There’s never a dull moment in the Marina, with its buzzing walkway, numerous restaurants, a sprawling shopping mall and access to the sparkling blue waters housing fancy yachts. It’s easy enough to book onto a yacht or dhow boat and explore the waters around the Marina, but there’s more than enough to keep you occupied if you’re sticking to dry land. Wander the loop round the water and watch life spill out onto the streets from restaurants and waterside cafes, hit the shops, or book into an upmarket rooftop bar and see it all from the sky. This is everything you need to know about visiting Dubai Marina.
Top things to do in Dubai Marina
Dhow Cruise
Jump on board a traditional dhow for an evening cruise, taking in the Marina, JBR coast and stunning waters of the Arabian Gulf. A sunset cruise will usually include dinner, soft drinks and possibly also some light entertainment (usually live music). If you’re here at a warmer time of year, bag a table downstairs in the air conditioning, but stay up on the top deck if the weather’s milder, as the views are spectacular.
XLine Zipline
Adrenaline enthusiasts form an orderly queue for the longest urban zipline in the world. This breathtaking 170m-high, 1km ride will take you at speeds of up to 80km/h over the rooftops and yachts of the Marina. Zipline packages come with photo and video keepsakes, and the experience is open to those over the age of 12 (riders under 18 need to be accompanied by an adult).
Dinner in the Sky
This bizarre eating experience is not for those with a delicate disposition. Diners are seated at a table and buckled in, then hoisted by crane 50 metres above the ground as they are served a seasonal menu with fantastic views. Chefs prepare much of the meal in front of diners, while the table rotates so everyone gets the best view in the house. Just make sure you use the restrooms beforehand!
Marina Mall
Shop ‘til you drop at Marina Mall, where you’ll find stores such as Aldo, American Vintage, Balmain, Mac, Nike and more. As well as a range of fashion and beauty shops, there are also spas here, so you can get your nails done or grab an express massage while you take a break from browsing. There’s plenty to keep the little ones entertained too, with a cinema and soft play area, as well as numerous fast food joints.
Best restaurants in Dubai Marina
Rhodes Twenty10
Book in for a meaty feast at Rhodes Twenty10 (currently closed for a renovation but reopening soon), in Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort & Spa, which features some of the late chef Gary Rhodes’ best-known dishes over the last 10 years. It’s primarily a grill and steakhouse, with mouthwatering cuts including a sharing Chateaubriand that packs a serious punch, but there’s also plenty on the menu for fish lovers and vegetarians too. The vibe is upmarket and bustling in the evening, with slick service and views over the Marina.
Row on 45
This two-Michelin-star restaurant is set in the Grosvenor House hotel, where you can book into the 22-seat restaurant for a 17-course taster menu (from AED 1345). The surrounds are all dark wood, art deco lampshades, and killer views over the marina, while the ambience is upscale and exclusive-feeling, given the limited number of seats. There’s a vegetarian tasting menu if meat isn’t your thing (but if it is, you can expect to sample everything from Aveyron Lamb to caviar). Book in advance to secure a table, but note that it closes over the hotter summer months and returns in September with a bang.
Explore the neighbourhood on the Dubai Marina Walk
There are a few places in Dubai where all life spills out onto the streets, but unfortunately these tend to be rather few and far between thanks to the prevalence of air-conditioned malls and high-rise buildings. However, Dubai Marina Walk is one such spot. The palm-tree lined walkway stretches 7km around the outside of the water and is a fabulous spot for a stroll.
Here you’ll see friends sitting outside, runners getting their steps in, kids running rings round their parents and (particularly on the weekend) big groups making their way towards lively bars.
The Marina was redeveloped more than a decade ago, and ‘the Walk’ as it’s affectionately become known, has transformed from an empty waterside to a buzzing destination of its own. The views over the rows of pristine boats and shimmering waters certainly help it in this respect, and it really is a lovely place to take a walk or relax at a waterside eatery. You’ll also find shopping options at Marina Mall, as well as boat charters here for sightseeing, fishing and sunbathing.
Top hotels in Dubai Marina
The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai
Nestled on the end of JBR Walk, The Ritz-Carlton is a lush oasis whose palm tree-dotted surroundings make you feel as though you’re marooned on a desert island. The grounds are verdant and well sectioned – it’s easy to feel like you’re one of just a handful of guests here, when in reality it’s a pretty sizable operation. Bag a cabana bed by one of the six pools and order fruit kebab snacks and drinks as you lounge, take a wander along the beach, and book in for dinner at La Baie, for a wonderful al fresco experience. Rooms are elegant and many come with rain showers and wonderful egg-shaped baths.
Address Beach Resort
You can’t really miss this skyline standout and the eye-catching building is just as impressive on the inside. The rooms have a fresh modern design, all with incredible views of the marina. When you can tear yourself away from your suite, enjoy direct access to the resort’s private section of the beach, a host of gourmet restaurants and beachside dining, and one of the best spas in Dubai.
If you’ve grown tired of the sand and fancy moving up in the world, why not take the lift up to the 77th floor and enjoy views of the marina from the hotel’s infinity pool. It’s the highest outdoor infinity pool in the world at a dizzying 293.9 metres above ground. Take your camera for some incredible city views once the sun goes down.
JW Marriott Hotel Marina
Views, views, views – JW Marriott’s Marina property has them in spades; from the hotel rooms themselves, the restaurants, heck even the swimming pool overlooks the high-rise towers and yacht-dotted waters of the Marina. Rooms here are crisp and clean, and you can often find deals in low season or for longer stays. Spend your evenings watching the twinkling lights from the high-rise infinity pool, grab a bite to eat at the international restaurant, JW Kitchen, or a drink from sky bar Harbours, which pulls in a lively crowd after dark.
How to get to Dubai Marina
You’ll find most taxi drivers know the hotspots of the Marina and it’s very easily accessible by road – take King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Street if you’re driving along the coast or use Sheikh Zayed Road to get there from downtown Dubai. Public-transport wise, things have improved in the Marina area over the last decade or so, with the introduction of the Dubai Metro, which runs from the airport at one end to Jebel Ali at the other. Two stations (DMCC and Sobha Realty) drop you close to the Marina and connect to the Marina Tram, which runs in a loop round the area. You’ll also find several buses and a ferry (but this is more of a fun exploring option than a reliable mode of transport).
