Where to Stay in Dubai: A Guide to the Main Areas

The best area to stay in Dubai depends on what you want from the trip. Downtown Dubai puts you next to Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall; Dubai Marina, JBR and Palm Jumeirah are built around the beach and the waterfront; Jumeirah is a quieter coastal suburb; Deira and Bur Dubai are the old trading heart of the city around Dubai Creek; and Business Bay sits beside Downtown along Dubai Water Canal.

Key facts

Station names are as listed on the RTA Metro map. Dubai Metro stations open 05:00 to midnight Monday to Thursday and Saturday, 05:00 to 01:00 on Friday and 08:00 to midnight on Sunday (RTA timetable; holiday hours differ).

Downtown Dubai

Visit Dubai, the emirate’s official tourism guide, describes Downtown Dubai as a specific, planned neighbourhood that includes Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall and Dubai Opera, bounded by Sheikh Zayed Road, Financial Centre Road, Dubai Water Canal and Burj Khalifa Boulevard. It is designed for walking, with Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard curving through the district.

• What’s there: Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall, The Dubai Fountain, Dubai Opera and Souk Al Bahar.
• Metro: Burj Khalifa / Dubai Mall on the Red Line, linked to Dubai Mall by a walkway.
• From DXB: Visit Dubai puts Downtown about 10km from Dubai International Airport as the crow flies, with direct Red Line trains from the Airport Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 stations.
• Hotels: mostly high-end; Visit Dubai notes there are fewer budget options inside Downtown and more in neighbouring Business Bay.

More detail: Downtown Dubai area guide.

Dubai Marina and JBR

Dubai Marina is a high-rise waterfront district on the coast between Dubai Media City and Jebel Ali, about 20km south-west of the city centre according to Visit Dubai. Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR) sits right next to it on the beach side and is a neighbourhood in its own right.

• What’s there: Marina Walk, a promenade of about 7km along both sides of the marina lined with cafes and shops; The Walk at JBR; and the public beach opposite JBR.
• Metro and tram: Sobha Realty and DMCC stations on the Red Line connect to Dubai Tram, which loops around the marina and stops at JBR 1 and JBR 2.
• By water: Dubai Ferry links Dubai Marina Mall with Dubai Water Canal and Al Shindagha, and a water bus runs within the marina.
• Beach: Visit Dubai says the JBR beach is free and public, with swimming allowed from sunrise to sunset; some sections are used by hotels.

More detail: Dubai Marina area guide.

Palm Jumeirah

Palm Jumeirah is the palm-shaped artificial island built out from Dubai’s coast. Visit Dubai notes that construction began in 2001 and the first residents moved in in 2006. Most of its hotels and resorts have their own beaches, and the crescent is lined with resorts.

• What’s there: Atlantis, The Palm at the centre of the crescent, the 11km Palm Jumeirah Boardwalk around the outer crescent, and Palm West Beach, which Visit Dubai lists as open to the public from 8am to midnight.
• Getting there: take the Red Line to Sobha Realty or DMCC, change to Dubai Tram for the Palm Jumeirah stop, then walk to Palm Gateway for the Palm Monorail along the trunk.

Jumeirah

Jumeirah is a leafy, largely residential suburb along the coast south-west of the centre. Jumeirah Beach Road, which runs parallel to the sea, is its commercial strip of restaurants and boutiques. It is not the same place as JBR, which Visit Dubai places about 20km further down the coast.

• What’s there: Jumeirah Public Beach (also called Nessnass Beach or Jumeirah Open Beach), which Visit Dubai describes as free, open 24 hours, with public showers and toilets; Etihad Museum is on Jumeirah Street.
• Transport: no nearby Metro station. Visit Dubai suggests buses, taxis or the ferry to the Dubai Canal marine station.

See Dubai’s public beaches for night-swimming beaches and beach rules.

Deira and Bur Dubai

Deira and Bur Dubai face each other across Dubai Creek and form the oldest part of the city. Deira is Dubai’s long-standing commercial hub, known for its souks; Bur Dubai is the site of the original settlement, with restored heritage quarters and museums.

• What’s there (Deira): the Gold Souk, Spice Souk and Perfume Souk, the dhow wharfage and the Deira creekside.
• What’s there (Bur Dubai): Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, Al Shindagha Museum, the Textile Souk and Meena Bazaar.
• Metro: both Red and Green lines run through the area. Union and Burjuman are interchange stations; Gold Souq and Al Ras serve the Deira souks; Sharaf DG and Al Gubaiba serve Bur Dubai.
• Crossing the creek: traditional abras carry passengers between Bur Dubai and Deira; Visit Dubai lists the one-way fare as AED 1 per person.
• From DXB: Visit Dubai notes Deira is very close to Dubai International Airport, which is in the neighbouring Garhoud district, and reachable on the Red Line.

More detail: Deira area guide and museums in Dubai.

Business Bay

Business Bay lies on the landward side of Sheikh Zayed Road next to Downtown Dubai and is built around Dubai Water Canal. Visit Dubai describes it as a district of high-rise urban hotels, many with views over Downtown and Burj Khalifa.

• Metro: Business Bay station on the Red Line, at the edge of the district; RTA feeder buses F14, F19A, F19B and F41 run from the station into the neighbourhood.
• Walking: Dubai Water Canal has footpaths on both banks, 6.4km in total, according to Visit Dubai.

How to choose

• Short first visit: Downtown or Business Bay keep you close to the main landmarks and on the Red Line.
• Beach holiday: Dubai Marina, JBR or Palm Jumeirah.
• Heritage and markets: Deira or Bur Dubai, on either side of the creek; Deira is also close to the airport.
• Quieter stay by the sea: Jumeirah, but plan on taxis or buses.

If you want an upscale hotel, read how 5-star hotel ratings work in Dubai before you book. For getting from the airport, see DXB airport transfers.

FAQ

Which area is best for first-time visitors to Dubai?

Downtown Dubai is the most convenient for landmarks: Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall and Dubai Opera are within walking distance, and Burj Khalifa / Dubai Mall Metro station is on the Red Line.

Which area is closest to Dubai International Airport?

Deira. Visit Dubai notes the airport is in the neighbouring Garhoud district and is a short Red Line Metro, bus or taxi ride away.

Is Jumeirah the same as JBR?

No. Jumeirah is a coastal suburb south-west of the centre, while Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR) is next to Dubai Marina, about 20km further along the coast.

Can I reach Palm Jumeirah by Metro?

Not directly. Take the Red Line to Sobha Realty or DMCC, change to Dubai Tram for the Palm Jumeirah stop, and continue on the Palm Monorail.

Is there a public beach near Dubai Marina?

Yes, the beach opposite JBR. Visit Dubai says it is free to use, with swimming allowed from sunrise to sunset, although some sections are reserved by hotels.

Where should I stay for the souks?

Deira, where the Gold, Spice and Perfume souks are, or Bur Dubai across the creek for the Textile Souk and Al Fahidi. Abras link the two sides.