Al Satwa

Dubai’s oldest neighborhoods known for their affordable shopping and casual eateries.

Al Satwa is a slice of Dubai’s original street life. It’s home to low-rise buildings and small villas with beautiful verandas, alongside tree-lined walkways, retail stores and beauty services aplenty, ensuring there is never a dull moment in this busy locale.

Spot the giant murals inspired by Arabian heritage painted on old buildings along with the 2nd of December Street. The district’s nerve center, this street is named after the day the United Arab Emirates came to be and connects the community to Jumeirah on one side and Sheikh Zayed Road on the other.

Here you can find many retail stores in this neighborhood, where you’ll find everything from bespoke tailoring and casual fashion, to kitsch jewelry and home decor. You may stumble across Al Hudaiba Road, or Plant Street, as it is fondly known thanks to the rows and rows of flowers and plant shops found here.

Follow the crowd to a nearby eatery for a quick pick-me-up meal – from Pakistani cuisine to Levantine dishes, you’ll find it all here. Favorites include the meaty shawarma from Al Mallah (you won’t be able to stop at just one), and warming achari curry at Ravi Restaurant.

But there are pockets of flavor to discover everywhere – in between residential buildings and alleyways, and inside humble shopping complexes. The vibe continues at Al Satwa Park, where you’ll find families taking a stroll and friends enjoying a chat as they catch up after a busy day. It’s simple moments like these that make Satwa shine.

Getting there: Ride the Dubai Metro to the World Trade Centre station and then hail a taxi to reach Al Satwa.