The waterfront community with access to a beach, restaurants and play areas – Jumeirah Beach Residence (commonly known as JBR) – is a popular Dubai destination with residents and tourists alike.
A playground for the kids and grownups, JBR has a lot to offer making it one of most trendiest places to meet up for some coffee, retail therapy or yoga by the beach.
Here’s what you need to know planning a trip to JBR and it’s counterparts The Beach & The Walk:
What to expect at JBR – Jumeirah Beach Residences
Located in the busy district of Dubai Marina, JBR is a beachfront community of hotel and residential apartment towers within walking distance of some of Dubai’s famous attractions.
Stretching across 1.7 km, you can easily spot the cluster of modern-looking sandy-hued buildings making up JBR – Dubai’s Golden Mile. The residents call it their favourite spot because of how self-contained it is for young couples and families, while the tourists keep returning back for easy access to world-class restaurants, sandy beaches and vibrant nightlife.
Like many neighbourhoods in Dubai, JBR too comes with its own resident malls. Overlooking the Arabian Gulf (Persian Gulf), JBR The Beach is an open outdoor ‘mall’, and home to a cinema, well known shopping brands and restaurants – as well as the name might suggested a stunning beach. One the other hand, The Walk at JBR is a stretch of luxury boutiques, stores and alfresco dining options along the entire length of JBR.
What’s there to do at JBR The Beach?
One of the coolest beach malls in Dubai, JBR The Beach promises to have it all: sun, sand and sea sports.
The ultimate hangout place for the entire family, this beach-front mall offers cabanas to lay in, gastronomic adventures and the chance to catch your favourite blockbuster movie. Here are our 5 favourite things to do at The Beach:
1. Relax at the beach!
Looking for the perfect way to unwind after a busy week, then head to the sandy beaches of JBR The Beach overlooking the iconic Ain Dubai. There’s plenty to do at this open beach, whether you are thinking of relaxing with a book and working on your tan, or partaking in some extreme water sports.
The Sea Breeze offers you the option to book a cabana or sun loungers, complete with towels and umbrellas. You can even grab your buddy and go on thrilling water rides such as the Banana Boat ride and Donut ride. There’s also jet skiing, parasailing, and more for the thrill-seekers.
Get the family together and try to stay dry on AquaFun, an inflatable floating obstacle course set up in the middle of the sea in the shape of I Love Dubai.
The little ones can also have some fun in the sun with dedicated splash parks and park areas for them, there’s the Splash Pad children’s playground as well as newly open Splash n Party.
Prices and operating hours for the different areas and activities are mentioned on JBR The Beach website.
2. Dine out in JBR
No matter what you are craving, JBR Beach caters for everyone’s appetite – in fact here are over 40 dining outlets just at The Beach! The eccentric range of menus means you will be tasting food from around the globe, while enjoying stunning views of the beach, Bluewaters Island and Ain Dubai.
There’s Eggspectations for all-day breakfast options, flavoursome Indian at Bombay Bungalow, hearty Turkish for the meat lovers at Bosphorus and even seafood classic at Aprons and Hammers. Even those with a sweet tooth will be spoilt for choice when choosing between waffles at Morelli’s Gelatos or the sweet buns at Papa Roti.
A unique experience to look out for is Flying Cup – skyhigh drinks and dining at 40m in the air!
There are some licensed fine dining restaurants serving alcohol, as well as Bla Bla – a huge new Ibiza-style beach club boasting 20 bars and a restaurant serving Japanese, Italian and Texas Smokehouse cuisines.
Whether it’s vegan smoothies or cafes with latte art, JBR Beach is a foodie’s delight, from morning till past midnight.
3. Do some shopping in JBR
If shopping is your cardio, JBR The Beach mall has plenty of options to keep you occupied. You can shop for the latest trends from home-grown stores and international retail brands dotted around the walkways of The Beach. There’s a Sephora for the sunscreen you may have forgotten, Dive N’ Surf for trendy beachwear, River Island for the stylish accessories, and many other shops.
From luxury retail to your everyday home needs, there’s even mini grocery stores to stock up on the essentials. If you’re a tourist and haven’t had the chance to buy yourself or your loved one a little memory of this city, there’s even a souvenir shop, meaning you simply have no excuse to leave The Beach.
4. Watch a movie
Feel like escaping the heat for a bit? Head over to Roxy Cinemas JBR, and choose between the latest Hollywood, Bollywood and Arabic movies. The cinema is located next to Adventure HQ, and operates from 11:00 am to 1:00 am – this is the perfect midday retreat, or unwind after a long day in the sun.
5. Work out with a view:
As far as training goes, it won’t get much better than working out against a beautiful backdrop of the beach and Bluewaters Island, followed by a refreshing swim. The Warehouse Gym located at The Beach in JBR comes with an outdoor set up consisting of a CrossFit rig, rope climbs, kettlebells, rowing machines and jump boxes.
Make the most of the lovely Dubai winters and get your ‘fitspiration’ by training at this outdoor gym. You can book a one-off gym session with the on-site staff to assist you, or join one of the group classes, which include commando circuit classes, spinning and CrossFit. One-time classes start at AED 105.
Timings: Weekdays (Sunday to Thursday): 5:30 am to 11:00 pm / Weekends (Friday to Saturday): 8:00 am to 10:00 pm
JBR The Beach Timings
Retail
- Saturday to Wednesday 10:00 am to 11:00 pm
- Thursday & Friday 10:00 am to 11:00 pm
F&B
- Saturday to Wednesday 10:00 am to 12:00 midnight
- Thursday & Friday 10:00 am to 01:00 am
Like all beaches in Dubai, swimming after sunset is prohibited.
What’s there to do at The Walk at JBR
A vibrant promenade lined with swaying palms on either side, buzzing with residents and tourists, The Walk at JBR is a popular destination for some shopping, dining and strolling. You will find here different home grown boutiques and handicraft shops. Watch the place transform after sun set, and feel mesmerised by the jaw dropping performances carried out by the street entertainers.
Here’s four things you shouldn’t miss when exploring The Walk in Dubai:
1. Check our the funky street art
Grab your camera and go on a discovery trail for some seriously cool 3D Street art. See if you can spot a giraffe, a giant eagle, two rag dolls named Annie and Aisha and a colourful explosion of galloping horses. These 3D optical illusions have been created by talented international and national artists, and will surely make you go ‘wow’.
2. Cycle along The Walk
While it’s fun to explore The Walk on foot, if you are restricted with time you can choose to rent a bicycle. With automated bike hire stations dotted along the stretch you choose to park and return back your bike at any of the designated slots.
3. Dining Al Fresco
Similar to JBR The Beach, you will be spoilt for choices when it comes to dining options brought to you from the corners of the globe. With the tables and chairs littering the pavements, you can enjoy Dubai’s beautiful weather by dining outside while overlooking the stunning sea. From noodle shops, to charming cafes and healthy dining eateries, this place is a lovely reminiscent of the European al fresco dining scene.
4. Activities to keep you occupied
The Walk at JBR is always bustling with national and international skilled artists, entertaining you with their shows and talents. The events can change depending on festival and season, but to give you an idea of some of the things you can expect are street performances, sand sculptures and photography displays.
How to get to JBR
JBR is easily accessible by car. If travelling from Dubai, take the Sheikh Zayed Road (E11) to Jebel Ali. Then take Garn Al Sabka Street (D59W) and continue to King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Street (D94) until you find signs to JBR.
If travelling from Abu Dhabi, take the Ghweifat Highway (E11) towards Dubai. Then take Exit 29 to King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Street (D94). Continue on until you see signs to JBR.
Parking for the public is limited along the JBR walk, however, there are hourly paid green parking zones and also some parking spots along JBR The Walk. If visiting JBR The Beach, you can avail yourself three hours of free parking at the underground mall parking, when you spend AED 100 or more at any participating outlet, Roxy Cinemas and/or Sea Breeze.
Valet parking service is also available for AED 55 (standard) and AED 110 (VIP) per day per vehicle.
If you are using the Dubai Metro, take the Red Line and step off at station 23, Dubai Marina Metro Station. From here you can cross over to the Dubai Tram and board the tram heading to Jumeirah Lakes Towers. You can get off the Dubai Tram at either Station 1 (Jumeirah Beach Residence 1) or Station 2 (Jumeirah Beach Residence 2).
If you are looking to take the RTA public bus, number 8 and 84 will take you directly to JBR.
Taxies in the area are plentiful with several taxi zones along the walk and in the Dubai Marina area.
Where to Stay in JBR
There is a fabulous array of accommodation options in and around JBR. Most offer apartment style accommodation making it very popular with families looking for resort-style facilities but cooking amenities and separate bedrooms.
Not all hotels and resorts are technically part of JBR but to a visitor, they will all come across as the same area.
We have a complete guide to the best accommodation in JBR here, as well as this guide to Airbnb apartments in the JBR/Dubai Marina area.
Some favourites to highlight include:
Best Resort on the Beach – Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort & Spa
OK, we’re technically cheating here, there are a few stunning, sprawling beach resorts that sit to the eastern end of JBR. Le Royal Meridien is one of these, sitting at the very start of The Walk so we’re counting it!
With stunning landscaped gardens, a beachfront boardwalk, rooms boasting either Gulf or Marina views, a fitness centre and spa, three swimming pools, a kids club – even a crazy golf course! This is one of Dubai’s best beachfront offerings in an ultra-convenient location near Dubai’s top tourist attractions. If budget permits, book it (or next door Ritz-Carlton, you can’t go wrong)!
Best Hotel Apartment – Doubletree by Hilton
The upscale hotel is a suites-only property sitting at the opposite end of The Walk, closer to Bluewaters. Each suite at Doubletree features private balconies, marina or sea views and a separate living room. Depending on suite size (1 to 3 bedroom), some include a full kitchen and laundry facilities too.
Guests can enjoy a range of dining options, coffee and poolside happy hours as well as private beach access with cabanas. The ocean-front infinity pool, Wellness Spa and fitness centre are also drawcards for families and business visitors alike.
Best for singles & Couples – Rixos Premium Dubai
If you want to hang out in the life of the party, Rixos on the beachside of The Walk is your go-to.
The property hosts 11 bars and restaurants as well as Azure Beach, one of the trendiest beach clubs in Dubai, known for its glamorous pool parties. There are two family pools and a semi-Olympic-sized pool for adults and a great range of retail opportunities.
Best for budget family travellers along JBR – Roda Amwaj Suites
There are many hotels and residences which sit inside JBR proper – that is the big strip of sandy-coloured buildings opposite The Beach. Roda Amwaj Suites consistently comes out as one of the cheapest every time we search. The rooms are basically on par anywhere you stay along JBR – the whole complex being built at the same time so why there’s such a differential in pricing it can only be the brand name attached and extra services you may not need.
If it’s a spacious longer-term stay you want, no thrills just big, clean rooms and the convenience of being in the centre of The Walk, you’ll have no problems with Roda Amwaj Suites.
Best Budget Stay – Bombay Backpackers DXB
A hostel in Dubai? Yes! It’s not that common to find but there are some good, reputable backpacker hostels to find in Dubai. Granted, maybe not as cheap as other parts of Asia but from around 60AED a night ($16.50USD) this is as budget as you’ll get.
Bombay Backpackers DXB has a great reputation as it’s situated within JBR itself on the 18th floor offering waterfront views in the heart of the action. Mixed dorms and single-sex dorms of 6 to 12 are on offer with clean linens, common room and games room. No breakfast included but access to a fridge and kitchen facilities, washing machine and swimming pools in JBR.
You can check out all the accommodation options in the JBR area here:
Nearby Attractions to JBR
JBR really is at the heart of tourist action in Dubai, surrounded by other worthy attractions which is why it’s such a great place to base yourself when staying in Dubai.
Dubai Marina Mall
An indoor shopping mall located in the Dubai Marina district, housing well known international fashion brands, waterfront dining options, leisure activities, a supermarket and a cinema. Also the place to visit if you’ve booked for yourself to ride on the world’s largest urban zipline with Xline, and enjoy scenic dinner cruises at Dubai Marina.
Bluewaters Island
This island is an urban getaway, with the most idyllic neighbourhood, licensed fine-dining concepts at the waterfront to quirky eateries, and ongoing events for the entire family. Home to Ain Dubai and some out-of-this-world towering canopy structures, Bluewaters Island can also be easily accessed from JBR via a pedestrian bridge, The Wharf Link.
You can read more about what to expect on Bluewaters Island here
Ain Dubai
Standing at 250 meters high, Ain Dubai is the world’s tallest observation wheel, set on Bluewaters Island. Once open it promises to offer uninterrupted 360-degree views of Dubai, which will include the beautiful Dubai coastline and famous landmarks such as the Burj Al Arab and in the distance, Burj Khalifa.
Due to open late 2021
More frequently asked questions about JBR
What does JBR stand for?
JBR is simply Jumeirah Beach Residences.
It refers specifically to the residential complex which is set between the beachfront and Dubai Marina, though the whole area including The Beach and The Walk has simply become known as JBR.
Can I take my dog to the beach at JBR?
The Beach itself is a no dog zone. Dogs on a leash can be walked around.
Is JBR Beach free?
To access The Beach is free, however, use of the facilities such as sun loungers and cabanas or any of the extra activities on offer comes at a cost, they are operated by third-parties.
