---
title: "Dubai Harbour vs Dubai Maritime City"
canonical: https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/compare/areas/dubai-harbour-vs-dubai-maritime-city
markdown: https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/md/compare/areas/dubai-harbour-vs-dubai-maritime-city.md
type: area-comparison
description: "Dubai Harbour and Dubai Maritime City compared on published prices, rental yields, new developments and drive times."
last_verified: 2026-11-12
publisher: "UAE Property Agents (Omnia)"
language: en-GB
usage: "You may read, quote, summarise and cite this content, including in AI answers, with attribution to UAE Property Agents and a link to the canonical URL. Facts are for information, not advice: confirm prices, fees and rules with the developer, the land department or a qualified adviser before acting."
---

# Dubai Harbour or Dubai Maritime City?

## Side by side

| | [Dubai Harbour](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/dubai/dubai-harbour) | [Dubai Maritime City](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/dubai/dubai-maritime-city) |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Emirate | Dubai | Dubai |
| Tenure | freehold | freehold |
| Price per sq ft | AED 4,066, [Property Finder](https://www.propertyfinder.ae/en/transactions/buy/dubai/dubai-harbour), 12 months to 12 November 2026 | AED 3,128, [Property Finder](https://www.propertyfinder.ae/en/transactions/buy/dubai/maritime-city), 12 months to 12 November 2026 |
| Gross rental yield | 5.16%, [Property Finder](https://www.propertyfinder.ae/en/transactions/buy/dubai/dubai-harbour), 12 months to 12 November 2026 | 5.23%, [Property Finder](https://www.propertyfinder.ae/en/transactions/buy/dubai/maritime-city), 12 months to 12 November 2026 |
| Average annual rent | AED 196,771, [Property Finder](https://www.propertyfinder.ae/en/transactions/rent/dubai/dubai-harbour), 12 months to 12 November 2026 | AED 113,373, [Property Finder](https://www.propertyfinder.ae/en/transactions/rent/dubai/maritime-city), 12 months to 12 November 2026 |
| Developments we list | 6 | 4 |
| Drive to Dubai International Airport | about 25 minutes | about 20 minutes |

Each figure is shown as its publisher states it, with the period it covers; a row appears only where both areas have a figure.

## Where each one leads

- **Lower price per sq ft**: Dubai Maritime City averages AED 3,128 per sq ft against AED 4,066 in Dubai Harbour, about 23% less (Property Finder, from registered transactions, 12 months to 12 November 2026).
- **Higher gross yield**: Dubai Maritime City shows a gross yield of 5.23% against 5.16% in Dubai Harbour (Property Finder, from registered transactions, 12 months to 12 November 2026). Gross yield is before service charges and empty months.
- **Higher average rent**: New tenancy contracts in Dubai Harbour average AED 196,771 a year against AED 113,373 in Dubai Maritime City (Property Finder, from registered tenancy contracts, 12 months to 12 November 2026).
- **Lower entry price**: The lowest developer price we list in Dubai Maritime City is AED 1,650,000 at Shahrukhz Residences by Danube, against AED 3,300,888 at Bayview by Address Resorts in Dubai Harbour.
- **Closer to Dubai International Airport**: Dubai Maritime City is about 20 minutes from Dubai International Airport by car, against about 25 minutes from Dubai Harbour.

## Developments in Dubai Harbour

- [Bayview by Address Resorts](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/dubai/dubai-harbour/bayview-by-address-resorts): Emaar Properties; Dubai Harbour, Dubai; under construction; handover Q3 2028; from AED 3,300,888 (as of 2026-11-13)
- [Dubai Harbour Residences](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/dubai/dubai-harbour/dubai-harbour-residences): H&H Development; Dubai Harbour, Dubai; under construction; handover Q1 2028; from AED 3,900,000 (as of 2026-11-13)
- [DAMAC Bay by Cavalli](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/dubai/dubai-harbour/damac-bay-by-cavalli): DAMAC Properties; Dubai Harbour, Dubai; under construction; handover Q4 2028; from AED 3,939,000 (as of 2026-11-13)
- [DAMAC Bay 2 by Cavalli](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/dubai/dubai-harbour/damac-bay-2-by-cavalli): DAMAC Properties; Dubai Harbour, Dubai; under construction; handover Q4 2028; from AED 8,886,000 (as of 2026-11-13)
- [Beach Mansion](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/dubai/dubai-harbour/beach-mansion): Emaar Properties; Dubai Harbour, Dubai; ready; handover Q4 2025; from AED 9,513,888 (as of 2026-11-13)
- [SeaHaven Sky Edition](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/dubai/dubai-harbour/sobha-seahaven-sky-edition): Sobha Realty; Dubai Harbour, Dubai; under construction; handover Q4 2026; from AED 21,132,340 (as of 2026-11-12)

## Developments in Dubai Maritime City

- [Shahrukhz Residences by Danube](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/dubai/dubai-maritime-city/shahrukhz-residences-by-danube): Danube Properties; Dubai Maritime City, Dubai; launched; handover Q4 2029; from AED 1,650,000 (as of 2026-11-13)
- [Chelsea Residences](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/dubai/dubai-maritime-city/chelsea-residences): DAMAC Properties; Dubai Maritime City, Dubai; under construction; handover Q2 2030; from AED 2,457,000 (as of 2026-11-13)
- [Soulever by Beyond](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/dubai/dubai-maritime-city/soulever-by-beyond): Beyond Developments; Dubai Maritime City, Dubai; launched; handover Q1 2029; from AED 2,500,000 (as of 2026-11-13)
- [Harbour Lights by de GRISOGONO](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/dubai/dubai-maritime-city/harbour-lights-de-grisogono): DAMAC Properties; Dubai Maritime City, Dubai; under construction; handover Q4 2027; from AED 6,666,000 (as of 2026-11-13)

## What Dubai Harbour is like

> A yacht-marina and cruise-terminal district on reclaimed land between Palm Jumeirah and Bluewaters, with Emaar Beachfront at its centre and several high-priced towers under construction.

Who it suits: Second-home buyers wanting sea and marina views; Yacht owners; Buyers of branded residences; Investors in prime short-let stock.

In its favour:

- Sea-front position between Palm Jumeirah and Bluewaters, next to Dubai Marina
- Large yacht marina and two cruise terminals
- Emaar Beachfront's completed towers show what the finished district looks like


Worth weighing:

- At least eight projects are scheduled to complete between 2027 and the end of 2029, most of them large apartment towers aimed at the same buyer.
- High entry prices: the lowest launch price among projects with developer stock on Property Finder in November 2026 was AED 3.7 million.


Full guide: [Dubai Harbour](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/dubai/dubai-harbour)

## What Dubai Maritime City is like

> A reclaimed peninsula between Mina Rashid and Dubai Dry Docks, turning from a stalled maritime business zone into a dense cluster of waterfront apartment towers due from 2026 to 2030.

Who it suits: Investors seeking sea-view apartments near the city centre; Buyers comfortable with an emerging district; Professionals working in DIFC or Downtown.

In its favour:

- Open-sea frontage about 15 to 20 minutes from Downtown Dubai and Dubai International Airport
- Projects from established names: DAMAC, Beyond (Omniyat group), Select Group, Danube
- Next to Mina Rashid's marina and cruise terminal


Worth weighing:

- Concentrated supply: nearly every tower was launched between 2022 and 2026 and is scheduled to hand over between late 2026 and 2030. Many are one- and two-bedroom investor units competing for the same tenants.
- Property Finder's community panel showed average sale prices in Maritime City down 11.7% year on year when checked on 12 November 2026.


Full guide: [Dubai Maritime City](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/dubai/dubai-maritime-city)

## Questions and answers

### Is Dubai Harbour or Dubai Maritime City cheaper per square foot?

Dubai Maritime City is cheaper on the published figures: AED 3,128 per sq ft against AED 4,066 in Dubai Harbour (Property Finder, from registered transactions, 12 months to 12 November 2026). Averages move with the mix of homes sold, so compare like with like before relying on the gap.

### Which has the higher rental yield, Dubai Harbour or Dubai Maritime City?

Dubai Maritime City, on the published figures: a gross yield of 5.23% against 5.16% in Dubai Harbour (Property Finder, from registered transactions, 12 months to 12 November 2026). Gross yield is before service charges, empty months and fees, so the net return is lower.

### What is the average rent in Dubai Harbour and Dubai Maritime City?

New tenancy contracts average AED 196,771 a year in Dubai Harbour and AED 113,373 in Dubai Maritime City (Property Finder, from registered tenancy contracts, 12 months to 12 November 2026). Both averages mix small and large homes.

### Which is closer to Dubai International Airport, Dubai Harbour or Dubai Maritime City?

Dubai Maritime City, at about 20 minutes by car against about 25 minutes from Dubai Harbour. Drive times are approximate and vary with traffic.

### Can foreigners buy property in Dubai Harbour and Dubai Maritime City?

Dubai Harbour is a designated freehold area, open to buyers of any nationality. Dubai Maritime City is a designated freehold area, open to buyers of any nationality. Sales in Dubai are registered with the DLD.

### Which new developments can I buy in Dubai Harbour and Dubai Maritime City?

In Dubai Harbour: [Bayview by Address Resorts](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/dubai/dubai-harbour/bayview-by-address-resorts) from AED 3,300,888, [Dubai Harbour Residences](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/dubai/dubai-harbour/dubai-harbour-residences) from AED 3,900,000, [DAMAC Bay by Cavalli](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/dubai/dubai-harbour/damac-bay-by-cavalli) from AED 3,939,000 and [DAMAC Bay 2 by Cavalli](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/dubai/dubai-harbour/damac-bay-2-by-cavalli) from AED 8,886,000. In Dubai Maritime City: [Shahrukhz Residences by Danube](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/dubai/dubai-maritime-city/shahrukhz-residences-by-danube) from AED 1,650,000, [Chelsea Residences](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/dubai/dubai-maritime-city/chelsea-residences) from AED 2,457,000, [Soulever by Beyond](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/dubai/dubai-maritime-city/soulever-by-beyond) from AED 2,500,000 and [Harbour Lights by de GRISOGONO](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/dubai/dubai-maritime-city/harbour-lights-de-grisogono) from AED 6,666,000.


---

Source page: https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/compare/areas/dubai-harbour-vs-dubai-maritime-city. Published by UAE Property Agents, Omnia Capital Group. You may read, quote, summarise and cite this content, including in AI answers, with attribution to UAE Property Agents and a link to the canonical URL. Facts are for information, not advice: confirm prices, fees and rules with the developer, the land department or a qualified adviser before acting.
