Jumeirah
A bustling and affluent suburb to the south of the city centre, Jumeirah is the glittering hub of glamorous Dubai - a golden strip of beaches and malls which hugs the brilliant blue sea of the gulf. The area has been settled since the 6th century AD and was part of the caravan route from the gulf coast to Oman. Jumeirah is now very much a twentieth century town. Pierced by the iconic sail-like shape of the Burj al Arab, the world’s only seven star hotel, and studded with luxury malls, resorts and vast mansions, Jumeirah’s skyline is a dramatic statement of leisurely wealth.
Attractions
Jumeirah is a beach lover’s haven, with kilometres of carefully tended sandy shores catering for a cosmopolitan mix of tourists and locals. There are two open public beaches in Jumeirah; one to the north near Jumeirah mosque, the other dramatically close to the Jumeirah Beach Hotel and the Burj. These beaches are home to a multitude of water-sports enthusiasts who regularly take advantage of the calm, warm waters to surf, wakeboard, kite surf, dive and snorkel.
The waters of Jumeirah are also home to the suburb’s world-famous offshore developments, the Palm and The World. These residential islands are built from sand reclaimed from the sea and are the only man-made constructions on earth which can be seen from space. Although at the time of writing both major developments were unfinished, you can charter a boat to take you around the islands. Alternatively, head up to the towering sky-bars at the Burj or at the Grosvenor House Hotel at the marina to get an aerial view of these remarkable developments.
The island upon which the billowing Burj al Arab is built is accessible only by appointment. Lit up like an earthbound intergalactic party at night, the Burj is a distinctive landmark and one of the most lavish hotels in the world. Next door you’ll find Wild Wadi Water Park - Dubai’s aquatic answer to Disneyland –and the Madinat – a trio of hotels built around intricate complex of reconstructed bazaars, restaurants and waterways.
The Marina is located at the southernmost point of Jumeirah and is a breathtakingly dense development of high-rise luxury apartments and hotels which, at time of writing was still under construction. There is a Friday market at the marina where you can buy textiles and local artwork, as well as a range of restaurants and waterfront bars.
Jumeirah mosque is the only mosque in Dubai to allow non-Muslims. It is open for tours at 10am every Thursday and Sunday. Jumeirah is also home to one of the best archaeological sites in the Emirates where you can see the remains of several prehistoric buildings.
Shopping
Jumeirah boasts some of Dubai’s most exclusive malls and boutiques. Palm Strip and Jumeirah Village malls are home to a number of exclusive independent high-end clothes stores which carry a range of international and local designers. Mercato Mall on Al Jumeirah Road is a Venetian themed mall, complete with its own Bridge of Sighs. The Mall of the Emirates on the Sheikh Zayed Road is a huge shopping centre with a vast number of restaurants and shops as well as Ski Dubai, a man-made ski-slope which simulates alpine conditions in the heart of the desert.
Nightlife and Eating Out
The glamorous and opulent hotels which dot the coastline of Jumeirah provide some of Dubai’s most exclusive dining opportunities. From having bespoke cocktails created for you by the mixologist at the Burj, to a sophisticated evening with an Arabian flavour at the rooftop bar at the One and Only Royal Mirage, there is something to cater for every taste.
Jumeirah has a number of lively clubs which are frequented by internationally renowned DJs and a colourful crowd of glamorous revellers from across the city. Don’t expect festivities to carry on beyond the confines of the hotels, the UAE is an Islamic country and only private residences and hotel bars have licenses to sell alcohol.
Tourist Information
- Department of Tourism, P.O.Box 594, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
- Telephone: +971 (4) 223 00 00
- Fax: +971 (4) 223 00 22
- E-mail: info@dubaitourism.ae
- Website: www.dubaitourism.ae
Airport
Dubai airport is about 6 km from Jumeirah along the Sheikh Zayed Road and across the creek to Garhoud. A large number of international carriers fly from Dubai to destinations across the globe, including Emirates, Virgin and Qatar Air.
