City of Arabia

City of Arabia is a large mixed-use project at the entrance to Dubailand, owned and developed by the Ilyas and Mustafa Galadari Group, and best known as the home of IMG Worlds of Adventure. Much of the original master plan, including the Mall of Arabia, has been on hold for years, so what you can buy there today is mainly new apartment buildings. In October 2026 TRPE lists 6 off-plan projects in City of Arabia, from AED 583,000.

Where is City of Arabia?

City of Arabia sits at the gateway to Dubailand, on the inland side of Dubai. The main roads to it are Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road (E311) and Al Khail Road (E44). IMG Worlds of Adventure, the large indoor theme park, is inside the community, and Global Village and Dubai Miracle Garden are a short drive away.

• Downtown Dubai: around 20 to 25 minutes by car.
• Dubai Marina: approximately 30 minutes.
• Dubai International Airport: about 35 minutes by car.
• Jumeirah Beach: 20 to 25 minutes away.

There is no metro station in City of Arabia. It is a driving location, with RTA buses along the main roads.

What is the City of Arabia project?

City of Arabia was announced in the mid 2000s as one of the flagship parts of Dubailand, a multi billion dollar plan for a self-contained district. It was designed around four main parts:

• Mall of Arabia: planned as one of the largest shopping centres in the world. It has been on hold for many years.
• IMG Worlds of Adventure: open since 2016, and the part of the plan most people know.
• Wadi Walk: a waterfront residential area with apartments, cafes and shops.
• Elite Towers: a cluster of commercial and residential buildings.

The plan was for about 8,200 homes. Building has gone ahead in parts rather than all at once, and newer developers such as Azizi, MAG, One Development and Majid Al Futtaim are now selling projects in and around it.

About City of Arabia

City of Arabia is a mixed-use development within Dubai's Dubailand. It combines residential, commercial and leisure space, with the aim of offering an integrated, mid market place to live with road access to key parts of the city.

Property options in City of Arabia

City of Arabia offers residential property for different budgets:

• Apartments: studio, 1, 2 and 3 bedroom units in modern buildings, for individuals, couples and small families. This is most of what is selling today.
• Townhouses: 2 and 3 bedroom townhouses.
• Villas: 3 and 4 bedroom villas with private gardens for larger families.

All 6 off-plan projects we currently list in City of Arabia are apartment projects. If you want a villa or townhouse in this part of Dubai, look at off-plan villas across Dubai Land as well.

New projects in City of Arabia

These are the off-plan projects TRPE can transact on in City of Arabia in October 2026, cheapest first. Prices are the developer's entry price and move as units sell.

Unit sizes run from about 522 sq ft at MAG 330 up to 2,955 sq ft at Ghaf Woods Distrikt 2. The full list, with each project's page, is on off-plan projects in City of Arabia.

Amenities and lifestyle in City of Arabia

• Retail and dining: day to day shopping is in the community and nearby. The Mall of Arabia was planned as one of the largest malls in the world, but it has been on hold for many years, so do not count on it.
• Leisure: IMG Worlds of Adventure is inside the community, with Global Village and Dubai Miracle Garden nearby.
• Parks and green spaces: landscaped areas and walking routes are part of the newer projects.
• Education: schools are in neighbouring Dubailand communities, a short drive away.
• Healthcare: medical centres and pharmacies are available nearby.
• Fitness and recreation: gyms, pools and outdoor sports facilities, mostly within the residential buildings.

Investment in City of Arabia

• Entry price: City of Arabia is one of the cheaper places to buy a new apartment in Dubai, with entry prices under AED 600,000.
• Capital growth: values depend on the rest of the area being built out. Infrastructure and nearby attractions help; the long wait for the mall shows that plans here can stall.
• Off-plan payment plans: projects like MAG 330 offer staged payment plans, which suits buyers who want to spread the cost.

What to check before buying in City of Arabia

• What is built today. Price the property on what is standing now. Treat anything only promised, the mall above all, as upside rather than the reason to buy.
• What else completes alongside yours. Several apartment projects are selling at once. Your rent and resale price will be set by the units handed over in the same year.
• The developer's record. Check what each developer has already delivered elsewhere in Dubai, and how close to schedule.
• The service charge. Ask for the expected figure per square foot in writing.

Pros and cons of living in City of Arabia

Pros:

• Affordable: lower prices than more central areas of Dubai.
• Road access: close to E311 and Al Khail Road.
• Leisure on the doorstep: IMG Worlds, Global Village and Dubai Miracle Garden.
• Growing community: new projects will add residents and services.

Cons:

• Developing infrastructure: parts of the area are still under construction, and some of the original plan has stalled.
• No metro: you will need a car.
• Distance from beaches: City of Arabia is inland, not close to the coast.

City of Arabia in short

City of Arabia is an emerging community that offers new apartments at some of the lowest entry prices in Dubai, next to one of its biggest indoor attractions. It suits buyers who want value and are comfortable buying in an area that is still filling in. For the wider district, see our guide to Dubai Land.