Dubai Marina
The city’s most walkable high-rise waterfront - two decades in and still in demand.
Dubai Marina is the city's most established high-rise waterfront community and still one of its most liveable. Built around a man-made marina, it is genuinely walkable in a way much of Dubai is not - which is a large part of why it stays in demand two decades after the first towers went up.
Where it is
The Marina sits at the northern end of Sheikh Zayed Road, served by two metro stations and the Dubai Tram, with Palm Jumeirah, Media City and Internet City all minutes away. JBR and the beach are immediately adjacent.
Who it suits
Professionals, couples and investors. The tenant pool is large and constantly renewing, which makes it dependable for buy-to-let. Families do live here, but the stock is apartments rather than villas, so it suits those who want walkability over garden space.
What you can buy
Apartments almost entirely, across a very wide range of ages, sizes and quality. The Marina has stock from the mid-2000s alongside recent branded towers, and the difference in building condition, service charge and finish is substantial. Marina-facing and sea-facing units carry the obvious premiums.
Living there
The Marina Walk promenade runs the length of the water with restaurants and cafés along it. Marina Mall covers retail, JBR and The Beach add dining and sand, and the tram connects the district end to end. Traffic at peak times is the main drawback - the Marina is dense.
Property in Dubai Marina
We handle sales and rentals across the towers. Building choice matters more here than in most communities given the age range - ask us which towers are well managed and which have service charge or maintenance issues worth knowing about before you commit.
Where it is
Getting around & lifestyle
- Two Metro stations plus the full length of the Dubai Tram
- Marina Walk promenade and JBR beach on the doorstep
- Marina Mall for everyday retail, The Beach at JBR for dining
- 10-15 minutes to Media City, Internet City and Palm Jumeirah
- Towers span the mid-2000s to recent branded builds - condition varies widely
- Peak-hour traffic in and out is the main trade-off
Property in Dubai Marina
Common questions about Dubai Marina
Is Dubai Marina a good investment?
For buy-to-let, yes. The tenant pool is large and constantly renewing, which keeps voids low and yields around the 6% mark.
Which towers should I look at?
It depends on budget and view, but building management and service charges vary a lot here. Ask us for the current shortlist of well-run towers before you view.
Marina view or sea view?
Sea and Palm-facing units carry a clear premium and hold value better. Marina-facing is cheaper and still very liveable.
How old is the stock?
The first towers date from around 2005. Newer branded towers on the periphery offer better layouts and amenities but at a higher entry price.
Thinking about Dubai Marina?
Tell us what you are looking for and we will come back with the buildings worth seeing, honest notes on the ones to avoid, and what is realistic on price.