Al Satwa

Al Satwa is one of Dubai's older central neighbourhoods, between Sheikh Zayed Road and Jumeirah and a few minutes from the World Trade Centre. It is known for its tailors, textile shops, Plant Street and some of the lowest rents this close to the centre. Dubai has no postal codes, so Al Satwa does not have one either: where a form insists, enter 00000.

What is the postal code of Al Satwa?

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. 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.

Where is Al Satwa?

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: Community Guide

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.

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

Cultural diversity 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.

Are there luxury apartments in Al Satwa?

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.

In October 2026 we list 8 off-plan projects in Al Satwa, 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.

Can you rent or buy a ready home in Al Satwa?

Yes, but most of what trades in Al Satwa is rental, in older low rise buildings. In October 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, and our Al Satwa guide describes day to day life in more detail. Tell us what you need and we will look for it, or browse apartments for rent across Dubai.

What should you check before renting in Al Satwa?

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.

Is Al Satwa a good place to live?

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.