Properties in Dubai Marina

Dubai Marina covers about 4.9 square kilometres and wraps around an artificial canal along a 3 km stretch of Gulf shoreline, according to Wikipedia's entry on the district. Wikipedia gives the marina as 3.5 km long in one place and 3 km in another. Emaar Properties developed it, and the project dates from 2003. Phase I was six freehold apartment towers. Later phases added a cluster of high-rises, most between 250 m and 300 m tall. Ciel Dubai Marina, at 366 m, is the tallest named tower.

Think of the district in four parts:

• Marina Walk. The promenade along the canal, with restaurants and cafes at ground level.
• Marina Mall and the central towers. Dubai Marina Mall opened in December 2008, has about 140 outlets and links to the JW Marriott Marina.
• The beach side. JBR and The Walk at JBR, a 1.7 km strip of shops and restaurants, sit on the sea side. See the Jumeirah Beach Residence page.
• The Al Sufouh Road edge. The tram runs along Al Sufouh Road towards Palm Jumeirah and Mall of the Emirates.

Dubai Marina is almost entirely apartments, from studios to penthouses. A few villas exist in the wider area, which our guide on villas in Dubai Marina covers. Towers differ a lot in age, view and service charges, so compare each one on its own page.

Other tower pages are on the Dubai Marina community page, including LIV Marina, Marina Living and The Jewels. Check developer, age and floor plan on each page.

Figures below are averages from dubizzle's H1 2026 rental and sales reports. They come from dubizzle's own listing data and may not match registered contracts. Use them as a range.

Sources: dubizzle Dubai H1 2026 rental market report and H1 2026 sales market report. dubizzle gives no studio figure for Dubai Marina.

The step from a 1 to a 2 bedroom adds about AED 54,000 a year in rent, and the step to a 3 bedroom adds about AED 87,000 more (our subtraction from the averages). See what is listed now on the apartments for rent in Dubai Marina page, or go straight to 1 bedroom, 2 bedroom or 3 bedroom rentals. For purchases, browse apartments for sale in Dubai Marina or the 2 bedroom sale listings.

• Frontage and view. Marina view and sea view flats cost more than city or road view flats.
• Tower age. Older towers can carry higher running costs as they age, so a lower price can hide higher yearly costs. Compare service charge invoices.
• Walk to the metro or tram. A tower beside a station costs more than one at the far end of the canal.
• Furnishing. Furnished flats ask more per year, so compare like with like.

The table uses dubizzle's H1 2026 reports for all three areas, so the figures are comparable.

The Marina is the lowest of the three on every line, so it is the cheapest way into a central-west address with a beach nearby. Dubai Hills Estate costs slightly more but gives you parks, a golf course and, for larger budgets, villas and townhouses.

Service charges differ by tower, and we do not give a district average here. Ask the seller or landlord for the latest service charge statement and look the tower up in the Dubai Land Department index. Our guides explain the service charge index and how to check service charges before you buy. The official index is on dubailand.gov.ae.

• Metro. Two Red Line stations serve the district, Sobha Realty and DMCC (the stations' current names on Wikipedia's Red Line page). The tram interchanges with both stations. Sobha Realty was previously called Dubai Marina station, and DMCC was previously called Jumeirah Lakes Towers.
• Tram. The Dubai Tram runs along the Marina and JBR to Al Sufouh and Palm Jumeirah, with interchanges to the Red Line at Sobha Realty and DMCC stations.
• Buses and taxis. RTA buses run along the main roads. Check routes on the RTA site. Taxi waits stretch on weekend evenings.
• Roads. Sheikh Zayed Road and Al Sufouh Road link the Marina to the rest of the city. Peak-hour traffic builds around the main exits.

Journey times change with traffic, so we do not quote minutes except where Emaar publishes one. Check routes and station names on rta.ae.

There are no schools inside Dubai Marina, so families usually drive to schools in Al Sufouh, Al Barsha and Emirates Hills. Nursery waiting lists can be long, so apply early. Ratings and fees change each year, so search the KHDA school directory for current inspection results.

There are several private clinics in the district, and hospitals in Al Barsha and nearby areas. The Dubai Health Authority lists licensed facilities, so check the nearest one and your insurer's network.

• Beach. The public beach at JBR is next door, with restaurants and shops along The Walk.
• Walking and dining. Marina Walk has a long run of restaurants and cafes, and most daily errands can be done on foot.
• Shopping. Dubai Marina Mall is in the centre and Mall of the Emirates is reachable by bus or tram and metro.
• Water. Yacht berths, boat trips and the marina promenade give the area its character.
• Feel. Lively and sociable, with many young professionals and visitors. Expect noise and crowds in the busy season and tight visitor parking at weekends.

If you are choosing between the Marina and the beach strip next to it, read Dubai Marina vs JBR.

• Young professionals and couples. Media City, Internet City and JLT are close, and the social scene is on the doorstep.
• Renters. A wide range of towers and sizes gives choice. Compare the 1 bedroom average of AED 102,000 with Jumeirah Lake Towers next door.
• Buyers of apartments. Those who want a lived-in, established area and are comfortable with service charges and tower living.
• Families. Possible in a larger flat, but with no schools inside and limited outdoor space many families prefer Dubai Hills Estate.
• Second-home owners. The beach and promenade suit short stays, but check the rules for holiday homes in the building.

New launches here are mostly branded and tall waterfront towers. See current projects on the off-plan Dubai Marina page. Add the Dubai Land Department transfer fee and agency costs to the price, which our guide on Dubai Land Department fees in 2026 explains. For renting, see how Ejari and tenancy contracts work. For a buying overview of the area, read Dubai Marina apartments for sale.

• Which way the flat faces. Afternoon sun, canal noise and construction views differ by side.
• Balcony and AC. Ask who pays for district cooling and how it is billed.
• Lifts and parking. In tall towers, lift waits at peak times matter. Ask how many bays come with the flat.
• Building rules. Short-term lets, pets and renovation rules vary between owners' associations.
• The walk to the station. Some towers are a few minutes from Sobha Realty or DMCC and others are much further.