Al Satwa

Question	Answer
Where is it?	Central Dubai, south west of Bur Dubai, with Jumeirah to the north, Al Wasl to the west and Sheikh Zayed Road along its southern edge
Size and population	A little under 3 square kilometres, about 41,000 residents in 2017
Main streets and landmarks	2nd December Street, Al Satwa Road and the Satwa junction (the old Satwa Roundabout)
Type of area	Older, low rise, mixed homes, shops and workshops
Known for	Tailors, textile shops, Plant Street, cafes and street life
Nearest metro	World Trade Centre and Emirates Towers, Red Line
Is there a beach?	Not in Satwa. The nearest beaches are on the Jumeirah coast
Postal code	None. Dubai has no postal codes, use 00000 if a form insists
New homes	Off-plan apartment towers, 10 projects listed as of November 2026
Best for	Singles and couples who want to be central and connected

Dubai does not use postal codes. There is no postcode or ZIP system for Dubai addresses, and Al Satwa does not have one, so any five digit number you find online attributed to it is invented.

What Dubai uses instead is the PO Box. Post is delivered to a numbered box at an Emirates Post branch rather than to a street address, so a company or a household has a PO Box number rather than a postcode.

Where an online form insists on a postcode, the usual workarounds are:

• Enter 00000, which most international forms accept for the UAE.
• Enter your PO Box number if you have one and the form allows letters and spaces.
• Leave it blank where the field is optional, and give the building name, street and community instead. That is what a Dubai courier actually uses.

For deliveries in Al Satwa, what matters is the building name, the nearest landmark and the community, not a code. The Satwa junction (still widely called Satwa Roundabout) and Al Satwa Road are the landmarks couriers know.

Is there a Satwa ZIP code for online shopping?

No. The same rule applies whether a site calls it a postcode, a postal code or a ZIP code. Use 00000 if the field is required, then write the building, street and nearest landmark in the address lines, and add a mobile number. Couriers in Dubai phone ahead and deliver by landmark, so a clear address line and a working number matter far more than any code.

Al Satwa sits in the middle of old Dubai, south west of Bur Dubai. Sheikh Zayed Road runs along one side, with the towers of the Trade Centre area beyond it, and the villa streets of Jumeirah and Al Wasl lie on the other. The district covers a little under 3 square kilometres and had a population of about 41,000 in 2017.

In practice that puts Al Satwa within a short drive of Downtown Dubai, DIFC, Jumeirah Beach and Bur Dubai, and closer to the city's business district than almost any other area with rents at this level.

How do you get to Al Satwa?

• By car: from Sheikh Zayed Road or Al Wasl Road. 2nd December Street, formerly Al Dhiyafa Street, is the main road through the district.
• By metro: there is no station inside Al Satwa. The nearest are World Trade Centre and Emirates Towers on the Red Line, about 1.5 km and 2 km away.
• By bus: Al Satwa bus station on 2nd December Street has routes across the city.

Al Satwa Road and the Satwa Roundabout

Al Satwa Road and 2nd December Street are the two street names most people use to find the district, and for years the meeting point was Satwa Roundabout. In October 2026 Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority said it had converted the roundabout into a junction controlled by traffic lights, as part of its road works around the World Trade Centre. The junction links Al Satwa with Al Bada'a, Al Jafiliya, Al Hudaiba and Jumeirah, and with traffic heading to the Trade Centre. Locals and couriers still call it Satwa Roundabout, so the name keeps working in an address line.

Located between Sheikh Zayed Road and Jumeirah Beach, Al Satwa is a busy and eclectic neighbourhood known for its cultural diversity. From the Satwa Grand Mosque to Al Khazzan Park, the area is a meeting point for many cultures and activities, and it shows a side of Dubai that the newer districts do not.

What Al Satwa is like

Low rise, dense and mixed. Small shops, workshops, cafes and older residential blocks and villas, with genuine street life rather than a planned retail podium. It has been the subject of redevelopment talk for years, and parts of it have changed while others have not.

It is not a community in the Dubai sense: no gate, no clubhouse, no community pool. What it has is location and character.

History of Al Satwa

Satwa grew with Dubai's rapid development in the late 20th century. A small settlement at first, it expanded as the economic boom took hold, attracting expatriates and locals with its closeness to business and tourist hubs. The district was known for low rise buildings and traditional villas housing middle income residents. In the 1970s and 1980s it became a centre for textiles and tailoring, attracting skilled craftsmen from Asia. The Jumeirah Garden City project aims to revitalise the area with modern high rises and improved public amenities, a change that reflects Dubai's broader economic and cultural shifts.

Understanding Al Satwa's location

Al Satwa is in the heart of Dubai and can be reached easily from both sides of the neighbourhood. Sheikh Zayed Road bounds the area on one side and Al Wasl Road on the other. Residents and visitors have the modern cityscape of Dubai on one side and the older neighbourhoods on the other.

Al Satwa on the map

On a map of Dubai, Al Satwa stretches between the high rise buildings of Sheikh Zayed Road and the residential area of Jumeirah. That gives the community a mix of busy city streets and quieter residential lanes.

Directions and landmarks

Finding your way around Al Satwa is straightforward. 2nd December Street (formerly Al Dhiyafa Street) is the central artery through the area. Useful landmarks include:

• Satwa Bus Station

• Aster Iranian Hospital

• Jaabaar Al Satwa Mosque (Grand Mosque)

• Green Al Satwa Park

Living in Al Satwa

Al Satwa has accommodation for a wide range of budgets. It is well known for homes that cost less than the new projects elsewhere in Dubai, which makes it popular with people who want a central address on a modest budget.

Renting an apartment in Al Satwa

The housing available to rent includes:

1. Studio apartments

2. One bedroom apartments

3. Two bedroom apartments

4. Large family apartments

Monthly rents in Al Satwa are usually lower than in other central parts of Dubai, which makes it an attractive option for budget housing in a central location.

Transportation in Al Satwa

Al Satwa relies on Dubai's public transport more than many other areas, and it has a good mix of options.

Al Satwa and Dubai Metro

There is no metro station in Al Satwa itself, but two Red Line stations are within reach:

• World Trade Centre Station, approximately 1.5 km away

• Emirates Towers Station, about 2 km away

From these stations you can reach other parts of Dubai, such as the Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa and Dubai International Airport.

Bus services in Al Satwa

Dubai runs a wide range of bus services through Al Satwa. The central bus station is on 2nd December Street and offers routes throughout the city.

Hotels in and around Al Satwa

Al Satwa is a residential area, but several hotels in and around the district suit different budgets. Options include:

1. Rove Trade Centre

2. Ibis World Trade Centre Dubai

3. Crowne Plaza Dubai

These are convenient if you want to stay near Al Satwa while visiting other parts of Dubai for business or leisure.

Satwa Market

Satwa Market is one of the main reasons people visit the area. It is busy and full of character, and it is a large part of the district's commercial life. You can expect:

1. Textile shops with a wide variety of fabrics

2. Tailors for custom clothing

3. Affordable home appliances

4. Fresh fruit and vegetables

5. Herb and spice vendors

Food in and around Satwa Market

The area has many places to eat, covering many cuisines. Popular ones include:

• Ravi Restaurant, famous for its Pakistani cuisine

• Eat & Drink Restaurant, known for shawarma and mixed grill

• Al Mallah, a fast food spot known for Lebanese dishes

Who lives in Al Satwa?

The most striking thing about Satwa is its diversity. Emiratis, Indians, Pakistanis, Filipinos and many others live side by side, and this shows in the shops, restaurants and local events.

The make up of the area has changed over time. Many of Satwa's original residents were from the Baloch community. Today it is best known for its large South Asian and Filipino communities, and some Filipino residents call it "Mini Manila".

Shopping in Al Satwa

Besides Satwa Market, the neighbourhood has everything from small local stores to large supermarkets and branded outlets. Places worth knowing include:

• Al Satwa Shopping Centre

• Satwa Stores, a cluster of small shops along 2nd December Street

• Plant Street, famous for its nurseries and garden supplies

Green spaces in Al Satwa

Despite its urban setting, Al Satwa has green spots for walking, exercise and play. Al Satwa Park is popular with families and sports players for its playgrounds, paths and sports facilities.

Al Satwa attractions

Many of Dubai's main attractions are a short trip away, including Dubai World Trade Centre, Jumeirah Beach, Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa and Dubai Museum.

The future of Al Satwa

Al Satwa is expected to keep its character while it changes. Redevelopment projects aim to modernise infrastructure and add new facilities, while keeping the district's heritage alive.

Most of Al Satwa is still low rise, older stock, and that is why its rents are low. The new building is happening on its edges, and that is where the newer, higher specification apartments are.

As of November 2026 we list 10 off-plan projects in Al Satwa from 10 developers, all of them apartments. Entry prices run from AED 853,536 at Alba Tower by Reportage Properties to AED 8,825,000 at Burj Azizi by Azizi, with projects such as DoubleTree by Hilton Residences in between. Prices are the developers' current entry prices and move as units sell. The full list, with payment plans, is on our off-plan projects in Al Satwa page.

If you are comparing a new Satwa apartment with a resale flat in an established building, check the service charge per square foot, the handover date and the parking allocation. Older Satwa buildings often have limited parking, which is a real cost in this part of the city.

Yes, but most of what trades in Al Satwa is rental, in older low rise buildings. As of November 2026 we have no ready homes listed in Al Satwa itself. If you want a central address with a similar character, our Al Wasl guide covers the neighbouring district. Tell us what you need and we will look for it, or browse apartments for rent across Dubai.

Much of Al Satwa's housing is in established low rise buildings and older villas, so the checks are different from a new tower.

• The condition of the flat. Run the air conditioning, check the water pressure and look at the kitchen and bathrooms. Ask what the landlord will fix before you move in.
• Parking. Many older buildings have little or no allocated parking, and street parking near 2nd December Street fills up in the evening.
• What the rent includes. Ask whether cooling is included or billed separately, and who pays for maintenance.
• The landlord and the contract. Make sure the tenancy is registered with Ejari, which you need for DEWA and for most residence paperwork. Our guide to Ejari and tenancy contracts explains what to ask for.
• Noise. The main streets are busy late into the evening. A flat set back from 2nd December Street is usually quieter.

No. Satwa is inland, so there is no beach in the district itself. People who search for "Satwa beach" usually want the Jumeirah coast, which is a short drive away, and that is the point of the location: you live in an inexpensive central neighbourhood and drive to the sea. See our Dubai waterfront guide if you want to live on the water instead.

Where is the nearest beach to Satwa?

Jumeirah borders Al Satwa to the north and runs down to the sea, so the nearest beaches are the public beaches along the Jumeirah coast. Drive north through Jumeirah and you reach Jumeirah Street, the old Jumeirah Beach Road, which runs along the shore.

People who want to be central and connected, who prefer an old neighbourhood to a new one, and who do not need amenities on site. It suits singles and couples better than families, because school and park provision nearby is limited and you would be driving.

• Against Bur Dubai: similar character, slightly closer to the beach, similar money.
• Against Jumeirah: far cheaper, considerably less polished, five minutes further from the sea.
• Against Business Bay or Downtown: older stock, no tower amenities, and a genuine neighbourhood rather than a development.
• Against Al Wasl: Al Wasl is its quieter, more residential neighbour to the west, with more villas.

Searches for "new Satwa" mostly reflect two things: redevelopment of older plots, and new towers launched by developers on the district's edge. Plans for the older streets have changed over the years, so do not rely on a headline. Ask what is actually consented on the plots around the building you are looking at.

The clearest change on the ground in 2026 is on the roads: the Satwa Roundabout is now a junction controlled by traffic lights. The clearest change in housing is the run of new apartment towers selling off-plan, covered below.

Yes. All 10 projects we list in Al Satwa as of November 2026 are apartments; none is a villa or townhouse project. The current list, with entry prices and payment plans, is on our Al Satwa off-plan page. Luxury apartments are now a real part of the Satwa market, mixed in with the older stock. Check the developer, the payment plan and the handover date in writing for any project you consider.

• The specific building and its age. This matters more here than the district. Ask when the air conditioning was last replaced.
• Whether there is a functioning owners association. In older stock this decides whether anything gets maintained.
• Freehold status, which is not uniform across the area. Confirm what you would actually own.
• Redevelopment plans for the plots around you, which have real consequences here.

For many people, yes. Al Satwa is one of the Dubai neighbourhoods that best captures the city's mix of cultures. Its markets, affordable housing, central location and food mean it suits a wide range of residents, and it is where old Dubai and the modern city meet. It suits people less well if they want new buildings, generous parking or a quiet street, so visit at different times of day before you sign.

Is Satwa the same place as Al Satwa?

Yes. Satwa and Al Satwa are two spellings of the same Dubai district, between Sheikh Zayed Road and Jumeirah. You will see both on maps, street signs and addresses.

Is Satwa cheaper than Jumeirah?

Yes. Al Satwa is far cheaper to live in than Jumeirah, its neighbour to the north, though its buildings are older, less polished and a little further from the sea.

Which areas border Al Satwa?

Jumeirah lies to the north, Bur Dubai to the north east, Al Wasl to the west, and Sheikh Zayed Road forms the southern edge, with the Trade Centre area beyond it.