Dubai Marina Area Guide Written by Arpan Ghosh

Once a small cluster of waterfront high-rises on the very outskirts of the city, Dubai Marina has gradually changed into a key residential and leisure district. It holds the claim of being the world’s largest man-made marina and also contains one of the city’s most popular beaches.

Made by carving a channel to create an artificial waterfront, the Marina is essentially split into two districts. Part of it is an island, which houses the area known as Jumeirah Beach Residence. It connects to the rest of the district on the mainland through a series of bridges. Thus, the area effectively has its own canal and beach, making it a truly unique waterfront destination.



Dubai Marina was conceptualized and developed by Emaar, Dubai’s most famous property developer. It was one of the first major undertakings tackled by the developer, and its success paved the way for other exceptional projects such as the Downtown Dubai, Burj Khalifa and the stunning Dubai Mall

Something For Every Lifestyle

Last year, Dubai Marina was the most popular community (tied with Downtown) in terms of apartment sales. It has been near, if not at the top of the list for a number of years. With its beachside location and premium facilities, it’s the right fit for dynamic young professionals and fledgling families.



​When it comes to living options, it really does have a little something for everyone, boasting the ‘tallest block in the world’, a cluster of high-rises where the shortest building stands no less than 350 metres high. There are several mid-range options available, as well as affordable luxury residences such as this lovely one-bedroom unit in Studio One.



On the other end of the spectrum, there are options such as Marina Gate, which features this fantastic four-bedroom penthouse.

Haven of Leisure

Dubai Marina is a small city in its own right, encompassing a wide range of lifestyle experiences in its 4-square kilometer area. The Marina Walk, which is the promenade that rings the marina itself, is home to a large variety of dining options, ranging from charming roadside cafes to fine dining restaurants with beautiful waterfront terraces.



Grosvenor House and Pier 7 are the two main highlights when it comes to food. The former houses several gourmet restaurants helmed by Michelin-star chefs and the latter is a 7-storey tall cylindrical structure with a restaurant spanning each floor and a glass-fronted exterior that provides it with 360° views of the entire district.



Also along the marina is the Dubai Marina Mall, the main retail hub in the area.

Waterfront Living Redefined

Though Dubai is not short of exceptional waterfront destinations, none has quite captured the city the same way that the Marina has. As the district continues to develop, a number of new attractions are on the horizon that will help maintain its position as the city’s ultimate waterfront district. The two developments we are keen on seeing soon are:

Bluewaters Island

A waterfront destination located by Jumeirah Beach Residence and just a short boat ride away from the Palm Jumeirah. Bluewaters Island will house a range of luxury apartments and five-star hotels, though it is already making waves as the location of Ain Dubai, the world’s largets observation wheel.

Dubai Harbour

A newly announced project located between Jumeirah Beach Residence and Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Harbour looks set to be a brand new leisure hub that will only cement the Marina’s position as the place to be. It will be home to two immense cruise terminals and Dubai’s latest icon, the Dubai Lighthouse