The Marina in one walk
Dubai Marina is a canal lined with towers, with a promenade all the way round it. Walk the whole loop and it is about seven kilometres. On the sea side is JBR, a row of towers with The Walk at street level and a public beach in front. Across a footbridge from the beach is Bluewaters, a small island of low buildings, restaurants and a few apartment blocks.
The Marina is the liveliest of our six areas. That is the reason to stay, and the reason we are careful where. We keep to the quiet end of the walk, near the yacht club, and to towers set back from the busiest part of JBR.
Bluewaters
Bluewaters feels further from the city than it is. There are no through roads, the buildings are low, and the evenings are calm once the day visitors go home. It suits guests who want the Marina's restaurants across the bridge and something quieter to come back to.
On a clear morning you will see parachutes coming down over the water. The skydive drop zone is at the end of the Marina, on the Palm side.
Where we would go
All of these are a walk from our Marina and Bluewaters homes.
- Marina WalkThe full loop, early or after sunset
- The Beach, JBRPublic, with lifeguards, showers and shade
- The yacht clubBreakfast beside the boats
- Pier 7Seven floors of restaurants on the water
- BluewatersDinner, then the bridge back at night
Getting around
After Downtown, the Marina is the easiest part of the city without a car. The tram, taxis and the walk cover most days.
The end of the day by the water.
- Dubai InternationalAbout 40 minutes by car outside rush hour
- Tram and metroThe tram loops the Marina and meets the Red Line
- Palm JumeirahTen minutes by car
- DowntownAbout 25 minutes by car
Next in the journal
Jumeirah, the low-rise beach road. Villas, gardens and free public beaches between La Mer and the Burj Al Arab. The part of Dubai that feels most like a neighbourhood.
All the guides
