Al Manara Area Guide | ExpatWoman.com
 

Al Manara Area Guide

Find out whether this cosy yet lavish residential district in Dubai is the place for you

Posted on

17 November 2019

Last updated on 6 January 2020
Al Manara Area Guide

Al Manara in Dubai is set in a prime location, making it generally sought-after by residents who are looking for a peaceful lifestyle for their families

Al Manara, literally translated as "the beacon" in Arabic, is an affluent residential community in Dubai that neighbours other districts such as Al Safa, Jumeirah, and Umm Suqeim. Connected to most of Dubai's business and leisure hubs thanks to the Sheikh Zayed Road, Al Manara offers an abundance of amenities and convenience for its residents.

The villa-only area offers a proper suburban experience with its lavish homes, pedestrian-friendly spaces, amenities, local park, shopping, and dining options.

To help you determine whether Al Manara is the community for you in Dubai, we're compiled your handy area guide to the neighbourhood's facilities, lifestyle, properties, and more.

Where is Al Manara in Dubai?

Public transport in Al Manara

There are several RTA buses that pass by Al Manara, but not through the neighbourhood.

The nearest RTA metro stations to Al Manara are Noor Bank and First Abu Dhabi Gulf Bank station.

Commute times by car from Al Manara

  • to Dubai International Airport: 20 minutes
  • to Jebel Ali: 27 minutes
  • to Dubai Investments Park: 26 minutes
  • to Downtown Dubai: 15 minutes
  • to Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC): 14 minutes
  • to International City: 30 minutes
  • to Dubai Academic City: 28 minutes
  • to Dubai Media City: 12 minutes
  • to Business Bay: 21 minutes
RTA bus station in Al Manara Dubai

Amenities and facilities in Al Manara

For residents and visitors to Al Manara, you will find the following amenities and facilities.

  • Early education and children's nurseries
  • Grocery stores and fresh produce markets
  • Clinics and other health centres
  • Restaurants and cafes with diverse menus, including a Tim Horton's.
  • Mosques for those of the Islamic faith
  • A petrol and gas station
  • Community park - the Al Manara Park
  • Fitness centres
  • Local shopping mall - J3 Mall
  • Salons and spas
  • Boutique shops

This residential district offers a complete suburban living experience with the convenience of all the basic amenities nearby and more.

Within the area is the community shopping centre, J3 Mall, which provides a range of retail outlets for residents. Located near Al Manara are larger malls such as the Mall of Emirates.

Al Manara is home to more than eight nurseries and early learning schools that follow a variety of teaching curriculums. If you have a little one in the family, you'll be sure to find the right nursery for him or her with the added benefit of it being located within the same neighbourhood. Have a look through our guide to nurseries in Dubai to find the one that will suit your child and your lifestyle.

For clinics, hospitals, dentists, and vets in Al Manara, you can find the nearest one to you by using our clinic directory.

All sorts of dining options can be found in Al Manara, from award-winning cafes proud of their original and unique dishes, to family-friendly eateries with familiar menus. For the "foodies" in the district, you're sure to find several new gastronomical adventures in the area.

The neighbouring Umm Suqeim, Al Safa, Al Quoz, and Al Barsha communities also offer amenities and facilities that you may not find in Al Manara, and are conveniently just a short drive away.

Al Manara street

What's life like in Al Manara

  • Almost everything you need is either within walking distance or a short drive away
  • Plenty of open space and pedestrian-friendly routes, ideal for joggers, cyclists, and dog-walkers
  • Between 10-30 minutes away by car from other popular places and central business districts in Dubai, such as Dubai Media City, Business Bay, and Downtown Dubai
  • Well-connected to other areas in Dubai through the Sheikh Zayed Road

Al Manara is a great place for families, working professionals, and pet owners to live in. Drivers will find the area well-connected to other key locations in the city, while those who may prefer the pedestrian lifestyle or don't drive can easily commute from Point A to Point B through the RTA buses and nearby Dubai metro stations. RTA taxis and the car-hailing services Uber and Careem are also a popular transportation choice for Al Manara residents.

Those who live in Al Manara will find a variety of corner grocery stores, restaurants, cafes, and other amenities.

On top of being a pedestrian-friendly neighbourhood, the local Al Manara Park provides a green space that's perfect for families, joggers, and pet owners, making it easier for residents to adopt an active lifestyle.

Expect some traffic congestion around Al Manara during peak hours, as this will mostly be working professionals and students going to work/school or returning home from their daily routine.

Al Manara itself is not a major tourist spot, so residents enjoy the benefit of a cosy and tranquil environment.

Al Manara neighbourhood
Al Manara daily traffic

Al Manara by day

Al Manara by day is typically tranquil. As with any other residential community in Dubai, peak hours will see a lot of traffic from working professionals and school buses.

During the day, residents will be running errands at the local grocery stores, enjoying a treat-yourself day at one of the salons and spas nearby, exercising by the street or having a day out at the park, the occasional dog-owner and pet going for a walk, children playing near their homes, and gardeners maintaining the residents' backyards.

Al Manara by night

Quiet as most residents are either indoors settling in for the day or having a night out at other Dubai districts.

Who lives in Al Manara?

  • Large families
  • A mix of UAE nationals and expats
  • Pet owners
  • Couples

Parking in Al Manara

If you're visiting any of the commercial properties in Al Manara, such as the schools or clinics, there are plenty of parking spots available.

If you're visiting a resident, the villas also come with their own covered parking slots that can accommodate between 1-2 vehicles. The larger homes typically have more parking spaces.

Properties for rent and sale in Al Manara

Average rental prices per year for Al Manara are as follows:

  • 3 bedroom villa: AED 170,000
  • 4 bedroom villa: AED 190,000
  • 5 bedroom villa: AED 220,000
  • 6 bedroom villa: AED 500,000

Average sales prices for Al Manara are as follows:

  • 3 bedroom villa: AED 1,200,000
  • 4 bedroom villa: AED 2,500,000
  • 5 bedroom villa: AED 7,300,000
  • 6 bedroom villa: AED 10,000,000
Al Manara properties

What are properties like in Al Manara?

Al Manara is made up of mostly villas and several commercial properties which houses clinics, salons and spas, and shops. There are no apartments available in the area.

The residential villas in Al Manara come as 3-bedroom to 6-bedroom units, the majority of which have similar amenities such as a maid's room, laundry room, private parking space, garden, and swimming pool. Some of the more luxurious villas come equipped with an elevator, basement parking, additional kitchens, separate staff quarters or building, and separate dining rooms.

Villas in Al Manara

What are the noise levels like in Al Manara?

Little to no loud noises, with only the occasional sounds of car engines. If you'll reside in a villa that is wall-to-wall connected with other villas, you might hear celebratory noises from parties next door.

 
 

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