Park & nature · The Marina

Dubai Marina

4.5 · 1,675 reviews Travelers Choice
Dubai MarinaNorlando Pobre · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 2.0
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Dubai Marina is one of the city's most spectacular and lively districts, a glittering, entirely man-made waterfront canal city ringed by a forest of soaring skyscrapers, with a yacht-filled marina at its heart. Built around an artificial canal carved inland from the Arabian Gulf, it's a showcase of modern Dubai: dazzling high-rise architecture, luxury yachts, and a buzzing, cosmopolitan atmosphere. The Marina Walk, a waterfront promenade lined with cafés, restaurants, and shops, runs the length of the canal, perfect for an evening stroll as the towers light up and yachts glide past. Nearby are JBR (Jumeirah Beach Residence) and The Beach, with sand, dining, and the Ain Dubai observation wheel across the water.

It's a place to soak up modern Dubai's glamour, dine waterside, take a dhow or yacht cruise along the canal, shop at Dubai Marina Mall, or simply walk and people-watch. Free to wander, it's at its best in the cooler evenings. Allow a few hours, especially with a meal or a cruise.

Don't miss

  • A skyscraper-ringed artificial canal and marina
  • The waterfront Marina Walk promenade
  • Luxury yachts and dhow/yacht cruises
  • Waterside dining and Dubai Marina Mall
  • Nearby JBR beach and the Ain Dubai wheel

Tickets & tours

Ways to visit Dubai Marina

You don't need a tour to visit — entry is free. A tour is worth it if you want transport, a guide, or to combine Dubai Marina with nearby sights in one day. That's what these do well.

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How travelers rate it

5 star
1,140
4 star
435
3 star
80
2 star
9
1 star
11

Know before you go

  • The Marina Walk is loveliest in the cooler evenings as the towers light up.
  • Take a dhow or yacht cruise along the canal for the best views.
  • It's free to wander; cruises and dining cost separately.
  • Combine with nearby JBR beach and the Ain Dubai wheel.

A bit of history

Dubai Marina was developed in the 2000s as an ambitious artificial canal city, with a waterway cut inland from the Gulf and lined with residential and commercial skyscrapers. It rapidly became one of the world's largest man-made marinas and a flagship of Dubai's modern lifestyle districts.

Common questions

What is Dubai Marina?

A spectacular man-made waterfront district in Dubai, an artificial canal lined with soaring skyscrapers and a yacht-filled marina, with the lively Marina Walk promenade of cafés, restaurants, and shops.

What can I do there?

Stroll the Marina Walk, dine waterside, take a dhow or yacht cruise, shop at Dubai Marina Mall, and combine it with nearby JBR beach.

When's the best time to visit?

The cooler evenings, when the skyscrapers light up, the promenade buzzes, and yachts glide along the canal.

Is it free?

Yes, it's free to wander; cruises, dining, and activities cost separately.

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