Area guides
Know the place before the property.
Each Dubai community answers a different question: the sea, the schools, the commute. Our guides describe how each one lives, and what deserves a second look.
The coast at a glance
Where each community sits.
From Palm Jebel Ali in the south west to Dubai Islands and Al Jaddaf in the north east. Choose a marker to open the guide.
Map data from OpenStreetMap contributors via OpenFreeMap. Marker positions are approximate community centres, for orientation only. Scroll the stylised map sideways on a phone.
Featured communities
Apartments, Penthouses, VillasPalm JumeirahPalm Jumeirah is a palm shaped island off the Dubai coast, developed by Nakheel, with a central trunk, a fan of residential fronds and an outer crescent of resorts. A monorail runs from the mainland along its spine to the crescent.
Apartments, Penthouses, TownhousesDubai IslandsDubai Islands is a Nakheel master development of five islands covering around 17 square kilometres off the northern Dubai coast near Deira. The masterplan includes more than 20 kilometres of beaches, marinas, parks and resort hotels.
Apartments, Penthouses, OfficesDubai Maritime CityDubai Maritime City is a 249 hectare peninsula on reclaimed land between Port Rashid and the Dubai Drydocks, owned by DP World. It combines maritime industry with a growing waterfront district of residential and mixed use towers.
Villas, Mansions, ApartmentsPalm Jebel AliPalm Jebel Ali is a Nakheel island development off the Jebel Ali coast, around twice the size of Palm Jumeirah, with a masterplan approved in 2023. It is planned to add about 110 kilometres of shoreline and more than 80 hotels and resorts.
Apartments, PenthousesDubai HarbourDubai Harbour is a seafront district between Dubai Marina and Palm Jumeirah, owned and curated by Shamal Holding, with marinas and a twin cruise terminal. It includes Emaar Beachfront, a tower community with around 1.5 kilometres of private beach.
Apartments, Penthouses, DuplexesDowntown DubaiDowntown Dubai is an Emaar district of around two square kilometres between Sheikh Zayed Road and Financial Centre Road, home to Burj Khalifa, The Dubai Mall, The Dubai Fountain and Dubai Opera. It is served by the Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall station on the Dubai Metro Red Line.
More communities
Further guides.
Established neighbourhoods and newer master planned districts across the city.
Business BayBusiness Bay is a mixed use district immediately south of Downtown Dubai, built along the Dubai Creek extension and the Dubai Water Canal, with residential, office and hotel towers. It is served by Business Bay station on the Dubai Metro Red Line.Apartments, Penthouses, Duplexes
Dubai Marina and JBRDubai Marina is an Emaar waterfront district built around a canal of roughly three kilometres, with Jumeirah Beach Residence and its beachfront promenade, The Walk, along the adjoining coast. Both are served by the Dubai Tram, which connects with the Dubai Metro Red Line.Apartments, Penthouses, Duplexes
Dubai Hills EstateDubai Hills Estate is a 2,700 acre master planned community in Mohammed Bin Rashid City, developed by Emaar in a joint venture with Meraas, built around an 18 hole championship golf course. It sits at the junction of Al Khail Road and Umm Suqeim Road.Apartments, Townhouses, Villas
JumeirahJumeirah is a long established coastal district of Dubai, running south along Jumeirah Beach Road through Jumeirah 1, 2 and 3 towards Umm Suqeim. It is known for low rise villa neighbourhoods, public beaches and landmarks such as La Mer and, further south, Burj Al Arab.Villas, Mansions, Townhouses
The ValleyThe Valley is an Emaar master planned community of townhouses and villas along Dubai Al Ain Road, on the eastern edge of the city. Its amenities include a town centre, a sports village and a lagoon style beach area known as Golden Beach.Townhouses, Villas
Emaar SouthEmaar South is an Emaar golf community within Dubai South, close to Al Maktoum International Airport and Expo City Dubai. It combines villas, townhouses and apartments around an 18 hole championship golf course and a network of neighbourhood parks.Apartments, Townhouses, Villas
DAMAC LagoonsDAMAC Lagoons is a DAMAC Properties master community of around 49 million square feet in Dubailand, beside DAMAC Hills, arranged around lagoons with beaches. Its neighbourhoods are named after Mediterranean places such as Santorini, Venice, Portofino and Costa Brava.Townhouses, Villas, Apartments
Emaar BeachfrontEmaar Beachfront is an Emaar residential community of around 10 million square feet within Dubai Harbour, between Jumeirah Beach Residence and Palm Jumeirah. Its towers share around 1.5 kilometres of private beach reserved for residents.Apartments, Penthouses
Rashid Yachts & MarinaRashid Yachts & Marina is an Emaar waterfront community at Mina Rashid, the historic port beside Bur Dubai, developed with P&O Marinas, part of DP World. It pairs a marina of around 400 wet berths with low and mid rise apartment buildings and the QE2 floating hotel.Apartments, Penthouses, Townhouses
Jumeirah Village CircleJumeirah Village Circle is a Nakheel master community of around 560 hectares laid out in a circular plan, reached from Al Khail Road, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road and Hessa Street. It mixes villas and townhouses with low and mid rise apartment buildings, parks and community services.Apartments, Townhouses, Villas
Al JaddafAl Jaddaf is a waterside district of around 7.3 square kilometres on the Bur Dubai bank of Dubai Creek, historically a centre of dhow building. It is served by Creek and Al Jadaf stations on the Dubai Metro Green Line and is home to the Mohammed bin Rashid Library and Jaddaf Waterfront.Apartments, Penthouses
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