Map of Dubai – Areas, Neighbourhoods, Metro & City Guide

Explore Dubai with this interactive map and city guide, covering major areas, neighbourhoods, transport corridors, coastline, roads and landmarks.

Dubai stretches for a considerable distance along the Gulf coast, with historic districts around Dubai Creek, modern high-rise centres such as Downtown Dubai and Business Bay, and major waterfront areas including Dubai Marina, Jumeirah and Palm Jumeirah.

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

Where Is Dubai?

Dubai is located in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on the Gulf coast of the Arabian Peninsula. It is one of seven emirates that make up the UAE and lies northeast of Abu Dhabi and southwest of Sharjah.

Although Dubai is often associated with its modern skyline, the urban area covers many different environments including historic creek-side districts, beaches, artificial islands, high-rise commercial centres, suburban communities and desert-edge developments.

Dubai Areas at a Glance

• Downtown Dubai — home to Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall and some of the city’s best-known landmarks.
• Business Bay — high-rise commercial and residential district immediately south of Downtown Dubai.
• Dubai Marina — major waterfront district with residential towers, hotels, restaurants and Marina Walk.
• Jumeirah — established coastal area known for beaches, residential neighbourhoods, hotels and leisure destinations.
• Palm Jumeirah — palm-shaped artificial island extending into the Gulf.
• Deira — one of Dubai’s historic commercial districts on the northern side of Dubai Creek.
• Bur Dubai — historic area on the opposite side of Dubai Creek from Deira.
• Jumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT) — mixed residential and commercial district opposite Dubai Marina.
• Al Barsha — large inland residential and commercial area close to Sheikh Zayed Road.
• Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR) — high-density beachfront neighbourhood alongside Dubai Marina.

Old Dubai and New Dubai

One of the easiest ways to understand Dubai on a map is to separate the historic creek area from the newer districts extending southwest along the coast.

Old Dubai

The traditional centre of Dubai developed around Dubai Creek. Deira lies mainly on the northern side of the creek, while Bur Dubai and the historic Al Fahidi area sit on the southern side.

Central Dubai

Further southwest are Downtown Dubai and Business Bay. This part of the city contains many prominent skyscrapers, hotels, commercial buildings and major visitor attractions.

Coastal and Marina Dubai

Continuing southwest along the coast brings you toward Jumeirah, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Marina, JBR and neighbouring areas. These districts can appear close together on a city-wide map but travelling between them can still involve significant distances.

Dubai Metro and Transport

Dubai’s transport network is useful for understanding the shape of the city because many major destinations follow the same broad northeast-to-southwest corridor as Sheikh Zayed Road.

• Red Line — the main Metro corridor serving numerous major districts and running alongside Sheikh Zayed Road for much of its route.
• Green Line — serves areas of older Dubai, including parts of Deira and Bur Dubai.
• Dubai Tram — serves the Dubai Marina, JBR and Al Sufouh corridor and connects with the wider rail network.
• Dubai buses — extend public transport coverage beyond Metro and Tram routes.
• Marine transport — includes services operating on waterways such as Dubai Creek and around parts of the coast.

Transport routes, station names and operating arrangements can change, so travellers should check current official information when planning a journey.

Major Roads in Dubai

Road orientation is particularly important in Dubai because many areas are separated by large highways and interchanges.

• Sheikh Zayed Road (E11) — Dubai’s best-known urban highway and the main corridor through much of modern Dubai.
• Al Khail Road (E44) — major inland route running broadly parallel to Sheikh Zayed Road.
• Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road (E311) — important outer highway connecting Dubai with surrounding areas.
• Airport roads and creek crossings — provide connections between Dubai International Airport, Deira, Bur Dubai and newer districts.

Key Geographic Features on the Dubai Map

• Dubai Creek — historic waterway associated with the development of old Dubai.
• Gulf coastline — runs along the western and northwestern side of much of the urban area.
• Palm Jumeirah — distinctive artificial island visible clearly on wider-scale maps.
• Dubai Water Canal — waterway extending through Business Bay toward the coast.
• Desert fringe — inland development gradually transitions toward desert landscapes.
• Jebel Ali — major port, industrial and development area southwest of central Dubai.

Popular Dubai Landmarks to Find on the Map

• Burj Khalifa — Downtown Dubai
• Dubai Mall — Downtown Dubai
• Burj Al Arab — Jumeirah coast
• Palm Jumeirah — offshore from the Jumeirah coastline
• Dubai Marina — southwest coastal Dubai
• Dubai Creek — historic Dubai
• Dubai International Airport — east of Deira
• Dubai World Trade Centre — Sheikh Zayed Road corridor

Visitor Tips for Using a Dubai Map

• Check distances rather than assuming nearby-looking areas are within easy walking distance.
• Use Metro stations as reference points when comparing accommodation or attractions.
• Remember that Dubai Marina and Downtown Dubai are separate major centres rather than neighbouring districts.
• Zoom into the Dubai Creek area when exploring Deira, Bur Dubai and historic Dubai.
• For driving, check the exact road access to your destination because major highways can make apparently short journeys less direct.
• Use current official transport information before travelling, as routes, station names and services may change.

Why Use a Map of Dubai?

A Dubai map can help visitors understand how the city’s major districts fit together before choosing accommodation, planning sightseeing routes or using public transport.

It is particularly useful for comparing Downtown Dubai, Dubai Marina, Palm Jumeirah, Jumeirah, Deira and Bur Dubai, which are spread across different parts of the city.

Related Maps & Location Guides

• Map of UAE
• Map of Singapore
• Map of Hong Kong
• Map of Bangkok
• Map of the World

Dubai Map FAQs

Where is Dubai located?

Dubai is located in the United Arab Emirates on the Gulf coast of the Arabian Peninsula.

What are the main areas of Dubai?

Well-known areas include Downtown Dubai, Business Bay, Dubai Marina, Jumeirah, Palm Jumeirah, Deira, Bur Dubai, JBR and Jumeirah Lakes Towers.

Where is Downtown Dubai?

Downtown Dubai is the district containing major landmarks including Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall. It sits close to Business Bay and the Sheikh Zayed Road corridor.

Where is Dubai Marina?

Dubai Marina is a waterfront district southwest of central Dubai, close to JBR, Jumeirah Lakes Towers and Palm Jumeirah.

What is Dubai Creek?

Dubai Creek is the historic waterway around which much of early Dubai developed. Deira and Bur Dubai lie on opposite sides of the creek.

Does Dubai have a Metro?

Yes. Dubai Metro operates major rail services connecting many residential, commercial and visitor areas. Dubai also has tram, bus and marine transport services.

Is Dubai easy to walk around?

Individual districts can be walkable, but Dubai as a whole is very spread out. Metro, tram, buses, taxis and other transport are commonly used to travel between different parts of the city.

This page is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Government of Dubai, the Government of the United Arab Emirates, Dubai Roads and Transport Authority, OpenStreetMap or any other government authority, mapping provider or official organisation.

Disclaimer: This page is provided for general informational purposes only. Maps are reference views and may not be complete, current, to scale or suitable for navigation, surveying, emergency use or official determinations. Boundaries, place names, districts, neighbourhoods, roads, transport routes and geographic features may vary by source and may change over time. Always check current official information where accuracy is important. No warranty is made regarding accuracy, completeness or suitability for any purpose.