A Local’s Dubai Marina Guide: What to See, Eat & Do!
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If you’re planning on visiting Dubai, chances are that spending some time in the iconic Dubai Marina is on your bucket list. But are there any fun things to do in Dubai Marina? Well, the short answer is… yes!
There are so many cool attractions and activities to tick off that it’s not only well worth visiting the Dubai Marina, but you might even consider basing yourself in this part of town during your big Dubai trip.
You’ll have activities, restaurants, and entertainment galore in the Dubai Marina. Plus, as an added bonus, you’ll be within walking distance of JBR (Jumeirah Beach Residences), which is home to one of the most popular beaches in town, as well as tons of bars, restaurants, shops, and entertainment venues. With that in mind, I’ll be including some essential JBR activities in this guide too.
Dubai Marina happens to be where I live, which is why I’ve put together this Dubai Marina guide. These are the recommendations that I give my family and friends who are visiting Dubai whenever they ask me what to do in the Dubai Marina area. Keep reading and you’ll find all of my suggestions on things to do, restaurants to dine at, where to stay, as well as a bunch of my insider recommendations and tips to help you plan your visit!
Quick Dubai Travel Tips
Dubai eSIM: Airalo is my go-to when purchasing eSIMS for my travels, and they have plenty of different options for the UAE so you can be connected the moment you land. Do note that you need to purchase and install the eSIM ahead of your arrival.
Airport Pickup: If you don’t want to deal with the hassle of getting a taxi at the airport, you can easily arrange a driver through Welcome Pickups to pick you up at the arrivals hall and whisk you away to your hotel (rates starting at $30).
Where to stay in Dubai Marina: Rove Dubai Marina is always my recommendation for a budget-friendly boutique stay (rooms start around $100). For something more upscale, the Grosvenor House and Address Beach Resort are both solid picks for a 5-star stay (rooms starting around $200).
Best activity: This Dubai Marina Yacht Tour is a must if you’re dreaming of cruising through the Dubai Marina out into the Arabian Gulf where you’ll glimpse the famous Ain Dubai, Atlantis hotel, Burj Al Arab, Palm Jumeirah, and more!
Helpful Dubai posts:
– Essential Dubai Bucket List Activities for First-Timers
– 12 Free Things to Do in Dubai That Are Actually Cool
– A Guide to Old Dubai: What to Eat, See and Do!
– 3 Days in Dubai – A Local’s Suggested Itinerary
How to Get to Dubai Marina
The Dubai Marina neighborhood is located roughly 30 minutes south of the Dubai International Airport and Downtown Dubai. This neighborhood is super well-connected to the most popular parts of Dubai, including the airport, thanks to the handy Dubai Metro. You’ll find two metro stations in the Dubai Marina, as well as the Dubai Tram, which circles around the Dubai Marina and JBR areas. So getting around is a breeze!
What to Do in Dubai Marina: A Local’s Tips
There are tons of things to do in Dubai Marina, which is why this is one of the best areas to stay in Dubai. Here are my recommendations:
Stroll Along the Dubai Marina Walk
The Dubai Marina Walk is a 7-km pedestrian walkway that leads you around the entire marina. I highly recommend walking at least part, if not all, of the route. But if you don’t feel like walking, you can just hop on one of the many bikes or e-scooters you’ll find in the area.
The views of the luxury yachts sailing through the emerald green waters with the towering skyscrapers in the background is so pretty. I personally love walking along the marina during magic hour, just before sunset. If you time things right, you’ll also get to hear the call to prayer emanating from the three beautiful Marina mosques during your visit.
Snap a Photo from Al Sayorah Bridge
Insider tip: You’ll find a particularly photogenic spot on Al Sayorah Bridge (click here for the exact location). You’ll find plenty of other people clambering around the bridge, snapping selfies around sunset (especially on holidays and weekends), but it’s worth joining in because the marina is framed beautifully by the sky-high buildings from this vantage point!
Go Ziplining Over the Dubai Marina
If you’re looking for adrenaline-pumping things to do in Dubai Marina, why not go ziplining on the “world’s longest urban zipline” with XLine Dubai Marina? This experience is actually pretty cool because you’ll have the unique opportunity to get a bird’s-eye view of the Dubai Marina as you soar above the water for one kilometer at speeds of up to 80 km/h!
Shop at the Marina Mall
It may not be the biggest mall in Dubai (that would be Dubai Mall, so don’t get confused!), but the Marina Mall has tons of shops, restaurants, and a food court and movie theater on the top floor. It’s also a nice reprieve during Dubai’s ultra-hot and humid summer days! Expect to find shops ranging from H&M to Guess to Sephora and sit-down restaurants like Tasha’s, SALT, and Carluccio’s.
Take a Cruise
One of the most popular Dubai Marina activities is to take a cruise. There are a ton of different cruise options to choose from. Think luxury sunset tours, dhow dinner cruises, superyacht experiences, sightseeing and swimming excursions – this list goes on. Either way you go, you’ll have the chance to view all of the coolest Dubai Marina attractions from the water!
If you’re looking for that quintessential Dubai Marina yacht experience, you can’t go wrong with this Dubai Marina Yacht Tour. This excursion will take you through the Dubai Marina and out into the Arabian Gulf where you’ll get to see famous Dubai landmarks like the Ain Dubai, Palm Jumeirah, Atlantis hotel, Burj Al Arab, and more!
Have a Beach Day at JBR
Dubai Marina is located an easy 10-minute walk to neighboring Jumeirah Beach Residence (better known as JBR). This is where you’ll find the beach, tons of bars and restaurants along the beachfront promenade, and epic views of Ain Dubai (the tallest Ferris wheel in the world) over on Bluewaters Island (pictured above).
It’s well worth spending some time in JBR. Whether you want to rent a lounger on the beach for the day, have a poolside brunch at a beach club, grab drinks at a buzzing bar, or sip Arabic coffee at a café, there are tons of fun things to do in JBR!
Where to Eat & Drink in Dubai Marina
You’ll find tons of restaurants and cafes lining the Marina Walk, especially in and around the Marina Mall and Pier 7. But here are a few standouts:
Pier 7
Adjoining the Marina Mall, Pier 7 boasts a different restaurant or lounge on each of its seven levels, making it one of the best places in Dubai Marina for nightlife. Asia Asia is always a fun place to go to enjoy pan-Asian dishes and creative cocktails with spectacular marina views from the terrace. The whimsical decor is part of the draw!
And then there’s the fine dining at the over-the-top, Gatsby-esque Atelier M, the Amazon vibes and tropical drinks at Mama Zonia, the chic East-Asia-inspired brunch at Cargo, the Lebanese flavors of Abd el Wahab, and the urban golf and darts at Bedrock sports bar.
Cafe Bateel
Set right on the Marina Walk, Cafe Bateel is a popular spot among locals to grab coffee or enjoy a leisurely lunch. From healthy salads to indulgent pastas to beautifully prepared mains, the food here is top-notch and you can dine alfresco overlooking the bustling Marina Walk.
But if you’re just looking for a refresher, the coffee here is excellent, too. For something special, order the Bateel Signature Qahwa (Arabic coffee served with Rhutab dates) or the Spiced Royal Qahwa (Arabic coffee with saffron and cardamom served with Rhutab dates).
City Social
For a quintessential Dubai Marina brunch experience, try City Social by Jason Atherton. Located at the top of the luxury Grosvenor House hotel, City Social puts on a spectacular brunch spread on Saturday afternoons. The food is divine and the views from up here are absolutely insane.
Iran Zamin
For a taste of authentic Persian cuisine, head over to Iran Zamin in the Dubai Marina. If you’re looking for places to take a break and fuel up for some more sightseeing, this is a lovely place to indulge in all of the rich flavors of Iran.
From Ash Reshteh (a glorious mix of fresh herbs, spices, chickpeas, beans, and noodles) to Khoresht Bademjoon (a flavor-packed meat stew served with fried eggplant and saffron rice) to Kebab Shatranji (a perfectly char-grilled blend of lamb and beef), there’s lots to choose from.
Osterio Mario
For Italian, Osterio Mario is a bistro with a lovely setting right on the Marina Walk. The views are excellent and the pizzas and pastas even better. They also do an unlimited breakfast that’s super popular.
Saarangaa Bhojan Shala
For affordable Indian food, my go-to is Saarangaa Bhojan Shala. This is a pure vegetarian restaurant. The menu here is absolutely huge but trust me, you can’t go wrong with one of their masala dosas or a set meal, like a thali or tiffin combo. Be sure to also check out their specials because they’re always cooking up something special and delicious!
Where to Stay in Dubai Marina
Please note that Dubai Marina hotel prices vary wildly depending on the season. As a general rule of thumb, accommodation costs are way cheaper during the hot summer months. Expect things to rise substantially in the winter, especially around the Christmas and New Year’s holidays.
Budget-Friendly
Rove Dubai Marina: Rove Dubai Marina is a popular option for regular visitors to Dubai who are in the know. This place is located just steps from the Marina Walk and an easy 15-minute walk to the beach at JBR. This budget-friendly boutique hotel even offers guests a free shuttle to the beach, local malls, and the metro.
You’ll also have use of the hotel pool, 24-hour fitness center, and on-site restaurant that serves up breakfast, lunch, dinner, and room service. And then there are the rooms, which are all outfitted with plush beds topped with premium bedding, 48-inch smart TVs, ultra-fast Wi-Fi, minifridges, and rainfall showers in the bathrooms.
Mid-Range
Millennium Place Marina: Set right in the heart of Dubai Marina, Millennium Place Marina is an easy walk to the beach, metro, tram, and Marina Mall. The elegant rooms here boast floor-to-ceiling windows with city or marina views, velvet seating areas, handy workstations, minifridges, marble baths, and free Wi-Fi. There is also 24-hour room service, which is always much appreciated.
Rove JBR: If you prefer to be located at the beach instead of the marina, Rove JBR is a cool new option. One of the best things about staying here is that you’ll get exclusive access to the COVEBEACH luxury beach club, which is a short stroll away. You can choose from three modern and efficient room types: the budget-friendly Rover Room, the spacious Rover Room with Terrace, or the Rover Family Room which accommodates three people.
5-star luxury
Address Beach Resort: Towering over JBR and Dubai Marina, the Address Beach Resort (pictured above) is an icon of the Dubai Marina skyline. This is where you should stay if you want to be situated both on the marina and the beach. Expect luxury rooms with techie features like in-room iPads and interactive 55-inch flatscreen TVs, as well as deep soaking tubs, plush beds, and views galore. You’ll have nine restaurants and lounges to choose from, but the real standout is that you’ll have exclusive access to the world’s tallest outdoor infinity pool on the 77th Floor, which is open to guests only. This is reason enough to book a stay here!
Vida Dubai Marina & Yacht Club: Vida Dubai Marina is one of the newest and nicest Dubai Marina hotels. Rooms here come luxury linens and robes, art-deco-inspired furnishings, spa-like bathrooms, and private balconies with city or marina views. There’s also a spectacular infinity pool with unreal Dubai Marina views as well as awesome happy hour specials at the Pool Bar.
W Dubai Mina Seyahi: If you’re looking for an adults-only getaway in the Dubai Marina, W Dubai Mina Seyahi is always a good idea. The rooms here are inspired by the ancient Al-Haqha storytelling tradition and are all super stylish and boast private balconies with ocean views and marble baths with deep soaking tubs. There’s also an awesome infinity pool, a private beach, a rooftop lounge, and much more!
