Fun Things to Do in Dubai Marina: A Local’s Guide
If you’re planning on visiting Dubai, chances are that spending some time in the iconic Dubai Marina is on your bucket list. But what is there to actually do in the Dubai Marina? Well, the short answer is… tons!
Adrenaline junkies will love ziplining over the Dubai Marina on the “world’s longest urban zipline” and zipping around the Marina Walk on an e-scooter, while those looking to luxuriate will have the time of their lives taking a luxury boat cruise or dining with a view at one of the many marina-side restaurants. You’ll want to bring your camera, too because there are photo ops to be had around every corner in this part of town.
This also happens to be where I live, so if you’re wondering what to do in Dubai Marina, I’ve put together a little list of all the must-do Dubai Marina activities, including some insider recommendations and tips to help you plan your visit!
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Fun Things to Do in Dubai Marina
Stroll Along the Dubai Marina Walk
One of my absolute favorite Dubai Marina activities is to walk along the pedestrian-friendly marina. I’ve lived here for two years, and I swear the view of yachts sailing through the emerald green waters with the towering skyscrapers in the background never gets old!
The Dubai Marina Walk is a 7-km pedestrian walkway that leads you around the entire marina. I highly recommend walking at least part, if not all, of the route. But if you don’t feel like walking, you can just hop on one of the many bikes or e-scooters you’ll find in the area.
I personally love walking along the marina during magic hour, just before sunset. This is when the light is at its best. If you time things right, you’ll also get to hear the call to prayer emanating from the three beautiful marina mosques during your visit. You’ll also notice a few Instaworthy art installations dotting the Marina Walk, which are perfect for taking photos.
Snap a Photo from Al Sayorah Bridge
Again, my favorite time to capture photos from this particularly photogenic spot on Al Sayorah Bridge (click here for the exact location) is during magic hour in the evenings but it’s pretty at any time of day or night. You’ll find plenty of other people clambering around the bridge, snapping selfies (especially on holidays), but it’s worth joining in because the marina is framed beautifully by the sky-high buildings from this vantage point!
Go Ziplining Over the Dubai Marina
If you’re looking for adrenaline-pumping things to do in Dubai Marina, why not go ziplining on the “world’s longest urban zipline” with XLine Dubai Marina? This experience is actually pretty cool because you’ll have the unique opportunity to get a bird’s-eye view of the Dubai Marina as you soar above the water for one kilometer at speeds of up to 80 km/h!
Have Lunch at Cafe Bateel
Set right on the Marina Walk, Cafe Bateel is a popular spot among locals to grab coffee or enjoy a leisurely lunch. From healthy salads to indulgent pastas to beautifully prepared mains, the food here is top-notch and you can dine alfresco overlooking the bustling Marina Walk.
But if you’re just looking for a refresher, the coffee here is excellent, too. For something special, order the Bateel Signature Qahwa (Arabic coffee served with Rhutab dates) or the Spiced Royal Qahwa (Arabic coffee with saffron and cardamom served with Rhutab dates).
See the Aquatic-Themed Street Art
If you’re a street art fan, you’ll want to seek out the colorful aquatic-themed murals by artist Dina Saadi. This is one of the coolest Dubai Marina attractions. Here you’ll find pieces of creatures like an octopus and a turtle painted on the steps that only line up when you find the perfect spot!
While you’re down at this end of the marina, be sure to walk all the way to the end to check out some of the area’s tallest buildings reaching for the sky. Again, with the public art installations and the buildings in the background, you’ll have plenty of photo ops.
Shop at the Dubai Marina Mall
Not to be confused with the larger-than-life Dubai Mall or Mall of the Emirates, the Dubai Marina Mall is located right off the Dubai Marina Walk and is a great place to do a little shopping or at least cool off in the AC! You’ll find well-known stores here ranging from H&M to Guess to Sephora.
This is one of the most popular Dubai Marina attractions, and you’ll also find sit-down restaurants like Tasha’s, SALT, and Carluccio’s, as well as a food court next to the Reel Cinemas movie theater on the top floor. (Insider tip: You can get nice marina views for free from the terrace outside of the food court.)
If you need to do some grocery shopping, there’s a Waitrose on the ground floor where you can shop or pick up excellent grab-and-go dishes from the deli. And if you’re looking to purchase some wine or beer to bring back to your hotel, you’ll find an African + Eastern alcohol shop in the basement.
READ MORE: A Guide to Buying Alcohol in Dubai
Dine at Iran Zamin
For a taste of authentic Persian cuisine, head over to Iran Zamin in the Dubai Marina. If you’re looking for places to take a break and fuel up for some more sightseeing, this is a lovely place to indulge in all of the rich flavors of Iran.
From Ash Reshteh (a glorious mix of fresh herbs, spices, chickpeas, beans, and noodles) to Khoresht Bademjoon (a flavor-packed meat stew served with fried eggplant and saffron rice) to Kebab Shatranji (a perfectly char-grilled blend of lamb and beef), there’s lots to choose from.
Take a Cruise
One of the most popular things to do in Dubai Marina is to take a cruise. There are a ton of different cruise options to choose from. If you’re looking for a party-centric experience, you can book the Marina Yacht Party, which gets you unlimited drinks, a DJ, and a BBQ meal.
From something a bit more lowkey, there are also luxury sunset tours, dhow dinner cruises, superyacht experiences, sightseeing and swimming excursions – this list goes on. Either way you go, you’ll have the chance to view all of the coolest Dubai Marina attractions from the water!
Have a Night Out at Pier 7
Adjoining the Marina Mall, Pier 7 boasts a different restaurant or lounge on each level, making it one of the best Dubai Marina attractions for nightlife. Asia Asia is the place to go to enjoy pan-Asian dishes and creative cocktails with spectacular views from the terrace.
And then there’s the fine dining at the over-the-top, Gatsby-esque Atelier M, the Amazon vibes and tropical drinks at Mama Zonia, the chic East-Asia-inspired brunch at Cargo, the Lebanese flavors of Abd el Wahab, and the British gastropub dishes with a view at The Scene.
Have a Beach Day at JBR
Dubai Marina is located an easy 10-minute walk to Jumeirah Beach Residence (better known as JBR). This is where you’ll find the beach, tons of bars and restaurants along the beachfront promenade, and epic views of Ain Dubai (the tallest Ferris wheel in the world) over on Bluewaters Island.
It’s well worth spending some time in JBR. Whether you want to rent a lounger on the beach for the day, have a poolside brunch at a beach club, grab drinks at a buzzing bar, or sip Arabic coffee at a café, there’s a lot going on in JBR!
Getting to Dubai Marina & JBR
No matter where you’re based in the city, getting to Dubai Marina and JBR is easy. Taxis are readily available and relatively inexpensive. But if you happen to be staying near a Metro stop, you’ll have easy access to the Dubai Marina, which has multiple metro stops, and all of the must-see Dubai Marina attractions.
The Dubai Marina and JBR are also well connected by the tram, which essentially loops around these two neighborhoods. These two areas are entirely walkable, but the tram is a nice option if you don’t feel like walking far!
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