Naif, Deira

Naif is a sub-district of the larger Deira district in Dubai. It is the second-most densely populated community in Dubai and one of the oldest sub-districts in the city. From Naif, it takes 10 minutes to access both Deira Corniche and Dubai Creek.

Best known for being home to Naif Souk and Naif Museum, the sub-community is made up of different kinds of low to mid-rise buildings, including apartment buildings, commercial buildings and hotels. Naif Dubai is also one of the best areas to rent apartments in Deira.

Housing a wide array of shops and retail outlets, Deira Naif is the site for many of the top hardware shops in Dubai as well. One can find numerous means of transport within and outside the community with ease. Naif is one of the best areas to live in Dubai for those who rely on public transport.

• Situated in Deira Dubai
• Second-most densely populated locality in the city
• Houses the Naif Souk and Naif Museum
• Consist of apartments, offices, shops and hotels
• Bus stops, metro stations and taxi ranks within and outside the area
• 10-minute drive to Dubai Creek and Deira Corniche

Naif has been one of the oldest inhabited areas in the city, which makes it the second-most densely populated area as well. Formerly a hub of trade, the area is still abundant in terms of shopping outlets and houses the popular Naif Souq and Baniyas Square, which is one of the best places to buy used furniture in Dubai. Baniyas Square is also home to a branch of Miniso, from where you can buy affordable items in Dubai. Naif Souk on the other hand is counted as one of Dubai’s hidden gems.

As far as residential options are concerned, Naif Deira consists of many apartment and commercial buildings along with different types of hotels as well. The sub-district has all sorts of amenities ranging from eateries to salons to retail outlets too. The Al Naif Road Dubai or Naif Street Dubai is a hot spot for shopping and nightlife in the city.

Properties in Naif include:

• Apartments
• Offices
• Shops and retail spaces

Apartments in Naif include studio to 3-bedroom units. Hotel apartments are also available in some buildings and they can be rented on a monthly basis. The community offers residential buildings on a rental basis as well, including hotels.

As far as living in Deira is concerned, Naif is one of the best areas to rent studios in Deira. The smallest studio unit may cover a floor area of 190 sq. ft. while the largest studio may span up to 465 sq. ft. These include a common living and sleeping area, open kitchen and bathroom. Larger studios also come with closed kitchens and separate balconies.

The floor area of 1-bedroom apartments ranges between 365 sq. ft. and 1,481 sq. ft. Most apartments 1-bed units have a bedroom with an attached bathroom, living area, kitchen and powder room as well as a balcony. The smaller units however may not come with a powder room or balcony.

2-bedroom apartments follow up on 1-bed units in size and tend to span from 700 sq. ft. to 1,500 sq. ft. The largest units in the community i.e. 3-bedroom apartments cover a floor area between 1**,580 sq. ft. and 2,000 sq. ft**. In addition to three bedrooms with attached bathrooms, these units also come with a maid’s room with an attached bath.

Since Naif is made up of a mix of apartment and commercial buildings, it offers studio offices for rent too. These can include flats that are rented as commercial offices or simply spaces in commercial buildings. Naif is a well-known commercial locality in the city and one of Deira’s most popular areas for renting offices in Dubai too.

The offices come fully-fitted with tiled, ceramic flooring or carpeted flooring, electrical fixtures, kitchens, powder rooms and balconies too in some instances. Larger office units that include multiple rooms one or two bathrooms as well. The floor area of these offices ranges between 200 sq. ft. and 1,100 sq. ft.

The community is abundant in terms of retail outlets. Brands and businesses can open their restaurants, cafes, convenience stores or any kind of outlet in the shops available. Most of the shops are situated on ground, mezzanine or first floors and come fully fitted. The built-up area for the smallest retail space starts from 150 sq. ft. and goes up to 6,885 sq. ft. for a full floor.

For renting a property in Naif, you can take reference from the listed rental trends.

• You can rent a studio apartment in Naif for anywhere between AED 15K and AED 31K.
• 1-bedroom apartments for rent in Naif are available from AED 22K to AED 55K.
• The annual rent of 2-bedroom flats in Naif starts from AED 36K and goes up to AED 75K.
• 3-bedrooms apartments in Naif have rents ranging between AED 89K and AED 97K. 
• The yearly rent of shops in Naif starts from AED 18K for a shop measuring 150 sq. ft. and goes up to AED 1.25M for a shop that spans almost 7,000 sq. ft. 
• Offices in Naif can be rented for anywhere between AED 13K and AED 70K depending on the configuration of the office space.

You can rent a 3-star hotel with a built-up area of 27,738 sq. ft. for an average yearly rent of AED 2.8M.

In addition to being a sought-after residential locality, Naif has a huge number of hotels too, ranging from budget hotels to condominium hotels, boutique hotels and high-end luxury hotels as well. 4-star hotels in Naif include:

• Hyatt Place Dubai – Wasl District 
• Dorus Hotel – Omar Bin Al Khattab Street

Hyatt Place is one of the luxury Hyatt hotels in Dubai. Other budget hotels in Naif include:

• Naif View Hotel – Naif Street
• Landmark Plaza Hotel – Al Nasser Square Deira
• OYO 297 California Hotel – 10, Naif
• Phoenix Hotel – Street 28 C, Community 118

The residential buildings, commercial buildings and hotels offer free parking for the tenants while the malls come with paid parking spots. Street parking in Naif can be a hassle since the community does not have many open spaces.

Naif is extremely well-connected in terms of public transport in Dubai. You will find taxis, buses and metros in proximity and accessible by foot as well. Taxis are easily available on the roads and at the taxi stands. Individuals can also book RTA taxis in Dubai by calling on the concerned number or using the S’hail app.

Those interested in travelling by the RTA-controlled Dubai Bus can find a huge number of bus stops and bus stations in Naif.

Maktoum Heritage Souk Bus Stop caters to routes F01 and 17; Maktoum Hospital Road Cemetery is a bus stop for Route F01 while Futtaim Mosque services Route 17. At Naif Park Bus Stop, you can board Routes X64, 53 and 64A. Burj Nahar Intersection Bus Stop and Naif Intersection Bus Stop service the C1, CO3, CO4 and X13 route as well.

For travelling by the Dubai Metro, you will find Baniyas Square Metro Station within the boundaries of the community. Baniyas Square Metro Station is one of the busiest green line metro stations in the city and lies underneath 27th Street.

Many other metro stations near Naif lie within a 10-minute drive and they include Union Metro Station, Salah Al Din Metro Station, Gold Souq Metro Station and Al Rigga Metro Station. Naif is also a viable option for individuals interested in living close to Union Metro Station.

Grocery shopping can be done through smaller baqalas and convenience stores or full-fledged supermarkets in Naif. Some of these are:

• Al Telal Al Hamraa Supermarket – Naif Bazar Centre
• Malabar Supermarket – 15, 25 Street
• Faizal Abdul Aziz Grocery – Al Madani Hotel Apartment
• Al Riffa Grocery – Parasol Hotel
• Happy Family Mart – Antalia Hotel
• Al Madina Market – Sameera Yousaf Baker Building

Muslims can pray in the numerous mosques in Naif, which include:

• Muhammad Ibnu Mahiyya Mosque – 19, Al Maktoum Hospital Road
• Ahmed Majid Al Ghurair – 8, 7 Street
• Alhaj Nasser Abdulla Hussain Anohi Mosque – 31, Al Nakhal Street
• Al Khulafaa Al Rashideen – 22, 18d Street
• Al Garqawi Mosque – 71, Al Nakhal Street
• Bin Oquad – 57, 18e Street
• Al Maktoum Hospital Mosque – 208/2, Omar Bin Khattab Road

For the Hindus, the temples in Bur Dubai are only 17 minutes away. Christians can head over to a number of churches in Dubai, which are close to Naif. These churches near Naif are:

• All Nations Tabernacle – Chilanka Music Institute, Hor Al Anz
• Jesus is Lord Mission International – Pearl City Suite, Port Saeed
• St. Mary’s Catholic Church – Umm Hurair 2
• Holy Trinity Church – Umm Hurair 2

All of these churches lie at a 15-minute drive. Sevika Sangham, an organisation operating within the Dubai Mar Thoma Church meets on Saturdays on Naif Road.

Guru Nanak Darbar Gurudwara is 34 minutes away and covers an area of 125,000 sq. ft. making it one of the largest gurudwaras in the world. It is located in Jebel Ali Village.

The community houses a branch of Galadari Motor Driving Centre, for those interested in learning driving and obtaining a licence in Dubai. Individuals with kids can find many schools in nearby Deira communities. The best private schools near Naif include:

• Dubai English Speaking School – Oud Metha
• Al Khaleej National School (AKNS) – Al Garhoud
• Sabari Indian School – Al Wuheida
• New Academy School – Al Raffa

Sabari Indian School is a CBSE curriculum school and is managed by the Al Najah Education Group. It offers classes from KG-1 to Grade 8 and ranks amongst the best schools in Deira.

Dubai English Speaking School is one of the oldest schools in the city. The British Embassy established the school in a small villa in 1963 and since then, the school has grown to be one of the best British schools in Dubai.

Al Khaleej National School is accredited with NEASC and follows the American curriculum. A part of GEMS Education, the school follows the Ministry of Education (MOE) programme for subjects such as Arabic studies, Islamic Education and Social Studies. Classes here range from kindergarten to high school and students graduate with a high school diploma. Those interested can appear for SATs too.

New Academy School is located 13 minutes away. Atticus Education LLC manages the school and classes here cater to students aged from 4 to 18 years. The school offers US-based programmes along with inculcation of Islamic and Arabic values in the syllabus.

Medical centres and clinics in Naif are:

• Al Taif Medical Centre – 190, Naif Road
• Clinicare – Empire Plaza
• Al Noor Polyclinic – Saif Centre
• Aster Medical Centre – 232, Naif Road
• Marhaba Medical Centre – Sunshine Building 2

You can find other clinics, hospitals and pharmacies in Deira in the neighbouring areas, such as:

• Belhoul Specialty Hospital – Al Baraha
• Dubai Hospital – Al Baraha
• Canadian Specialist Hospital – Hor Al Anz East

These hospitals are reachable within a drive of 20 minutes. Those interested in alternative medicine like Ayurveda can find Kottakkal Ayurvedic Treatment Centre, which is one of Dubai’s best ayurvedic clinics. It lies on Naif Road, just outside the community’s borders.

Areas near Naif are similar sub-communities of Deira. They include:

• Al Rigga
• Ayal Nasir
• Al Murar
• Muteena
• Al Muraqqabat
• Al Baraha
• Corniche Deira

Al Rigga lies to the south. Ayal Nasir and Al Murar are located on the northern end. Al Muteena borders Naif to the east while Al Muraqqabat lies towards the south-eastern end. Al Baraha is another nearby community on the northern side. Deira Corniche lies at a 7-minute drive.

Shopping centres and malls in Naif include:

• Al Salam Centre – Sikka 30 Street
• Al Manal Centre – 23 Deira Street
• Abraj Shopping Centre – Al Sabkha Road

Al Salam Centre and Al Manal Centre are smaller malls in the community while Abraj Centre is counted as one of the top malls in Deira. Abraj Shopping Centre is also one of the oldest malls in eastern Dubai. Other larger malls near Naif are:

• Al Ghurair Centre – Al Muraqqabat
• Deira City Centre – Port Saeed

Al Ghurair Centre was the city’s first shopping mall when it opened in 1981. It is currently home to more than 150 shopping stores, including local and international brands. The mall has a food court and a branch of Spinneys and Carrefour for groceries. For entertainment, you will find an 18-screen Reel Cinema with different seating options as well.

Deira City Centre houses a variety of international and local brands along with a food court, a branch of Carrefour Hypermarket in Dubai and many other facilities too. You can also spend some quality time at Magic Planet Dubai, which is located at Level 1 of City Centre Deira.

Many of Deira’s best restaurants can be found in the Naif community. Some of these restaurants include:

• Ararat Restaurant – Wasl District Number D-52
• Awac Home Restaurant – Central Building, Nakhal
• Afghan Kabab House – Salalah Hotel
• Pak Lyari Restaurant – Yousuf Bakar Road

Ararat Restaurant is one of Dubai’s best Armenian restaurants. Awac Home Restaurant is an African restaurant. Afghan Kebab House is one of the best restaurants for Afghani food in Dubai. For enjoying delicious Biryani in Dubai, you can head over to Pak Lyari Dubai restaurant.

There is an array of tea shops and cafes in the community where you can treat yourself to caffeinated beverages and snacks. Cafes in Naif include:

• DeliBites – Hyatt Regency Dubai
• Sidewalk Café – Al Wasl District
• The Best Coffee House – Al Fareej Hotel
• Fortune Café – Fortune Hotel Deira
• Sip & Talk – 1, Sikka 23a Street

The community has some upscale restaurants too. Fine dining restaurants in Naif include:

• Miyako – Lobby Level, Hyatt Regency Dubai
• Al Dawaar Revolving Restaurant – Level 25, Hyatt Regency Dubai

Miyako is one of the top restaurants for enjoying sushi in Dubai. Al Dawaar Revolving Restaurant is one of the best rooftop restaurants in Dubai. Here you can indulge in a fine dining experience with views of the Persian Gulf and delicacies from Arabian and European cuisines.

Living in Naif means that you can enjoy nightlife options and unwind at the bars with your friends. The bars in Naif include:

• Kings Bar & Grill – Hues Boutique Hotel
• Focus Bar – Hyatt Place Dubai, Wasl District
• Carpenter’s Sports Bar – Hyatt Regency Dubai
• Club Olympus Pool – Hyatt Regency Dubai

For revelling in the seawaters, you can drive from 15 to 20 minutes and reach many beaches near Naif, including:

• Al Mamzar Beach Park
• North Beach
• Jumeirah Public Beach

Al Mamzar Beach Park is the closest beach option at a 15-minute drive. As the name suggests, the beach park is located in Al Mamzar and occupies over 106 hectares of land. You will find palm trees, manicured lawns, barbecue spots, sports courts and plenty of opportunities for water activities too at Al Mamzar Beach Park.

North Beach in Pearl Jumeirah is 18 minutes away. It is one of the newer beaches in the city and lies in proximity to Nikki Beach Club, a well-known beach club in Dubai.

Jumeirah Public Beach can be reached in 20 minutes. It is one of the liveliest beaches in the city, a long and sandy strip in the neighbourhood of Jumeirah. Facilities here include a jogging track, changing cubicles, toilets, showers and lifeguards, making it one of the best beaches in Dubai.

The community of Naif is home to some notable landmarks of the city, which include:

• Naif Museum
• Naif Souk

Naif Museum is one of the free museums in Dubai. The museum’s building used to be the site of the first police station in the city and was completely built with clay. Visitors can see displays of police uniforms, medals, badges, weapons and the detention room for the prisoners.

It was built as the Naif Fort in 1939 and served as the headquarters of Public Prosecution and the Civil Court back then. In 1997, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum ordered for one of the wings of the fort to be converted into a museum, now known as the Naif Museum.

Naif Souk is one of the oldest souks in the city and once used to be a camel marketplace. After undergoing extensive renovation in the 1980s, the souk housed a larger number of shops including hardware, textile, clothes and many more. While the souk suffered from a fire incident, it was reconstructed by the Dubai Municipality and now houses shops. Currently, Naif Souq is one of the most fascinating souks in Dubai and a popular retail hub in the United Arab Emirates.

Whether you wish to choose from a plethora of traditional Emirati wear, or if you are looking to buy unique souvenirs in Dubai, Naif Souk is a must-visit destination. The souq is popular for being the go-to marketplace for abayas, scarves, leather goods, oud incense, henna products and other leather accessories. In fact, shopping at Naif Souk is one of the best things to do in Deira.

Naif Park or Naif Family Park is open every day from 8 am and 6 pm. It has a walking track, plenty of benches and green spaces. Other parks near Naif are available in the nearby areas, such as Baniyas Square Park, Al Muteena Park and Burj Nahar Park.

For exercising and maintaining fitness routines, one can find a number of gyms in Naif too. These include:

• Asian Gulf Fitness Centre – 78, Al Nakhal Street
• Intimate Friends Gym – Zenath Building
• Tiger Gym – Gulf Star Hotel
• Iron Man Gym – Al Shirawi Commercial Centre
• Fortune Gym – Badri Building

Other renowned gyms in Deira can be found within a drive of 10 to 15 minutes in the nearby areas. The community is dotted with numerous salons and a few spas as well, for those looking to unwind and opt for personal grooming. Some of these spas and salons include:

• Tian Beauty – Sunshine Building 2
• Fortune Deira Spa – Fortune Hotel
• River Day Spa – Hyatt Place Dubai Wasl District
• Noor Al Yahar Gents Salon – 24, 4c Street
• Suneetas Ladies Salon – 50, 2d Street
• Halal Al Shami Gents Salon – Tools Building

The malls in the community, especially the Abraj Shopping Centre host a variety of events throughout the year. Naif has an active nightlife, with vendors offering many products at discounted rates especially after the evening. During public and cultural holidays, many festivities take place in the community as well.

Naif is a thriving community with a wide variety of apartments and offices. Restaurants, shops, banks, supermarkets and clinics are all accessible by foot. However, those familiar with the lifestyle of Deira should note that Naif can get quite noisy and congested, especially during peak hours. Individuals seeking a peaceful atmosphere may not be able to adjust in Naif.

The closest metro station in the vicinity of Naif Souk is Baniyas Square Metro Station, which is a green line metro station. The souq is a short walking distance from the metro station.

It is better to carry cash since most of the vendors and entrepreneurs are running small businesses and accept cash only. There are many ATMs in the community as well as on the ground floor of Naif Souk for the convenience of customers.

• 15 minutes to Dubai International Airport
• The city of Sharjah is 15 minutes away
• Downtown Dubai and Business Bay are reachable within 20 minutes
• Palm Jumeirah and Dubai Marina can be reached in 25 minutes
• 35-minute drive to IMG Worlds of Adventure