Abu Dhabi's areas for buying property

Abu Dhabi – the capital city of the United Arab Emirates is also the most populous Emirate in the country. Given an area of 67,340 sq km, it is also the largest of all the emirates. With several rulers residing within the region, the Emirate of Abu Dhabi also serves as a home to the ruling families of United Arab Emirates and is undoubtedly the most poshly built and designed Emirate of all the seven.

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List of areas for buying real estate in Abu Dhabi

Ramhan Island

Brimming with absolute exclusivity and tranquillity, Ramhan Island offers an exceptional resort-like lifestyle just 20 minutes away from the capital's mainland.

Yas Island

Yas is a magnificent island located in Abu Dhabi. The island's development began in 2006 with the aim of creating an integrated community for leisure, shopping and entertainment.

Hudayriyat Island

Hudayriyat Island is an exclusive mega project, located in the southwestern part of Abu Dhabi

Al Raha Beach

Al Raha Beach is part of the Abu Dhabi district of the same name, and covers an area of 6 miles along the shoreline and is adjacent to the new residential neighbourhood of Khalifa City A.

Al Reem Island

Al Reem Island is a natural island located about 600 meters off the north-eastern coast of Abu Dhabi. It's a mixed community with both residential, retail and commercial units and business projects. Spanning 6.5 million square meters and with investment costs amounting to $30 billion, the project has become among the renowned international projects, being one of the first free zones in Abu Dhabi, and gained the highest level of international interest, since properties in the area are open for foreign nationals for buying or leasehold.

Saadiyat Island

Just seven minutes from downtown Abu Dhabi and 20 minutes from Abu Dhabi International Airport, the 27 square kilometre Saadiyat Island is undergoing a remarkable transformation into a world class leisure, residential, business and cultural hub of global proportions, housing the world's largest single concentration of premier cultural assets.

Al Maryah Island

Al Maryah Island is located in the northeastern part of Abu Dhabi. The center of the region is Sowwah Square, which has 40 firms and many business towers. This functional development combines work, retail, entertainment and paid work. This location still allows residents to get to Abu Dhabi International Airport in less than thirty minutes.

Fahid Island

Fahid Island is Abu Dhabi’s latest master-planned coastal destination, envisioned as a world-class residential and lifestyle hub. Set amidst pristine natural surroundings, this exclusive island offers an extraordinary blend of luxury, sustainability, and connectivity, making it a prime location for both discerning homeowners and strategic investors. Developed with a vision to redefine waterfront living, Fahid Island is being transformed into a vibrant and sustainable community featuring upscale residences, lush landscapes, private beaches, and premium amenities, all within minutes of the heart of Abu Dhabi.

Zayed City

Formerly known as Abu Dhabi Capital District, Zayed City (Khalifa City C) is the new project that will be built between Mohammed Bin Zayed City and Abu Dhabi International Airport. It will be a key centrepiece in the Plan 2030. Featuring a fully integrated transport system, the area will be served by high-speed rail service, regional rail connections and the metro railway.

Madinat Al Riyad

Madinat Al Riyad, also known as Zayed Military City, is a multifunctional district with an area of 8,000 hectares, located on the outskirts of Abu Dhabi. The community is close to Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Street, where one can get easy access to Sweihan Road (E20) and Al Ain Road. Among the areas which are situated nearby are Al Shamkhah, Al Shawamekh, Al Nahdah, Zayed Military City, Bani Yas and Al Falah.

Palm Jebel Ali

Exuding the utmost exclusivity and privacy, Palm Jebel Ali in Jebel Ali Free Zone is set to become Dubai's largest island. It is being developed by the award-winning Nakheel Properties, who created the iconic Palm Jumeirah, ever popular among the city's wealthy. In December 2024, the developer announced the construction of 5-7 bedrooms luxury villas at The Frond D on the right side of Palm Jebel Ali. The starting cost of these residences is AED 18.1M (USD 4.9M).

Palm Jumeirah

The popular man-made island Palm Jumeirah.

Al Qurm

The prestigious area of Al Qurm is surrounded by some of the most sought-after neighbourhoods in Abu Dhabi, including Zayed Sports City, Ministries Complex and Al Zahraa, among others.

Dubai

While there are a lot of residential complexes scattered across Dubai City, some of them are more popular than others due to a number of reasons. We are going to take a look at four of the most popular projects in the city.

Ghantoot Area

Ghantoot area is the place, which still keeps it's natural environment. Located within the emirate of Abu Dhabi, approximately equidistant between Dubai and Abu Dhabi cities, the area surrounded by the trees and greenery and looks different from other regions of the United Arab Emirates.

Nurai Island

Hailed as the Maldives of the UAE, Nurai Island is a beautiful natural island, located northeast of Abu Dhabi city center, near the northernmost tip of Saadiyat Island. The AED 3B (USD 816.7M) project was launched back in 2008 by Zaya Company and has since become one of the most exclusive private communities in the region, thanks to an array of limited-edition beachfront estates and boutique amenities.

Airport Street

Airport Street, also known as Airport Road or 2nd Street, is an area located on the mainland of Abu Dhabi that stretches across a big part of the emirate. The formal name of the area is Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum Street.

Khalifa Bin Zayed The First Street

Khalifa Bin Zayed The First Street, also known as Khalifa Street, is one of the many well-known areas in Abu Dhabi. The community is located on the emirate’s mainland, close to the Arabian Gulf and the famous Abu Dhabi Corniche Road.

Al Khalidiyah

Al Khalidiya is a well-maintained, safe and comfortable area in Abu Dhabi. The infrastructure is well developed here, there are many medical and educational institutions, catering establishments and attractions.

Al Shamkha

Al Shamkha is a popular area in Abu Dhabi which is currently under construction and development. The area plans to be completed soon, as it is part of the strategic 2030 vision for the emirate of Abu Dhabi. Strategically located away from the city, and closer to the industrial area of Mussafah, the residential community will house around 22,000 people, once completed.

Golf Gardens

Set amongst luscious verdant spaces, Golf Gardens is an upscale residential community in Khalifa City A, managed by the UAE’s largest listed developer, Aldar Properties. Initially, the AED 1B (USD 272.2M) project was launched back in 2008 by Sorouh Real Estate in collaboration with the Tourism Investment and Development Company (TDIC). Since then, Sorouh Real Estate and Aldar Properties completed an AED 9.3B (USD 2.5B) merger in 2013, and as a result, the residential community belongs solely to Aldar Properties’ real estate portfolio.

Mussafah

Mussafah is a mixed-use development that is located on the outskirts of the Emirati capital. In the 1970’s Mussafah was a small industrial area, but it has since been developed in the early 2000’s and has turned into a well-known economic zone with its own Mussafah Port which is used for trade. As of today, one can choose both residential and commercial properties to purchase or rent in Mussafah.

Yas Bay

Yas Bay Waterfront is a vibrant leisure and entertainment zone at the beating heart of the new Yas Bay development on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. It captures a sense of exuberance and passion for life and integrates the new Etihad Arena, 2 luxurious waterfront hotels, cafés and restaurants, and leisure and entertainment retail outlets, as well as a 3 km waterfront boardwalk, into one unique, exciting destination resort bordering the sparkling blue Arabian Gulf.

Abu Dhabi City

Buying off plan property is considered as one of best investments in UAE. This is because buyers can purchase properties with flexible payment plans and huge price difference compared to ready projects. Consequently, a lot of buyers are now buying off plan property for sale in Abu Dhabi

Marina Square

Marina Square offers a total of 3,440 residential units ranging from studios, one to four bedroom apartments and luxury villas that offer spectacular views of the marina and Abu Dhabi City Center.

Bloom Gardens

Bloom Gardens is a family-oriented closed community, made in the Mediterranean style. The residential neighbourhood is located in the central part of Abu Dhabi, near the world famous Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. The general developer of the project is one of the leading development companies of the UAE, which specializes in luxury real estate, Bloom Holding. The priorities of the developer include environmental friendliness, so Bloom Gardens fully complies with this concept.

Hamdan Street

Hamdan Street, also known as Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Street, is one of the central streets of Abu Dhabi which is 4km in length. It’s also considered the oldest area of the Emirati capital, which is also known for its shopping centers and premium properties. Here one can find 4 and 5-star hotels including Novel Hotel City Center, Al Maha Arjaan by Rotana and Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi.

Al Bateen

Al Bateen is a residential area located in Abu Dhabi, in the coastal area between Nareel Island and Al Karamah Island. The area has access to Sheikh Rashid Al Maktoum Road, which is one of the key highways of the emirate.

Al Raha Gardens

Situated opposite Al Raha Beach, with convenient access to the main Abu Dhabi highway and covering an area of over 1 million square metres, Al Raha Gardens provides residents with a quiet, safe and picturesque environment. Al Raha Gardens is the first freehold property development dedicated to UAE nationals in Abu Dhabi and the UAE.

Al Markaziya

Al Markaziya is one of the main areas in the center of Abu Dhabi, located in the downtown area of the city. Here residents and visitors can find a wide range of shopping centers, offices, educational institutions, clinics and hospitals, as well as entertainment activities.

Corniche Road

Corniche Road is a coastal area located in the northwestern part of Abu Dhabi, which stretches along 5.5mi of coastline. It is the home of the famous Corniche Embankment, which is one of the most popular tourist areas in the emirate. It offers a wide range of entertainment options and outdoor activities for visitors and residents. The Corniche Road area is close to the city centre and other popular districts, such as Yas Island, Saadiyat Island, and Al Khalidiya, which offer plenty of leisure facilities and cultural centres.

Gate City

Abu Dhabi Gate City is a suburban district at the Abu Dhabi's waterfront, previously called Officers City. The luxurious households are surrounded by renowned schools, landmarks, shopping centers, medical facilities and fine dinings. Due to its top-class facilities, such as private gardens and beaches, villas in the area are among the most sought-after properties in Abu Dhabi. Villas in Gate City include from two- to nine-bedroom configurations.

Khalifa city A

Khalifa City (formerly known as Khalifa City A) is a residential, master-planned community developed by Aldar Properties and located on the highway to Dubai, in 22 km from Abu Dhabi.

Masdar City

Our polluted ecosystem can no longer cope with all its natural mechanisms, and this is the fault of human actions. An example of the correct use of human forces, knowledge, and deeds. An example to follow all the cities of the planet and the very first eco-friendly city in the world to operate with zero carbon emissions, exclusively on alternative power sources. And while some cities are destroying the natural exoskeleton of the planet with their usual actions for mankind, Masdar City plans to become the main protagonist in the battle for an environmentally bright future.

Marina Island

Marina Island is an artificial island of about 1.7 square kilometers located in the Persian Gulf, in the northwest of Abu Dhabi. This mixed-use area, despite its small size, is among the most prestigious in the capital of the Emirates - and as an exclusive a place to live, and as a recreation and entertainment area.

Business Bay

Business Bay is a dynamic area that is not only the business center of the emirate, but also offers its residents and guests everything necessary for a comfortable life and recreation, including entertainment and world-class attractions.

Our Metropolitan Capital Real Estate team invites you to get acquainted with the current real estate market in Abu Dhabi, and learn about popular areas such as Yas Island, Masdar City and Al Raha, as well as other useful information.

Abu Dhabi is a capital region and the development strategy of "Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030" provides the formation of a favorable social and cultural environment as well as sustainable development and growth. At the same time, there are many real estate options in Abu Dhabi, from residential developments featuring budget-friendly small studios, to luxurious and spacious villas in resort areas, as well as commercial real estate, land plots and industrial projects in designated zones.

Our specialists will facilitate you during the process of choosing the best options for both purchases and rentals in various price segments, as well as finding a suitable property for investment.

Purchase of Real Estate by Foreign Citizens

Since 2019, expats can purchase properties in the UAE with 100% ownership in freehold areas, which are to be found in Abu Dhabi as well. These include Saadiyat Island, Yas Island, Masdar City, Al Raha Beach, Reem Island, Al Reef, Al Maryah Island and Al Shamkha, among others. It is worth noting that the list of these areas is updated from time to time. Since we are always aware of the latest news, we will provide the most recent information at the time of contact.

In other areas, expats may be granted the right to use real estate for a period of 99 years with a restriction on changing the property (Usufruct). It is also possible to obtain rights to real estate for up to 50 years under certain conditions, for example, for raising funds, renovating a project or building a plot (Musataha). This type of ownership is more relevant for large companies which are implementing industrial or other long-term investment projects.

Best Areas to Buy and Invest

When choosing an area of ​​residence in Abu Dhabi, you should keep in mind your place of work and the distance to social facilities, such as hospitals, schools, kindergartens and shops. Of course, you may have your own personal preferences – a sports club nearby for your child or a workshop where you can practice your favorite hobby. There are also buyers who pay special attention not just to comfort, but also to the level of luxury a residence provides, meanwhile for other end users the distance between their property and the city center or the beach is of great importance. Abu Dhabi boasts an extensive real estate portfolio and we will help you find the right option, review all the necessary details and arrange the paperwork.

When choosing residential property for investment, the help of professionals is rather essential, since with us you can:

  • Make a profitable deal in a short space of time.
  • Learn about new projects as soon as they are launched, as purchasing a unit at construction stage is considered the most profitable investment as successful developments sell out fast.

Demand for rental properties is growing in Abu Dhabi, which is due to the development of the emirate as well as the creation of jobs for young professionals and highly qualified expats. Currently, there are both premium resort complexes and affordable high-quality apartments being built all over Abu Dhabi. Investing in this type of real estate in order to rent it out is quite popular and is considered a safe long-term investment. This applies to the affordable and luxury property segment alike.

Abu Dhabi is developing in an integrated manner, and the flow of investors as well the expansion of science and technology sectors increase the demand, not only for residential properties but also for new retail spaces, offices and industrial buildings.

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We will call you back within an hour and also send you additional information by email
Your request has been received! Please wait for a manager to get back with you.
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