazing architecture exists everywhere, each reflecting the values and aspirations of its builders. While the Eiffel Tower deserves its fame, these structures prove that innovation, cultural expression, and engineering excellence flourish worldwide.
From Dubai’s vertical city to Seattle’s space-age optimism, each tower tells a story about human ambition and creativity. Maybe it’s time we stopped thinking of the Eiffel Tower as the gold standard and started appreciating the incredible diversity of towers that reach toward the sky around our planet.
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