Dubai Marina is a modern residential district characterized by more than 200 skyscrapers and a man-made canal including a marina. The beaches and inviting outdoor areas that also belong to it make Dubai Marina a perfect place for a relaxing day out.
Location and directions
Dubai Marina is located near the Palm Jumeirah island and is about 25km southwest of Downtown Dubai. Traveling by cab is of course easy and worthwhile, especially if you are traveling with several people. From Downtown Dubai you would pay about $16 for the ride.
However, you can also get around easily by metro, as Dubai Marina is ideally connected to the metro. There are two stations at the level of the Marina: Dubai Marina Metro Station and Jumeirah Lake Towers Station. Getting there from Dubai Mall or Mall of the Emirates is convenient, as they also have metro connections. With the Red Line you can get from Downtown Dubai to the Dubai Marina in about 25 minutes and for about $2. Since the Dubai Metro is exceptionally clean and well maintained, I recommend using it at least once during your trip.
Activities and tours in Dubai Marina
#1 Boat tours from Dubai Marina
The Dubai Marina yacht harbour is an ideal starting point for numerous boat tours. The tours offered usually last between 60 and 90 minutes and take place both during the day and in the evening. While the shorter trips usually only take you across the canal, the longer ones also take you out to sea and as far as the Palm Jumeirah and the Burj al Arab.
#1.1 Day boat tour
Especially recommended is the 90-minute boat tour with Xclusive Tours. In addition to the fast ride over the water, our friendly guide, who gave us a lot of interesting information about the sights, was an absolute highlight. You also get enough opportunities to photograph the landmarks.
During the ride you can see the new Bluewaters Island with the Ain Dubai Ferris wheel, the skyscrapers of the Jumeirah Beach Residence including the beaches, the Palm Jumeirah with the Atlantis Hotel at the very tip, the luxury Burj al Arab hotel and some royal palaces in the distance. The 90 minutes fly by.
The tour, guided in English, takes place every half hour from 9-17:30. Tickets can be purchased at Get your Guide for $30 per person. Safety equipment and a complimentary water will be provided. The advantage of booking with Get your Guide is that it’s possible to cancel free of charge up to 24 hours before the tour. Very convenient in case plans change spontaneously.
For the journey to the starting point you should plan enough time, because it is not so easy to find due to the amount of boats. It’s best to keep an eye out for a red carpet.
#1.2 Private boat tour
For the slightly larger budget or simply for a whole family, private boat trips for up to 10 people are also available. A great alternative when traveling with several people.
The 60-minute tour costs a total of $205, the 90-minute tour costs $240 and the 2-hour tour costs $310. Logically, the longer the tour, the larger the distance traveled. On such a private tour is even possible to jump into the water. Towels are provided for this purpose, as well as drinking water. You can take a closer look at the offer here.
#1.3 Dinner boat tour in the evening
You don’t feel like a fast boat trip and would rather take it easy? Don’t worry, there are alternatives too! During a dinner boat tour, also operated by Xclusive Tours, you cruise leisurely through Dubai Marina while enjoying a delicious buffet.
The 90-minute tour begins at 8:30 p.m. The perfect time to admire the illuminated Dubai Marina with its colorful lights. Simply a magnificent sight. You can book the tour already for $42 per person.
No matter what your wishes or demands are, you are certainly going to find the right tour for you here. Dubai Marina is just stunning from the water. The panorama should not be missed.
#2 Dubai Marina The Walk
A waterfront promenade, called The Walk, runs around the entire Dubai Marina. The 8km long promenade is perfect for a walk. Three bridges cross the Marina Canal, so you can also shorten the loop.
In addition, there are numerous seating options for a short break. But you can also take a seat in one of the many restaurants and cafes to refuel with a snack.
Because of the often very high temperatures during the day, an extensive walk can be extremely exhausting. Fortunately, you can alternatively go for a ride on the bike. The provider Byky has three locations around the marina. Renting a bike for one hour costs just 20 AED, which is a good $5. In addition to bicycles, however, go-karts and e-scooters are also on offer. You can see the entire selection on the homepage.
#3 Jumeirah Beach Residence JBR
The Jumeirah Beach Residence neighborhood is home to a popular outdoor area directly on the beach, with countless shopping and dining options.
My hot tip: Visit the Cheesecake Factory, even if it’s “just” for a slice of cake. After all, who doesn’t like a delicious cheesecake, please? You can then burn it off in the outdoor sports area or by swimming at one of the two beaches, Marina Beach or JBR Beach.
When walking through the district, you should be on the lookout for art. These can be found there in the form of pretty murals or sculptures.
#4 Bluewaters Island
From the JBR, it’s just over a 15-minute walk across the 300-meter Bluewaters Pedestrian Bridge to Bluewaters Island. This island, which was only artificially created in 2018, is soon to become a new visitor magnet.
In the center of the island stands the Ain Dubai, or Dubai Eye – soon to be the largest Ferris wheel in the world, with a height of about 250 meters. The Ferris wheel is said to offer space for 1900 people and a complete round trip will take a whole 48 minutes. The opening is planned for October 2020. From the height, the view of Dubai’s skyline should be magnificent.
In addition to the Ferris wheel, Bluewaters Island is also home to more than 200 stores and restaurants, the world’s second luxury hotel, Caesars Palace, and Cove Beach. To make it even easier to get to the island, there will also be a monorail station on the island in the near future. A detour to this new attraction is then even easier and certainly worthwhile.
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#5 Dubai Marina Zipline
For the brave, the Dubai Marina Zipline offers a real adrenaline rush. On the 1km long zipline, and thus the longest urban zipline – how could it be otherwise – in the world, you fly at up to 80 km/h over the district. The high-altitude flight starts from the JBR from a height of 170 meters and ends on the other shore on the roof of the Dubai Marina Mall. It is even possible to fly in pairs in parallel, as there are two ziplines.
The exciting fun is available from $150 per person, which includes a professional video and photos of the unique experience. Since there are only a few start times each day, it’s best to book here in advance. However, it should be noted that a minimum height of 1.30m and a weight of 50-100kg are required.
#6 Dubai Marina Mall
Shopping till you drop. If that wasn’t enough for you in the Dubai Mall or the Mall of the Emirates, you can still take a look here. The Dubai Marina Mall is significantly smaller than the other two malls, but thus also a bit more relaxed. In addition to stores and restaurants, there is also a supermarket on the first floor, so you can grab some snacks for your walk or bike ride.
The mall also features affordable fashion labels, as well as a few fast-food chains if you’re looking for an inexpensive meal. For those not interested in shopping: The air-conditioned mall is also ideal for a little cooling down in between.
Conclusion – Is the trip to Dubai Marina worth it?
The very modern district definitely knows how to impress with its numerous skyscrapers and very well-kept outdoor facilities. The casual atmosphere is perfect for strolling and walking, especially because there is simply more space for pedestrians or folks who are otherwise active than in Downtown, for example.
However, the Dubai Marina is most beautiful in the evening. When the lights of the skyscrapers are reflected in the water, the result is a brightly colored scene that is impossible to get enough of. That is why an evening boat trip is a good idea.
Whether you are looking for a relaxed or active day out, Dubai Marina is well worth a visit.
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