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The heart of old Dubai for many long-term expats, Deira is abundant in affordable property, shops, restaurants, leisure, and other amenities
22 December 2019
| Last updated on 6 January 2020
Deira is a living link to Old Dubai's cultural and trading history, and its modern commercial future...
Located along Dubai Creek and the historically significant Port Saeed is one of the city's most bustling hotspots. Deira is home to some of the oldest structures in Dubai, such as the city's oldest mall - Al Ghurair Centre - and the Heritage House and the Al Ahmadiya School.
Deira has witnessed the rise of the global destination that is Dubai, seeing it grow from a port of divers and spice trade to a city that is home to many record-breaking attractions and features. This massive district has also modernised itself with a range of trendy restaurants, hotels, and shopping malls that attract both UAE residents and tourists.
To help you get acquainted with the cultural and commercial hotspot that is Deira, we've compiled an area guide to everything there is to know about the neighbourhood.
Where is Deira in Dubai?
Public transport in Deira
There are plenty of public buses that run through Deira, with some connecting to Dubai metro stations. As the district is large, there are several metro stations in Deira :
- Deira City Centre metro station
- Al Rigga metro station
- Palm Deira metro station
- Al Ras metro station
- Abu Baker al Saddique metro station
- Baniyas Square metro station
- Abu Hail metro station
Finding a taxi is also quite easy in Deira - you can find them parked near RTA bus stations, outside metro entrances, near the commercial buildings, and at the dedicated taxi pick-up and drop-off locations at shopping centres.
Commute times by car from Al Garhoud
- to Dubai International Airport: 16 minutes
- to Deira City Centre: 15 minutes
- to Al Qusais: 15 minutes
- to Sharjah: 34 minutes
- to International City: 30 minutes
- to Downtown Dubai: 22 minutes
- to Business Bay: 19 minutes
- to Motor City: 39 minutes
- to Jumeirah: 23 minutes
- to Dubai Investments Park: 46 minutes
Amenities and facilities in Deira
Residents and visitors in Deira are spoiled for choice in amenities from dining to retail, budget-friendly to high-end luxuries.
- Dining options featuring a variety of cuisines at different price points, offering something for everyone
- Plenty of places to shop, including boutique stores and high-end retailers
- Entertainment and leisure such as cinemas, gaming and ride centres, and children's play areas
- Nurseries and schools offering international curriculums
- Supermarkets and groceries such as Carrefour, Choithrams, Day to Day, West Zone, and ZOOM
- Heaps of salons and spa centres
- Prayer and worship facilities, namely mosques. The nearest churches for Christian and Catholic faiths are located in the neighbouring district, Oud Metha
- Bank branches and ATMs
- Large shopping malls with even more places to shop, dine, and enjoy some leisure activities - Deira City Centre, Al Ghurair Centre, and Century Mall
- Hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, and other health centres
- Gyms and fitness facilities
- Access to Old Deira where you can find some heritage sites, places to shop for spices and gold, as well as some of the oldest restaurants in Dubai
- Hotels and other short stay accommodation
- Petrol and gas stations
- Heritage and cultural museums offering a wealth of information on UAE culture, traditions, and the nation's history
To find the nearest and most suitable nursery for your child, check out our guide to nurseries in Dubai, here. For the bigger kids, our guide to schools in Dubai is a great starting point.
Deira is home to many hospitals, clinics, and health centres. Click here for our dedicated directory to find the nearest one to you.
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What's life like in Deira?
Life in Deira is a combination of traditional and cultural old Dubai, and the western, modern parts of the new Dubai. Residents and visitors will find restaurants and other sites that have been around for decades, seeing the rise of Dubai's sky-piercing towers from the sand up. On the other side, there is also the presence There is also a wide array of luxurious, 5-star hotels with renowned bars and restaurants. Large malls are present across this area with the most famous being Deira City Centre Mall.
On top of the presence of both the old and developed Dubai, there's a selection of shopping, dining, leisure activities, and other amenities, which makes life a very convenient one in Deira.
From local Emirati cuisine to international gastronomic delights, the menu is incredibly diverse in Deira - the cost ranges between modestly-priced, delicious eats to indulgent dishes from trained chefs.
Deira by day
Deira is one of the neighbourhoods in Dubai that is busy from morning until night. Daytime sees workers and students commuting, most retail and restaurants open before noon, and you'll find residents running errands or meeting up with friends or family for breakfast, brunch, and lunch.
Deira by night
Deira becomes even busier at night, as residents head out to go shopping, meet friends, dine-out, etc. The evening rush hour can lead to long queues on the roads leading to Sharjah, and the RTA metro stations become very crowded on the rides travelling from UAE Exchange metro station heading to Rashidiya metro station. During the weekends, popular restaurants can experience long lines so it's recommended you book ahead to secure your table.
Properties for rent and sale in Deira
Average annual rental prices for properties in Deira are as follows:
- Studio apartment: AED 30,000
- 1 bedroom apartment: AED 45,000
- 2 bedroom apartment: AED 68,000
- 3 bedroom apartment: AED 80,000
- 3 bedroom villa: AED 100,000
- 4 bedroom villa: AED 125,000
Average sales prices for properties in Deira are as follows:
- 1 bedroom apartment: AED 970,000
- 2 bedroom apartment: AED 1,275,000
- 3 bedroom apartment: AED 1,350,000
What are properties like in Deira?
Properties in Deira are a mixed bag of low to mid-rise apartment buildings ranging from old to new developments. Some of the newer buildings feature an apartment swimming pool, indoor gym, and 24-hour security for safety. The older the building, the lower the rent - however, it's worth keeping in mind that older apartments in Deira can get quite noisy due to neighbours and the traffic outside (if you're located near a main road).
Villas are also available in Deira, but they are few in numbers and are located in the sub-neighbourhoods of Hor al Anz and Abu Hail.
Rent is much cheaper in Deira compared to the new districts of Dubai. Many of the apartment buildings have shops, supermarkets, grocery stores, restaurants, and bars below on the ground floor.
Who lives in Deira?
The majority of, if not all, the residents in Deira are comprised of expatriates. The city centre district has been a popular living, shopping, dining, and entertainment hotspot for expats for years. You'll find a blend of singles, couples, and families who gravitate to Deira due to the abundance of amenities and
Parking in Deira
There are heaps of public parking spaces in Deira - outside of apartments, commercial buildings, near shopping malls, etc. During the busy hours of the day, it may become hard to find parking, but there are several paid private parking spots available - the hourly rate is usually around AED 10 per hour.
What are noise levels like in Deira?
As Deira is a thriving community that is constantly in motion, it's no surprise that the area can get quite noisy. If you live closer to the main roads, you'll hear more sounds from traffic and care engines. You might also hear construction noises from neighbouring development projects. Noises from neighbours that come from parties, celebrations, loud voices, vacuuming, and loud TVs can permeate through the walls if you live in an older building.
