More commonly known as Garhoud, this area is a clever mix of residential and commercial, mostly due to its proximity to Dubai International Airport.
Make your way over the Garhoud Bridge (Sharjah bound) and as one might expect, you’ll arrive in Garhoud.
The area has some great pubs, bars and restaurants, one of the most popular being The Irish Village, which is now somewhat of a Dubai institution.
Some of the city’s oldest, but still most popular, hotels are located in Garhoud including the Al Bustan Rotana, Le Méridien Dubai, Millennium Airport Hotel as well as the more recently opened Jumeirah Creekside Hotel.
Sandwiched between old and new Dubai, the area is both commercial, industrial and residential and is popular with both expatriates and Emiratis. The villas in this part of town are a little more worn than the more modern builds, but are more spacious and sensibly constructed than apartments in new Dubai. Apartment blocks are much harder to come by and although situated on the flight path, are often expensive due to a high demand from business travellers.
Since the addition of two more crossings from Bur Dubai to Deira/Garhoud side (Business Bay Crossing and the Floating Bridge) access is much easier both in and out of Garhoud. However, be warned, come rush hour (morning and night) expect queues on a daily basis due to heavy traffic heading back to Sharjah.
Where is it located?
Al Garhoud is sandwiched between Deira City Centre and Rashidya with Dubai Festival City along one side. If you’re within a few kilometres of Dubai International Airport chances are you’re in Garhoud.
Rents
The average rent for a three bedroom villa on the Dubai Government rent calculator is Dh150,000. You can check rents on the Rera Calculator here
Transport
Metro Al Garhoud has its own metro station called GGICO. The Irish Village is a seven-minute walk, while the nearby burger joint Fuddruckers is just 30 seconds on foot Bus 32C, X28 and 44 run on a continuous loop around the area allowing easy changes with buses travelling to and from Jebel Ali, Bur Dubai, Deira and Mirdif.
Taxi Generally very easy to flag down, particularly near hotels. But don’t expect drivers to be happy if you jump in and ask for Sharjah during rush hour – it’ll take him 90 minutes for a very small fee.
Traffic and Parking
Not a huge plus in the general area, especially those roads either crossing or running parallel to Shaikh Zayed Road.
Rush hour in Garhoud can often resemble more of a car park than a road system. That said, if you are lucky enough to live just a few minutes away from the main roads and intersections then often it is no problem at all. Parking will always be a struggle and where possible, invest in the RTA annual parking card – you’ll save in the long run.
Good for
1. One of the nicer places in old Dubai to live and it is surrounded by a large number of older Dubai landmarks.
2. The Irish Village will become your local haunt, which many would be envious of.
3. Handy access for the airport if you travel a lot for business, pleasure or just enjoy plane spotting.
4. Garhoud is accessible from many different routes around the city.
5. Proximity to the airport can mean tight security in buildings, so it feels very safe.
6. The area is surrounded by commercial centres and hotels so membership options are plenty.
7. There are a lot of things to do especially during the month of February and March when the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships are held at Dubai Tennis Stadium as well as numerous music concerts.
8. There are many well-established schools in the area with great reputations.
9. Dubai Festival City (shopping and leisure complex) offers an array of licensed and un-licensed options for dinner.
Bad for
1. Traffic can be a nightmare at peak hours and unless you have reserved parking, finding a parking space is often a lucky rarity.
2. Being close to the airport means a chance of aircraft noise so light sleepers should take note (and those with babies and small children).
5 to try in Al Garhoud
It’s a Dubai institution and for good reason. Great food, drink and live music keep this outdoor/indoor pub a popular choice with people of all ages and nationalities. Phone 04 2824750
Arabian Gallery
This quaint bookstore is the first in the region to specialise solely in Arabian-themed books and boasts a fairly comprehensive selection. It’s worth a browse, even if you’re not in the market for a desert tale.
Phone 04 282 4060
Packed after work and at weekends – and with good reason – the Aviation Club has body pump and spinning classes, and a big selection of weights and circuit training for a pre-cardio workout or before a lap-swim in the half-Olympic-size pool. The spa is perfect for those looking for a more chilled option.
Phone 04 282 4122
If you’re looking to go out for a bit of a fancy dinner, the Thai-themed Blue Elephant at Al Bustan Rotana is an excellent choice. Apart from the award winning food, the interior décor will transport you to the heart of the Thai mainland with their traditional huts, waterfalls, streams and lush greenery.
Phone 04 282 0000
One of the first mega malls in Dubai, City Centre still manages to rack up the highest footfall in the city, even beating the mammoth Dubai Mall. That’s probably because it has everything one needs, including all the biggest brands like Paris Gallery, Carrefour Vox Cinemas and three hotels attached to it – Pullman Dubai, Ibis and the Accor Group’s Novotel. It’s easy to get in and get out too with ample parking space, even during the weekends.
Phone 04 295 1010
