Marina Living: A Guide to Dubai Marina

December 30, 2022
6 min read

Welcome to Dubai Marina

One of the most sought-after neighborhoods in the city for a number of reasons: its remarkable waterfront made accessible by promenade walkways, the over 200 towers with unique architecture, and diverse dining and nightlife destinations offered through fan favorites like Dubai Marina Mall and JBR whose countless restaurants, shops, and attractions are catered to global tastes. Mainly tailored for apartment living, the community-friendly lifestyle Dubai Marina offers is complemented by an array of public transportation options such as the Metro, 11-station Tram, and taxis at every corner. These aspects are factored in by residents, mostly composed of expatriates within the 4.9 sq. km neighborhood, as they rely on easy access to global amenities.

Commute times

Intl. Airport 28m. by car, 45m. by metro.
Downtown 20m. by car, 30m. by metro.
JBR beach 1m. by car, 5m. by walk.

Nearest public transport

🚇 1.5km to DMCC station, Dubai Metro
🚇 1.4km to SOBHA station, Dubai Metro
🚈 Dubai Tram

Bike Friendly

 4.5/5

Scooter Friendly

 4.5/5

Picturesque waterways and top-notch amenities all in one place!

Around the block

The lifestyle

From jet skiing in JBR to cozying up on a bench with a friend and your favorite food meal, Dubai Marina serves both adventurous and solitary locals alike.

Along the Marina Promenade, there are plenty of food trucks to enjoy, especially during the Marina Street Festival held during peak weather seasons, and combines art, music, theater artists and more to attract visitors of all ages to enjoy!

Art

Although the area is not known for its active art scene, there are some galleries dispersed across the Marina that carry statement pieces and unqiue collections nonetheless. If you’re into street art, the walls and steps of JBR showcase Instagram-worthy murals that always capture attention from tourists and residents alike. The next time you’re in Dubai Marina, make your way to:

Gallery 27
CARL Gallery
Sama L Ain Gallery

Restaurants

It’s dining galore in Dubai Marina, home to over 300 restaurants and more than 20 cafes! There really is so much to choose from, and a wide range that fits different budgets, whether you’re in it for a quick coffee fix or a 3-course meal. Here are some suggestions to get you inspired:

Pier 7; a 7-floor culinary adventure near Dubai Marina Mall offering exotic Arabic cuisine, Asian flavors, and European-inspired dining — range varies per restaurant
Salt; a popular burger destination amongst locals and tourists — approx. AED 125 for 2 people
L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele; an authentic Italian experience from the heart of Napoli — approx. AED 290 for 2 people
tashas; offering beautiful and authentic interiors and a classic menu and dining experience inspired by timeless café classics — approx. AED 245 for 2 people

Nightlife

Dubai Marina is big on nightlife with plenty of clubs and restaurants that stay open past midnight, and offer great packages for groups and couples. Fan favorites include:

The Pavillion, JBR
Bla Bla, JBR
Buddha Bar
The Bronx

Schools

Unlike the DIFC, Dubai Marina exudes a residential feel geared more towards young couples and singles than families particularly given the bustling activity year-round, which may not be a good fit for those looking to settle with children.

However, there are some schools within close proximity to the area, on average a 17 minute drive from Dubai Marina’s center:

Regent International School, The Greens (within 3.8 km) — 13 minute drive
Dubai British School, Emirates Hills (within 4.1 km) — 15 minute drive
American School of Dubai, Al Barsha (within 5 km) — 18 minute drive
Gems Dubai American Academy, Al Barsha (within 5.3 km) — 21 minute drive

As for nursuries, there are plenty of them to choose from within the neighborhood, all mostly located around the center or JBR:

Raffles Nursery (within 2.1 km from Braih St)
Blossom Marina Nursery (within 2.6 km from Braih St)
Monroe’s Nursery (within 2.4 km from Braih St)

Gyms

There are 28 gyms within Dubai Marina, the perfect destination for an afternoon pilates class or boxing session. With so many businesses to choose from, there is always a class to attend that helps diversify workout routines. Good to note that JBR also offers a long jogging track should one prefer to break a sweat outdoors… if the weather allows!

Fitness First (within 1.5 km) — 4 minute drive
The Warehouse Gym, JBR (within 1.5 km) — 7 minute drive
The Platform Studios (within 230 m) — 1 minute drive

Hospitals

There are plenty of specialty hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies within Dubai Marina, namely:

Medcare Clinic (within 1.4 km) — 6 minute drive
Emirates Hospital Clinics (within 2.8 km) — 8 minute drive
Novomed (within 2 km) — 7 minute drive

Marina Living: A Guide to Dubai Marina