Living in Al Zeina has become a dream of many Abu Dhabi residents due to its vibrant lifestyle and prime beachfront location. Set among serene public squares and sheltered walkways, it offers a wide range of modern apartments, townhouses and beach villas.
The community also offers a safe and tranquil environment, perfect for families and individuals. This article dives into all the necessary information you need to know about Al Zeina, including its pros and cons.
Al Zeina – Overview
Al Zeina is a mixed-use development by Aldar and a part of the renowned Al Raha Beach master development. Located at the eastern end of Al Raha Beach, it is near many popular tourist attractions in Abu Dhabi.
For instance, Yas Island, Ferrari World and Saadiyat Island are located just a few minutes away. The community is divided into seven precincts and features 1,221 units, including townhouses, apartments, podiums and sky villas.
Al Zeina is also a top choice for purchasing property, as it features a lush green landscape with stunning beachfront views. Due to this, it is also known as the Garden City of Abu Dhabi.
Pros of Living in Al Zeina, Abu Dhabi
Let’s explore the benefits and features of living in Al Zeina:
1. Housing Options in Al Zeina
Being one of the top freehold areas in Abu Dhabi, buying a property in Al Zeina allows 100% ownership to the buyer. Divided into seven precincts, the living options here include 119 townhouses, 973 apartments and over 150 podium and sky villas.
Property types range from 1 to 4-bedroom apartments, 4 to 5-bedroom townhouses and 4 to 7-bedroom villas with private courtyards and swimming pools. These residential buildings are divided into blocks A to F, with the villas offering stunning views of Yas Island along a 500-metre private sandy beach.
2. Strategic Location
Location plays an important role when deciding to buy or rent a property in the UAE. All buyers or renters would want the necessary amenities, services, and attractions near their living place.
There you go. Al Zeina is situated on the prestigious Al Raha Beach (3 minutes away), offering convenient access to the top attractions of Abu Dhabi. For example:
- It is located near Yas Island, where residents can easily visit Ferrari World and Yas Waterworld – 5 minutes away.
- Abu Dhabi International Airport is a 9-minute drive from Al Zeina.
- Saadiyat Island’s cultural and recreational sites are also close by, only 20 minutes away.
- The community is also well-connected to major roads and highways, ensuring smooth travel to other Emirates. Dubai is only 69-70 minutes away from the community.
3. Public Transportation and Connectivity
Al Zeina features numerous apartments and bungalows, each with designated parking, thus limiting the public parking spaces. Most residents and tourists rely on taxis or private cabs, while some opt for bikes for easier transport within the area.
Common routes of Abu Dhabi buses for Al Zeina include:
- 218: Abattoir – Al Zeina Stop 16024
- 162: Terminal 1 – Etihad Airways Office
4. Educational Facilities
There are many reputable educational institutions located in Al Zeina, making it an ideal place to invest in or rent a property. In addition to government schools, private institutions here also provide quality education. The popular ones nearby include:
- Horizon Private School
- Ryan International School
- Al Shohub School
- Coastal Safety International
- Crescent International School
- Atelier Sarah AlSenaani
- Yellow Submarine Nursery
- Odyssey Nursery
- Kids Academy Etihad Nursery
5. Healthcare Facilities
Al Zeina has a strong network of healthcare facilities, with several nearby hospitals and clinics for general and specialised care. The doctors are well-qualified, and basic healthcare services are available free of charge. For instance:
- Burjeel Medical Centre, Al Zeina
- Kaya Skin Clinic
- Etihad Airways Medical Centre
- Cosmedics Skin and Laser Clinic
- Health Plus Family Clinic
6. Lifestyle and Essential Amenities
While living in Al Zeina, you can find amenities like:
Shopping
While the shopping malls are yet to be made in Al Zeina, residents have easy access to popular malls nearby. For instance,
- Yas Mall, located just 12 minutes away, offers international brands, dining options, and a 20-screen cinema.
- Additionally, Xpressions Style and My City Centre Masdar are just a 7-minute drive away. They provide diverse shopping choices for all.
Restaurants and Cafes
Al Zeina offers an excellent fine dining experience in Abu Dhabi for food lovers. With restaurants serving local Arabic cuisine, international dishes and fresh seafood in Abu Dhabi, there is something for every taste preference.
As demand has grown, cafes, bars, and coffee shops have also emerged around the city center. Here are some popular restaurants to visit during your stay in Al Zeina:
- Dolmabache Restaurant
- Andiamo Bistro
- Andiano Italiana Cucina
- Dandana Gourmet Restaurant
- TIKI Pacifico | Dining & Lounge
- The Keg Room
- Sea Swell Cafeteria
- Nando’s
Supermarkets
For daily essentials, residents can easily stock up at community supermarkets such as:
- Waitrose: just a 2-minute drive away. (Open 24 hours)
- Spinneys and Carrefour Market: located 7 minutes away.
- Souq Planet, Etihad Plaza, and another Carrefour branch are all accessible within a 10-minute drive from Al Zeina.
Places of Worship
Al Zinea is a multi-cultural community, with many places of worship located in the vicinity of different religious backgrounds. Though the Muslim community is the majority here, you will find multiple mosques in the area. For instance:
- Mosque Masdar
- Albasit Mosque
- BAPS Hindu Mandir
- New Gurudwara Abu Dhabi
- New Life Church
There are also many beautiful mosques in Abu Dhabi, located just a 10-15 minute drive away from Al Zeina. For example, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is just 15 minutes away from the community and is a must-visit!
Other amenities in Al Zenia include
- Lush green parks and landscapes
- Library and reading rooms
- Private 500-metre sandy beaches
- Swimming pools
- Childcare centres
- Gymnasiums/Fitness Centres
- Salons and Spas
7. Nearby Attractions
One of the best green flags for living in Al Zenia is its proximity to the best attractions and things to do in Abu Dhabi. The easiest task here is to plan a fun-filled day for your family and friends while you live in the community.
Here are some popular attractions you can explore nearby:
- Abu Dhabi Desert Safari
- Sightseeing at Abu Dhabi City Centre
- Visit the Grand Mosque and Palace
- Explore Yas Island
- Visit Bandar Marina for watersport activities like waterskiing, wakeboarding and fishing.
- Experience thrill and adventure at the Ferrari World
- Connect with history at the Cultural Heritage Tour in Abu Dhabi
- Splash at the Yas Waterworld
Cons of Living in Al Zenia, Abu Dhabi
There are tons of benefits to choosing Al Zenia as your new home in Abu Dhabi. However, there are also some areas of improvement that will make the city an even better choice to consider.
1. Limited Commercial Properties
Al Zeina has limited commercial properties like hotels, which may be inconvenient for visitors or residents looking for local accommodations. There are only two hotels in the area that, too, are slightly costly, for example:
- Al Raha Hotel
- Ibis Abu Dhabi Gate
- Park Inn by Radisson Blu
2. Lack of Activities
There are fewer recreational activities within Al Zeina itself. It requires residents to travel to nearby areas for entertainment.
3. Malls
While there are shopping options nearby, the lack of large malls within Al Zeina may limit convenience for residents.
4. Local Transport
Public transport options are sparse, with only a few bus stops. This makes private vehicles or taxis the primary means of travel, thus leading to higher fares.
FAQs
Most leisure activities for Al Zeina residents involve visiting Yas Beach, Yas Mall and nearby restaurants. You can also visit Bandar Marina, where you can enjoy activities like watersports, such as wakeboarding, waterskiing and fishing.
Al Zeina is a freehold area located on the eastern end of Al Raha Beach, offering private access to a 500-metre sandy beach area.
With all these major pros and minor cons of living in Al Zenia, Abu Dhabi, it offers both a pleasant living experience and solid investment potential. A stable real estate market and continuous development in the area offer diverse living options to different preferences.
Meanwhile, when deciding where to live, you can also look at this cost of living in Abu Dhabi’s guide to make a wise, well-informed decision.
