Highlights
ABOUT AL BARSHA
Al Barsha or Barsha is a key residential area in Dubai. The community is made up of Al Barsha 1, Al Barsha 2, Al Barsha 3 and the latest addition to the area Al Barsha South. Most of the apartment buildings, shops and restaurants are located in Al Barsha 1. While a majority of the villas are scattered throughout the rest of the communities. The area has notably grown to be one of the most popular areas for renting villas in Dubai as seen in Bayut.com's Market Report for 2018. The highly convenient location and the added bonus of a great school district nearby makes it a great choice for families.
It is quite accessible for daily commutes no matter where you work in Dubai due to its location between Al Khail Road and Sheikh Zayed Road.
IN A NUTSHELL
- Property types range from studios and apartments to detached and semi-attached villas.
- Family-friendly and safe community with lifestyle amenities.
- Close to major highways: Sheikh Zayed Road and Al Khail Road.
- Easy access to Media City, Internet City, Emaar Business Park and more.
Neighbourhood
COMMUNITY OVERVIEW
Barsha has a sophisticated metropolitan vibe that is synonymous with the lifestyle of Dubai. The area is well-known for being home to a wide range of expat communities and different cultures. Making it a suitable choice for young professionals as well, due to its convenient location, affordable living environment and lifestyle amenities.
Properties in Al Barsha
The area offers a secure environment with many different property types and configurations. Al Barsha 1 has a majority of apartments leading it to be busier than the neighbouring districts. Mainly due to the close proximity to the metro, Al Barsha 1 is normally favoured by working professionals. The villa districts of Al Barsha, 2, 3 and Barsha South tend to be quieter, offering a more suburbian vibe, perfect for a family-oriented lifestyle.
Apartments for rent in Al Barsha 1 include studios, 1, 2 and 3-bedroom flats as well as a few houses. The other communities are mainly comprised of 3+ bedroom houses. Those villa plots are normally quite large and spacious and thus can be equipped with a private swimming pool or barbecue area in the backyard.
Rent for a studio in Al Barsha 1 starts from AED 34k only, while 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom flats rent out for an average of AED 50k and AED 69k, respectively. For larger families, renting 4-bedroom villa in Barsha South ranges from AED 110k to AED 330k.
In terms of buying property, studios in Al Barsha South range from AED 350k to AED 870k. Whereas, 5-bedroom houses range from AED 7M to AED 9M in Al Barsha 2. Freehold property is available for purchase for UAE Nationals in Al Barsha 1, 2 and 3 whereas expats can purchase freehold property in Barsha South.
Transportation and Parking Spaces in Al Barsha
One of the greatest things about Barsha is the fact that it is easily accessible by both public transport users and those with their own cars. Specifically, Al Barsha 1, is serviced by two metro stations: Mall of the Emirates and Sharaf DG. For residents in Al Barsha South, public transport might be a bit tricky since the nearest metro station is in Dubai Internet City but the area is being serviced by feeder buses: J01 and F32.
Parking shouldn't be an issue for residents as there is ample paid parking available and buildings come with their own underground parking. Villas also come with spaces for two or more cars depending on your house's size.
HOTELS IN AL BARSHA
Al Barsha Dubai is a popular tourist destination and it houses many hotels and hotel apartments. The most popular hotels in Al Barsha are:
- Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates Dubai
- Ibis Dubai Al Barsha Hotel
- Novotel Al Barsha
- Citymax Al Barsha
- La Villa Najd Hotel Apartments
Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates Dubai is one of the best hotels in Barsha. It offers direct access to Mall of the Emirates. It is a 5-star luxury hotel, its accommodation options range from lavish rooms and suites to their Aspen Ski Chalets which overlook the Ski Dubai slopes. It is also known for its fantastic dining options; you can have afternoon tea at Aspen by Kempinski, Spanish fare at Salero Tapas & Bodega and Arabian cuisine at Olea.
Ibis Al Barsha is a 3-star budget hotel. It is located close to the Sharaf DG Metro Station. It features two room types, a corner room or the corporate premium room which can access the Novotel Al Barsha's pool and gym. Ibis Al Barsha is preferred by business travellers for its large meeting rooms.
Novotel Al Barsha is a 4-star hotel with 465 hotel rooms. The hotel is family friendly as it has 100 interconnecting family rooms. Guests can take advantage of the sports facilities. The hotel has a fitness gym, an outdoor heated pool, table tennis, basketball facilities and even outdoor tennis courts nearby.
Citymax Al Barsha is a 3-star hotel located near Mall of the Emirates. Guests can choose from 365 rooms equipped with modern amenities. There are a few nightlife options in Citymax Al Barsha, The Huddle Sports Bar & Grill is popular for drinks, while Maxx Music Bar is popular for its live music. Their rooftop Aqua Pool Bar is also a favourite among those wanting to chill out by the pool.
In Al Barsha, hotel apartments are popular among visitors due to the quality of the amenities. La Villa Najd Hotel Apartments is one of the most popular hotels for that purpose. It is a 4-star hotel within walking distance to Mall of the Emirates. Guests can enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a health club with an outdoor swimming pool.
AMENITIES, SCHOOLS AND HEALTH CARE
SUPERMARKETS IN AL BARSHA
For your regular grocery shopping, there is a large Carrefour hypermarket in Mall of Emirates. There is also a large standalone Lulu Hypermarket in Barsha 1, it houses a few retail stores and restaurants. There is a branch of Union Co-Op hypermarket in the local Al Barsha Mall and a newly opened Spinneys supermarket, both options are located in Al Barsha 2. Normal pharmacies, eateries, coffee shops and other amenities are easily found all over the area and most of them offer a home delivery service.
CHURCHES, TEMPLES AND MOSQUES IN AL BARSHA
There are multiple mosques in each of the sub-communities. Notable mosques include Al Salam Mosque in Al Barsha 2, Al Barsha South Masjid, Osama Bim Zaid Mosque in Al Barsha 1 and Al Jasmi Mosque in Al Barsha 3.
Currently, there are no churches located in Al Barsha, but St Mary's Catholic Church is a 25-minute drive away. The Hindu temple Gurunanak Darbar Sikh Gurudwara is a 20-minute drive away from the community.
SCHOOLS AND UNIVERSITIES IN AL BARSHA
Al Barsha is home to many reputable schools and nurseries for your little ones. Prominent ones include Kings School in Al Barsha 3 which follows the British curriculum and is mainly favoured by the British expats residing in the area. For those looking for a school following the American/IB system, GEMS Dubai American Academy is one of the most sought-after American schools in Dubai and has received an outstanding rating in the KHDA examinations for the last 5 years. There is also Nord Anglia International School in Barsha South which offers both the British and IB curriculum as well as an exclusive curriculum in partnership with The Julliard School.
For older students looking for higher education, this district is located close to multiple reputable universities.
Middlesex University London has opened their first international campus right here in Knowledge Village, offering multiple undergraduate and postgraduate programs, the student body is represented by over 100 nationalities as of 2018.
MODUL University Dubai is the first internationally accredited Austrian university in the Middle East. The campus offers bachelor's and master's programs, inclusive of a semester abroad in either their Vienna or Nanjing campuses.
American University of Dubai was founded in 1995 and offers both undergraduate and graduate degrees as well as certificates in Middle Eastern Studies and Professional Teaching. In addition to courses in their chosen major, all undergraduate students must follow a general curriculum in Arts and Sciences.
HOSPITALS AND CLINICS IN AL BARSHA
Medical centres and hospitals are also in abundance in Al Barsha. You'll find Aster Clinic, Mediclinic Parkview Hospital in Barsha South and IMC Medical Centre to be popular options. For emergency care, there are the well-known Saudi German Hospital and Al Zahra Hospital nearby for patients residing in the area.
TOP 4 COMMUNITIES IN AL BARSHA
The area is becoming a fast favourite for residents to rent and buy property. Let us help you find out which are the top 4 communities in Al Barsha.
Amongst the 4 sub-communities, Al Barsha 1 placed first with a major landslide. Popular buildings in the area include the residential Murad Tower developed by Emaar Properties, it contains studio, 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom units. Murad Tower is currently the only freehold residential building in Al Barsha 1, prices start at AED 900k for studios.
The newest addition to this area, Barsha South takes the second spot with Al Barsha 2 and 3 following closely behind. Barsha South is home to the extremely popular new freehold villa community developed by TECOM Investments: Villa Lantana. Promoting itself as a well-planned neighbourhood with a total of 440 detached and semi-attached homes in 3, 4 and 5-bedroom configurations. Renting a 3-bedroom house in Villa Lantana starts from AED 165k and purchasing a 3-bedroom villa starts at AED 2.35M.
Nearby Areas
Located centrally for New Dubai, from Al Barsha one can access countless communities: Dubai Internet City, Al Sufouh, The Greens and more can be easily reached. If you are living in Barsha South then areas such as Jumeirah Village Circle, Motor City and Arabian Ranches are next door neighbours for you.
Lifestyle
SHOPPING, DINING AND NIGHTLIFE
Malls in Al Barsha
Home to one of Dubai's best-known malls, Mall of the Emirates is known as the crown jewel for residents. The mall has over 600 stores, home to many exciting activities such as an IMAX cinema, an indoor ski resort and so much more. Since it is so close to the different areas of this massive district it proves there is always something to do at Mall of the Emirates.
But wait, the community is home to another mall as well, the Al Barsha Mall. It is a more peaceful, family-friendly option, Al Barsha Mall offers a variety of restaurants, supermarkets, gyms, government offices and a large children's play area.
Restaurants in Al Barsha
Barsha has many restaurant and lounge options within the Mall of the Emirates, Kempinski Hotel and many local eateries ranging from an array of different cuisines. You might want to head to the highly acclaimed Taiwanese eatery Din Tai Fung which almost always has a mile long queue. Shakeism Milkshakes is another hidden gem, offering unique combinations of sweet treats in an aesthetic space. If a buffet is right up your alley, you'll definitely want to hit Barbeque Nation, a famed franchise from India where you'll watch your appetizers being freshly barbequed before you move on to the typical buffet offerings.
Beaches near Al Barsha
There is no beach in Al Barsha but there are quite a few close by, mainly in Al Sufouh and Jumeira both just a 10-minute drive away. There are playgrounds for the children, walking and cycling tracks as well as picnic spots at both these beaches.
LEISURE ACTIVITIES AND NOTABLE LANDMARKS
Wondering where to kick back and relax? Barsha has tons of activities for you to experience. You could go racing at the Dubai Autodrome which is right next to Al Barsha South or you can race around on their professional track or try your hand at go-karting. Visiting Dubai Miracle Garden is definitely a treat for the eyes and for your camera, it contains acres of designs and real-life imagery made out of 50-million blooming flowers - a world record. Another feature worth seeing is the Butterfly Garden, which houses over 35,000 species of butterflies in 9 different domes. Dubai Miracle Garden is only open in winter so visit while you can.
For other activities, you can get some exercise the fun way at Bounce Dubai, the indoor trampoline park, which is located next-door in Al Quoz. Otherwise, you can feed your soul with the art galleries and indie films showing at Al Serkal Avenue.
OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, FITNESS AND BEAUTY
Al Barsha Pond Park is a resident favourite. Built around a huge lake the park itself has a vast area and a variety of amenities that include a running track, tennis courts, basketball courts, fitness machines and playgrounds for children. Sadly, pets aren't allowed in this park so if you have pets you might want to take a short drive down to the dog park in Barsha Heights.
This vibrant community has everything to help you achieve a balanced lifestyle, there are lots of different gyms and fitness centres all over the neighbourhood, prominent outlets include Fitness First and Gold's Gym. You'll even find an assortment of award-winning spas and salons, including Dollhouse Salon, Tips & Toes Spa and Posh Beauty Salon.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
A home-grown concept, Ripe Market is open from 10am-8pm every Saturday at Al Barsha Pond Park. With local business showcasing their goods, multiple kid-friendly activities, free yoga classes and more, makes it the perfect end to the weekend.
Al Barsha Mall also has different on-going community events, so keep an eye out for those. Otherwise, you could always pop down to The Meadows as they have a lot of kid-friendly activities in their community centre.
THINGS TO CONSIDER
Combining affordable living and an enriching community lifestyle, Barsha Dubai has many benefits to offer its residents. The only downside being slight traffic jams at the entry points to the area from Sheikh Zayed Road in the morning and evening rush hour times.