{"id":4980,"date":"2026-10-10T21:17:12","date_gmt":"2026-10-10T21:17:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/real-dubai.com\/property-the-world-islands"},"modified":"2026-10-10T22:40:02","modified_gmt":"2026-10-10T22:40:02","slug":"property-the-world-islands","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/real-dubai.com\/en\/property-the-world-islands","title":{"rendered":"The World Islands: islands in the shape of a world map"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In short:<\/b> The World Islands are around 300 man-made islands a few kilometres off the coast that together form the shape of a world map. Only a few have been built on so far; the best-known project is “Heart of Europe”. The islands can only be reached by boat. For buyers this is a niche market with particular opportunities and risks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Location<\/b>A few kilometres off the Jumeirah coast<\/span><\/div>
Known for<\/b>World map shape, Heart of Europe<\/span><\/div>
Developer<\/b>Nakheel (islands), private developers<\/span><\/div>
Property types<\/b>Villas, hotel residences, whole islands<\/span><\/div>
Segment<\/b>niche, upscale to luxury<\/span><\/div>
Suits<\/b>Individualist, Lifestyle<\/span><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
In this article<\/strong>
  1. Location and access<\/a><\/li>
  2. The history of the project<\/a><\/li>
  3. Life on the islands<\/a><\/li>
  4. Property on The World Islands<\/a><\/li>
  5. How buying in The World Islands works<\/a><\/li>
  6. Running costs as an owner in The World Islands<\/a><\/li>
  7. A visa through your property<\/a><\/li>
  8. Typical mistakes when buying on The World Islands<\/a><\/li>
  9. Renting out<\/a><\/li>
  10. Pros and cons<\/a><\/li>
  11. Who The World Islands suit<\/a><\/li>
  12. Our verdict<\/a><\/li>
  13. Frequently asked questions<\/a><\/li><\/ol><\/div>\n\n\n\n

    Location and access<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    The islands lie in the sea off the coastal district of Jumeirah, between Palm Jumeirah<\/a> and the Dubai Islands<\/a>. There is no bridge: residents and guests arrive by boat or seaplane. The crossing from the mainland takes about 15 to 30 minutes depending on the starting point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The history of the project<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Nakheel reclaimed the islands in the 2000s; from the air they look like a world map with continents and countries. Many islands were quickly sold to investors. The 2008 financial crisis, however, slowed development sharply, and most islands remained undeveloped. Since then only individual projects have been built, including a resort and, best known, The Heart of Europe<\/b> by a private developer, with hotels, villas and residences in the style of European cities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"Aerial
    For comparison: Palm Jumeirah is fully built up \u2013 The World Islands, by contrast, largely are not.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Life on the islands<\/h2>\n\n\n\n