ABOUT WAFI CITY DUBAI
Wafi City is a landmark mixed-use development in Oud Metha, Dubai, combining retail, dining, hospitality, residences, wellness and entertainment in one destination. It opened in 1991 as one of Dubai's first major shopping destinations and is recognised for its distinctive Ancient Egyptian-inspired architecture, including pyramids, pharaoh motifs and columns inspired by Karnak. The development is located on Oud Metha Road and is well connected to central Dubai. It is around 10 minutes from Dubai International Airport and Sheikh Zayed Road, while Dubai Healthcare City Metro Station is within walking distance.
IN A NUTSHELL
- Landmark mixed-use development in Oud Metha
- Opened in 1991
- Ancient Egyptian-inspired architecture
- Wafi Mall with more than 250 stores
- Wafi Residence offers luxury apartments
- Raffles Dubai and Sofitel Dubai The Obelisk are located within the development
- Khan Murjan Souk, restaurants, spa and wellness facilities
- Pharaohs' Club with fitness and sports facilities
- More than 2,500 covered parking spaces
- Dubai Healthcare City Metro Station is about a 5-minute walk away
COMMUNITY OVERVIEW
Wafi City is more than a shopping centre, with a combination of residential, hospitality, retail, dining and wellness facilities. The development's architecture gives the destination a distinctive identity, while its central Oud Metha location provides convenient access to Dubai Healthcare City, Bur Dubai, Downtown Dubai and Dubai International Airport.
The destination includes Wafi Mall, Khan Murjan Souk, Wafi Residence, Raffles Dubai, Sofitel Dubai The Obelisk, Cleopatra's Spa & Wellness and Pharaohs' Club. The retail destination currently has more than 250 stores, while restaurants cover a range of international cuisines.
PROPERTIES IN WAFI CITY
Residential accommodation within Wafi City is centred on Wafi Residence, an established luxury apartment building in the development. The building has furnished apartments on levels 1 to 3 and unfurnished apartments from levels 4 to 10, along with offices on the ground and mezzanine floors. Wafi Residence has been operating since 1995. The wider Oud Metha and Dubai Healthcare City surroundings also provide additional apartment communities, giving residents a broad choice of residential options within a short drive or walk of Wafi City.
RENTAL TRENDS IN WAFI CITY DUBAI
- Studio apartments average around AED 63,000 annually
- 1-bedroom apartments average around AED 95,000 annually
- 2-bedroom apartments average around AED 140,000 annually
- 3-bedroom apartments average around AED 180,000 annually
SALES TRENDS IN WAFI CITY DUBAI
- Studio apartments average around AED 725,000
- 1-bedroom apartments average around AED 1.3M
- 2-bedroom apartments average around AED 2.3M
- 3-bedroom apartments average around AED 3.0M
POPULAR BUILDINGS & DEVELOPMENTS IN WAFI CITY DUBAI
Wafi City includes several distinctive hospitality and residential components:
- Wafi Residence: Luxury residential building with furnished and unfurnished apartments.
- Raffles Dubai: Luxury hotel located within the Wafi City development.
- Sofitel Dubai The Obelisk: Five-star hotel combining French hospitality with the destination's Ancient Egyptian theme.
- Wafi Mall: The principal retail destination with more than 250 stores.
- Khan Murjan Souk: Traditional-style marketplace inspired by a 14th-century souk in Baghdad.
- Wafi Health Club & Spa: Includes Cleopatra's Spa & Wellness and Pharaohs' Club.
TRANSPORTATION AND PARKING SPACES IN WAFI CITY DUBAI
Wafi City is well positioned for road travel, with access from Oud Metha Road and nearby major routes. Dubai International Airport and Sheikh Zayed Road are approximately 10 minutes away under normal traffic conditions. The development provides more than 2,500 covered parking spaces, with direct access to the entrances. Valet parking is also available at the main entrances, while dedicated accessible parking spaces are provided for visitors with disabilities.
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION NEAR WAFI CITY DUBAI
Public transport is one of Wafi City's advantages compared with many suburban communities.
- Dubai Healthcare City Metro Station: approximately 5 minutes on foot
- Wafi City bus stop: approximately 7 minutes on foot
- Wafi Residences bus stop: approximately 6 minutes on foot
- Bus routes serving the area include 32C, 44, C04, C4, E16 and X23.
MOSQUES IN WAFI CITY DUBAI
Prayer rooms for men and women are available within Wafi City. Additional mosques are located throughout nearby Oud Metha.
- Oud Metha Mosque: approximately 5 minutes by car
- Al Nasr Club Mosque: approximately 5 minutes by car
- Masjid Al Waldean: approximately 5 minutes by car
OTHER PLACES OF WORSHIP NEAR WAFI CITY DUBAI
Oud Metha is close to one of Dubai's largest concentrations of churches and other places of worship.
- Christian Fellowship Church Dubai: approximately 5 minutes
- Immanuel Assemblies of God Church: approximately 5 minutes
- The Dubai City Church: approximately 5 minutes
- St. Mary's Catholic Church: approximately 6 minutes
- Nearby Hindu temples in Bur Dubai: approximately 10 minutes
NURSERIES AND SCHOOLS NEAR WAFI CITY DUBAI
Wafi City benefits from the established educational infrastructure of Oud Metha, with several schools within a short drive.
Nurseries near Wafi City:
- Kinderville Nursery: approximately 5–10 minutes
- Chubby Cheeks Nursery: accessible from the surrounding Bur Dubai area
- Other nursery options are available in Oud Metha and Dubai Healthcare City.
Schools near Wafi City:
- Lycee Francais International Georges Pompidou School: approximately 5–10 minutes
- Dubai English Speaking School: approximately 5–10 minutes
- The Indian High School: approximately 5–10 minutes
- Dubai Gem Private School: approximately 5–10 minutes
- St. Mary Catholic High School: approximately 5–10 minutes
- Al Rashid Al Saleh Private School: approximately 5 minutes
The area also provides access to schools following French, British, Indian and Ministry of Education curricula.
CLINICS AND HOSPITALS NEAR WAFI CITY DUBAI
Wafi City's location next to Dubai Healthcare City provides residents with extensive healthcare options.
- American Hospital Dubai: approximately 5–10 minutes
- Mediclinic City Hospital: approximately 5–10 minutes
- Emirates Specialty Hospital: approximately 5–10 minutes
- Al Jalila Children's Specialty Hospital: approximately 5–10 minutes
- Rashid Hospital: approximately 10 minutes
American Hospital Dubai's main facility is located on 19th Street in Oud Metha, while Dubai Healthcare City contains numerous specialist clinics and hospitals.
MALLS NEAR WAFI CITY DUBAI
Wafi City itself contains Wafi Mall, making shopping particularly convenient for residents. Other major retail destinations are also accessible:
- Wafi Mall: within the development
- Dubai Mall: approximately 12–15 minutes
- Dubai Festival City Mall: approximately 10–15 minutes
- BurJuman: approximately 10 minutes
- City Centre Deira: approximately 10–15 minutes
Wafi Mall itself has more than 250 stores, including fashion, jewellery, homeware, beauty and specialty retailers, as well as Carrefour and Khan Murjan Souk.
LEISURE ACTIVITIES AND NOTABLE LANDMARKS
Residents have a wide range of leisure attractions within Wafi City and the surrounding central Dubai districts.
- Khan Murjan Souk
- Wafi Mall
- Raffles Dubai
- Sofitel Dubai The Obelisk
- Cleopatra's Spa & Wellness
- Pharaohs' Club
- Dubai Dolphinarium
- Dubai Creek
- Dubai Garden Glow
- Dubai Mall and Burj Khalifa
Wafi City's own facilities provide shopping, restaurants, entertainment, wellness and fitness options without requiring residents to travel far.
OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
Wafi City is primarily an urban mixed-use destination rather than a villa-style community with large outdoor parks. Residents can nevertheless access several recreational facilities within and around the development.
- Swimming pool
- Tennis courts
- Squash courts
- Fitness facilities
- Outdoor leisure areas
- Dubai Creek waterfront and parks nearby
- Dubai Dolphinarium and Creek Park in the surrounding area
Pharaohs' Club includes a temperature-controlled pool, tennis and squash facilities, while the wider area provides access to Dubai Creek and other outdoor destinations.
FITNESS & BEAUTY
Fitness and wellness are major components of Wafi City's lifestyle offering. Pharaohs' Club provides gym facilities, cardio and weight-training equipment, tennis and squash courts, a swimming pool and fitness classes. Cleopatra's Spa & Wellness provides separate facilities for men and women. Current published timings are 9am to 9pm for the female spa and 10am to 9pm for the male spa. Pharaohs' Club operates from 6am to 11pm Sunday to Thursday, 6am to 9pm on Friday and 9am to 9pm on Saturday.
FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS / REAL ESTATE OUTLOOK
- Wafi City remains an established mixed-use destination rather than a new master-planned residential community.
- Continued retail, hospitality, dining and entertainment activations support its position as a lifestyle destination.
- Wafi City continues to introduce new retail and entertainment concepts within the existing development.
- The central Oud Metha location provides continued access to Dubai Healthcare City, Bur Dubai, Downtown Dubai and Dubai International Airport.
- The established Wafi Residence provides a limited residential component within the wider destination.
THINGS TO CONSIDER
Wafi City is best suited to residents who value a central Dubai location and want retail, dining, hospitality, healthcare and public transport close to home. The development offers a distinctive lifestyle and excellent connectivity, with Dubai Healthcare City Metro Station within walking distance and extensive covered parking available.
However, Wafi City is a compact urban destination rather than a large residential community, so residents looking for extensive private gardens, large community parks or a broad selection of standalone villas may prefer suburban communities elsewhere in Dubai. Traffic around Oud Metha and the surrounding central districts can also become heavier during peak commuting periods.
