Districts · Dubai
Dubai by district
Dubai is a line of districts along the coast, joined by Sheikh Zayed Road and the metro. Sleep in one cluster, spend one half day per district and use the metro or a taxi between them.
About these names
Deira and Bur Dubai are the old town, either side of the Creek. Downtown and the Marina are new districts 25 to 45 minutes from each other by car.
- Downtown Dubaiوسط مدينة دبيsleepseeSuits: First visit, malls, the tower and the fountainBurj Khalifa, Dubai Mall and the fountain; air-conditioned links; hotels with lifts and taxis at the door.3 sights · 1 eats · 1 sleep areaDistrict guide →
- Bur Dubai and Al Fahidiبر دبيsleepseeSuits: Old town, budget hotels, the CreekWind-tower lanes, textile souk, abra station and a lot of Indian and Emirati food.2 sights · 3 eats · 1 sleep areaDistrict guide →
- DeiraديرةseeeatSuits: Gold and spice souks, cheap food, older hotelsAcross the Creek; walk the souks from 16:30 and eat shawarma late.Across the Creek; walk the souks from 4:30 PM and eat shawarma late.1 sights · 1 eatsDistrict guide →
- Dubai Marina and JBRمرسى دبيsleepseeSuits: Beach stays, winter sun, familiesA car-free promenade, the public beach and tram; 25 to 45 minutes from Downtown.2 sights · 1 eatsDistrict guide →
- JumeirahجميراseeSuits: Beach parks, mosque visits, Burj Al Arab viewsA villa strip with beaches, cafés and art galleries; go by car.Short entry only: too little in this guide for a full page yet.
- Palm Jumeirahنخلة جميراsleepSuits: Resort holidays and waterparksLarge resorts, monorail and beach clubs; far from the old town.Short entry only: too little in this guide for a full page yet.
- Business Bay and DIFCالخليج التجاريsleepSuits: Business trips, art galleries, diningTowers and restaurants near Downtown; DIFC has galleries and fine dining.Short entry only: too little in this guide for a full page yet.
- Al Quoz and Alserkal AvenueالقوزseeSuits: Art and design, warehousesGalleries and cafés in old warehouses; check opening days.Short entry only: too little in this guide for a full page yet.
Hover, tap or tab to an area to see what it is like. Pins are sleep areas; arrows at the edge point to the airport.
Not drawn yet (no coordinates in this guide): Jumeirah, Palm Jumeirah, Business Bay and DIFC, Al Quoz and Alserkal Avenue. See the table above.
Where’s what, as a list:
- Downtown Dubai (وسط مدينة دبي): Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall and the fountain; air-conditioned links; hotels with lifts and taxis at the door. Suits: First visit, malls, the tower and the fountain. Price band $$$.
- Bur Dubai and Al Fahidi (بر دبي): Wind-tower lanes, textile souk, abra station and a lot of Indian and Emirati food. Suits: Old town, budget hotels, the Creek. Price band $$.
- Deira (ديرة): Across the Creek; walk the souks from 16:30 and eat shawarma late.Across the Creek; walk the souks from 4:30 PM and eat shawarma late. Suits: Gold and spice souks, cheap food, older hotels.
- Dubai Marina and JBR (مرسى دبي): A car-free promenade, the public beach and tram; 25 to 45 minutes from Downtown. Suits: Beach stays, winter sun, families.
- Jumeirah (جميرا): A villa strip with beaches, cafés and art galleries; go by car. Suits: Beach parks, mosque visits, Burj Al Arab views.
- Palm Jumeirah (نخلة جميرا): Large resorts, monorail and beach clubs; far from the old town. Suits: Resort holidays and waterparks.
- Business Bay and DIFC (الخليج التجاري): Towers and restaurants near Downtown; DIFC has galleries and fine dining. Suits: Business trips, art galleries, dining.
- Al Quoz and Alserkal Avenue (القوز): Galleries and cafés in old warehouses; check opening days. Suits: Art and design, warehouses.
- Sleep area Bur Dubai: suits Old town, budget hotels, the Creek, price band $$.
- Sleep area Downtown Dubai: suits First visit, malls, the tower and the fountain, price band $$$.
- Dubai International Airport (DXB), about 10 km6.2 mi from the centre, 25–50 min by the usual route.