With its impressive high-rises, exciting watersports, enjoyable family activities, and delectable culinary options, Dubai Marina promises a diverse range of experiences to suit all tastes.
Voted as one of the 50 coolest neighborhoods worldwide by Time Out’s global editors, Dubai Marina stands out as a favored social hotspot for beach days and vibrant nightlife. Its welcoming community vibe appeals to both young professionals and families seeking an ideal living environment in the bustling city.
Dubai Marina boasts stunning waterfront views with towering residential skyscrapers. Adjacent to it lies Jumeirah Beach Residence, serving as a vibrant neighborhood connecting the marina to the beachfront.
Top attractions in Dubai Marina
Enjoy anything from leisurely sightseeing to high-adrenaline action
Unsurprisingly, Dubai Marina is a hub for water activities. Explore the city’s coastline by chartering a yacht for sightseeing or fishing tours.
For a more lively coastline tour, head to HERO Boat Tours, where a guide will take you out for a 90-minute self-drive boat tour – the only one available in Dubai. And there are also plenty of water sports options in Dubai Marina, from jet-skiing to parasailing and beyond.
Experience heart-pounding thrills at Xline Dubai Marina, the world’s longest urban zipline. Embark on an exhilarating 1km journey soaring up to 170 meters high over Dubai Marina at speeds of up to 80km/h, capturing every adrenaline-filled moment with mounted helmet cameras.
Then it’s time for one of Dubai’s ultimate adventure activities, head to Skydive Dubai – if you dare. A star attraction of Dubai Marina, this parachuting centre will take you thousands of feet up in their own plane, then take you on a tandem skydive with an experienced instructor.
And for a meal which will lift you off your feet, if not quite so far, head to Dinner in the Sky, right next to Skydive Dubai – where you can dine while hanging 50 metres in the air, as the food is freshly prepared in front of you. While the dishes are delicious, the main event is the stunning view of Dubai Marina and Palm Jumeirah, as the sun sets on the horizon.
Also worth a look is Dubai Harbour, which features a world-class cruise terminal, and plays host to events from live music to business conferences throughout the year.
Dubai Marina Mall – the district’s heart
A hub for everything from community events to transport links
Situated in the heart of Dubai Marina, overlooking the water, Dubai Marina Mall serves as a convenient hub with high-end shopping and a Waitrose supermarket.
Dubai Marina Mall hosts events year-round, including markets, yoga sessions, and outdoor performances. The mall fosters a sense of community among local residents with its diverse offerings.
Located at the lowest level of Dubai Marina Mall, various waterfront dining options offer outdoor seating with picturesque views of yacht moorings. This area serves as a departure point for Dubai Ferry, Water Bus services, and private boat tours operated by RTA.
And stretching in both directions along the water is another of Dubai Marina’s best attractions: Marina Walk.
Explore hidden gems along Dubai Marina Walk.
Take a leisurely walk along the waterfront promenade for a relaxing experience.
A pedestrian walkway stretching 7km along both sides of Dubai Marina, Marina Walk – also known as Marina Promenade – is one of the features which makes the neighbourhood so liveable. Almost every tower in the area is only a short walk from the walkway, and it’s a convenient route to reach many of the Marina’s most popular attractions on foot or by bicycle.
Far more than just a pleasant path to stroll along, though, Dubai Marina Walk is home to dozens of cafes, restaurants and shops – the perfect place to discover one of Dubai’s many great independent businesses. Enjoy a delicious Neapolitan-style pizza, stroll with an ice cream cone, and shop for quirky souvenirs – all on one stretch of Marina Walk.
Dubai Marina Walk is also a very popular exercise location, and you’ll often see joggers and cyclists making their way along the route, especially early in the morning or around dusk – but don’t worry, the path is wide enough for everyone.
And if your desired destination on Marina Walk seems just a bit too far, why not catch the Dubai Water Bus, which hops from one side of the marina to the other, with four convenient stops covering almost the whole area – along with a route from Dubai Marina Mall to Bluewaters.
Indulge in a variety of dining options along Dubai Marina.
Discover a diverse range of culinary delights in Dubai Marina, including fine dining and charming cafes for every palate.
Dubai Marina is one of the best districts in the city for dining and going out, with dozens of fantastic restaurants, along with cafes and coffee shops.
One particular highlight is Pier 7, a seven-storey tower dedicated to fine dining; next to Dubai Marina Mall, with views over the water, each level of Pier 7 is home to a fine dining establishment, from famed Lebanese eatery Abd el Wahab to The Scene by Simon Rimmer, serving contemporary European food.
Another Dubai Marina dining hotspot is the Grosvenor House Hotel, home to several of the city’s best restaurants. Indego by Vineet is the creation of Vineet Bhatia, the first Indian-origin chef to be awarded a Michelin star, while Rhodes W1 was the Dubai base of the late Gary Rhodes, and remains a fitting tribute to his culinary legacy.
And on the 43rd floor of the Grosvenor House is City Social by Jason Atherton, who rose through the ranks of Gordon Ramsay’s restaurant empire before launching out on his own. City Social’s superb modern European cuisine is matched by the 360-degree views – as the restaurant occupies the whole storey.
Back at ground level, La Carnita at the InterContinental Dubai Marina looks out over Dubai Marina Walk – but the real action is inside, with interiors designed with the help of Mexican street-style artists. Enjoy a fantastic variety of tacos featuring everything from short ribs and chorizo to mushrooms and cauliflower, and don’t miss the great guacamole.
There are plenty of other delicious discoveries to be made throughout the rest of Dubai Marina, with dozens more eateries along Dubai Marina Walk, and scattered throughout the district. A great way to enjoy a meal in the Marina is simply to start walking by the water, and choosing something which takes your fancy – or see below for more of our Dubai Marina restaurant listings.
Explore a selection of luxurious hotels in Dubai Marina’s vibrant district.
Dubai Marina hotels offer stunning views and facilities
There are plenty of great hotels in Dubai Marina, including lots boasting fantastic views, thanks to the area’s proliferation of skyscrapers. Along with the suggestions below, make sure to check out hotels in Jumeirah Beach Residence, which is right next to Dubai Marina.
Five-star hotels include the twin-towered Grosvenor House Hotel, close to the entrance of the Marina, along with Address Dubai Marina right next to Dubai Marina Mall, with Crowne Plaza Dubai Marina close by as well. Over on Bluewaters Island, very close to the marina, is the sprawling Caesars Palace Dubai resort – and on the other side of the marina is W Dubai Mina Seyahi, another fantastic luxury hotel.
Four-star hotel options include Millennium Place Marina, with a great central location and home to MasterChef the TV Experience. The Radisson Blu Residence Dubai Marina is another central option, located very close to Sobha Realty Metro station, while Vida Dubai Marina & Yacht Club is not only handy for DMCC Metro station, but is attached to the trendy Dubai Marina Yacht Club. And close to the marina’s eastern end is Dubai Marriot Harbour Hotel, with stunning Palm Jumeirah and marina views.
For longer stays, or just more space and flexibility, consider a hotel apartment in Dubai Marina. Jumeirah Living Marina Gate, located close to the original Marina Walk development, offers 104 deluxe hotel apartments, along with a high-tech gym, a pool with marina views, and in-house restaurants. Other hotel apartment options include the centrally-located Nuran Marina Serviced Residences, and Jannah Marina Hotel Apartments at the other end of the waterway.
Three-star hotels in Dubai Marina are not as common, but a great option is Rove Dubai Marina, from the same group behind the five-star Address hotel brand. There are also plenty of other budget accommodation options in Dubai Marina – check out our guide on cheap Dubai Marina hotels for more information.
How to get to Dubai Marina
Information on Dubai Marina’s transport links
By taxi: As Dubai Marina is a popular destination with visitors and residents alike, there are generally plenty of taxis available, and drivers will know the area well.
By public transport: Dubai Marina is very well-served by public transport, with two Dubai Metro stations, the Dubai Tram, Dubai Ferry and two RTA bus routes serving the area. You can get off at either Sobha Realty Metro or DMCC Metro station, both of which connect to Dubai Tram, which loops around the marina.
The number 8 bus runs all the way from Deira to Dubai Marina, via Jumeirah Beach Road, while the number 84 bus runs from Al Quoz to the marina – note that if you’re travelling the full route, getting to or from Dubai Marina by bus may take some time.
You can also travel on the Dubai Ferry between Dubai Marina Mall, Dubai Water Canal and Al Shindagha – a great way to both travel the length of the city and see the sights of Dubai’s coastline. The Dubai Water Bus also operates within Dubai Marina and to Bluewaters Island.
By car: You can easily reach Dubai Marina by car from Sheikh Zayed Road using Interchange 5 when coming from Dubai for the north-east end of the marina, or using Exit 29 for the south-west end. You can also drive to Dubai Marina via King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Street, along the coast.
Note that many places in Dubai Marina do not have much parking, so you may find it easier to park at Jabal Ali Metro station’s car park – free for Dubai Metro users – then catch the Red Line to DMCC Metro or Sobha Realty Metro stations, just one or two stops away.