Dubai has two cruise ports. Dubai Harbour, near the Dubai Marina neighborhood south of Palm Jumeirah, and Port Rashid, located in northern Dubai near the mouth of the Dubai Creek. This run starts at Jumeirah Beach and leads to the Dubai Harbour cruise port. The route is especially suitable for runners who want to discover both Jumeirah Beach with the famous Burj Al Arab and Dubai Marina during their stay in Dubai.
The starting point is at the northern end of Jumeirah Beach 3, south of the Dubai Canal. The easiest way to get there is by taxi or ride-sharing services like Uber, Bolt, or Careem. Alternatively, you can travel by bus, which can be used with a Nol card.
Initially, the route runs for several kilometers directly along the beach on a special running surface similar to a tartan track. Only short sections run along the road. Afterward, you pass the famous luxury hotel Burj al Arab. This is followed by a longer section along King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Street. Despite being a major road, the route uses wide sidewalks and remains easy to run.
Near the Sheikh Rashid bin Mohammed Mosque, the route turns towards the Dubai Marina Walk. It then runs along the harbor promenade with views of the Dubai Marina skyline. After crossing a bridge, the route again follows the water back towards Dubai Harbour.
The route connects some of Dubai's most famous places. The sections at Jumeirah Beach and Dubai Marina, in particular, offer excellent running conditions and spectacular views. The middle section along the main road is less attractive but remains easy to run thanks to wide sidewalks. Overall, the route is especially suitable for runners who want to combine sightseeing and a long run.
This route is especially suitable for active cruisers who want to combine several of Dubai's highlights.
If you also want to experience a desert adventure, you can book a desert safari with quad biking, camel riding, and sandboarding. Since these tours usually last several hours, the half marathon is best done early in the morning or on a separate day during a longer stop in Dubai.
Alternatively, a visit to the Burj Khalifa is an option. It's also possible to then head to the route's starting point and run from there back to Dubai Harbour cruise port.
The route starts at Jumeirah Beach 3. The easiest way to reach the starting point is by taxi or ride-sharing services like Uber, Bolt, or Careem. Alternatively, it's possible to travel by bus with a Nol card.
You can either follow the route directly via the map on this page or import the GPX file into a navigation app like Komoot. We recommend navigating via the GPX file as it is significantly more precise and provides clear guidance via GPS while running. After you've saved the GPX file in your app, you can usually use the map offline. We recommend testing the navigation in airplane mode without active Wi-Fi beforehand to ensure it works without an internet connection.
Tip: For safety, it's still useful to have internet access on the go. If your mobile provider offers no or expensive data roaming in Dubai, a global data plan that works in many countries is suitable for cruises – for example, from eSIM.sm (advertisement).
The route along the beach and at Dubai Marina is very safe. The middle section along the main road has wide sidewalks and is also easy to run.
The route can be shortened after about 15.5 km at the Sheikh Rashid bin Mohammed Mosque by turning directly towards the cruise port. In an emergency, it is advisable to save the ship's phone number in advance. Additionally, apps like Uber or Bolt should be installed and ready for use. These services work very reliably in Dubai.
There are several public restrooms at Jumeirah Beach. Additional restrooms are available near Marina Beach and in Dubai Marina Mall. There are occasional water fountains along the route, but these are mostly designed for refilling bottles. Options for purchasing drinks are also available.
The route runs on paved paths, paved promenades, and a special running surface at Jumeirah Beach. Normal running shoes are sufficient. We also recommend bringing sun protection (ad), plenty of water, and a cell phone or watch for navigation. A payment method is also useful, although in Dubai you can usually pay by card or smartphone.