![We Tried [u]bk's Lively Garden Brunch at Mövenpick JLT Dubai](https://cdnexpatwomanfood.expatwoman.com/s3fs-public/urban%20bar%20and%20kitchen%20brunch%20main.png "We Tried [u]bk's Lively Garden Brunch at Mövenpick JLT Dubai")
This mixed-use neighbourhood is a collection of exceptional living spaces and amenities, offering Dubai residents a lifestyle of comfort and convenience
3 February 2020
| Last updated on 3 February 2020
Attractive homes, leading shopping centres, and other family-oriented activities...
While the 5.2 million sq. ft. locality is more wildly known for a shopping mall, Dubai Festival City is a mixed-use development that blends together lovely residential buildings, luxurious villas, commercial sites, and leisure.
Home to the popular and family-friendly Dubai Festival City Mall, Al Badia Golf Club, IMAGINE Dubai, and a variety of other retail options, this neighbourhood offers an abundance of amenities, so residents need not venture far from the community as almost everything you need for a convenient lifestyle is located within the area or just a short drive away.
From groceries to retail, gyms, entertainment, and health clinics, salons and spas, and much, much more - it's complete community life, perfect for singles, couples, and families.
If you're considering moving to the neighbourhood or you're a current resident, this dedicated Dubai Festival City area guide features everything you need to know.
Where is Dubai Festival City in Dubai?
Public transport in Dubai Festival City
Several public buses can be found at Dubai Festival City, some of which connect to the Emirates metro station on the red line. These buses can be found outside of the mall or near the entrance of the lower ground floor or parking lot.
The nearest Dubai metro stations to Dubai Festival City are Emirates metro station, Rashidiya metro station, Airport Terminal 1 metro station, and Airport 3 metro station.
For those who prefer to travel by car, the mall has a dedicated spot near Hard Rock Cafe where shoppers can find taxis. Otherwise, car-hailing services Uber and Careem are often used to travel to and from the shopping centre.
If you want to avoid the city's traffic in a unique way, Dubai Festival City also has a Dubai Water Taxi station located at Festival Bay, which can take you to over 40 water taxi stations across the Emirate.
Commute times by car from Dubai Festival City
You can reach the following from Dubai Festival City by car:
- to Ras Al Khor: 10 minutes
- to Dubai International Airport (DXB): 7 minutes
- to Mirdiff: 12 minutes
- to Sharjah: 20 minutes
- to Downtown Dubai: 15 minutes
- to Jumeirah: 17 minutes
- to Dubai Investments Park: 32 mintues
Amenities and facilities in Dubai Festival City
As a popular shopping centre, Dubai Festival City is abundant in retail, dining, leisure, and entertainment options:
- Carrefour supermarket and smaller grocery shops
- Restaurants, cafes, and cafeterias featuring a range of cheap eats to indulgent dishes
- Cinema theatre
- Hundreds of shopping brands, from clothes to household items, beauty products, and electronics
- IMAGINE - DFC's lights, laser, fire, water, and music show at Festival Bay
- A gym
- Beauty salons and spas
- IKEA store and restaurant
- Prayer facilities inside the mall
As this district in Dubai is mostly focused on the popular Dubai Festival City mall, there are heaps of choices for retail, dining, entertainment, and other activities the whole family can enjoy. When the weather is cooler, residents head to Festival Bay for outdoor eating, walks along the waters, and events.
You'll also find a fitness centre and gym, several beauty salons, the VOX theatre for cinema-lovers, and plenty of kids' things to do.
In terms of schools, residents at Dubai Festival City will have to look to the neighbouring areas for nurseries and schools. Find the nearest and most school for your child with our dedicated guide to Dubai's education, here.
For health clinics in Dubai Festival City, the Dubai London Clinic can be found within the shopping centre. Have a look through our Dubai wellness directory for more hospitals, clinics, and dentists in the city.
-
045562000 -
043321595
-
043406962
What's life like in Dubai Festival City?
Dubai Festival City is one of the emirate's leading family-oriented communities. The combination of exceptional amenities and facilities, accessibility to other parts of Dubai, and green and water spaces mean that residents can easily access their daily needs.
No doubt the lifestyle here is a convenient one. The green spaces and gyms available allow residents to maintain an active lifestyle - offering plenty of opportunities for exercising, jogging, dog-walking, leisurely strolls outdoors, and cycling.
As Dubai Festival City mall is just around the corner, residents are spoiled for choice in where to shop, eat, and enjoy other leisurely activities.
Dubai Festival City by day
DFC residents will find everything you need in one roof, thanks to the Dubai Festival City Mall so you needn't go too far for basic amenities. From groceries to medical facilities, leisure, and shopping, you can find it throughout the area.
If you do need to leave the community for more amenities and facilities, the neighbourhood has enough public transport options servicing the area.
Day time sees UAE residents enjoying the vast shopping, dining, and activities on offer. Children will usually be at school and working residents will be away for the day. Stay-at-home household members are usually enjoying the pleasant atmosphere of the residential area by jogging, dog-walking, and having walks when the weather permits.
A key thing to note is that residents driving out of Dubai Festival City may experience traffic during the morning rush-hours.
Dubai Festival City by night
Dubai Festival City picks up even more activity by night time. As UAE residents finish school and work for the day, the mall usually sees an increase in shoppers.
While limited, DFC does have an active night scene - Hard Rock Cafe features live music and a bar.
For new residents, it's worth noting that road congestion happens around Dubai Festival City during the evening rush-hours, as residents living towards the Sharjah side head home.
Who lives in Dubai Festival City?
- People who work at the Dubai Festival City shopping mall
- Expats and UAE nationals
- High-earning singles, couples, and families
- Affluent residents
Properties for rent and sale in Dubai Festival City
Average annual rental prices in Dubai Festival City are as follows:
- Studio apartment: AED 56,000
- 1 bedroom apartment: AED 80,000
- 2 bedroom apartment: AED 120,000
- 3 bedroom apartment: AED 150,000
- 4 bedroom villa: AED 210,000
- 5 bedroom villa: AED 310,000
Average sales prices for properties in Dubai Festival City are as follows:
- Studio apartment: AED 600,000
- 1 bedroom apartment: AED 1,400,000
- 2 bedroom apartment: AED 2,100,000
- 3 bedroom apartment: AED 3,000,000
- 4 bedroom apartment: AED 3,700,000
- 4 bedroom villa: AED 4,200,000
- 5 bedroom villa: AED 6,000,000
What are properties like in Dubai Festival City?
Properties in Dubai Festival City are made up of a few sub-communities with villas and apartments: Al Badia Hillside Village, Al Badia Residences, Marsa Plaza, and Festival Tower.
Dubai Festival City apartments come in ample spaced studio units and 1 to 3-bedroom apartments, all of which are surrounded by landscaped gardens, include shared community facilities such as a swimming pool, children's playground, and BBQ space, and have valet parking, 24-hour security, gyms, as well as airport services.
The apartments are more popular for singles, couples, and small families.
Dubai Festival City villas are fashioned after Mediterranean architecture and are generously spaced. Although the homes are located in one of Dubai's central hotspots, the villas offer residents a quiet and peaceful suburban atmosphere.
On top of these homes' close proximity to the area's facilities, the villas' amenities add to their appeal - private swimming pools, gardens, maid's room, 1-2 parking spaces, and dedicated 24-hour community security.
The villas are ideal for families and couples planning on expanding their family.
What are noise levels like in Dubai Festival City?
Dubai Festival City mall can become very noisy with the general ambiance of a shopping centre, more so during busy hours. However, the apartments and villas are located at just enough distance for minimal noise, allowing residents to enjoy a quiet and peaceful environment.
