Everything You Need to Know Before Moving to Al Raha Beach

  • August 26, 2025
  • /
  • Locations and Communities
Everything You Need to Know Before Moving to Al Raha Beach

When considering a neighborhood, residents often have to choose between either bustling urban landscapes or tranquil stretches of beach. However, at Al Raha Beach, you can enjoy both city conveniences and a relaxed coastal lifestyle. 

Everything you need is right at your doorstep: schools are nearby, the airport is even closer, and daily life offers a delightful mix of boardwalk cafes and sunset strolls.

This guide covers the essentials about living at Al Raha Beach, from prices and transport to pet rules and community rhythm, so you can decide with confidence.

In a Nutshell

  • Geography: Waterfront district on Abu Dhabi’s E10
  • Developer: Master-planned by Aldar Properties
  • Regulator Status: Designated Investment/Freehold area
  • Iconic Feature: Aldar HQ, Arabia’s first circular tower
  • Lifestyle: Everyday waterfront living: marinas, boardwalk cafés, beachside retail
  • Headline Amenities: Al Bandar Marina, Al Muneera Beach Plaza, Al Zeina community retail, Al Raha Mall

Location & Overview

Al Raha Beach is located along Abu Dhabi’s E10, nestled between the city and Yas Island. This prime location provides water at your doorstep and makes accessing the airport feel effortless. The shoreline consists of three distinct precincts:

Al Bandar – marina living with quayside dining

Al Muneera – split between an island and mainland promenade

Al Zeina – beachfront homes with a community retail strip


The urban landscape is straightforward: canals, cafés, and boardwalks connected by plazas and shaded pathways. It’s a place where the school run and grocery shopping can be done on foot, and evenings often lead to the water.

Approximate drive times (light traffic):
- Zayed International Airport (Terminal A): 10–12 min
- Yas Mall / Ferrari World: 10–15 min
- Al Maryah Island (The Galleria / ADGM): 25–30 min
- Louvre Abu Dhabi (Saadiyat): 25–30 min
- Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque: 20 min

Signature sightline: the round Aldar HQ anchoring the coast.

Lifestyle & Community Features

Mornings at Al Raha Beach begin with coffee in the plaza, afternoons are spent taking scooter rides along the canal, and evenings are enjoyed with dinner at the marina, with Yas Island glowing across the water. The community is a mix of young families and professionals who seek reliable schools nearby and appreciate weekends spent outdoors.

Abu Dhabi has seasonal events, like pop-up markets and Aloha Abu Dhabi, that offer food stalls, music, and activities by the beach. Dress modestly in public areas, but you can wear swimwear at pools and designated beaches. Most buildings and promenades allow pets, but you usually need to keep them on a leash and register them. Public beaches may have rules about dogs, so check your building or community guidelines.

Highlights


  • Canal-side jogging and cycling linking Al Zeina → Al Muneera → Al Bandar
  • Al Bandar Marina for berthing, sailing lessons, and watersports
  • Boardwalk beaches with family zones and kids’ play areas
  • Local cycling groups and weekend ride-outs
  • Seasonal waterfront markets and dining pop-ups (incl. Aloha Abu Dhabi)



Amenities & Facilities

Living at Al Raha Beach is all about convenience. You can easily handle grocery runs on foot and enjoy brunches with stunning marina views.


Shopping

  • Al Raha Mall – daily needs and services
  • Al Muneera Beach Plaza – waterfront community retail
  • Waitrose, Al Zeina – full-line supermarket


Healthcare

  • Burjeel Medical Centre – Al Zeina – multi-specialty
  • HealthPlus Family Clinic – Al Bandar – primary care

Mosques

Al Raha Mall Mosque and neighborhood mosques nearby

Wellness & fitness

Community gyms and studios across all three precincts; TrainYas nights are a short drive away

Education

Many families choose Al Raha Beach for both good schools and the waterfront.

  • Raha International School, which follows the IB curriculum, is located just a few minutes away in Al Raha Gardens.
  • Yasmina British Academy, known for its British curriculum, is also nearby and well-rated.
  • GEMS American Academy, offering American and IB programs, is situated in Khalifa City, making it another strong option in the area. 


For younger children

Odyssey Nursery at Al Muneera provides a quick and pleasant drop-off experience. Depending on whether you live in Al Bandar, Al Muneera, or Al Zeina, the school run generally takes between 5 to 12 minutes, making mornings smoother and after-school activities easier to manage.


Prices

  • Studios: AED 960,000 – 1,000,000
  • 1-bed apartments: AED 1,250,000 – 1,900,000
  • 2-bed apartments: AED 1,500,000 – 3,100,000
  • 3-bed apartments: AED 3,000,000 – 4,150,000
  • 4-bed apartments: AED 4,750,000 – 5,500,000
  • Townhouses: AED 5,400,000 – 6,300,000
  • Villas: AED 9,500,000 – 10,000,000


Transportation

  • Roads: Immediate access to E10 for Abu Dhabi Island and Dubai; Yas Island is the next exit
  • Buses: Bus lines are available to take you to Downtown and Saadiyat.
  • Airport: Zayed International Airport (Terminal A) is ~10 minutes by car
  • On foot / wheels: Walkable promenades; popular local cycling routes along the canal

Best Current Projects

Bab Al Qasr Canal View Residence 22 features glass-covered towers where 94% of rooms overlook the water. It offers rooftop and ground-level infinity pools, enhancing life by the canal at Al Raha Beach.

Juman One (Luluat Al Raha) is a marina-front location with a rooftop infinity pool and a 600-meter promenade. This spot brings a lively, walkable waterfront atmosphere just minutes from Yas and Terminal A.

Brabus Island is a collaboration between BRABUS and Reportage. It offers performance-inspired, customizable interiors and easy beach access, boosting the area's design appeal and global attraction.


Future Developments & Investment Outlook

Infrastructure is doing quiet, steady work in the background. Terminal A at Zayed International Airport opened in late 2023, expanding capacity and smoothing arrivals; helpful for waterfront districts next door.

New stock is arriving in the corridor: Juman One (July 2025) marks the start of the Luluat Al Raha pipeline. 

Big-picture signals from major developers through 2025 point to firm demand and a multi-year delivery pipeline across Abu Dhabi, which underpins pricing resilience.


Nearby Areas

Yas Island: theme parks, mall, F1 circuit

Al Reem Island high-rise living, Reem Mall, Reem Central Park

Saadiyat Island: Louvre, Cultural District, natural beaches

Al Raha Gardens / Khalifa City: villa suburb just inland


Al Raha Beach is a fantastic place where you can enjoy both the buzz of city life and the calm of serene surroundings. Whether you're planning a fun day out or thinking about making it your home, this area has so much to offer!

Reach out to an Oia Specialist to chat about your options. They’re there to answer all your questions and help you explore everything this wonderful destination has for you.