City Walk Dubai guide: Shopping, dining, entertainment & everything you need to know

City Walk brings together the best of indoor and outdoor Dubai, with shopping, dining and open spaces all in one place.

Spread across a low-rise district in Jumeirah, City Walk is an urban lifestyle destination where retail, dining, wellness, entertainment, and even a tropical biodome all share the same tree-lined streets. Managed by Merex Investment Group and sitting just 20 minutes from Sheikh Zayed Road, it is the kind of place residents treat as a second living room, and visitors keep coming back to on the same trip.

This guide covers everything one must know before visiting City Walk Dubai, from opening hours and transport options to dining, attractions and useful tips. It also provides helpful context for those considering living nearby.

City Walk Dubai — Essential information

Before anything else, here is the necessary information regarding City Walk:

How to get to City Walk Dubai?

Driving is the easiest way to reach City Walk. Public transport is also an option, although the final part of the journey may involve a short walk or taxi ride.

How to reach City Walk by car?

City Walk is located at the Al Wasl and Al Safa Road junction in Jumeirah, accessible from Sheikh Zayed Road via Exit D71 towards Jumeirah. Parking is free for the first hour, then AED 5 per additional hour. Roxy Cinemas, The Green Planet, and selected outlets offer validation for extended free parking. At The Boulevard section of City Walk, parking is free for the first 30 minutes, then charged at AED 20 per hour via Salik, or free for the first 3 hours with a minimum spend of AED 50 at a participating outlet.

How to reach City Walk by taxi or ride-hailing apps?

Careem and Uber can drop passengers near City Walk, with designated pick-up and drop-off points along the main road. Drivers arriving from Sheikh Zayed Road can use Exit D71.

How to reach City Walk by Metro?

Take the Red Line to Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall Station. City Walk is not directly connected to the metro, so the easiest option from there is to take a taxi or Careem. The journey takes around 10 minutes and costs AED 20–35.

How to reach City Walk by bus?

Several RTA bus routes serve the area around City Walk, including routes 7, 14, 28, 81 and 93. Fares typically range from AED 3–5, depending on the number of zones travelled.

Insider tip: Traffic on Al Wasl Road can get heavier in the evenings, particularly on Fridays and Saturdays, so extra travel time may be needed when driving.

How is City Walk laid out?

City Walk is designed as an open-air, low-rise district rather than a conventional indoor mall. Buildings of two to four storeys sit along wide pedestrian streets, with outdoor terraces, murals and landscaped walkways connecting the different parts of the destination.

The development is divided into two main phases:

• City Walk Phase 1 covers the northern section.
• City Walk Phase 2, also known as CW2, extends further south.

The C2 Licensed District sits within its own section of City Walk and brings together a number of licensed restaurants and venues.

City Walk is easy to explore on foot, with an open layout that makes it simple to find the way around. A full loop through Phase 1 and Phase 2 takes around 20 to 25 minutes at a relaxed pace without stopping.

Shopping at City Walk Dubai — What to expect?

Shopping at City Walk differs from a traditional mall experience. Open streets replace long indoor corridors. Visitors can browse stores, stop for coffee, and explore the area at a relaxed pace.

Fashion & apparel shops at City Walk

The fashion selection spans various price tiers. Balmain and 7 For All Mankind provide premium choices. Adidas, New Balance, Lululemon, True Religion, and Les Benjamins supply mid-range options. The Editor's Market and Human & Beings deliver a contemporary, independent style. Shoppers can also browse traditional Egyptian

 accessories at Okhtein.

Beauty & fragrance shops at City Walk

Sephora is the primary destination for mainstream beauty. Dar Al Teeb, Hind Al Oud, Taif Al Emarat Perfumes, iOud, and Cunzite Perfumes also operate stores here to serve regional perfume enthusiasts. Men can visit 1847 Executive Grooming for a range of self-care, wellness and styling services.

Automotive showrooms at City Walk

One of City Walk’s more distinctive features is its collection of car showrooms. Rolls-Royce, Lucid Motors, Alfa Romeo, Cadillac, Brabus and Arcfox all have a presence here, adding something different to the wider mix of shops and services.

Everyday essentials  at City Walk

For everyday essentials, City Walk has Géant Express for groceries, along with Life Pharmacy and Marina Pharmacy. Al Ansari Exchange provides currency exchange services, while several laundry and dry-cleaning businesses are also available in the area.

Where to eat at City Walk Dubai?

City Walk has over 50 dining and café options across the destination, ranging from casual to full-service restaurants with outdoor terraces. The open-air setting makes alfresco dining pleasant from October through April.

Licensed restaurants and bars at City Walk Dubai

City Walk's C2 Licensed District is a dedicated area for venues with alcohol licences. It is one of the more practical additions to the destination for residents and visitors seeking a full dining experience. The destination features Brass Monkey, La Serre, RARE Brasserie & Bar, Daikan Izakaya, Myata Platinum, Nola Bijou Bistro & Bar, Primi & Primi Lounge, Mythos Urban Greek Eatery, L'Antica Pizzeria Da Michele, and Baku Café. Outdoor seating at most venues makes it a particularly good evening destination between October and April.

Insider tip: Outdoor terrace seats fill quickly on Thursday and Friday evenings. Book at least a day ahead for any licensed venue in C2 during the cooler months.

Top things to do at City Walk Dubai

City Walk has a varied mix of entertainment, including one of Dubai’s more distinctive attractions.

The Green Planet at City Walk

The Green Planet is a four-storey indoor biodome that recreates a tropical rainforest ecosystem home to more than 3,000 plant and animal species. Visitors can see sloths, free-roaming birds, reptiles, and thousands of insects around a central 25-metre-high tree structure. The immersive space offers a unique experience in Dubai. Booking tickets online secures the best pricing.

Coca-Cola Arena

The Coca-Cola Arena is the largest indoor arena in the region, with a capacity of 17,000 people. International concerts, sports events, and touring shows utilise the venue throughout the year. The official website provides the current schedule for upcoming performances.

Insider tips for visiting City Walk Dubai

A few tips can make a noticeable difference to the experience.

• Weekday mornings and afternoons don't attract much of a crowd. Thursday and Friday evenings are the liveliest, but tables and parking will be harder to find.
• From June to September, mornings before 11:00 AM and evenings after 8:00 PM are usually more pleasant for a visit, when temperatures are cooler.
• Opening times change during Ramadan, and some venues operate on a split schedule. Always verify on citywalk.ae or by calling the support team before your visit.
• Restaurant reservations are recommended on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings.
• Event days at Coca-Cola Arena can increase traffic around City Walk.
• Shoppers can download the free TICKIT app or use local kiosks to earn redeemable reward points on every City Walk purchase.
• Public holidays can bring extended opening hours. Check official timings before visiting.

Thinking of living near City Walk?

A few hours at City Walk is usually enough to make people wonder what living here actually feels like. The destination is within the Al Safa and Al Wasl corridor, one of the most established residential zones in Dubai. Jumeirah has long been associated with villa living and a community-oriented pace, but the growth around City Walk has changed the local profile. Modern residential options have expanded, and the destination makes the area highly walkable for daily errands, dining, and entertainment.

Residents can visit Géant Express for groceries, use multiple local pharmacies, grab speciality coffee at % Arabica or Urth Caffè before work, and choose from a range of dinner options for any budget within a short walk. The Coca-Cola Arena also brings global events right to your doorstep.

How much does it cost to live in Al Wasl?

Apartments for rent in Al Wasl near City Walk average approximately AED 100,000. If you want to buy a flat in Dubai, apartments for sale in Al Wasl average around AED 2,200,000 for one-bedroom units, while premium three-bedroom sales may exceed AED 12,000,000. According to Dubai real estate blogs, gross rental yields in the neighbourhood average approximately 6% to 7%. Demand remains consistent due to the limited supply of new housing along the established Jumeirah corridor.

Buy near City Walk | Rent near City Walk

Closest communities to City Walk

The closest residential addresses to City Walk are in Jumeirah itself and in the surrounding Al Safa and Al Wasl districts. You can reach out to a top real estate agency in Dubai to explore properties in these sectors. Driving 10 to 15 minutes from the district extends your housing options into Business Bay for newer apartments with strong rental yields, or Downtown Dubai for higher-density tower living with Burj Khalifa views.

Downtown Dubai: 10 to 15 minutes

Al Safa: 5 to 10 minutes

Satwa: 7 to 10 minutes

Business Bay: 10 to 15 minutes

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