Al Wasl District: Embrace Luxury and Convenience in Dubai

Al Wasl residential district is located in the western part of Dubai in close proximity to the coastline. The community is located between the first and second interchanges of Sheikh Zayed Road. Al Wasl is bordered on the north by the Jumeirah district, on the south by Business Bay, on the west by Al Safa, and the east by Al Satwa, one of the oldest parts of the city. The district covers an area of about 4.8 km2.

Al Wasl is a lively and prestigious district of Dubai with premium residential complexes. Just around 20 years ago, this area was a quiet suburb. However, as it gradually developed and became populated with new modern homes, the community found itself at the epicenter of a bustling and active lifestyle Only the low-rise buildings remaining in some places in the form of secluded villas and two-story buildings with apartments remind of the past. Today’s appearance the district resembles the central quarters of European capitals.

The district has a great infrastructure. Shops, cafés, and restaurants are located on the first floors of residential buildings. Along the streets, there are wide alleys for hiking. There is also an open-air café for recreation.

On one hand, Al Wasl offers a cozy and tranquil place to live, while on the other hand, it is located close to key landmarks and destinations within the emirate. This affects the increase in demand for housing in Al-Wasl.

Famous buildings in the area

There are many modern buildings on the territory of the Al Wasl district, as the area has been actively built up over the past couple of decades. Some of the most famous projects implemented are:

• Al Wasl Road is a gated residential complex with apartments and villas. There are luxury mansions with a swimming pool of about 930 sq.m. and small houses with an area of 260 sq.m. There are many shops, and restaurants on the territory, as well as places for recreation and entertainment;
• The Galleria Villas is a complex consisting of 38 villas located near the Galleria shopping mall. The gated community includes villas with 4-5 bedrooms, gardens, a gym, sports and playgrounds, swimming pool. There are isolated villas with original designs and standard facilities.

Hotels

The Al Wasl area is home to a variety of hotels of different classes, which can be easily explained by its proximity to the coastline and business districts of Dubai. 

Popular hotels in Al Wasl:

• Holiday Inn Express Dubai Safa Park – IHG Hotels & Resorts. The hotel is located on the famous Sheikh Zayed Street, very close to Safa Park. Here you can rent a spacious room with air conditioning and a TV. Guests can take advantage of the rooftop fitness room, a free bus to La Mer Beach and the Dubai Mall;
• Rove City Walk. The hotel is located at a distance of 200 meters from the City Walk shopping mall. The comfortable rooms offer views of the city. The hotel has a Daily restaurant. It is possible to book connecting family rooms. Guests have access to a gaming zone, a large outdoor swimming pool, luggage storage facilities, complimentary parking, and a self-service laundry area. 
• Leva Hotel and Suites. The 4-star apart-hotel is located on the Sheikh Zayed Highway overlooking the central part of the Emirate. All rooms have a kitchenette and TV. Free parking is available on-site. Guests can use the outdoor swimming pool, and well-equipped fitness center, and visit the restaurant in the lobby.

In addition to hotels, apartments can be rented monthly or daily in Al-Wasl. Average prices for renting 1-bedroom apartments for a month look something like this:

• economy — $560;
• middle class — $1,400;
• luxury — $3,000;

The cost of renting a one-bedroom apartment daily in Al Wasl varies depending on various factors and can range from $57 to $245 per night for two people.

Restaurants and cafés

The Al Wasl district is rich in a variety of restaurants, cafés and eateries. Indeed, the proximity of Al Wasl to the coastline and popular beaches contributes to the availability of amenities and facilities that are designed to ensure a comfortable stay for both residents and tourists.

On the territory you can find restaurants and cafés with cuisine for every taste:

• Baku Café. The establishment is located in the area of the City Walk shopping promenade. The cozy restaurant is decorated in a loft style. It serves dishes of Azerbaijani cuisine prepared exclusively according to traditional recipes. In Baku Café you can order fragrant tandoor bread, homemade soup, kebab, dolma, pilaf, govurma, etc. Spices, fruits, nuts and other products are supplied directly from Baku;
• Farzi Café. In this café, the traditions of world cuisine are perfectly combined with Indian culinary motifs. Guests are often amazed by the creative presentation and theatrical serving of dishes in Al Wasl. The interior decor is characterized by golden tones and complemented by warm lighting, creating a sense of coziness and harmony.  Farzi Café is known for its innovative and modern twist on traditional Indian cuisine. Some popular dishes at Farzi Café include the Shepherd’s Pie with Tawa Aloo and Wagyu Beef, Raj Kachori Chaat, Crispy Okra Salad with Spicy Pumpkin, Yogurt, and Airy Chatni. 
• Goldfish Sushi & Yakitori. The trendy Japanese restaurant is run by renowned chef Akmal Anuar. Traditional dishes such as sushi, rolls, and grilled robata are prepared here. Many ingredients are delivered from Japan. Guests have positive feedback about the chicken teriyaki burgers, juicy Yakitori beef skewers, matcha green tea-infused meringue, and airy cottage cheese foam at Farzi Café. 
• Lana Lusa. This is a restaurant with a cozy terrace, located in the Wasl 51 shopping complex. The menu features traditional Portuguese cuisine and delicious desserts. According to the reviews, the most popular items that received the most feedback are the signature croquettes with salted cod, braised fish with rice, and pastries with custard cream. Portuguese designers not only worked hard on the beautiful interior of the restaurant but also paid attention to the little things. The artisans created clay pottery, copper lamps, and an unconventional menu with cork wood accents, all crafted by hand.

Al Wasl has a large selection of cafés that offer delicious breakfasts. Among them is the Myocum café, which is noted as a cozy and atmospheric place and a good option for breakfast. The establishment is located in the Dar Wasl Mall. It serves branded breakfasts, for which there is often a queue. You can have a delicious breakfast at La Terrasse Cafe. Visitors often praise the restaurant for its generous portions, high-quality food, friendly staff, stunning decor, and inviting atmosphere.

For dinner in the Al Wasl district in Dubai, you can choose the Italian restaurant, Terra Mia. It serves one of the most popular pizzas in the city. The restaurant offers a beautiful view of the skyscrapers and the embankment. The chef cooks pasta in front of the visitors. You can also have dinner at another famous Dubai restaurant — Logma. Those who have already visited this place recommend Logma to get acquainted with the local cuisine.

Places of cultural recreation

The famous zoological museum The Green Planet is located on the territory of Al Wasl. The ticket price starts from 110 AED. The museum is open from 10 am to 6 pm. The museum is an indoor 4-storey complex with its own ecosystem. The unusual building resembles origami, inside which exotic flora and fauna are collected. Visitors feel as if they are in a real rainforest under a roof, everything is so realistic here. In total, there are more than 3,000 plants and animals on The Green Planet.

One of the functions of the zoological museum The Green Planet is an educational component. Special group excursions are held here to introduce children to the world of animals. At the museum, you can see sloths, reptiles, birds, and lemurs, and also experience a simulated tropical storm, witness piranha feeding, and learn about the lives of nocturnal creatures. In The Green Planet, you can’t touch plants and feed animals.

Al Wasl is also home to the Coca-Cola Arena. This is the first and largest multi-purpose indoor arena stadium in the Middle East and the only one in the region that operates year-round. The arena can accommodate up to 17,000 people. Sports events, comedy shows, concerts, exhibitions, gala dinners and other events are held here. In 2022, the World Tennis League was held here.

Other activities in the district

A street of the same name passes through the Al Wasl district, attracting travelers and is located parallel to the E11 road. There are many mosques, various shops, and beautiful villas. On Al Wasl Street you can see the first hospital in Dubai — Al Amal Hospital. On the same road, you can get to the famous park in the city — Safa Park.

Safa Park is a green oasis among skyscrapers. It is a clean and well-maintained park with interesting plants, beautiful lawns and flower beds, artificial lakes and waterfalls. Safa Park is a great place for recreation, picnics, and walks. You can also play football or cricket here. There are also running tracks and basketball courts on-site, and you can rent a boat.

An artificial Dubai Water Canal passes through Safa Park. It has numerous pedestrian bridges and a colorful Dubai Waterfall.

There are no beaches in the Al Wasl district itself, as it is located at some distance from the coast. But it will not be difficult to get to the popular beaches quickly. It takes 5-10 minutes by car to reach Jumeirah Open Beach, Sunrise Beach, Jumeirah Beach, Mercato Beach and other famous locations on the Persian Gulf coast.

Al Wasl district as a place to live

The main feature of the housing stock of the Al Wasl district is a large selection of objects. Here you can find both enclosed complexes with 3-5 bedroom villas, as well as standalone houses with large plots, gardens, and private pools. There are also low-rise buildings with apartments and studios. They provide common amenities for residents: a gym, sauna, swimming pool, playground for children, and recreation areas. In such complexes, the internal territory is usually closed from outsiders.

The main advantages of living in the Al Wasl district:

• proximity to the Persian Gulf coast — the road takes 5-10 minutes by car;
• The neighborhood’s proximity to the business and popular areas of Dubai with Jumeirah, Business Bay, and other well-known communities located nearby.
• developed and rich infrastructure — there is everything necessary for life (schools, kindergartens, shops, shopping malls, medical institutions, entertainment facilities);
• a large park and a water canal — Safa Park and Dubai Water Canal are located on the border of the district, which are perfect for recreation;
• excellent transport links — walking distance to the metro, bus routes, proximity to the highways Jumeirah Beach Road and Sheikh Zayed Road;
• a wide range of real estate — from studios and apartments to luxury villas.

Al Wasl is one of the most popular districts for buying and renting real estate for permanent residence. Here, residents are provided with a busy life, but at the same time safety and privacy in gated communities are guaranteed.

The Al Wasl area is often chosen by couples, as it provides all the conditions for a comfortable and peaceful life, whether with children or without. At the same time, it does not take long to get to work: the community is located near the cultural and business center of the city.

Kindergartens

Despite its relatively small size, the Al Wasl area is home to many educational institutions catering to children of different ages. In Al Wasl, you can arrange a child in one of the following kindergartens:

• Happy Elephant International Nursery & Preschool;
• Great Minds Nursery;
• Westfield Nursery;
• VIK Montessori Nursery;
• Ladybird Nursery Jumeirah.

In the Nursery children are accepted from 3-6 months of age. Parents can give the baby both for a full week (5-6 days) and for several days a week, depending on their workload. The nursery can work in a spacious villa with its own green area and playground.

Schools

The social infrastructure of the Al Wasl community is also represented by a large selection of schools. From the age of 6, you can send your child to such institutions near your home:

• Horizon English School;
• Al Safa High School;
• JSS Private School;
• Japanese School Dubai.

There are other educational institutions on the territory: Safa Early Learning Centre, Shafei Model School Episode 3 for girls, Al Raya Girl’s School, and Dubai Youth Olympic School of Rhythmic Gymnastics. Knowledge Park can be reached in 20 minutes by car.

Universities

There are higher educational institutions on the territory of Al-Wasl, in particular Canadian University Dubai. The Canadian University of Dubai is a private educational institution founded in 2006 and previously had the name Centennial University. It offers training according to the Canadian curriculum in English. CUD has bachelor’s and master’s degree programs. The university has more than 3,000 students who have come to Dubai from 100 countries around the world. There is a truly international atmosphere here.

Health care

The locals have a good selection of dental and medical centers:

• Dr Michael’s Dental Clinic;
• International Aesthetic Medical Centre;
• Dubai London Clinic Dental Centre;
• American Hospital Jumeirah Clinic;
• Monroe Medical Center;
• Smart Salem Medical Fitness Centre.

Al Wasl has its own hospital, Al Ittihad Health Center. This is a well-known clinic that specializes in general medicine and dentistry and also provides laboratory services. Emirates Hospital in Jumeirah is a 10-minute drive away.

On the territory of the district, there is a LIFE Pharmacy — Nature’s and a veterinary clinic Petzone Veterinary Clinic.

Transportation

Transport links are well-developed in the Al-Wasl district. Several bus routes are running here, there are quite a lot of public transport stops. The nearest metro stations are Business Bay and Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall. The metro can be reached on foot.

The district is located between two major highways — Jumeirah Beach Road and Sheikh Zayed Road. This allows you to quickly get by car or bus to other districts. The road to the center and the sea coast by car takes no more than 10-15 minutes. There are many parking lots for cars.

Places for socialization

The name “Al Wasl” translates to “connecting” and truly lives up to its name as the community has become a favored gathering place for city residents. Here you can find many options for socialization — from parks and cafés to shopping malls and concert venues.

You can have an interesting time at events in the Coca-Cola Arena. The poster of this concert venue is always filled with interesting events for every taste. World-famous artists and comedy stars perform here, and athletes and teams compete in various sports.

You can meet new people at events, as well as during a walk along the Dubai Water Canal or in Safa Park.

Employment opportunities

Given the diverse infrastructure of the residential district of Al Wasl, it is possible to find employment in various fields here. Indeed, the service sector offers employment opportunities including cafés, restaurants, shops, beauty salons, and more. Additionally, the social sector provides job prospects in medical centers, schools, nurseries, universities, and other related institutions.

There are various enterprises operating on the territory of Al Wasl that may be of interest to business people looking for work. In general, there are quite a lot of employment opportunities in the district.

Shopping Malls

Al Wasl has a well-developed shopping and entertainment infrastructure. Several large supermarkets are operating here: Choithrams, Carrefour, Spinneys, and Waitrose.

Mazaya Shopping Mall, City Walk and Galleria Mall are located on the territory of the community. They have boutiques, cafés, and restrooms.

One of the most famous shopping malls in Al Wasl is the Boxpark. The building is built in the form of bright-colored blocks. Inside Al Wasl, visitors have access to boutiques featuring niche brands, cinemas, restaurants offering local and European cuisine, and more. The low-rise shopping center resembles a colorful shopping street. In the evenings, colorful neon lights illuminate the promenade.

In Wasl Square, opposite Safa Park, on the ground floor of the residential complex, you can find a gallery of boutiques and fashionable cafés called Dar Wasl. Here you can buy any goods — from furniture to designer clothes. Near the shops, there is a Waitrose supermarket, a Caro Spa Spa, and a dance studio.

What to consider when choosing an area as a place to live?

Al Wasl is a popular shopping and entertainment district of Dubai. If proximity and saturation of infrastructure play an important role, it is worth paying attention to this community. It is not difficult to find housing near a school, shopping center or park.

For those who want to live in Al Wasl but work in another part of the city, good transportation connectivity and the presence of a nearby metro station become important factors.

Al Wasl will also appeal to those who dream of buying or renting housing closer to the coast and beaches. Just 5-10 minutes by car — and you can have a rest by the water. Thanks to the proximity of the canal, you can also take a stroll along the waterfront at any time and enjoy the colorful waterfall.

The prices of housing in Al Wasl vary, allowing you to find both affordable options such as studio apartments or budget-class apartments with one bedroom, as well as luxurious villas with large land plots.