Welcome to our Living in Al Dhafra Guide. Up to 2017, the region presently known as Al Dhafra was known as Al Gharbia, or Western Region. Al Dhafra, which translates to “where the desert meets the sea,” has hundreds of kilometres of gorgeous beaches and islands along its shores. It is one of Abu Dhabi’s three principal municipal regions. The region is mostly recognised for its reserves of oil, gas, and petroleum. The Al Dhafra Air Base is located there as well.
Overview of Living in Al Dhafra
So, let us have a quick overview before diving into the details of Al Dhafra. First, it is actually known as the “Western Region.” Moreover, it is one of the three major municipal zones that make up the emirate of Abu Dhabi. In addition to that, it is an area in the UAE that is quite rich with natural resources and assets.
Furthermore, this location actually holds the Al Dhafra Air Base. Lastly, it is quite known as the largest area in the emirate. So, with all of that said and done, let us now get to all of the good pros. We will highlight all the stuff that makes this place stand out.
Pros of Living in Al Dhafra
Al Dhafra City, a somewhat isolated development in Abu Dhabi, makes up the UAE’s western area. With 71% of the emirate’s total size, it is regarded as the largest area. It does, however, have the lowest population density.
Gas and petroleum are the primary natural resources of Al Dhafra Abu Dhabi, while the residential area is still underdeveloped. More significantly, about 90% of the nation’s hydrocarbon reserves are found in Al Dhafra city.
Prime Location
Moreover, the Western Region’s capital is Madinat Zayed. It serves as both the community’s administrative hub and major town. Liwa is an enormous oasis with lots of recreational opportunities, while Al Ruwais is primarily an industrial development. Al Gharbia also comprises the island of Dalma, which has about twenty archaeological monuments. In addition, Al Dhafra 1 is a low-density residential development in Al Dhafra, Abu Dhabi. Furthermore, see the Al Dhafra location map below.
Various Residential Options
Al Dhafrah doesn’t have a large number of residential properties. The majority of the region is used for leisure or tourism. However, there are other places where businesses are located. While there are a variety of apartment structures in Al Dhafra Abu Dhabi UAE, villas make up the majority of the area. The majority of the properties in the Western Region of Al Gharbia are owned by investors and corporations and are used for staff housing.
Ample Parking and Easy Transportation
Numerous major routes around Al Dhafrah, including the Abu Dhabi – Liwa Road (E65) to the west, the Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan International Road (E11) to the north, and the Abu Dhabi – Al Ain Truck Road to the northeast. To the south of the district are several minor thoroughfares. It is advised that the Al Dhafrah people own private vehicles. In Al Dhafrah, a lot of residential buildings have parking places designated for them.
A Wide Array of Amenities
What’s more, this community offers an array of benefits! Check out the amenities below.
Healthcare Establishments
The area has more than one Al Dhafra hospital along with speciality clinics, most of which are located in affluent areas like Madinat Zayed. Al Bustan Specialty Hospital and NMC Royal Family Medical Centre are accessible to those who live nearby.
- Al Bustan Specialty Hospital
- Location: Mohamed Bin Zayed City, ME-10
- Working Hours: 24/7
- Contact Details: +971 2 615 1515
- NMC Royal Family Medical Centre
- Location: First and second floor, Prestige Tower 17, 79th Street, Next to Capital Mall, Mohamed Bin Zayed City
- Working Hours:
- 8:00 AM to 11:00 PM (Sunday to Friday)
- 8:00 to 6:00 PM (Saturday)
- Contact Details: +971 2 691 1500
Schools
As with any developed area, Al Dhafra is full of many schools. These schools cover all years and many curricula. Moreover, there are many suitable options for any price range and budget. So, parents can easily feel secure in knowing that their kid’s education is in good hands. See some of these schools below:
- Al Dhafra Private School
- Location: Mohammed Bin Zayed City, Shabiya 9
- Working Hours:
- 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM (Monday to Thursday)
- 7:00 to 12:00 PM (Friday)
- Contact Details: +971 2 610 8400
- Abu Dhabi International Private School
- Location: Near Al Ain University، Mohammed Bin Zayed City
- Working Hours:
- 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM (Monday to Thursday)
- 8:00 to 12:00 PM (Friday)
- Contact Details: +971 2 205 7999
- The Cambridge High School
- Location: Shabia 9, Mohammed Bin Zayed City, Near Safeer Mall, Mussafah, Near Safeer Mall, Mohamed Bin Zayed City, ME 9
- Working Hours:
- 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM (Monday to Thursday)
- 7:30 to 12:00 PM (Friday)
- Contact Details: +971 2 552 1621
Supermarkets
Al Dhafra Abu Dhabi has a few small shops and groceries. These local service providers cater to the locals with all that they may need. So, see some of these options below:
- Al Maya Supermarket
- Location: Citi Mall
- Working Hours: 24/7
- Contact Details: +971 2 884 0410
- Greenpeace Supermarket
- Location: Al Bihouth, Hameem Worker City
- Working Hours: 7:00 AM to 11:30 PM (Daily)
- Contact Details: +971 56 240 7131
- AL Dhafra Mall LuLu Hypermarket
- Location: Baynounah
Gyms
In addition, there are several gyms in the neighbourhood catering to people who want to take care of their health. If you identify as one of those persons, you can look into some of the choices listed below:
- Wellfit Gym
- Location: 183 Al Dhafra Road, Zayed City
- Working Hours: 5:00 AM to 11:00 PM (Saturday to Thursday)
- Al Dhafra Gym
- Location: near Al Aran Street
- Working Hours: 9:30 AM to 12:00 AM (Saturday to Thursday)
- Contact Details: +971 50 825 0558
- Fit Factory
- Location: Zayed City
- Contact Details: +971 54 729 7331
Al Dhafra Hotel List
As it is, this area is covering such a huge portion of the emirate in terms of population. Hence, it is natural given that so many hotels would be in the area as well. So, check out some of the hotel options listed for you below:
- Al Dhafra Beach Hotel
- Location: Jabal Az Zannah, Road, Al Sila
- Hotel Star Rating: 3 Stars
- Contact Details: +971 2 801 2000
- Premier Inn Abu Dhabi Airport (Business Park) Hotel
- Location: ADAFZ Zayed International Airport, Business Park, Airport Free Zone
- Hotel Star Rating: 3 Stars
- Contact Details: +971 4 521 9265
- Western Hotel – Madinat Zayed
- Location: Madinat Zayed
- Hotel Star Rating: 4 Stars
- Contact Details: +971 2 801 7777
Entertaining Attractions
Al Dhafra area, which encompasses nearly two-thirds of the emirate, is nothing short of a monument. Also, it only takes about fifteen to seventeen minutes to get there from Abu Dhabi’s centre. So, you may want to stop by and just soak in all of the attractions that this place has to offer!
With that said, the most well-liked activities in Al Dhafra are those that take place outside. This includes the Al Dhafra shooting club among other things. On the other hand, there are things to do in the area to suit all tastes. So, without further ado, please check some of those things to do out now below:
- Emirates National Auto Museum
- Location: South of Abu Dhabi – Hameem Road
- Working Hours: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (Wednesday to Monday)
- Contact Details: +971 50 279 2620
- Liwa Desert Safari
- Location: Khalidiya Tower, Al Hisn
- Working Hours: 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM (Daily)
- Contact Details: +971 55 484 2001
- Moreeb Dune
- Location: Liwa Oasis
- Working Hours: 24/7
- Contact Details: +971 2 884 0400
Malls
As it were, there are not that many shopping centres in the Al Dhafra region because the neighbourhood is still growing. Though, Madinat Zayed is home to a few stores and malls, notably Madinat Zayed Shopping Centre. This is one of Abu Dhabi’s oldest shopping centres. See more malls below, as well as the details of this mall:
- Madinat Zayed Shopping Centre
- Location: Sultan Bin Zayed The First Street, Al Danah – Zone 1
- Working Hours:
- 9:00 AM to 11:00 PM (Monday to Thursday)
- 9:00 AM to 12:00 AM (Friday to Sunday)
- Contact Details: +971 2 633 3311
- Al Dhafra Mall Abu Dhabi
- Location: Zayed City
- Working Hours: 8:00 AM to 12:00 AM (Daily)
- Contact Details: +971 2 888 1133
- Al Dhafra Walk
- Location: Liwa, Tarif Road, Zayed City
- Working Hours: 8:00 AM to 1:00 AM (Daily)
- Contact Details: +971 50 140 3104
Restaurants
Moreover, this is a great town for foodies, with lots of delectable options to choose from. So, take your pick from the variety this place has to offer. Thus, we have made an Al Dhafra restaurant list. Check some of those offerings out below:
- Shake Shack
- Location: Inside Family Park, Corniche Road, Al Khalidiya
- Top Dishes:
- ShackBurger
- Classic Shake
- Rating: 3.7
- Working Hours: 12:30 AM to 12:00 AM (Daily)
- Contact Details: +971 2 492 6866
- Al Dhafra Restaurant
- Location: Near Youth Hub, Heritage Park, Mina Street, Tourist Club Area (Al Zahiyah), Abu Dhabi
- Top Dishes:
- Lamb Biryani
- Thareed Meat
- Rating: 3.2
- Working Hours: 12:30 AM to 11:00 PM (Daily)
- Contact Details: +971 2 673 2200
- Royal Smiley Cafeteria
- Location: Al Dhafra Region, Al Saraya Street, Zayed City
- Working Hours: 11:15 AM to 3:00 AM (Daily)
- Contact Details: +971 2 885 0999
Beaches
In Al Dhafra, there are some picturesque beaches surrounded by lovely scenery along the shoreline. These beaches are one of the main tourist attractions and a town favourite for the locals as well! So, see our list of these beaches we have placed for you below:
- Hameem Beach
- Al Mirfa Beach
- Shuweihat Island
Cons of Living in Al Dhafra
Like many areas, the area is not perfect. In fact, there is no such thing as a perfect place. Though Al Dhafra is quite a great sub-community for anyone looking to rent reasonably priced flats, Al Dhafra. Nevertheless, with that and all of the above in mind, there are certain drawbacks to living in Al Dhafra. These include the following listed below:
Noise Pollution
Zayed City is full of noise pollutants in and of itself. So, it goes without saying that the area of Al Dhafra has caught that noise pollution in its air. Thus, be cautious of this point when moving or visiting there.
Heavy Traffic
The traffic situation, as well as the above, is not that great either in the city. So, we would also like to point out that one should take heed and pay attention to these details. In other words, if you hate traffic, then the city is not for you.
FAQs
The distance is roughly twelve minutes without traffic.
Around 147 kilometres separate Al Dhafra and Dubai on the route. It will take approximately one hour and forty minutes to go to the Dubai International Airport by car.
Yes, Living in Al Dhafra is suitable for families, offering a range of residential options and amenities such as schools, parks, supermarkets, and healthcare facilities, making it a convenient and comfortable place to live.
The timings depend on the day and are not stable.
That concludes our Living in Al Dhafra guide! We are quite happy that you have read our post through to the very end. We are also very pleased that you have chosen to use Property Finder to explore the limitless options in Al Dhafra. In order to be informed about anything about the UAE, be sure to continue reading our blog. Head over to Property Finder right now and check out our many articles. This includes Madinat Zayed Shopping Centre, which is the best retail destination. It also includes All You Need to Know About Sheikh Zayed Road.
