City Walk: urban living between Downtown and Jumeirah
Shops, cafés, Coca-Cola Arena and European-style residential buildings: what makes City Walk and who the district between Downtown and Jumeirah suits.
In short: City Walk is an open-air district by Meraas with shops, cafés and restaurants along streets designed for strolling – more European than typically Dubai. In between stand low-rise residential buildings and some townhouses. If you want to live centrally but avoid towers, this is the place.
Location and access
City Walk lies in Al Wasl, just a few minutes from Downtown and DIFC. Towards the sea begins the old coastal district of Jumeirah with the beach district La Mer. Al Safa Street and Sheikh Zayed Road get you quickly in every direction; DXB airport is about 20 minutes away.
The concept: a city for strolling
Meraas planned City Walk as a counterpoint to the big air-conditioned malls: wide pavements, squares, fountains and shops that open onto the street. In summer, shade and cooled areas help; in the winter months City Walk is one of the most pleasant places in the city for a stroll. The district includes the Coca-Cola Arena, a large venue for concerts and events, and The Green Planet, an indoor rainforest with animals and plants.
The surroundings: Al Wasl and Jumeirah
City Walk sits in one of the city’s oldest residential areas. Around it stand the villas of Al Wasl and Jumeirah, many owned by Emirati families. That makes the area feel more established than the new-build districts inland: mosques, small shops, clinics and schools have been part of the neighbourhood for decades. For buyers this means calm, settled surroundings – and also that freehold land is rare here.
Living in City Walk
- Shopping and going out: Boutiques, cafés, restaurants and a cinema right on your doorstep.
- Events: Concerts and shows at the Coca-Cola Arena.
- Beach: The beaches of Jumeirah and La Mer are a few minutes by car.
- Families: Several international schools are nearby in Al Wasl and Jumeirah.
- Atmosphere: Urban but manageable – without the density of Downtown or the Marina.
Buying an apartment in City Walk
The residential buildings in City Walk are lower than the towers in Downtown and match the style of the streets. There are apartments with one to four bedrooms, plus some townhouses. The buildings have pools, gyms and shared spaces. City Walk is one of the few freehold addresses in this central location between Downtown and Jumeirah.
What to look for
- Position in the district: Right on the shopping streets it’s lively; the buildings further back are quieter.
- Orientation: A view of the Burj Khalifa is a value driver here too.
- Service charges: Check them in the Service Charge Index of the Dubai Land Department.
How buying in City Walk works
In City Walk there are ready properties as well as projects under construction. The process differs:
- Ready property: sale agreement in line with RERA (Form F) with a deposit of usually 10 percent, a no objection certificate (NOC) from the developer, then payment and transfer at a Registration Trustee of the Dubai Land Department. Details in our guide Buying a ready property.
- Off-plan: reservation, purchase agreement with the developer (Sale and Purchase Agreement), registration in the interim register Oqood and payments according to construction progress into an escrow account. On handover you receive the title deed. Details in our guide Buying off-plan in Dubai.
For ready properties, budget around 6.5 percent in buying costs; for off-plan mainly the 4 percent registration fee. Both can be done from abroad – with video viewings and a power of attorney.
Running costs as an owner in City Walk
After buying an apartment, these are the main ongoing costs:
- Service charges: for maintenance, security, pools and common areas, calculated by the size of your unit. The approved rates for each building are listed in the Service Charge Index of the Dubai Land Department.
- Electricity and water: via the utility DEWA; many buildings add a separate charge for district cooling.
- Housing fee: 5 percent of the annual rental value, billed through the DEWA account. It is paid by whoever lives in the home – so by your tenant if you let it.
- Ejari: every tenancy contract is registered; via the Dubai REST app this costs AED 177.75.
- Management: if you aren’t on site, a property manager handles letting and upkeep for a fee.
Unlike in many countries, there is no annual property tax in Dubai. All items are explained in our guide Buying costs in Dubai.
A visa through your property
With a property in City Walk you may also be able to get a residence visa:
- Golden Visa: ten years of residence if your properties in Dubai are worth at least AED 2 million in total – also with a mortgage or, under certain conditions, off-plan.
- Investor visa: a shorter visa for owners who don’t reach the Golden Visa threshold.
The detailed requirements are explained in our guide Golden Visa with property.
Renting out
City Walk is mainly in demand with long-term tenants: couples and families who want to live centrally and use the schools in Jumeirah, plus professionals from DIFC and Downtown. Holiday letting is possible too, but the focus is on annual contracts. Use our rental yield calculator to check how a property works out.
City Walk compared
| Feature | City Walk | Downtown | Business Bay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buildings | Low-rise residential, townhouses | Towers | Towers |
| Atmosphere | Strolling, squares, cafés | Landmarks, tourists | Canal, offices |
| Supply | Small | Large | Very large |
| Typical tenants | Couples, families | Couples, holidaymakers | Professionals |
Pros and cons
In favour of City Walk
- Central between Downtown, DIFC and Jumeirah
- Urban living without tower density
- Schools and beaches nearby
- Coherent, well-kept district by Meraas
Worth considering
- Small supply
- Upscale prices
- No metro directly in the district
- Busy at weekends and during events
Who City Walk suits
City Walk suits the lifestyle investor looking for a special, central address, the entrepreneur with an office in DIFC, and the relocator who wants to live centrally with a family. If you want more choice in a tower, look at Downtown or Business Bay.
Our verdict
City Walk is one of Dubai’s most pleasant central addresses – urban, well kept and without the tower feel. Supply is small and the target group clear. If this is exactly what you’re looking for, you’ll find an apartment with stable demand here.
Interested in City Walk?
We tell you which buildings currently have listings and what rent is realistic.
Frequently asked questions
Can foreigners buy in City Walk?
Yes. The residential projects in City Walk are open to foreign buyers as freehold.
Is there a metro station in City Walk?
Not directly in the district. The nearest stations are on Sheikh Zayed Road; most residents get around by car or taxi.
Is City Walk suitable for families?
Yes, especially for families who want to live centrally. Several international schools are close by in Al Wasl and Jumeirah, and the beaches are minutes away. If you want lots of space and a garden, you’ll find them more easily in villa communities such as Dubai Hills Estate.
Updated: October 2026. This article describes the district in general terms. Prices, rents and service charges change all the time; for a specific property we check the current figures with you.
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