guide-to-madinat-jumeirah-dubai

From Meh to Majestic: Your VIP Travel Guide to Madinat Jumeirah

Ever underestimated how big your vacation spot is? I have. Madinat Jumeirah is said to be a “small” city, but I realized it’s not really something you can dismiss as tiny. I was so overwhelmed that I missed out on a lot of fun stuff!

Turns out, there are over 50 restaurants, nightspots, and lounges here across its 40 hectares! If you want to visualize that, think about 75 football fields and how you can explore all that space in so little time.

But luckily, I crawled from this trip so you can walk. Seriously, no need to repeat my mistakes because my friends and I have put together the best of this resort complex. Check out our handy travel guide below and indulge in your trip with ease!

What is Madinat Jumeirah known for?

Madinat Jumeirah is known for being a small city in Dubai with a bunch of 5-star accommodations, elaborate souks (traditional markets), and top-notch beachfront locations.

Best Time to Go

The best time to go to Madinat Jumeirah is during the cooler months, from November to March. Visit between 10 am to 11 pm for the shops, 8 am until 2 am for the restaurants, and 4 pm to 11 pm for the abra (traditional boat) tours. 

How to Get Around 

Trains: The closest stations to Madinat Jumeirah are Dubai Internet City Metro Station (5-minute walk), Sufouh Road -1 – 02 (9-minute walk), and Al Sufouh Tram Station (59-minute walk).

Buses: The bus lines that stop near Madinat Jumeirah are 8 (Ibn Battuta), F55A (Saeed Majid Bil Yoha Masjid), and 88 (Deira City Center).

Taxi: Hailing a cab is a handy way to get to and from Madinat Jumeirah. You may book one through an app or ask your hotel to arrange one for you.

Car: If you prefer to drive, there’s typically enough parking around here. Alternatively, you may rent a car for a more seamless experience.

What to Do in Madinat Jumeirah

Take the Ride of a Lifetime

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Looking for a lovely date idea with your introverted partner? We think taking an abra tour in Madinat Jumeirah is a great activity! You’ll ride a traditional Emirati boat and experience the thrill of sailing across the scenic waterways. 

We bet you’ll appreciate the souk (market) as a vibrant backdrop along the 5-km journey. No need to be a hotel or restaurant guest to try this pastime, either! But you do have to book in advance.

Do note that the abra tour is typically on weekends from 10 am to 11 pm during winter and 11 am to to 11 pm in the summer. Every tour lasts for 20 minutes, with a 20-minute gap in between. It’s AED 100 per adult and AED 50 per kid.

Marvel at Musicals

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Address: 45MP+G5V Madinat Jumeirah – King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud St – Al Sufouh 1

Contact Details: +971 4 366 6380, +971 4 366 6546

Art enthusiasts may also love to catch a show at the Madinat Theatre. The performances include alluring Russian ballets and entertaining British pantomimes, as well as toe-tapping musical numbers and stand-up comedy sessions.

This artistic spot at Souk Madinat can hold up to 442 people in the audience too, so we reckon you can bring many friends to enjoy this experience. But to ensure there are no hiccups in your experience, we just recommend booking tickets online in advance.

Enjoy the Nightlife

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While going to Madinat Jumeirah during the day surely has its perks, we believe you’ll like it even more when the sun goes down. 

For one, the gardens look alive at night as the Burj Al Arab shines at the back. On top of that, we find it amazing that there are plenty of nightclubs and lounges to explore. If you love karaoke, there are luxury bars where you can sing your heart out too!

Be sure to check for weekly deals such as Ladies Night or Steak Night to save more. And, of course, we encourage traveling on a buddy system to ensure your safety during and after you paint the town red.

Where to Eat in Madinat Jumeirah

Anar

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Website: https://anar.ae/ 

Address: Souk Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai Shop #147

Contact Details: +971 4 368 6505, [email protected] 

Pricing: $$

Anar is one of the top restaurants in Madinat Jumeirah, where you can enjoy classic Persian cuisine—but with a bit of a Western twist.

Here, we love the saffron rice, lamb chops, chicken kebabs, and seafood dishes. As for the drinks, we say try the refreshing Martini cocktail! We also think your crew would love the larger platters here to get your money’s worth.

But try not to sit directly under the AC so your food won’t get cold too quickly. In our opinion, the best table is by the waterside for some stunning Burj Al Arab views to go with your hearty meals.

Taverna Greek Kitchen

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Website: http://www.tavernagreek.ae/ 

Address: Taverna, Waterfront, Souk Madinat Jumeirah

Contact Details: +971 4 589 5665, [email protected] 

Pricing: $$

If you’re craving Mediterranean, we say Taverna Greek Kitchen is a good pick! For us, some of the highlights are the tiger prawns and traditional Greek tzatziki (salted yogurt and cucumber dip). We think the classic Greek salad is worth a try too!

For dessert, we suggest going for the tiramisu. We think this is a great change of flavor, especially after trying out the tasty cheese pie.

Do note that this restaurant now also has an outdoor bar, Aegean, on the Souk Boardwalk. Its exteriors offer rustic vibes, lush greenery, and convenient lounge seating if you want a change of scenery.

The Noodle House

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Website: https://www.jumeirah.com/en/dine/dubai/noodle-house 

Address: Unit F-018 Nakheel Mall, Palm Jumeirah

Contact Details: +971 800 323232, [email protected] 

Pricing: $

Now onto the Asian pride. We think The Noodle House is another Madinat Jumeirah foodie spot worth visiting. For us, the interiors really set a nice vibe, mimicking Jakarta’s colorful street markets.

The standouts for us are the chicken wings, duck, and ramen. We also believe the kids and small-eaters would love the prawn and squid fried rice. For sweets enthusiasts, we say try the fried banana with vanilla ice cream too!

The staff here often asks about the client’s allergies as well. There are gluten-free and other dietary options available, so we reckon you’ll be safe to eat your heart out.

The Meat Co.

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Website: https://www.themeatco.com/location/dubai-souk-madinat-jumeirah/ 

Address: Promenade Area, Below Costa Coffee, Souk Madinat Jumeirah

Contact Details: +971 4 368 6040, [email protected] 

Pricing: $$$

Are you a meat lover through and through? Well, African steakhouse The Meat Co. boasts fine dining with protein options we reckon are hard to resist. 

Apart from the fantastic medium rare steaks, we also recommend going for chicken skewers, prawns, and grilled salmon. In our book, these items just go well with the South African wine here, so we suggest giving that a go too.

Other than that, the live band here seems to set up a nice vibe. For us, everything from the food to the music here could recharge you after a long day of wandering around Madinat Jumeirah.

Ushna Restaurant

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Website: https://ushna.ae/ushna-dubai/ 

Address: Souk – Shop No – 21 King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud St – Madinat Jumeirah – Al Sufouh 1

Contact Details: +971 4 368 6506, [email protected] 

Pricing: $$$

Want to be surrounded by more vibrant colors and flavors? Ushna Restaurant is this upmarket Indian restaurant that we think is pretty spot on with those.

For starters, we recommend going big with the spicy shrimp appetizers for a nice kick! Otherwise, we suggest giving the tender, juicy, and well-seasoned lamb chops a go. For vegetarians, the smoked tomato looks the most promising, in our opinion.

Plus, the naan bread here seems like a great company for the flavorful dishes and dips too! The way we see it, this bread can provide you with a great balance—especially if you’re trying out strong Indian flavors for the first time.

Where to Shop in Madinat Jumeirah

Pride of Kashmir

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Website: http://prideofkashmir.com/ 

Address: Behind Gold And Diamond Park, Al Qouz, Sheikh Zayed Road

Contact Details: +971 4 329 3141, [email protected] 

Pride of Kashmir is a gift shop in Madinat Jumeirah that offers ready-to-wear clothes, furniture, furnishings, carpets, and the like.

There are tons of fabrics in different colors, patterns, and styles. We were also surprised to see lots of modern designs here! In our opinion, this is where you can buy a loved one a vibrant new dress or a beautiful, finely woven shawl.

Nevertheless, be sure to allot at least 30 minutes of your time here. That way, you could see the best materials available—there are heaps of options to go through!

Persian Carpet House

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Address: Souk Madinat Jumeirah, Madinat Jumeirah, Al Sufouh First

Contact Details: +971 4 368 6535

Persian Carpet House is a lovely stop for those who want to make their homes more welcoming with a new cozy carpet and other stylish accessories.

But apart from the rugs, we love that there’s a good selection of colorful lighting here too! Many of them have unique, intricate designs. So whichever you get, we feel it would be rare to have an exact clone from another tourist.

Some of the stuff here is antique as well! We especially liked the oil lamps here, which remind us of the magical genie in Aladdin. If the lamp-rubbing doesn’t change your life, well, we think it can still make for great home decor.

Le Paris Diamonds

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Website: http://www.leparisdiamonds.com/ 

Address: 5MP+834 Jumeirah Beach Road, Al Sufouh 1

Contact Details: +971 4 368 6590, [email protected] 

Le Paris Diamonds is for those fancy gift-givers scoping out Madinat Jumeirah for luxurious finds. At the shop, you’ll find a dazzling world of jewelry and watches, so we believe it’s smart to know exactly what you’re buying beforehand to be efficient.

Here, you’ll find bracelets, earrings, pendants, rings, and engagement and bridal jewelry. But the highlight for us is the wonderful selection of bespoke diamond jewelry! 

We like that the diamonds here come in many different colors, like blue, pink, and green—and they don’t look cheap, either. For us, this could spice up your collection if you’ve only been collecting the classics until now.

Kiwi Saint Tropez

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Address: Near Art Dubai, Souk Madinat, Al Sufouh Road, Jumeirah Beach Road, Al Sufouh 1

Contact Details: +971 4 454 1507

Going to the beach soon? If so, Kiwi Saint Tropez is a beach clothing store in Souk Madinat Jumeirah worth visiting before your sunny getaway.

You’ll find a good variety of items for kids and adults here, so we bet you can find something for your whole family or crew. Here’s a fun idea: match all of your swimwear so you can snap some fun and memorable beach photos later!

Braschi

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Website: https://braschidubai.com/ 

Address: Souq Madinat Jumeirah, Shop 31 – Jumeirah

Contact Details: +971 50 92 02 177, +971 4 454 87 78, [email protected] 

When it’s time for winter, Braschi is that chic boutique where you can snag some of the coolest fur coats to add to your wardrobe. Whether you want them thick or thin, long or short, you’ll find something to your taste here.

Besides coats, there are plenty of fashionable jackets and vests to keep you away from the cold. We suggest checking out this store’s latest fashion campaigns on its website so you know which ones are hot right now. 

Where to Stay in Madinat Jumeirah

Jumeirah Dar Al Masyaf

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Website: https://www.jumeirah.com/en/stay/dubai/jumeirah-dar-al-masyaf 

Address: Jumeirah Al Qasr, Madinat Jumeirah – King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud St – Al Sufouh 1

Contact Details: +971 800 6234628, [email protected] 

Pricing: $$$

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Jumeirah Dar Al Masyaf is a fancy accommodation at the Madinat Jumeirah resort. This spot offers amazing Gulf views and is 14 minutes away from Wild Wadi Waterpark, which is free to access!

The 2-story rooms here are old Arabian-style, so we believe travelers from afar could appreciate the decor and vibes here. These also come with balconies and terraces, as well as marble bathrooms, Wi-Fi, TVs, and minibars.

It’s also handy for us that the suites include complimentary airport transfers and breakfasts. And if you want kitchens, hot tubs, and pools in the mix, we recommend going for the villas for a great upgrade.

Jumeirah Mina A’Salam

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Website: https://www.jumeirah.com/en/stay/dubai/jumeirah-mina-a-salam 

Address: 45PP+39 – Jumeirah St – Madinat Jumeirah – Umm Suqeim 3

Contact Details: +971 800 6234628, [email protected] 

Pricing: $$$

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If retail therapy is something you can’t get enough of, Jumeirah Mina A’Salam is just 4 km from the Mall of the Emirates. You can even take the little ones to the Ski Dubai indoor ski center for a really chill time!

The modern rooms here all come with the necessities. But if you want to maximize the amenities, we recommend upgrading to get majestic balconies with stunning sea views, as well as minibars, and tea and coffeemakers.

And if you don’t want to go out that much, no worries! We think you’re all set since you can dine by the beach. You may enjoy other offerings like the theater, spa, and gym.

Kempinski Hotel Mall Of The Emirates

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Website: https://www.kempinski.com/en/mall-of-the-emirates 

Address: Mall of The Emirates – Sheikh Zayed Rd – Al Barsha – Al Barsha 1

Contact Details: +971 4 341 0000, [email protected] 

Pricing: $$$

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Another high-end option is the Kempinski Hotel Mall Of The Emirates. Aside from having direct access to the mall, this lush hotel is 4 km from the Burj Al Arab on the Gulf.

You’ll have fantastic choices here, we say. We love the trendy rooms with iPads, city views, and marble bathrooms. On the other hand, you may opt for a sophisticated 3-bedroom chalet with butlers, slope or gulf vistas, and private lounge access.

And if you don’t know what you want to eat, no need to rack your brain over it. There’s a Levantine, European, and Spanish restaurant here to suit all tastes. Plus, we reckon the 2 infinity pools really scream VIP for those wanting a refreshing dip.

Beit Al Bahar Villas

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Address: Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Jumeirah Road, Umm Suqeim 3

Contact Details: +971 4 406 8399

Pricing: $$$

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Beit Al Bahar Villas is in an exclusive location within the Jumeirah Beach Hotel Complex. The highlight here for us is that guests get a free laptop with free internet access!

Many guests get the 1-bedroom villa, but we believe that the difference with the 2-bedroom one is huge—the latter has a bigger patio with 4 deckchairs and offers overlooking views of the beach and Burj Al Arab. 

And if you don’t like to be around many people, we suggest maximizing your access to the private beach. Do note that this is only available for executive or premium guests.

Tips When Visiting Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai

Now that you know the ins and outs of Madinat Jumeirah, here are some tips to make your trip a breeze: