Dubai Marina is one of the most sought-after neighbourhoods in Dubai. This waterfront community boasts skyscrapers, hotels and luxury apartments, a range of restaurants, entertainment facilities, cruise tours and shopping avenues. At a prime location in the city, Dubai Marina is well-connected via major road routes and metro links. The area offers all the conveniences at a hand’s length including grocery stores, medical facilities and retail centres.
Most importantly, Dubai Marina consistently ranks as the most popular area for buying luxury apartments in Dubai as per the Dubai Sales Report by Bayut for H1 2023.
Dubai Marina is a meticulously-planned community with a wide network of roads and transportation and a picturesque marina with luxury yachts. It is a true testament to the master developer, Emaar Properties, who turned a 3.5 km strip of shoreline into a 6,452,391 sq. ft. modern neighbourhood that offers a chic Riviera-style lifestyle. A pivotal feature of this multi-purpose neighbourhood is the large canal stretching over 3.5 km and giving access to the sea on both ends. Potential buyers and tenants can choose from a range of luxurious apartments in high-rise buildings, set against the gorgeous backdrop of the marina.
As per the sourced data from the Dubai Land Department (DLD), over 14,500 rental transactions for properties in Dubai Marina were made in the last 12 months. At the same time, over 4,600 sales transactions for properties in Dubai Marina were made.
There are more than 200 residential towers in Dubai Marina, each offering spectacular views of the city and the harbour. Undoubtedly, the community is known as the ‘tallest block in the world’ and many of its buildings are part of Dubai’s iconic skyline. The area offers residents a vibrant community lifestyle. It is geared towards apartment living, although there are some podium villas to pique the interest of investors looking for houses for sale in Dubai Marina.
Rental apartments vary from studios, 1, 2, 3 and 4 bedroom apartments, to luxurious penthouses with 5 or more bedrooms. These apartments come with a spacious living area, fitted kitchen and an en-suite bathroom with bedrooms. Other features include a maid’s room, powder room and a balcony. The shared facilities of apartment buildings generally include fitness centre, parking area and security and concierge services.
As for villas, these are available in 2 to 6-bedroom layouts with an area ranging between 2,450 sq. ft. to 9,600 sq. ft. These villas are usually on the podium level of apartment buildings featuring a spacious living room, a well-equipped kitchen, a maid’s room with bathroom, powder room and a storage space. Parking facility and rooftop terrace are other features of these villas.
There is a wide range of properties available for rent in Dubai Marna including apartments, villas and penthouses.
Interested investors and end-users will find a wide range of affordable to luxurious housing options in the area. These freehold property projects give expats and foreign investors full ownership of the property purchased.
Dubai Marina is a freehold area in Dubai where investors can find a large portfolio of residential properties offering high returns on investment.
1-bed apartments offer the highest ROI in Dubai Marina of 13.45%. Studio apartments generate about 10.24% return on investment. 4-bed units offer an ROI of about 8.78%. Whereas, the ROI of 3-bedroom flats averages at 6.45%. The ROI for 2-bedroom flats is 6.17%.
You can easily find the floor plan of any building you’re interested in by browsing the Dubai Marina floor plans on Bayut. There are over 45,000-floor plans available in 2D and 3D formats.
The community is home to a block of supertall skyscrapers that includes some of the world’s largest residential towers. These towers offer a wide range of property types to choose from. Interested renters and buyers can take a look at the most popular buildings to make their choice.
As per the user-generated results, Marina Diamond fares as a popular option for both, renting and buying properties. It has six mid-rise residential buildings with apartments ranging from studios to 1, 2 and 3-bedroom units.
Marina Gate is another one of the top buildings for renting apartments in Dubai Marina. It is a freehold project by Select Properties featuring the complex of two residential towers and one serviced apartment tower.
One of the tallest residential towers in the area, Princess Tower is home to around 763 units of 1, 2 and 3-bedroom apartments and 4-bedroom penthouses.
Manchester Tower is also considerable for buying properties. It is a 30-storey tower featuring a mix of studios and 1 to 3-bedroom apartments. Whereas, DEC Towers is a complex of two buildings offering studios and 1, 2 and 3-bedroom apartments. The residential tower is one of the top buildings for buying apartments in Dubai Marina.
There is so much within and near the neighbourhood making Dubai Marina a top site for tourists and residents alike. Those looking for places to stay will find many options from luxurious penthouses to small units. We have rounded up a list of the best hotels in Dubai Marina.
The Address is a 5-star hotel directly linked to the mall. All suites and rooms offer views of the stunning marina and access to many luxurious amenities such as a spa, fitness centre, infinity pool and more. A more suitable option for business travellers would be Stella Di Mare Dubai Marina. However, it also has family suites. The hotel has a ballroom for events, spa, gym and restaurants. Another option, Grosvenor House is a luxury collection hotel with 750 guest rooms, a terrace pool and a private beach.
Likewise, Rove Dubai Marina is a suitable option for leisure travellers looking for a reasonably priced place to stay in Dubai’s iconic waterfront communiy. As for those interested in yacht tours and views, there is Vida Dubai Marina and Yacht Club.
Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort & Spa is another 5-star resort overlooking the marina. The hotel offers temperature-controlled swimming pools and tennis courts as sports amenities for guests. Those looking for dining options can visit the 14 outlets in the hotel itself or take a short walk down to JBR.
La Verda Suites & Villa is a slightly different hotel experience, as it offers larger properties such as villas and duplex penthouses. Guests can opt for the 24-hour butler service as well. The hotel also provides professional childcare services and activities specially designed for children.
Most residential towers have dedicated floors of parking spaces for tenants and owners. The area also has a few public parking spots, including one near Dubai Marina Walk, for those dropping by for an outing. However, finding a parking spot in Dubai Marina is not always an easy feat, most people end up using public transport to reach the area.
There are two metro stations in Dubai Marina: Sobha Realty Metro Station and DMCC Metro Station. The roads tend to get busy in the evenings so the metro can be a good way to shorten the time it takes for you to get home after work. Getting around the neighbourhood is a lot easier with the Dubai Tram, with its 11 tram stations, stretching from JBR to Al Sufouh. There are a few tram stations in the community as well, such as the Marina Towers Tram Station near Marina Pinnacle and MAG 218 Tower.
The area’s Marina Mall houses a Waitrose supermarket, where residents can easily get their grocery shopping done. Apart from this, the other supermarkets in Dubai Marina include Spinneys, West Zone Supermarket and Al Maya which cater to the day-to-day needs of tenants and owners living in the neighbourhood. Other convenience stores such as multiple branches of Zoom mini-mart are also dotted around the various buildings.
Like most residential areas in Dubai, there is a mosque in the Dubai Marina area. Known as Masjid Al Rahim, the mosque can hold up to 2,000 worshippers. It opened in 2014 and is now regarded as one of the most beautiful mosques in Dubai. The call to prayer can be heard five times a day, particularly on the lower floors of apartment buildings in the vicinity of a mosque. Nearby buildings to the mosque include Jannah Place and Zumurud Tower.
There are a group of churches clustered together in Jebel Ali, 15 minutes away from the community. Here you can find some of the best churches in Dubai including St. Francis of Assisi Church also known as Jebel Ali Church, United Christian Church of Dubai and Dubai Mar Thoma Church. Also located in Jebel Ali, Sikh residents can visit the Guru Nanak Darbar. Whereas, the nearest temple is Shiva Temple, 25 minutes away in Bur Dubai.
There are many nurseries in Dubai Marina such as Willow Nursery and Raffles Nursery.
Raffles Nursery offers an Early Years Curriculum for children from 45 days old to 4 years old. The nursery is located on the Marina Walk, easily accessible from most towers.
For older children, schools are located in nearby areas such as Horizon International School, Dubai British School and King’s School Dubai. Horizon International School is located a 12-minute drive away from Dubai Marina on Street 9A in Umm Al Sheif. Dubai British School in Springs 3 and King’s School Dubai in Umm Suqeim 3 offer the British curriculum.
There are also many higher education options in Dubai Knowledge Park. It is 10 minutes from the marina community and is also easily accessible by the tram network. Since the hub of higher educational institutes – Knowledge Village is in proximity, residents can easily head to the top universities in Dubai. These include Middlesex University Dubai, the University of Wollongong and the University of Bradford Dubai.
The neighbourhood also houses medical clinics and centres for family health needs. These include Medcare Medical Centre Marina and Emirates Hospitals Clinic. Other options include Al Zahra Hospital and Saudi German Hospital in Al Barsha for any emergencies.
Marina is centrally located in the city, along Sheikh Zayed Road (E11). It is located opposite Jumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT) between Dubai Media City and Jebel Ali Freezone. Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR) and Palm Jumeirah are also in proximity to the neighbourhood. Apart from the elegant appeal of life by the water, many residents prefer the place due to its proximity to business districts like DIFC and Dubai Internet City.
There is yet to be an area in Dubai that doesn’t have a mall for you to get your shopping fix. Dubai Marina Mall, located conveniently on Sheikh Zayed Road (SZR) E11, offers residents a variety of retail options, covering everything from high-street fashion, retail stores, a supermarket and more. Some of the popular stores in Dubai Marina Mall are Tommy Hilfiger, H&M, Charles & Keith, Sephora and Miniso.
There are many facilities in Dubai Marina Mall besides shopping such as a bank, supermarket, pharmacy and salons. Also, you can dine at the various F&B outlets or catch a movie at Reel Cinemas. Out of the various things to do in Dubai Marina Mall, ziplining across the community is a top-favourite.
JBR’s The Beach mall is also close to the marina, offering residents an outdoorsy and off-beat shopping experience. There is a smaller selection of luxury fashion brands and speciality stores in this mall.
Living in Dubai Marina will have you spoilt for choice when it comes to food. First, Marina Walk is lined with al fresco cafés and restaurants with delicious cuisines from all over the world to entice your taste buds. Popular restaurants on Dubai Marina Walk include:
There is also a wide variety of casual restaurants along with fine dining options and nightspots. The area attracts visitors from all over the city, therefore, restaurants are often packed on the weekends. Popular ones include Perfetto Pizzeria, Itsu and The Acai Spot. Fresh Fish Restaurant and Bob’s Fish and Chips are a few of the best seafood restaurants in Dubai Marina.
Dining at one of the 7 fine-dining restaurants in the hugely popular Pier 7 is an absolute must. The stunning circular building offers pretty views of the Dubai skyline and has a different restaurant on each of its seven floors – a culinary adventure that you just can’t miss! Also popular is the luxury hotel, Grosvenor House which offers the best selection of fine-dining restaurants in Dubai Marina.
Moreover, foodies can head to the top restaurants in Dubai Marina Mall serving an array of cuisines. These include Shakespeare & Co., Wagamama, Zafran, Salt and Doner and Gyros. To satisfy your sweet tooth cravings, Massimo’s Gelato is one of the best places to get ice cream in Dubai Marina.
There are many bars in Dubai Marina. Popular ones are near the Yacht Club. A few options are Shades, Cargo Dubai and Atelier M. The area has a little bit of everything for you to choose from. Barasti Beach and Zero Gravity are some of the best options for nightlife in Dubai Marina.
To indulge in watersports, you can head to the JBR Beach. This popular beach is easily accessible from most towers via Dubai Tram. Visitors can enjoy a range of activities including water sports, parasailing, banana boating, and wakeboarding. The other open beach is over in Jumeirah, which is a 30-minute drive away.
A major part of the appeal for those living around here is the waterfront lifestyle and everything it represents. Apart from enjoying stunning views, visitors will never run out of things to do in Dubai Marina as it has plenty on offer to entertain you. To experience a little of the sea life around which the Marina is built, you can head down to the Dubai Marina Yacht Club and charter a yacht. The club also offers numerous outlets for watersports enthusiasts, including fishing, wakeboarding, jet skiing, flyboarding and more.
For those looking to explore the area, or partake in fun activities over the weekend, The Yellow Boats is an excellent option. With a booth at the Marina, you can go on a sightseeing tour, cruising around the stunning Palm Jumeirah and the awe-inspiring skyline of Dubai. They also organise corporate and group tours, as well as yacht charter services.
For a more luxurious experience on the marina, guests can opt for a dhow cruise. Dhow cruises in Dubai Marina are a popular way to sightsee and enjoy dinner over the water.
Dubai Marina Mall also offers multiple leisure activities including a Little Explorers children’s activity centre. It regularly hosts free indoor events for children during the summer months.
Tourists, residents and visitors never run out of the exciting outdoor activities in Dubai Marina. From thrilling zip line to calming long walk, there’s a complete package for people of all ages.
Dubai Marina Walk is not only lined with eateries but it also offers residents a great outdoor area for long walks, evening runs and even cycling. The 7-km promenade has bike rental stations where you can rent a bicycle for a ride around the town and take in beautiful views of the yachts moored at the marina as you cycle. Quad bikes for children are also available on Marina Walk.
For fitness enthusiasts, there is a variety of workout studios and gyms in Dubai Marina to pick from. Popular options are SUP Fit a water-based workout gym and TribeFIT which is known to be a social gym with events for its members In cooler months, you can also head out for early morning yoga sessions at JBR Beach. Most residential towers also have state-of-the-art gym equipment for you to get a quick workout closer to home.
Dubai Marina salons and spas are known for providing a delightful menu of massages, scrubs and facials. The Spa, located in The Address Hotel is a top favourite, along with Talise Ottoman Spa at the Jumeirah Zabeel Saray in Palm Jumeirah. Those looking to reset and rejuvenate can head to the various yoga spots in Dubai Marina.
The development has several community events held throughout the year. Emaar hosts children’s events along Marina Walk to keep the little ones happy and entertained. Along with this, the cooler months are usually buzzing with outdoor craft markets held at the marina promenade, featuring handicrafts and speciality products by local small business owners.
Numerous hotels in and around the area host Iftars and Suhoor in Ramadan. These events are held in beautifully decorated Ramadan tents that reflect the tradition and heritage of this holy month. In addition to several restaurants in Dubai Marina, offering special Iftar meals, the popular Address Dubai Marina also sets up an Iftar tent every year. During Eid, residents can look forward to a dazzling display of fireworks along the shore of JBR.
Dubai Harbour is a seafront district of Dubai Marina located at the intersection of Palm Jumeirah and Bluewaters Island Meraas. The project is the first-ever dedicated cruise port in the region with a capacity to berth up to 700 luxury boats and yachts. The project also includes residential buildings, a luxury hotel, retail space, dining options and much more.
While living in Dubai Marina has its perks, there are a few things to know before you decide to move to this neighbourhood. Despite being one of the most well-connected areas in Dubai in terms of public transport, the roads tend to get congested, especially during rush hour. Similarly, public parking spaces are limited, those visiting friends or family in Marina might be better off taking a cab or catching a metro ride instead.
Those looking to move to this part of Dubai can choose from a variety of apartments for rent. Some residential towers also feature podium villas preferred by families. If you are planning a short or long stay, there are various hotels, waterfront resorts and reasonable hotel apartments in Dubai Marina.
Yes, of course, you can walk around Dubai Marina. It is one of the most pedestrian-friendly neighbourhoods in Dubai. It also has a waterfront promenade called Marina Walk which is popular for walking, strolling, jogging and running.
It is definitely worth visiting for the many hotels, restaurants and attractions that make up the community. The area is known as the ‘tallest block in the world’, many of the buildings are a minimum height of 820 ft., (250 metres). The high-rise skyscrapers offer breathtaking views of the emirate and its skyline. If you are wondering about things to do, start off with Marina Walk and Dubai Marina Mall. These are the main attractions and activities along with speedboat tours in Dubai Marina. Also, you’d be closer to the bustling JBR.
You can find many fine-dining options in Dubai Marina. Some are concentrated in Pier 7 and others in the various range of 5-star hotels in the community. Indigo by Vineet and Toro Toro are some of the top fine dining restaurants at Grosvenor House.
Visitors can enjoy some of the best yacht cruise trips in Dubai Marina that include yacht parties, private tours and fishing cruises etc.
Dubai Marina was built in 2003 but the area is still not yet complete. There are many developments that will be completed in the near future.
If you’re using the metro, get off at the Sobha Realty Metro Station on the Red Line. From here, you can tour the area or use the Dubai Tram to go to JBR, Dubai Marina Mall or other parts of the community. If you’re travelling by car, then Al Marsa Street leads directly to the area. You can merge onto Al Marsa Street from Interchange No 5 on Sheikh Zayed Road (E11).
Interested investors can buy off-plan properties in Dubai Marina. These include Marina Shores and LIV Marina. Moreover, the EMAAR Beachfront on Dubai Harbour also offers several properties for sale.
Yes, LIV Marina, Marina Shores and LIV LUX are some of the latest off-plan projects in Dubai Marina offering attractive investment plans.
It is the world’s largest man-made marina
Zafran at the ground floor of Dubai Marina Mall serves Mutton Biryani and Kulfi. Memory Lane and Gifto’s of London on Dubai Marina Walk are also the best Indian restaurants in Dubai Marina.
Yes, renting apartments near the metro is pricier in any part of the city as rents tend to be higher in these areas. Interested tenants can check out the cost of renting apartments near the metro in Dubai Marina to make an informed decision.