Dubai Festival City, built along the Dubai Creek and owned by Al-Futtaim Group, is a mixed-use 5.2 million square metre development that comprises commercial, residential, and entertainment spaces. It is known for being one of Dubai's most elite, family-friendly neighbourhoods. The area is popular for places such as Dubai Festival City Mall, Festival Bay, and IMAGINE Dubai.
The neighbourhood of Dubai Festival City provides a whole community lifestyle integrated with medical facilities, educational institutions, and entertainment centres. Apartments, townhouses, and villas make up most of the community's residential units, catering to singles, couples, and families.
Residents have easy access to daily necessities thanks to the neighbourhood's location near one of the Emirate's top retail centres. The city has many malls, hotels, entertainment sites, a golf course, and a full suite of public services. The neighbourhood also has several prestigious schools and green spaces.
Key Highlights of Dubai Festival City
What is Great Here!
Ideal Location
Excellent Residental Properties
Near to the Dubai International Airport (10 minutes drive)
Best Entertainment Spot for Residents and Tourists
Convenient Lifestyle with all Amenities
Plenty of Dining, leisure and Relaxation spots
Safe Area and a Family-friendly Community
Ample Parking Space and a Good Transportation Facility
Medical facilities, Schools, and Academic Institutions nearby
What Needs Attention!
Leasing Rates are High
Not Pet-friendly
No Beaches
Real Estate Overview in Dubai Festival City
Dubai Festival City comprises over 20,000 residential units and can accommodate more than 50,000 residents. Al Badia Residences, Al Badia Hillside Village, and Marsa Plaza make up the three districts that make up DUBAI FESTIVAL CITY's residential buildings. While Marsa Plaza and Al Badia Hillside Village only offer flats, Al Badia Residences offers a combination of apartments and villas.
In Al Badia, families and single people can choose from 1, 2, and 3-bedroom apartments. These low-rise residential units are surrounded by landscaped gardens, superb amenities, and breathtaking views of the Emirate’s cityscape as well as Dubai Creek. Each of these units has a private terrace or verandah. The structures feature playgrounds for kids, swimming pools, gyms, sports fields, and other facilities.
Marsa Plaza is situated in the Marsa Al Khor District, north of the Dubai Festival City neighbourhood, adjacent to Lake Walk. Apartments in Marsa Plaza come in various sizes, ranging from 1-bedroom studios to 3 and 4-bedroom duplex apartments. Moreover, Marsa Plaza is renowned for its distinctive design; the entire tower is constructed in a curved shape. Marsa Plaza also offers unimpeded, direct views of Dubai Creek and the rest of the city.
Al Badia Hillside Village is home to buildings with Mediterranean and Arabic architectural styles. With apartment sizes ranging from 1,109 square feet to 3,154 square feet, Al Badia Hillside Village offers 1, 2, and 3-bedroom homes.
Off-Plan Trends Dubai Festival City
Dubai Festival City, a city-within-a-city, has a wide range of residential, commercial, and business properties. Dubai Festival City offers an astonishing array of housing projects in addition to its trendy urban lifestyle and remarkable amenities.
Al-Futtaim Group Real Estate, Dubai, launched a brand-new residential project in Al Badia in Dubai Festival City on June 20, 2022. More than 350 residential mid-rise towers will make up the Al Badia Terraces complex.
Al Badia Terraces will comprise 1-bedroom, 2-bedroom, and 3-bedroom apartments. The bedrooms will range in size from 749 square feet for one bedroom to 1,183 square feet for two bedrooms and 1,942 square feet for three bedrooms. The estimated time for completion of the project is within two years.
Dubai Festival City is a mixed-use development that encompasses commercial and residential areas. The houses in this neighbourhood are constructed by Dubai Creek and offer breathtaking coastal views. In Dubai Festival City, there are many different housing options and a wide range of recreational pursuits.
Properties for rent in Dubai Festival City include apartments, townhouses, and villas. The complex's sub-communities include Festival Tower, Marsa Plaza, Al Badia Residences, and Al Badia Hillside Village. The residences are constructed in a Mediterranean style.
In Dubai Festival City, you can find apartments with one to three bedrooms. As a resident, you will have access to the many conveniences that make Dubai Festival City a great place to live. Depending on your needs, you can opt for a comfortable freehold studio or a 1-bedroom to a 3-bedroom apartment in these sub-communities.
Dubai Festival City Property Prices for Property Types for Rent
Property Type
Min Price (AED)
Max Price (AED)
Avg Rent Per Sq.Ft. (AED)
Property Count
Apartments
200 Thousand
204 Thousand
102
2
Dubai Festival City Property Prices for Unit Types for Rent
There are numerous excellent opportunities to invest in real estate in the neighbourhood. It is possible to buy properties to rent out later, which can generate a reliable annual income.
In Dubai Festival City, several posh buildings come with a variety of amenities that make living there more comfortable. There are 1 to 4-bedroom apartments, including duplexes and penthouses, available for sale in Marsa Plaza, Al Badia Hillside, and Al Badia Residence.
Purchasing a home in Dubai Festival City, a neighbourhood with a high standard of living and a wide variety of recreational amenities, will give your life a fresh touch. These luxurious high-rise properties also offer unhindered views of the cityscape and the historic Dubai Creek.
There are several villas available for buying in Dubai Festival City. The size of the villas varies depending on how many rooms they have. Villas in Dubai Festival City with 4- and 5-bedrooms are skillfully constructed to guarantee residents a sustainable living space. These villas are reasonably priced and also come with high-class amenities.
Dubai Festival City Property Prices for Property Types for Sale
Property Type
Min Price (AED)
Max Price (AED)
Avg Price Per Sq.Ft. (AED)
Property Count
Apartments
1.8 Million
1.8 Million
2432
1
Dubai Festival City Property Prices for Unit Types for Sale
Numerous bus and metro stations are located close to the neighbourhood. The distance to Al Jaddaf and Creek metro stations is 5 to 10 minutes. Both of these are a part of the Dubai Metro's Green Line. Emirates Metro Station, which is 8 minutes distant from the Red Line, is the closest metro station. There are several bus routes between Emirates Metro Station and Dubai Festival City Mall.
Additionally, there are several bus stops spread throughout the area, mostly close to the Al Badia and the Dubai Festival City Mall. The bus stop that is closest to IKEA is at Dubai Festival City, Festival Center. Despite its name, the IKEA Bus Stop in Dubai Festival City is located next to ACE Hardware and Al Futtaim Automall.
There are more bus stops in Dubai Festival City at Al Badia Hillside Village, Al Badia Residences, and Al Badia, Deira International School. The RTA buses that can get you to DUBAI FESTIVAL CITY include 24, 32C, 43, 44, and 53.
Bus Line Number
Destination
Bus Route 24 (Dubai Festival City)
Mawakeb School
Emirates Metro Bus stop
Cargo Village
Al Nahda Emirates College
Dubai Carmel School
Qusais, Public Transport Depot
Amenities
Nurseries / Educational Institutions
Supermarkets
Healthcare Facilities
Places of Worship
Nurseries / Educational Institutions
A spectacular view of DFC’s American college
Baby First Nursery is the only popular and established nursery in Dubai Festival City. The nursery offers a multi-lingual program through Arabic, French, and English classes.
There are a lot of schools from which parents can choose while looking for educational options for their children. Parents can see their children thrive and prosper in environments that grow on them, thanks to the presence of two of the top international schools. Some of the top schools are:
Deira International School
Universal American School
Cambridge International School
Pace Modern British School
Al Mawakeb School Al Garhoud,
GEMS Al Khaleej International School
Several higher education opportunities are available nearby. Some of the institutions are a five to ten minutes drive from Dubai Festival City’s hub. Some of the top universities are:
Al Falah University
Mohammad Bin Rashid University
The American College of Dubai
Supermarkets
The well-stocked grocery section of Carrefour
There are several supermarkets in Dubai Festival City to provide residents with daily grocery needs. The Dubai Festival City Mall is home to Carrefour, one of the city’s top hypermarkets. In addition to this, there are other supermarkets that are located six to seven minutes away.
Carrefour
The most reputable retail brand in Dubai Festival City is Carrefour. You can enjoy the best grocery selections at Carrefour Dubai Festival City Mall, as well as other products like food, housewares, electronics, cosmetics, clothing, and more. They offer curbside pickup, contactless delivery, in-store pickup, and same-day delivery, among other options.
Abu Hail
The Union Coop Abu Hail Supermarket is one of Dubai’s most reliable grocery chains. Customers favour this store not only for its convenient location but also for its wide variety of food and non-food items. Patrons can take advantage of a contemporary grocery shopping experience with attractive promos to guarantee that the essentials are offered at competitive pricing.
Healthcare Facilities
There are various reputed hospitals in the surrounding communities of Dubai Festival City. Additionally, a few clinics are located nearby, giving residents quick access to medical care. Some of the famous hospitals and clinics are:
Mediclinic Welcare Hospital
Emirates Speciality Hospital
Magrabi Eye Hospital
Dubai London Clinic
Al Badia Dental Clinic
Al Sultan Medical Centre
Smile Spa Dental Clinic
Places of Worship
There is only one mosque within Dubai Festival City, but numerous mosques are located across the neighbourhood. These places of devotion can be reached in 6-7 minutes. Some of the famous mosques are –
Osama Bin Zayed Masjid (within Dubai Festival City)
Umm Ramool
Al Rashidiya
Al Rashidiya Al Kabeer
Habib
Ibrahim Al Khalil Mosque
With regard to other religions, the Shiva Temple and the Gurudwara Al Aweer are prominent places where residents of the Hindu and Sikh communities can pay obeisance to deities and spiritual gurus. The Christian community can also find churches in the surrounding suburb of Oud Metha, close to Dubai Festival City. Some renowned churches are –
St. Mary’s Church
Coptic Church
The Dubai City Church
Saint Paul’s Chapel
Best Hotels in Dubai Festival City
A façade view of the famous Crown Plaza hotel in DFC
Dubai is one of the most popular travel destinations. The region is well recognised for its magnificent architecture, opulent shopping, lively nightlife, five-star hotels, and wonderful beaches. Therefore, there is a high demand for hotels, and Dubai Festival City is home to many top ones. There are four well-acclaimed hotels in Dubai Festival City in total -
Crowne Plaza Dubai Festival City
Holiday Inn Dubai Festival City
InterContinental Dubai Festival City
InterContinental Residence Suites Dubai Festival City
Lifestyle
Shopping Centers / Malls
Restaurants / Dining
Beaches Nearby
Leisure Activities Nearby
Shopping Centers / Malls
A glimpse of the famous Dubai Festival City Mall
One of the famous malls in Dubai Festival City is the Dubai Festival City Mall having quick access via the Garhoud and Business Bay bridges and is less than five minutes from Dubai International Airport.
Dubai Festival City Mall
Waterfront entertainment and shopping complex with an area of 2 million sq. ft
It houses several restaurants, hotels, shops, cinemas, and other entertainment options and more than 500 retail establishments
The first and only IKEA store within the mall
Visitors can also enjoy the views of Dubai Creek
Restaurants / Dining
The façade of DFC’s Hard Rock Cafe
Dubai Festival City is nothing short of a food lover’s paradise with its 35 independent restaurants, 19 cafes, and bakeries. Some of the famous restaurants are –
Hard Rock Cafe
Cheesecake Factory
P.F Chang’s
Al Fanar Restaurant & Café
Motomachi Japanese Restaurant
Sugar Factory
Paul and Café Bateel
Belgian Beer Café
Vista
Many tourists are drawn to Festival Bay’s seaside restaurants. The eateries and cafes, which include a total of 15 establishments, serve cuisine from all over the world. The guests can have amazing food while admiring the sights along the gorgeous waterway.
Beaches Nearby
A panoramic view of Jumeriah beach with Dubai’s high-rise tower in the background Residents can travel approximately 25 minutes from Dubai Festival City to enjoy the beaches located nearby. These beaches close to Dubai Festival City have a variety of workout facilities, sheltered places, and restaurants with water views. Some of the famous beaches are:
Al Mamzar Beach (19 minutes)
Jumeirah Beach (21 minutes)
Sunset Beach (25 minutes)
Leisure Activities Nearby
Dubai Festival City Mall, a 2.5 million square foot urban shopping complex, houses a multitude of recreation facilities.
One of the community’s most recognisable icons, IMAGINE Dubai, is a cutting-edge light show with coordinated aquatic effects. The audience will be mesmerised by the waterfront light show, which features 30 fountains and an amazing surround sound performance. Innovative projection technique on a water screen is another feature of IMAGINE.
The mall’s Festival Bay is a great place to unwind. The waterfront attraction draws lots of visitors every day because of its wonderful vistas, multi-cuisine restaurants, amazing fountain presentations, and a 40-metre-high Ferris wheel, which offers amazing views of Dubai’s cityscape and the Creek. Visitors can also reserve plush VIP cabins with aesthetically done interiors, including glass floors and luxurious furniture.
At Dubai Creek, locals can take a dhow cruise. Visitors can enjoy the magnificent scenery along the Creek’s banks by riding in traditional yet opulent boats while taking in the breathtaking views of the Creek. To make the experience enjoyable, the cruise includes a gourmet meal, dance acts, and live music.
Fabyland is an indoor area with several gaming attractions for kids of all ages. The exciting location, which is housed in Dubai Festival City Mall, provides a variety of rides and attractions. Arcade games, bumper cars, soft play areas, kiddie rides, video games, and many more fun activities are available for families and kids to enjoy.
The Dubai Shopping Festival, which draws a sizable crowd of people looking for deals to the Dubai Festival City Mall, is also quite popular among residents.
There is no scarcity of beauty salons in Dubai Festival City. Numerous spas and salons are open to men and women without requiring them to leave the neighbourhood. Tips and Toes, NBar, The Barber Room, and M&J Gents Salon are all popular choices.
Dubai Festival City Dubai - Location & Nearby Facilities
The distance between Dubai Festival City and Dubai International Airport (DXB) is 7.3 km and takes 10 minutes via Rebat Street/D83.
To get to Dubai Festival City from Deira City Center, one needs to travel for about 10 minutes via Rebat Street/D83 to cover a distance of 6.4 km.
You can get to Dubai Festival City from Academic City in around 21 minutes. The distance of 21.1 km can be covered by travelling via Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Rd/E311.
The distance between the Dubai Festival City and popular city attractions like Dubai Marina (33.9 km via E11) and Jumeirah (20.5 km via E11) is about 29 minutes and 20 minutes, respectively.
Dubai Festival City, Dubai
Ratings and Reviews
Saleema Khan
Layout, high-quality build, and finishes
I’ve been living here with my husband for a year and a half, and we adore it. Marsa Plaza is a distinctive structure with lovely flats. It’s one of the few apartment buildings in Dubai with high-quality finishes; even though the structure is about ten years old, the interiors still seem new and aren’t in disrepair. The lack of any storage space is our sole issue with the design.
Priya Venkat
Open space, beautiful location
Open areas, calm neighbourhoods, and high-quality property investment are becoming harder to obtain in Dubai. Even more so inside city limits. We rarely face any difficulties in terms of traffic because of the great location and access routes. Sadly, Dubai Festival City is in the process of converting every piece of residential property into a freehold; therefore, there are no longer any rent choices. You’ll have to purchase one.
Elizabeth Kurian
Open areas, convenient location
The neighbourhood we reside in, Dubai Festival City – Hillside Village, was by far the best. A few advantages of living in Dubai Festival City include extremely high security, a 24-hour call centre, a good maintenance team, accessibility to shopping malls, nearby schools, and access to all civic amenities for the whole family. However, Dubai Festival City only allows cat ownership; dogs are prohibited. Also another drawback is the average quality of finishing in the apartment.
Samshad Mehrunnisa
Spacious residential units
My one-bedroom apartment at Al Badia Residences was spacious. The location is magnificent and well-maintained, and the yard was lovely and roomy. You can take a leisurely jog around the lovely compound in the morning. The swimming pool at Al Areesh Club is enormous, and the gym and other amenities are excellent. Leases and home sales in Dubai Festival City are more expensive than in other parts of the emirate. Beach enthusiasts in Dubai Festival City may find the commute to be a little challenging. It takes about 20 minutes to go to the closest beach.
Akram Khan
Expensive Schooling
I live in a studio apartment with my wife and 3-year-old son. There are plenty of places to unwind after work or enjoy leisurely activities. The only disadvantage of living here is that the cost of schooling is on the steeper side, which makes it an expensive affair if you want to send your child to one of the renowned schools in the area.
Dubai Festival City is a freehold. One can choose a one-bedroom studio or a spacious 3BHK apartment, depending on one’s requirements.
What are the top attractions in Dubai Festival City?
Dubai Festival City offers various options to unwind and have fun, including Festival Bay at Dubai Festival City Mall. IMAGINE Dubai features a stunning light show that incorporates fire, water, and cutting-edge water screen projection technology. Residents can also take a dhow trip on Dubai Creek.
How to get to Dubai Festival City by bus and metro? And which is the nearest metro station?
Emirates Metro Station, which is 8 minutes distant from the Red Line, is the closest. Dubai Festival City is not currently directly served by Dubai Metro. To get to the area, however, you can take a bus from the Emirates Metro Station (Red Line).
Which are the best communities to live in Dubai Festival City?
Dubai Festival City is an ideal family-friendly residential community offering the perfect blend of independent homes and skyscrapers. Some of the best communities are MArza Plaza, Al Badia Hillside, and Al Badia Residences.
What are the best hotels and restaurants in Dubai Festival City?
The InterContinental Dubai Festival City and Crowne Plaza Dubai Festival City are the two popular five-star hotels in Dubai Festival City. Some of the best restaurants are Al Fanar, Cheesecake Factory, Vistas, and Anise.
Which are the famous malls and supermarkets in Dubai Festival City?
At Carrefour supermarket, residents can fulfil all their grocery needs. Shopping lovers will love the waterfront Dubai Festival City Mall, which has more than 500 retailers.
What are the best schools in Dubai Festival City?
The Deira International School, Universal American School, and Cambridge International School are among the best schools in Dubai Festival City and the surrounding area.
Which are the best hospitals and clinics in Dubai Festival City?
Dubai Festival City is close to numerous medical facilities, including the Mediclinic Emirates Specialty Hospital, Welcare Hospital, Dubai London Clinic, and several dental clinics.
Which are the famous places of worship in Dubai Festival City?
The Osama Bin Zayed Masjid is the only mosque in Dubai Festival City. For Hindus and Sikhs, the Shiva Temple (13.6 km) and the Gurudwara Al Aweer (8.3 km) are approximately a 23-minute drive away. Coptic Church, St. Mary’s Church, Saint Paul’s Chapel, and the Dubai City Church are among the churches in the surrounding suburb of Oud Metha.
What are the pros and cons of living in Dubai Festival City?
Dubai Festival City enjoys an edge over many other parts of the city. The distance to the airport in Dubai is only ten minutes. The community’s excellent residential alternatives with all amenities are another advantage. However, leases and home sales in Dubai Festival City are expensive. Moreover, one is allowed to keep only cats as pets.
