Dubai area guide
An established waterfront community by Al-Futtaim, offering spacious residences, international schools, hotels and a major lifestyle destination beside Dubai Creek.
Overview
Dubai Festival City is an established mixed-use waterfront community developed by Al-Futtaim Real Estate. Located on the eastern bank of Dubai Creek, it combines homes, offices, hotels, schools, retail and leisure attractions within one master-planned destination.
Residential properties are concentrated in Marsa Plaza, Al Badia Residences and Al Badia Hillside Village. Marsa Plaza offers high-rise waterfront living, while Al Badia provides a quieter, landscaped setting. Properties include studios, apartments, duplexes, penthouses and a limited collection of villas.
Dubai Festival City Mall is the community’s primary lifestyle destination, housing more than 400 outlets and over 50 restaurants and cafés. Festival Bay is also home to IMAGINE, an outdoor water, light and projection show.
The Dubai Festival City location provides access to Al Rebat Street, Airport Road and the Business Bay Crossing. Dubai International Airport is approximately 10 minutes away, while Downtown Dubai, Business Bay and DIFC are generally accessible within 15 to 20 minutes, depending on traffic.
Investment case
Dubai Festival City already has operational schools, hotels, shops, restaurants and leisure facilities supporting its residential neighbourhoods.
The short Dubai Festival City airport distance makes the community convenient for aviation professionals, frequent travellers and corporate tenants.
Apartments in Al Badia and Marsa Plaza generally offer larger floor plans than many recently completed developments in Dubai.
Its a project by Al-Futtaim Real Estate, a master developer in Dubai known for creating large-scale and family-friendly communities.
Nearby schools, offices, hotels, retail facilities and the airport support demand for apartments for rent in Dubai Festival City.
The Dubai Festival City rental yield can reach approximately 6% to 6.7% for selected apartments, before ownership expenses.
Community
Dubai Festival City combines waterfront leisure with the practical facilities required for everyday living. Dubai Festival City Mall anchors the community, providing retail, supermarkets, dining, entertainment and direct access to the Festival Bay promenade.
More than 400 retail outlets are complemented by supermarkets, cinemas, family attractions and waterfront dining.
Dubai Festival City by Al-Futtaim Real Estate houses more than 250 retail outlets, giving residents a self-sustained community.
Deira International School and Universal American School are both located within Dubai Festival City.
The hospitality district includes InterContinental Dubai Festival City and Crowne Plaza Dubai Festival City.
RTA abra services connect Dubai Festival City with Al Jaddaf, beside Creek Metro Station.
The community is approximately 10 minutes from Dubai International Airport and 15 to 20 minutes from Downtown Dubai.
Nearby
A major lifestyle destination offering more than 400 shops, waterfront dining, cinemas and family entertainment.
A creek-facing promenade known for its restaurants, skyline views and regular IMAGINE performances.
A protected wetland near the community, best known for the flamingos that gather during the cooler months.
Around 15 minutes away, Dubai Creek Harbour brings together international pavilions, dining, shopping and live entertainment.
One of Dubai’s most recognisable waterways, connecting historic, commercial and contemporary districts.
A prominent city landmark in Zabeel Park, approximately 15 minutes from Dubai Festival City.
Daily life
Two established international schools operate within Dubai Festival City, with additional options available in Al Garhoud and surrounding districts.
Residents can access clinics within Dubai Festival City and larger hospitals in Al Garhoud, Dubai Healthcare City and Al Jaddaf.
Residents have several grocery and hypermarket options in and around Dubai Festival City.
There is currently no operational Dubai Festival City metro station inside the community. Emirates Metro Station on the Red Line is one of the nearest options. Residents can also use Creek Metro Station on the Green Line and take the BM2 abra from Al Jaddaf Marine Station.
Starting prices
Starting prices by unit type as published by the developers active in the area. Individual units vary by floor, view and finish; the project pages carry the detail.
| Unit | Starting from |
|---|---|
| Studio | AED 1.48M |
| 1-Bedroom | AED 2.08M |
| 2-Bedroom | AED 2.90M |
| 3-Bedroom | AED 4.77M |
| 4-Bedroom / Penthouse | AED 6M–AED 9.3M+ |
Getting around
The Dubai Festival City map places the community on the eastern bank of Dubai Creek, close to Al Garhoud, Nad Al Hamar, Ras Al Khor and Dubai Creek Harbour.
Drive times are the developer’s typical figures in light traffic.
FAQ
A property investment valued at AED 2 million or above may qualify the buyer for the UAE’s 10-year Golden Visa, subject to current requirements and approval conditions.
Yes. The community offers spacious homes, two international schools, shopping, restaurants, leisure facilities and convenient access to Dubai International Airport and central Dubai.
Yes, most UAE banks offer mortgages for off-plan properties in Dubai Festival City, though terms depend on the specific project's construction stage and Al-Futtaim Real Estate's payment plan structure.
Published sources describe a wider master-plan capacity above 20,000 residential units, but no single current official count of completed homes has been published.
In August 2026, apartment asking prices averaged approximately AED 4 million. Prices vary by bedroom count, building, size, condition and view.
Dubai Festival City is more established, with operational schools, hotels and a large mall. Dubai Creek Harbour offers newer architecture and a master plan that is still developing.
There is no operational metro station inside the community. Residents commonly use Emirates Metro Station or Creek Metro Station, followed by a taxi, bus or abra connection.
Dubai International Airport is approximately 4 to 6 kilometres away and can generally be reached within 10 minutes by car, depending on traffic.
Talk to an expert
Ask which launches in Dubai Festival City are actually worth the premium, what resale and rent look like today, and which payment plans are open right now.
