Overview of the City Walk District in Dubai
The City Walk residential community is a modern neighborhood located in the Jumeirah area, built on the "city within a city" concept. The district is known for its numerous shops, boutiques, entertainment venues, and restaurants that form entire streets. The area is situated close to Dubai's popular beaches. City Walk is considered a tourist hub, featuring an event square, parks, fountains, and buildings adorned with street art.
The City Walk district is located at the intersection of Safa Road and Al Wasl Road, near Sheikh Zayed Road. To the southwest, the community borders the Al Wasl and Al Safa areas, to the northeast—Al Satwa, and to the south—Business Bay. The total area of City Walk is 900,000 square meters.
The development of City Walk is managed by the renowned Dubai developer Meraas. Unlike the neighboring areas, this community is not dominated by towering skyscrapers. Instead, the residential properties mainly consist of mid-rise buildings. These structures feature true artistic masterpieces created by popular artists from around the world.
Notable buildings in this area:
The City Walk district features over 30 residential buildings, each assigned a specific number: Building 1, Building 2, Building 3, and so on. These buildings offer apartments with 1–4 bedrooms and luxurious penthouses with 3–4 bedrooms on the upper floors. Residences are equipped with panoramic windows, private bathrooms for each bedroom, and, in some cases, walk-in closets and balconies. Penthouses additionally feature open terraces and private pools.
Building 21A is one of the most popular buildings in the City Walk district. This seven-story building with glass facades was completed in 2016. It houses not only 1–4-bedroom apartments but also duplexes. The building includes underground parking, a gym, a shared terrace, and a landscaped courtyard with a children’s playground, relaxation areas, and swimming pools.
Another highly sought-after residence is Building 12, also a seven-story building offering 1–4-bedroom apartments. Amenities for residents include 24/7 security, dedicated parking spaces for each apartment, high-speed elevators, a fitness center, a gym, a yoga area, a swimming pool, a children’s play area, and a sauna.
Hotels
Tourists and business travelers looking for a short stay in Dubai can consider the City Walk area. The following hotels are available within the district:
La Ville Hotel & Suites: A five-star hotel offering premium rooms, restaurants, a fitness center, and spa facilities. Despite being located in the heart of a bustling metropolis, the hotel provides a tranquil atmosphere and all amenities needed for guest relaxation.
Rove City Walk: A modern three-star aparthotel featuring 560 comfortable rooms, a terrace, an outdoor swimming pool, a restaurant, a bar, and a fitness center.
Apartment rentals in City Walk are highly sought after. Rental prices vary widely depending on the size of the property, its class, the availability of furniture, and other factors. One-bedroom apartments can be rented for $100–$400 per night.
Long-term rentals are also available in the community. One-bedroom economy apartments cost approximately $1,500–$1,800 per month, while higher-class properties average around $2,500 per month.
Restaurants and Cafes
The City Walk district is renowned for its popular restaurants, cafes, and bars. Visitors can enjoy a variety of national and European cuisines. Some of the most in-demand dining options among tourists and locals include:
Al Mashowa
: An Emirati cuisine restaurant offering a traditional yet elegant ambiance and local dishes. The menu features items prepared with fresh seafood.
Graze Gastro Grill & Bar
: A steakhouse sourcing only the finest quality beef from the world’s most prestigious farms. The menu includes steaks, seafood, and vegetarian dishes.
Melenzane
: An Italian restaurant located near The Green Planet. This cozy eatery serves pizza, pasta, risotto, cheesecake, chocolate cake, and more.
LIMA
: A Peruvian restaurant focusing on vegetable-based dishes. Highlights include quinoa ceviche, purple corn pancakes with tomato tartare, and corn crème brûlée.
A great option for a delicious breakfast is Sarabeth’s, the first Middle Eastern location of the famous New York brand. It serves signature New York-style brunch dishes such as fluffy French toast, eggs Benedict, and more. For something unique, you can enjoy a Lebanese-style breakfast at Enab Beirut, which opens at 9 a.m.
For dinner, Coya is an excellent choice. The restaurant stands out with its eclectic interior featuring blue sofas, textured stone, abundant metal accents, and modern artwork. The menu highlights authentic Peruvian cuisine, with ingredients imported directly from Peru. Guests can enjoy dishes like guacamole with shrimp chips, tacos, tiraditos, and anticuchos skewers.
Another great dinner option is Farzi Café, one of the most unique spots in Dubai. The restaurant is known for its creative plating and theatrical presentation of dishes. The golden-hued interior, warm lighting, and the aroma of delicacies cooked on the grill create a perfect ambiance for a memorable dining experience.
For a stunning view of Dubai, visit the Indian restaurant Mint Leaf. It boasts an exquisite interior and beautiful lighting, with panoramic windows offering breathtaking views of the Burj Khalifa and the city center.
You can also admire Dubai's skyline from the LookUp Rooftop Bar, located on the rooftop of the La Ville Hotel & Suites. This bar provides an excellent vantage point for taking in the city's dazzling sights.
Places of cultural recreation
There are no museums in the City Walk area itself, but there is an art gallery called Progressive Art Gallery. It features works by masters of modern Indian art.
Source: tripadvisor.com The hallmark and main attraction of City Walk is its local street art. The murals on building walls were created by specially invited artists. The street art, pedestrian boulevard, and streets designed in a European style leading to the coastline attract both tourists and residents from other areas.
Near the main square of the district, there is a community mosque. Two additional mosques, Ahmed Bin Jursh and Ramadhan Juma, are just a 10-minute walk away.
Located close to the community is The Green Planet, a true tropical rainforest in the heart of the city. This artificially created forest is home to over 3,000 plants and animals. Visitors can explore bat caves, encounter sloths, reptiles, and birds from around the world, and more. The greenhouse features four levels: "The Canopy," "Forest Floor," "Midstory," and "The Rainforest After the Rain."
Another popular nearby attraction is the Coca-Cola Arena, one of the largest venues in Dubai. It hosts music concerts and sporting events and has a capacity for 17,000 visitors.
Other activity in the area
City Walk does not feature globally renowned landmarks, yet there are plenty of activities to enjoy during your free time. Both children and adults can explore various attractions:
Hub Zero entertainment center, offering rides, arcade games, and interactive zones.
The large Roxy Cinemas movie theater.
Mattel Play Town, an indoor play area designed for children aged 2 to 10.
For fans of an active lifestyle, the area provides numerous options, including sports courts, jogging tracks, and pedestrian walkways. Every residential building is equipped with swimming pools and play areas for children of various ages. Fitness centers such as Golden Arrow, My Gym, Smart Life Fitness Gym, and Diamond Gym operate within and near the community.
The Jumeirah district is known as the most beach-oriented area in Dubai, and City Walk’s central location offers convenient access to the coast. Just 10 minutes away by car is the free Jumeirah Public Beach. Surfing enthusiasts and fans of water sports can enjoy Kite Beach, a 15-minute drive away, featuring cafes, restaurants, and sports and children’s play areas.
For those seeking solitude, Sunset Beach is just 15 minutes away. This picturesque, semi-wild beach is perfect for relaxation. For a vibrant club experience, head to Barasti Beach in the Dubai Marina area, where you can dance at an open-air disco.
City Walk as a place to live
The City Walk community is unique in combining a residential area, a tourist hub, an entertainment venue, and a large shopping complex. The community is a blend of a residential neighborhood and a shopping and entertainment center, highly appreciated by locals. City Walk is fully equipped for both living and leisure, making it comfortable for tourists as well as permanent residents of Dubai.
Advantages of living in the City Walk area:
Modern low-rise development.
The area offers a wide selection of housing in mid-rise buildings. For those who prefer not to buy or rent apartments in skyscrapers, this community is a great choice.
A huge variety of entertainment.
An open-air shopping gallery, entertainment venues, and famous attractions in close proximity make this area appealing to both locals and tourists.
Proximity to the best beaches.
The community is just a 10-minute drive from Dubai’s popular beaches, located in the Jumeirah district. One of the closest and most sought-after is Jumeirah Public Beach.
Safety.
The community is considered one of the safest in the emirate.
"City within a city" concept.
The area itself or its surroundings include everything needed for daily life, such as schools, kindergartens, supermarkets, medical facilities, and other infrastructure.
Excellent transport links.
The district is located just 2 minutes from the major Sheikh Zayed highway, providing quick access to any part of the city.
Kindergartens
For families with children living in the City Walk area, there is a wide selection of preschool education facilities. Within the community itself, the Honey Bee Nursery operates, utilizing the British Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum. Nearby, the Great Mind’s Nursery follows the renowned Montessori early development methodology.Several educational institutions for children under the age of 6 are located in close proximity to City Walk:
Sandcastle Nursery
Kinderville Nursery
Green Grass Nursery
Kid’s Way
My Nursery
Little Champions Nursery
Fantasy Land Montessori Nursery
Al Ferdous Kindergarten
Spring Kindergarten
British Berries Nursery
Schools
For younger school-age children, the Gems Wellington Primary School is located near the City Walk area. This institution follows the British curriculum and accepts children from Grades 1 to 6.
A popular middle school among locals is the JSS Private School, situated in the Al Wasl area. This Indian private school uses the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) curriculum. Another option is Horizon English School, which follows the EYFS program.
Several other schools near the City Walk area include:
School Ground
Jumeira Baccalaureate School
Salma Al Ansaria Elementary School
Widad Center
Al Shaab School For Basic Education
Safa Early Learning Centre
Dubai Japanese School
Universities
Students can study at Canadian University Dubai, which is a 5-minute drive from the City Walk area. Other universities nearby include the University of New Brunswick and the Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences. The drive to them takes less than 10 minutes. The Lipstick MakeUp Institute, a beauty school for future makeup artists, is also a 15-minute drive away.
Medicine
The residential community is surrounded on all sides by top-class medical facilities. Local residents can seek assistance at the following clinics:
Valiant Clinic & Hospital.
The hospital has departments for dermatology, endocrinology, cardiology, pediatrics, otolaryngology, orthopedics, dentistry, and more. The commute takes about 4 minutes.
Emirates Hospital Clinics.
Located on Jumeirah Beach Road, it is about a 12-minute walk from the community.
Al Garhoud Private Hospital Clinic.
This private clinic is 7 minutes away by car.
Dubai London Clinic Dental Centre.
The dental center is a 7-minute drive away.
Aster Clinic.
A popular clinic among City Walk residents, located about 10 minutes away.
Medcare Orthopaedics and Spine Hospital.
This 24-hour hospital has specialists who treat various health issues, including musculoskeletal disorders. It is located in the Al Safa area, 10 minutes from City Walk.
Several pharmacies operate within the community: Boots Pharmacy, the self-service Self-Pharmacy, and Marina Pharmacy.
For pet care, residents can visit one of the veterinary clinics in City Walk: Animal Specialist Clinic or Falcon Centre (Al Wasl Veterinary Clinic).
Transport
The community boasts excellent transport connectivity and a well-functioning public transportation system. Just a few minutes away by car is Dubai and the UAE's main highway, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road, which provides easy access to all areas of the emirate or to other cities.
The Business Bay Metro Station is located 5 minutes away by car, while the Dubai Mall/Burj Khalifa, Sheikh Zayed Road, and Financial Centre Station metro stations are 8–10 minutes away. Commuting to work is also convenient by bus. The nearest bus stop, Dubai Petroleum Corporation 1/2, is just a couple of minutes' walk away on Al Safa Street, served by buses 7, 28, 81, and C14.
Car owners face no issues with parking. The residential area offers more than 600 underground parking spaces, and additional parking is available near the commercial zone. By car, it takes just 10–15 minutes to reach DXB International Airport, while the journey to Al Maktoum International Airport takes about 40 minutes.
Places for socialization
To socialize quickly after moving to the UAE, it is essential to communicate with new people as much as possible. This can be achieved by enrolling in courses, starting a job, or visiting public places.
The large square in the central part of the City Walk area regularly hosts public events, offering opportunities to relax, have fun, and expand your social circle. New friends can also be found in clubs, on beaches, or in public venues.
A great way to socialize quickly is by finding people with similar interests. Fans of an active lifestyle can meet new friends on jogging tracks, in fitness centers, and in gyms within the City Walk area.
Employment Opportunities
City Walk has a well-developed retail and entertainment sector. It is easy to find work as a salesperson, waiter, chef, entertainer, administrator, hostess, and more. There are also job opportunities in educational and medical institutions. For office jobs and corporate positions, it’s worth considering nearby areas like Business Bay or Downtown Dubai.
Shopping mall
The City Walk district features the City Walk Shopping Mall, with wide galleries, restaurants, a tree-lined esplanade, and a central fountain. It houses hundreds of luxury boutiques from global brands such as Karl Lagerfeld, Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren, Michelle Belau, Chantelle, and OnePiece.
Shops and entertainment centers in the community form actual streets. There are numerous grocery stores, the most popular being All Day Advantage, which offers a wide selection of baked goods and organic products. A 10-minute walk will take you to the Carrefour hypermarket in Al Wasl. Within a 5–10 minute drive, you can reach supermarkets such as Geant Express, West Zone, and SPAR.
Nearby is Dubai's largest shopping and entertainment complex, the Dubai Mall. Covering an area of 110 hectares, equivalent to 50 football fields, it is 30 minutes away on foot or a 5-minute drive. The mall features over 1,300 retail outlets, including boutiques, a cinema, restaurants, an ice rink, and a large supermarket. Visitors can also enjoy the Dubai Aquarium, an underwater zoo, and a virtual reality park.
What to look for when choosing a neighborhood as a place to live
The City Walk district is recognized as one of the most popular destinations in Dubai. Tourists are drawn to its unique streets with street art, vibrant atmosphere, proximity to Jumeirah beaches, and nearby attractions in the Downtown Dubai community.
City Walk is an excellent choice both for personal use and for investing in property for short-term rentals. The constant influx of tourists ensures high demand for apartment rentals. For personal use, living in City Walk is very comfortable, thanks to its well-developed social infrastructure and relatively affordable prices.
Images: tripadvisor.com
