Dubai Media City is a free zone just east of the Palm Jumeirah. Free zones are business-friendly areas in Dubai set up to offer tax concessions and other benefits to foreign investors.
The zone was established in 2000 and is now a hub for thousands of media-related businesses (advertising and marketing agencies, PR, publishing, broadcasters, news agencies, animation studios etc.).
Companies with a presence here include BBC News, Thomson Reuters, Samsung, ITP Media Group, and Associated Press.
Real Estate
Dubai Media City is primarily a commercial district. Most towers and buildings here are occupied by businesses, hotels, restaurants, and other commercial entities.
Buildings include Concord Tower, Aurora Tower, Media One Tower, Arenco Tower (AAM Tower), and Shatha Tower.
Apartments and villas to rent can be found in neighbouring areas (Dubai Marina/Jumeirah Beach Residence, Palm Jumeirah etc.).
Hotels
Hotels and places to stay in and around Dubai Media City include:
- The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina
- Le Meridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina
- Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Media City
- Media One Hotel
- One&Only Royal Mirage Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach
- Residence & Spa, Dubai at One&Only Royal Mirage
- Arjaan by Rotana - Dubai Media City
Restaurants
The list was last updated on Sunday 4th of October 2020.
| Name | Address | Cuisine | Price | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barasti | Le Meridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort and Marina Dubai Marina | Bar | $$ | Very popular beach bar at Le Meridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort. Pool parties, ladies days, BBQs, DJs, live music etc. Large outdoor venue with pool, big screens, loungers, and more. [Facebook] [Trip Advisor] |
| Bussola | Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina Dubai Marina | Italian | $$ | Italian restaurant offering both a formal dining area and casual upstairs terrace. Business lunches and happy hour. [Facebook] [Trip Advisor] |
| Certo | Radisson Blu Hotel Dubai Media City | Italian | $$ | Italian restaurant at the Radisson Blu Hotel. [Facebook] [Trip Advisor] |
| Drift Beach | One and Only Royal Mirage Dubai Marina | Bar, Mediterranean | $$$ | Exclusive beach club at the One and Only Royal Mirage. Adults only. Swimming pool and private cabanas. [Facebook] [Trip Advisor] |
| Fish | Le Meridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort and Marina Dubai Marina | Seafood, Mediterranean | $$ | Casual seafood restaurant. Al fresco dining with great views of the Persian Gulf and Palm Jumeirah. [Facebook] [Trip Advisor] |
| Icon Bar and Lounge | Radisson Blu Hotel Dubai Media City | Bar | $$ | Bar at the Radisson Blu Hotel. Big screens showing major sporting events. Happy hours, lunch deals, and Friday brunch. [Facebook] [Trip Advisor] |
| Qwerty | Media One Hotel Dubai Media City | Bar, International | $$ | Restaurant and cocktail bar the Media One Hotel. Ladies nights and live music. [Facebook] [Trip Advisor] |
Shopping
There are no large shopping malls in Dubai Media City.
Malls in neighbouring areas include Nakheel Mall (Palm Jumeirah), Gold Mile Galleria (Palm Jumeirah), The Beach (Jumeirah Beach Residence), and Dubai Marina Mall (Dubai Marina).
Attractions and Things To Do
Dubai Media City Amphitheatre is an outdoor performance venue located at the centre of the area. It hosts concerts and events such as the Dubai Jazz Festival and Taste of Dubai.
Attractions and venues near Dubai Media City include Emirates Golf Club (Majlis Course and Faldo Course), The Beach (Jumeirah Beach Residence), The Lost Chambers (Palm Jumeirah), and Atlantis Aquaventure (Palm Jumeirah).
Cinemas within easy reach are Roxy Cinemas The Beach, Reel Cinemas Dubai Marina Mall, and VOX Cinemas Nakheel Mall.
Education
The campus of the American University of Dubai (AUD) is based here. Around 2,000 students study here. Most are foreign nationals. Courses include degrees in architecture, business administration, civil engineering, electrical engineering, interior design, international studies, mechanical engineering, psychology, and visual communication.
Transport
The closest Metro station is Al Khail. The station is on the Red Line and offers direct services to destinations such as Dubai International Airport, Deira, Bur Dubai, Karama, Trade Centre, DIFC, Downtown Dubai and the Dubai Mall, Business Bay, Al Barsha, Dubai Marina, and Jebel Ali.
Dubai Media City is also served by the Dubai Tram. Stops serving the area are Mina Seyahi Tram Station, Media City Tram Station, and Palm Jumeirah Tram Station. Services go to Dubai Marina/Jumeirah Beach Residence.
Bus services going to Dubai Media City include:
- 83 – Al Ghubaiba Bus Station to Al Khail Metro Station – Stops on the route include Sharaf DG Metro Station, Karama, and Dubai Knowledge Village.
- 84 – Al Khail Gate, Al Quoz to Jumeirah Beach Residence 2 Tram Station – Stops on the route include Mall of the Emirates and Al Barsha.
- 85 – Dubai Internet City Metro Station to Discovery Gardens – Stops on the route include Ibn Battuta Metro Station.
Map
Our map of Dubai Media City shows the location of hotels, restaurants, and transport links (Metro stations, Dubai Tram stations).
