Meydan vs Dubai Hills Estate
Updated October 2026
Meydan and Dubai Hills Estate are both communities within Mohammed Bin Rashid City, close to Downtown Dubai, with a mix of villas, townhouses and apartments and no metro. The difference is how built-out and amenity-rich each is: Dubai Hills Estate is a mature master community by Emaar and Meraas built around an 18-hole golf course, with its own mall, hospital and park, while Meydan is anchored by the Meydan Racecourse and still has several projects under construction. Choose Dubai Hills Estate for amenities in place today; choose Meydan for space near the centre next to a landmark racecourse.
Meydan
Meydan area guideDubai Hills Estate
Dubai Hills Estate area guideMeydan and Dubai Hills Estate side by side
| Compared | Meydan | Dubai Hills Estate |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A district within Mohammed Bin Rashid City anchored by the Meydan Racecourse, host of the Dubai World Cup | A master community by Emaar and Meraas in Mohammed Bin Rashid City, built around an 18-hole championship golf course |
| Homes | Villas, townhouses and apartments across several sub-communities | Villa and townhouse neighbourhoods and apartment districts |
| Public transport | No metro; reached from Al Khail Road and Ras Al Khor Road | No metro; residents drive |
| On the doorstep | The Meydan Racecourse and Grandstand and the Meydan Hotel; close to Downtown Dubai and Business Bay | Dubai Hills Mall, Dubai Hills Park, King's College Hospital Dubai and the golf club, all within the community |
| Good for | Families wanting space near the city centre, professionals working Downtown, long-term investors | Families, buyers wanting a villa close to the city centre, long-term owner-occupiers |
| Main drawbacks | Several projects are still under construction; retail is still limited in parts; race days and events bring traffic | Premium prices, especially for golf-course villas; parts are still being built; no metro |
Key differences between Meydan and Dubai Hills Estate
- Anchor: Meydan is built around the Meydan Racecourse; Dubai Hills Estate is built around an 18-hole golf course with its own mall, hospital and park.
- How built-out: Dubai Hills Estate already has a mall, hospital, schools and park in place; Meydan still has several projects under construction and limited retail in parts.
- Both are in Mohammed Bin Rashid City, close to Downtown Dubai, with villas, townhouses and apartments, and neither has a metro.
- Dubai Hills Estate is premium-priced, especially for golf-course villas; Meydan offers lower-density neighbourhoods near the centre.
Which should you choose?
Choose Meydan if…
- You want space near the city centre next to a landmark racecourse.
- You're happy in a district that's still filling in, in exchange for being close to Downtown and Business Bay.
Choose Dubai Hills Estate if…
- You want a mall, hospital, schools, park and golf all inside your community today.
- You want a villa close to the city centre and don't mind premium prices.
Before you sign a lease, check the rent against the DLD rental index, and read our guide to renting in Dubai.
Frequently asked questions
Is Meydan or Dubai Hills Estate better to live in?
It depends on how built-out you need your community to be. Dubai Hills Estate already has a mall, hospital, schools, park and golf course in place; Meydan is anchored by the Meydan Racecourse and still has several projects under construction. Both are in Mohammed Bin Rashid City near Downtown. Read our guides to each before you decide.
What is each community known for?
Meydan is known for the Meydan Racecourse and Grandstand, host of the Dubai World Cup, and the Meydan Hotel. Dubai Hills Estate is known for the Dubai Hills Golf Club, Dubai Hills Mall, Dubai Hills Park and King's College Hospital Dubai.
Do Meydan and Dubai Hills Estate have a metro station?
No. Neither has a metro inside the community; residents drive. Both are close to Downtown Dubai by road — Dubai Hills Estate is about 15 minutes away.
Which is better for families?
Both suit families. Dubai Hills Estate has schools, a hospital, a mall and a park within the community today; Meydan offers lower-density neighbourhoods with space near the city centre, though several parts are still under construction.
What are the downsides of living in Meydan and Dubai Hills Estate?
In Meydan, several projects are still under construction, retail is limited in parts, and race days bring traffic. In Dubai Hills Estate, prices are premium — especially golf-course villas — parts are still being built, and there is no metro.
Sources
Our area guides to Meydan and Dubai Hills Estate.