Districts of Dubai

A little orientation

Two important arteries help to keep the orientation in Dubai. One is the Dubai Creek, an originally 11 km long estuary, which has been reconnected to the Arabian Gulf in recent years by two canals in a large arc to the south.

With its bustle of dhows (wooden transport boats) and abras (water cabs), the creek is the traditional lifeline of Dubai.

On the other hand, Sheikh Zayed Road, the most important connecting road within Dubai City, provides orientation as it runs parallel to the coastline through almost all districts of modern Dubai.

We briefly describe below the districts of Dubai from north (older parts of the city) to south (modern parts of the city). Old Dubai, also called “Old Dubai”, is concentrated to the right and left of Dubai Creek.

Deira

is the oldest district on the east bank of the Creek and attracts with many shopping opportunities. The gold and spice souk is also located there.

Bur Dubai

is located on the west bank of the Creek and is home to many historical sights, such as the old Al Fahidi district with its traditional wind towers.

Beautiful flair can be found in Al Seef, with its mix of modern pavilions and Arabian wind tower houses on an approximately 1.8 km long promenade of small stores and restaurants on the banks of Dubai Creek.

Downtown Dubai

is home to the Burj Khalifa, the world’s largest shopping mall, the Dubai Mall, as well as the Dubai Opera and numerous world-class hotels.

South of Downtown

is Business Bay. A new district with numerous residential towers, office complexes, hotels, restaurants and stores, but also many parks and a waterfront promenade along the also newly built Dubai Canal. Business Bay includes Al Habtoor City with three hotels of the Hilton hotel group as well as the water show La Perle.

In the south of the city, at the height of the Palm Jumeirah, is the Al Barsha district with the Mall of the Emirates shopping center and the Ski Dubai ski and snow resort.

In Al Barsha

which is very conveniently located near the Dubai Metro, there are many hotels in the 3- and 4-star range. Numerous sights of the city can be reached quickly by cab via Sheikh Zayed Road or by metro, which has a station at the Mall of the Emirates.

South of Al Barsha are the two adjacent districts of Dubai Internet City and Dubai Media City. Numerous IT and media companies have settled in both districts, but there are also good and inexpensive hotels. From Dubai Internet or Media City it is not far to Dubai Marina.

This part of the city is dominated by skyscrapers and a 4 km long artificial water channel. On its curved waterfront promenades, the large marina, numerous restaurants, cafés and stores as well as the “Dubai Marina Mall” invite visitors to linger and store. The Dubai Marina includes the residential complex Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR), along which the 1.7 km long beach promenade “The Walk” runs and attracts with many restaurants, cafés and small stores.

Not to forget, of course, the island of The Palm Jumeirah, with numerous hotels on its trunk as well as the outer ring, with the Nakheel Mall and the 250 m high The Palm Tower and its viewing platform The View at The Palm.

In addition, the famous beach Jumeirah Beach and the beach area closest to the city, La Mer, developed in recent years.