Dubai Areas Near the Metro

Dubai communities with metro access

1. Al Barsha

   Metro access: The Dubai Metro Red Line stops at the Mall of the Emirates, and Al Khail Road is a short drive east.

   Al Barsha is an established residential and commercial area around the Mall of the Emirates, between Sheikh Zayed Road and Umm Suqeim Road. It offers a mix of villas and low- to mid-rise apartment buildings, with schools, parks and everyday services close by.

   Pros

   • Central and well connected
   • Established neighbourhood with services
   • Choice of villas and apartments

   Things to consider

   • Many buildings are older
   • Traffic around the Mall of the Emirates
   • Not all of Al Barsha is open to foreign freehold ownership — check the specific plot
   Living in Al Barsha: full area guide

2. Al Furjan

   Metro access: Al Furjan Metro Station, on the Route 2020 branch of the Red Line, sits between Al Furjan and Discovery Gardens.

   Al Furjan is a Nakheel community in the Jebel Ali area, between Sheikh Zayed Road and Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road. It combines villas and townhouses with low- and mid-rise apartment buildings, and has its own station on the Dubai Metro Red Line.

   Pros

   • Rare combination of villas and metro access
   • Quieter residential streets
   • Choice of home types

   Things to consider

   • Ongoing construction in newer phases
   • Traffic on the approach roads at peak hours
   • Further from the city centre than Marina or Downtown
   Living in Al Furjan: full area guide

3. Bur Dubai

   Metro access: Bur Dubai is served by the Dubai Metro Red and Green Lines, with abras crossing the creek to Deira.

   Bur Dubai is a historic district on the southern bank of Dubai Creek, opposite Deira. It is home to the Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood and the textile souk, surrounded by established residential areas of older apartment buildings.

   Pros

   • Central with good transport
   • Established community services
   • Affordable

   Things to consider

   • Mostly older buildings
   • Busy streets and limited parking
   • Limited foreign freehold options — check the specific building
   Living in Bur Dubai: full area guide

4. Business Bay

   Metro access: The Dubai Metro Red Line has a station on its Sheikh Zayed Road side, and Downtown Dubai is reachable on foot.

   Business Bay is a mixed-use district of offices, hotels and apartment towers along the Dubai Water Canal, directly next to Downtown Dubai. It combines a business address with canal-side homes and a growing dining scene.

   Pros

   • Central location
   • Metro access
   • Water views along the canal

   Things to consider

   • Ongoing construction and noise in several pockets
   • Traffic around the main junctions at peak hours
   • Some towers are mainly offices, so streets can feel quiet after hours
   Living in Business Bay: full area guide

5. Deira

   Metro access: Deira is served by both the Dubai Metro Red and Green Lines, with abras crossing the creek to Bur Dubai.

   Deira is one of Dubai's oldest districts, on the northern bank of Dubai Creek near Dubai International Airport. It is a dense, busy trading area of souks, markets and older apartment buildings, with some of the city's best public transport.

   Pros

   • Excellent metro access
   • Affordable rents
   • Everyday shopping and markets on the doorstep

   Things to consider

   • Mostly older buildings
   • Congested streets and limited parking
   • Few areas are open to foreign freehold ownership — check the specific project
   Living in Deira: full area guide

6. Downtown Dubai

   Metro access: The Dubai Metro Red Line stops at The Dubai Mall, and Business Bay is directly adjacent.

   Downtown Dubai is Emaar's flagship district, built around the Burj Khalifa, The Dubai Mall and the Dubai Fountain. It is a dense, walkable neighbourhood of apartment towers and hotels along Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard.

   Pros

   • Landmark views and a lively atmosphere
   • Metro access
   • Everything from groceries to fine dining within walking distance

   Things to consider

   • Tourist crowds around the mall and fountain
   • Road closures and heavy traffic on New Year's Eve and major event nights
   • Among the more expensive areas to buy or rent in
   Living in Downtown Dubai: full area guide

7. Dubai Marina

   Metro access: The Dubai Metro Red Line runs along its edge, the Dubai Tram loops through the district towards JBR and Palm Jumeirah, and water taxis cross the marina.

   Dubai Marina is a waterfront district built around a man-made canal on the coast in the south-west of the city, master-planned by Emaar. High-rise apartment towers line a promenade of cafés, shops and moorings, with the beach at JBR a short walk away.

   Pros

   • Beach, promenade and restaurants on the doorstep
   • Metro and tram access
   • Wide choice of apartment sizes and views

   Things to consider

   • Heavy traffic at peak hours and on weekends
   • Busy and noisy around the promenade, especially at night
   • Tower quality varies — older buildings can have higher maintenance issues
   Living in Dubai Marina: full area guide

8. Dubai South

   Metro access: The Expo City Dubai station, at the end of the Red Line's Route 2020 branch, is the main metro access point.

   Dubai South is a large master-planned city in the south of Dubai, built around Al Maktoum International Airport and including Expo City Dubai. Its residential district offers apartments, townhouses and villas, much of it newer and more affordable than central Dubai.

   Pros

   • New-build homes
   • Lower entry prices
   • Metro link via Expo City Dubai

   Things to consider

   • Far from central Dubai and the coast
   • Amenities are still growing in parts of the residential district
   • Many projects are still under construction
   Living in Dubai South: full area guide

9. Jumeirah Lake Towers

   Metro access: The Dubai Metro Red Line serves it directly, and Dubai Marina is across Sheikh Zayed Road by footbridge.

   Jumeirah Lake Towers (JLT) is a cluster of high-rise towers set around artificial lakes, across Sheikh Zayed Road from Dubai Marina. Managed by DMCC, it is both a free-zone business address and a residential area with lakeside walks and cafés.

   Pros

   • Metro access
   • Often better value than Dubai Marina across the road
   • Lakeside walks and dining

   Things to consider

   • Parking and traffic inside the clusters can be tight
   • Tower quality and upkeep vary considerably
   • Crossing to Dubai Marina means using a bridge over Sheikh Zayed Road
   Living in Jumeirah Lake Towers: full area guide

Before you choose

Frequently asked questions

More area guides: Best areas for families in Dubai · Best areas for young professionals in Dubai · Best waterfront areas in Dubai · Dubai Marina vs JBR