Dubai Marina

Dubai Marina is truly a city within a city; providing residents with a cosmopolitan, free-spirited atmosphere and a unique, invigorating lifestyle. It is an urban centre that can be compared to the most exclusive waterfront developments in the world's leading cities. This man-made marina is strategically located near the fifth interchange on Sheikh Zayed Road close to some of Dubai's well-known landmarks: Dubai Internet City, Dubai Media City, Knowledge Village, The American University of Dubai and the Emirates Golf Club. Dubai Marina is also conveniently close to the Emaar Business Park and Jebel Ali Free Zone.

Living and Staying

Marina living has become one of the most desirable and sought-after lifestyles in the world. Dubai Marina is one of the world's largest, most meticulously planned waterfront developments. The area is great for young families and professionals offering unobstructed views across the marina, easy access to a beautiful beach, as well as excellent opportunities to enjoy fishing, jogging, yachting and other water sports. The waterfront community of Jumeirah Beach Residence is the largest single residential development in the world, consisting of 40 towers (36 residential and four hotels) as well as a number of beach clubs. Stretching along the famous Jumeirah Beach and bordering the Dubai Marina, it has been designed to be an extraordinary residential and holiday destination.

Four of Dubai's most prominent hotels are situated directly on the beach: Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort & Spa, Ritz Carlton, Hilton Jumeirah and Sheraton Jumeirah. There are also a number of other equally impressive hotels in the Marina to choose from.

Shopping

The best place to shop in the Marina is definitely Dubai Marina Mall. This mall is not as large as other more popular malls like the Mall of the Emirates but is has all the popular stores and has the advantage of being much less busy.

JBR Walk also features an outdoor and indoor shopping concept that has 350 retail units including food and beverage outlets, supermarkets, pharmacies and banks.

Dining

The area boasts many outdoor cafés and restaurants creating a lively vibe in the neighbourhood, particularly at night. It is remarkably pleasant to stroll down the pedestrian strip next to Jumeirah Beach Residence or next to the yachts docked at the marina in Dubai Marina Walk. The view of the sunset and yachts sailing by across the water is breathtaking. During the cooler months of the year, there are countless places to dine al fresco and catch up on some people watching.

Getting there

Getting to the Marina area is easy. There are two metro stations on either end of the Marina and everything else is just a short walk from these stations.

If visiting JBR, and on weekends in particular, keep in mind that it might take you nearly one hour to drive from one end of JBR to the other. So make sure you’re not in a hurry to get anywhere as getting in and out of the area is enough to spark a bout of road rage in even the calmest of drivers. It is also on weekends that you might witness the biggest casual carshow extravaganza in the Middle East, if not the world.

What used to be a large parking lot has been cut drastically to make way for a new mall complex that is currently under construction. Taking a taxi or the bus is really the best way to get to and from the Dubai Marina.