While the UAE’s real estate market remains active year‑round, with transactions totaling over $65 billion in the first quarter of 2025 alone, the summer season is now shining a spotlight on a handful of strategic locations that have long-term value, vision and seasonal appeal.
Summer is one of the most active seasons for property transactions in the UAE and Dubai, in particular. According to figures from the Dubai Land Department (DLD), analyzed by Bayut’s proprietary systems, summer 2024 (June–September) recorded the highest volume of property sales and rental transactions for the year.
From branded beachfront escapes to smart city zones on the rise, Whitewill unveiled the top six destinations across the UAE, making waves with investors this summer.
Dubai Creek Harbour
Demand across the UAE’s real estate market is rising for communities that combine prestige, proximity and waterfront serenity, and Dubai Creek Harbour checks all those boxes. Known for its elegant skyline and seamless access to Downtown Dubai, it’s a favorite for buyers seeking a premium lifestyle with investment upside. The key feature in Dubai Creek Harbour is its master-planned waterfront living, enhanced by green spaces and direct views of the Dubai Creek Tower.
Waterfront apartments start at AED1.45 million, while luxury villas exceed AED5 million. With rental yields of 6–6.8 percent and consistent appreciation, this area balances luxury with long-term potential.
Al Marjan Island
With more investors prioritizing coastal living, Ras Al Khaimah’s Al Marjan Island is experiencing a surge in demand, especially with the upcoming Wynn Resort transforming the area into a hospitality hub. The area has direct beachfront access and provides the opportunity to own a branded residence beside a future gaming and entertainment destination.
Apartments on Al Marjan Island begin at AED585,000, with ultra-luxury homes priced up to AED30 million+. Offering an 8–9 percent rental yield and over 20 percent appreciation annually, this hotspot appeals to both short-term and capital-growth investors in the UAE’s real estate market.
Business Bay
In a market where short-term rental returns drive demand, Business Bay continues to attract buyers looking for income-generating assets in the city center. Its strongest asset is the fusion of location and luxury, with proximity to DIFC and Downtown Dubai, with Dubai Canal weaving its way through.
Studios and 1–2BR apartments average AED1.4 million, delivering 6–7 percent yields and strong resale demand, making the area an investment hotspot in the UAE’s growing real estate market.
Yas Island
Real estate investors in the UAE are eyeing Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island this summer for its unique blend of leisure, family appeal and short-stay rental potential. The island’s standout quality lies in its lifestyle proposition, from theme parks and golf to marinas and cultural hotspots, all within a well-planned residential setting.
Villas average AED4.5 million, with apartments priced between AED1.2 million and AED3.8 million. Yields sit at a steady 6.5–7 percent, making Yas Island one of the most attractive areas for investors.
Dubai South
Real estate investors in the UAE are also showing increased interest in Dubai South for its affordability and alignment with the nation’s infrastructure vision. As a future-ready hub near the upcoming Al Maktoum Airport International Airport expansion, logistics hubs and the Expo 2020 legacy infrastructure, its core appeal lies in early-mover advantage and the opportunity to ride the wave of long-term growth.
There is a strong uptake in off-plan units starting at AED800,000, with a projected 15–25 percent value growth by 2030 and rental returns of 6–8 percent. Al Waha in Expo City exemplifies the area’s appeal with a wellness-first, car-free community design in the city’s innovation hub, tailored for a new generation of buyers.
Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC)
Last on the list of the most promising investment hotspots in the UAE’s real estate sector is JVC. Affordable, accessible and increasingly design-driven, JVC remains a go-to for buyers seeking strong yields without compromising on lifestyle. The area’s main feature is its ability to deliver rental income and resident satisfaction equally.
Apartments begin at AED650,000 and entry-level villas at AED1.6 million, offering 7–8.6 percent yields. The district’s consistent rental demand makes it ideal for first-time investors.
Overall, Whitewill says the market is favoring projects that combine lifestyle, location and financial upside. While each area is unique, Al Marjan Island and Dubai South hold exceptional long-term promise.
The former is becoming the UAE’s entertainment capital with hospitality-led growth, while the latter is powered by airport expansion, creating a foundation for sustained capital growth and end-user migration.
While Dubai Creek Harbour and Yas Island remain strong lifestyle markets, the real long-term multiplier effect will come from assets in these high-conviction, underpenetrated districts where supply is still limited and strategic government investment is ongoing.
