Where to buy property in Dubai
Seven freehold communities, from the marina and the beach to villas on the golf course: what each is like, who it suits and how you get around.
On the map
Seven communities, one city.
Choose a community to see what it is like, what homes there cost, and what is for sale now.
Illustrative map, not to scale.
Dubai Marina
Waterfront towers, yachts and the beach next door.
- 1 home for sale
- Median price, last 12 months · per sq ft
- AED 1,976−3.8%
Dubai Marina
Waterfront towers, yachts and the beach next door.
Downtown Dubai
Burj Khalifa, The Dubai Mall and the Boulevard.
Palm Jumeirah
Beachfront villas and sea-view apartments.
Dubai Hills Estate
Family villas around parks and a golf course.
Business Bay
Canal-side apartments next to Downtown.
Jumeirah Village Circle
New apartments, townhouses and parks, with value.
Dubai Creek Harbour
Waterfront homes facing the Downtown skyline.
The areas side by side
| Area | Homes | Who it suits | Getting around | Master developer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dubai Marina | Studios and one- to four-bedroom apartments. Penthouses in the taller towers. Marina, sea and skyline views | Buyers who want the beach and the water close. Professionals who commute by Metro or tram. Investors buying apartments to let | Dubai Metro Red Line: Sobha Realty and DMCC stations. Dubai Tram: six stops, including Dubai Marina, Marina Towers, Dubai Marina Mall, JBR 1 and JBR 2 | Emaar |
| Downtown Dubai | One- to four-bedroom apartments. Penthouses and large residences. Burj Khalifa, fountain and boulevard views | Buyers who want the city on foot. Owners who value a landmark view. Investors letting to professionals | Dubai Metro Red Line: Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall station | Emaar |
| Palm Jumeirah | Beachfront villas on the fronds. Apartments and penthouses on the trunk and crescent. Sea, beach and skyline views | Families who want a villa on the beach. Buyers looking for a landmark address. Owners who want a home by the sea in the city | Palm Monorail along the trunk, with stations including Gateway, Al Ittihad Park and Atlantis Aquaventure. Dubai Tram: the Palm Jumeirah stop, a walk from the Monorail's Gateway station | Nakheel |
| Dubai Hills Estate | Villas and townhouses, many with gardens. Apartments near the park and mall. Golf course and park views | Families who want a villa and a garden. Buyers who want green space in the city. Owners who drive to work | No Metro station. RTA bus DH1 connects the community to Equiti station on the Red Line | Emaar and Meraas |
| Business Bay | Studios and one- to three-bedroom apartments. Canal and skyline views. Ready homes and new off-plan towers | Professionals who work in the centre. Buyers who want to be close to Downtown. Investors buying apartments to let | Dubai Metro Red Line: Business Bay station | Dubai Properties (Dubai Holding) |
| Jumeirah Village Circle | Studios and one- to three-bedroom apartments. Townhouses and villas. Ready homes and off-plan buildings | First-time buyers. Investors looking for rental homes. Buyers who want space for their budget | No Metro station. Bus J01 runs to Mall of the Emirates, with other routes across the community | Nakheel |
| Dubai Creek Harbour | One- to four-bedroom apartments. Off-plan homes on payment plans. Creek, skyline and sanctuary views | Buyers who want a new home on the water. Off-plan buyers planning around a payment plan. Buyers who want a view of the skyline | No Metro station yet. The Blue Line is due to open in September 2029 with a Dubai Creek Harbour station. Nearest station today: Creek, on the Green Line | Emaar |