{"id":4983,"date":"2026-10-10T21:19:55","date_gmt":"2026-10-10T21:19:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/real-dubai.com\/property-dubai-festival-city"},"modified":"2026-10-10T22:40:03","modified_gmt":"2026-10-10T22:40:03","slug":"property-dubai-festival-city","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/real-dubai.com\/en\/property-dubai-festival-city","title":{"rendered":"Dubai Festival City: quiet living on the Creek near the airport"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In short:<\/b> Dubai Festival City is an established district on the east bank of Dubai Creek, developed by Al-Futtaim. There’s a large waterfront mall, hotels, a golf course, villas and apartments \u2013 and DXB airport is just round the corner. The district is quieter and more family-oriented than the hotspots of new Dubai.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Location<\/b>East bank of the Creek, near DXB airport<\/span><\/div>
Known for<\/b>Festival City Mall, Creek promenade, golf<\/span><\/div>
Developer<\/b>Al-Futtaim<\/span><\/div>
Property types<\/b>Villas, townhouses, apartments<\/span><\/div>
Segment<\/b>upscale<\/span><\/div>
Suits<\/b>Relocator, Portfolio<\/span><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
In this article<\/strong>
  1. Location and access<\/a><\/li>
  2. What makes Festival City<\/a><\/li>
  3. Living in Festival City<\/a><\/li>
  4. Property in Festival City<\/a><\/li>
  5. How buying in Festival City works<\/a><\/li>
  6. Running costs as an owner in Festival City<\/a><\/li>
  7. A visa through your property<\/a><\/li>
  8. Typical mistakes when buying in Festival City<\/a><\/li>
  9. Renting out<\/a><\/li>
  10. Festival City compared<\/a><\/li>
  11. Pros and cons<\/a><\/li>
  12. Who Festival City suits<\/a><\/li>
  13. Our verdict<\/a><\/li>
  14. Frequently asked questions<\/a><\/li><\/ol><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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

    Dubai Festival City lies on the east bank of the Creek, opposite Al Jaddaf<\/a> and near Dubai Creek Harbour<\/a>. DXB airport is about five to ten minutes away, Downtown<\/a> about 15 minutes. Several bridges quickly connect the district with the west bank.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    What makes Festival City<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Al-Futtaim, one of the UAE’s large family businesses, has been developing Festival City since the 2000s as a mixed-use district. At its heart is Festival City Mall<\/b> with shops, restaurants and a Creek-side promenade where a water and light show takes place in the evening. On top of that come hotels, a golf course and the Al Badia<\/b> residential communities with villas, townhouses and apartments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"Dubai
    From the Creek side you look out over the city skyline.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Living in Festival City<\/h2>\n\n\n\n