Al Raha Gardens, Abu Dhabi — Complete Community Guide (2026)

Area: Al Raha Gardens

Emirate: Abu Dhabi

Developer: Aldar Properties

Completed: Multiple phases — Phase 1: 2007; Phase 2: 2008–2009; Al Ward (final): 2009

Total homes: 1,407 villas (1,379 delivered by end 2009; Al Ward final release brought total to 1,407)

Area: 665,000 sqm

Property types: 3–5 bedroom villas (primary); 3–4 bedroom townhouses; 6-bedroom villas in select sub-communities

Villa sizes: 3,200 to 6,200 sq ft; average approximately 4,300 sq ft

Sub-communities: 11 — Muzera, Al Mariah, Samra, Sidra, Yasmina, Qattouf, Khannour, Hemaim, Al Tharwaniyah, Lehwieh, Al Ward

Position: Situated opposite Al Raha Beach across the E10/E11 highway corridor; between Khalifa City A and the Al Raha Beach waterfront

Key schools within community: Raha International School (IB, Gardens Campus); Al Yasmina Academy (British curriculum, Aldar Academies)

Al Raha Gardens — Overview

Al Raha Gardens is a low-density villa community developed by Aldar Properties across 665,000 sqm in Abu Dhabi — the largest Aldar-built villa-and-townhouse community in the emirate by unit count and among the most established in the city. Its 1,407 homes across 11 sub-communities were built in three phases between 2005 and 2009, making it a fully completed and inhabited community with over 15 years of established infrastructure, road networks, landscaping, and community services behind it.

Al Raha Gardens carries a specific historical distinction: it was Abu Dhabi’s first freehold property development dedicated to UAE nationals, launched at a time when the freehold framework in the emirate was still being developed. This origin shapes its current ownership structure — freehold title is predominantly held by UAE nationals, while the community’s substantial rental market is populated primarily by expatriate families who lease the villas and townhouses on annual and multi-year contracts. The result is a community with a particularly stable, long-term residential character: families who stay, renew, and establish school and social roots within the Al Raha Gardens and Khalifa City A corridor.

The community’s defining assets are its schools, its greenery, and its location geometry. Raha International School (IB Continuum, the first in Abu Dhabi) and Al Yasmina Academy (British curriculum, Aldar Academies) are both physically within Al Raha Gardens — not a drive away, but in the community itself. Wide tree-lined streets, internal parks, and landscaped gardens give the community the green and pedestrian character that distinguishes it from the high-rise waterfront neighbourhoods across the highway. And its position — opposite Al Raha Beach, between the E10 and E11, with the airport 10–15 minutes away — gives residents access to both the waterfront district and the wider city without long commutes.

Al Raha Gardens is Aldar’s 1,407-home villa community across 665,000 sqm — Abu Dhabi’s first freehold development for UAE nationals, home to two of the emirate’s leading schools, with 11 sub-communities ranging from 3-bedroom townhouses to 6-bedroom villas in a mature, landscaped, gated setting opposite Al Raha Beach.

Location and Setting

Al Raha Gardens is positioned between Khalifa City A and the Al Raha Beach waterfront corridor, directly across the E10/E11 highway from the Al Raha Beach development. Despite this proximity to the waterfront, the community itself is not on the water — it is a landlocked garden community, insulated from the highway by its gating and internal road network, with the Al Raha Beach coastline, the Al Bandar Marina, and the Al Raha Beach Hotel all accessible within 5–10 minutes by car.

The E10 (Al Salam Street / Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Street) and E11 (Sheikh Zayed Road) run adjacent to the community, providing fast access in every direction. Abu Dhabi International Airport is approximately 10–15 minutes. Yas Island — Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, Yas Waterworld, Warner Bros. World, Yas Marina Circuit, Yas Mall — is approximately 12–15 minutes. Masdar City is approximately 10 minutes. Abu Dhabi city centre is approximately 20–25 minutes. Dubai is approximately 60 minutes via E11.

Al Forsan International Sports Resort — the UAE’s largest multi-sport facility, with cable wakeboarding, karting, polo, squash, shooting, and more — is approximately 10 minutes from Al Raha Gardens, and Abu Dhabi Golf Club (Al Ghazal Golf Club — 18 holes) is adjacent to the community. Both facilities are among the most commonly cited leisure assets by Al Raha Gardens residents and contribute significantly to the community’s appeal for sports-active families.

Property Types

Villas

Villas are the dominant property type in Al Raha Gardens, making up the majority of the 1,407 homes across the development. Villa configurations range from 3-bedroom to 6-bedroom, with the most common sizes being 4 and 5 bedrooms. Floor areas range from approximately 3,200 sq ft to 6,200 sq ft, with the market average around 4,300 sq ft. Most villas are built in a blend of traditional Arabian and contemporary architectural style — the Arabesque influence is visible in arched windows, courtyard-adjacent layouts, and decorative facade elements, while interiors are designed to modern comfort standards.

Standard villa features across Al Raha Gardens include: central air conditioning, built-in wardrobes, fully equipped kitchens, private gardens with mature landscaping (in most units), covered parking (double and triple garages in larger formats), maid’s room with bathroom, and, in many units, a private swimming pool. Several sub-communities — particularly Al Ward and Lehwieh — include villas with driver’s rooms as standard. Most upper-floor bedrooms have balconies. The generosity of internal space and private outdoor area at Al Raha Gardens is consistently cited as the primary reason families choose the community over apartment living in the nearby waterfront districts.

Townhouses

Townhouses at Al Raha Gardens are configured as 3 and 4-bedroom properties, with built-up areas in the lower range of the community’s floor area spectrum — broadly from approximately 2,500 to 3,500 sq ft. Townhouses are concentrated in the more recently developed sub-communities, including Al Mariah, which is known for its Arabian-style townhouses alongside its villa inventory. Townhouses share the community’s standard specification: central air conditioning, private garden, covered parking, and maid’s room. They represent the most accessible entry point into Al Raha Gardens leasing, with annual rents in the AED 129,000–160,000 range for 3 and 4-bedroom configurations.*

The 11 Sub-Communities

Al Raha Gardens is divided into 11 distinct sub-communities (precincts), each gated and managed under the Aldar community management standard. The sub-communities differ in villa size distribution, plot configuration, and internal character, providing meaningful choice within the master development for different family requirements.

Sidra Community

Sidra is consistently cited as one of the most popular sub-communities in Al Raha Gardens for both renters and buyers, built to the latest modern specifications at the time of construction. Villas in Sidra are among the best-specced in the development. A 3-bedroom house in Sidra rents for approximately AED 150,000 per year*, with an ROI of approximately 6% — the highest in Al Raha Gardens.* Sidra is a strong starting point for those researching Al Raha Gardens investment.*

Yasmina

Yasmina is named after the community in which Al Yasmina Academy is located and is one of the most prominent and well-known sub-communities within Al Raha Gardens. 3-bedroom villas sell for approximately AED 2,400,000–2,650,000 and rent for approximately AED 130,000–160,000 per year.* 4-bedroom villas sell for approximately AED 2,700,000–3,500,000.* 5-bedroom villas sell for approximately AED 3,800,000.* The presence of Al Yasmina Academy within the sub-community gives Yasmina a school-catchment advantage that many families factor directly into their community choice.*

Al Mariah Community

Al Mariah is a freehold community known for Arabian-style townhouses and deluxe villas with 3 and 4-bedroom configurations. It consistently generates the highest listing volume in Al Raha Gardens on property portals. Al Mariah is favoured by families looking for the more compact end of the villa range — spacious by apartment standards but scaled for manageable maintenance.

Al Ward

Al Ward was the final and latest release of homes in Al Raha Gardens, bringing the total to 1,407. Al Ward units are among the largest in the development — primarily 5 and 6-bedroom villas with built-up areas from 4,187 to 6,220 sq ft, most with private pools and generous garden plots. Annual rents range from approximately AED 280,000 to AED 300,000.* It is the sub-community of choice for large or multi-generational families needing the maximum Al Raha Gardens floor area.*

Al Tharwaniyah Community

Al Tharwaniyah is consistently mid-range in the community’s market — popular with renters and well-represented in active listings. Villas span approximately 3,100 to 4,330 sq ft, and many corner plots feature large private swimming pools. It is one of the most active sub-communities in the rental market by listing volume.

Other Sub-Communities

Muzera, Samra, Qattouf, Khannour, Hemaim, and Lehwieh complete the 11 sub-communities. Each is gated, managed under the Aldar community management standard, and architecturally consistent with the broader Al Raha Gardens character. Lehwieh is consistently one of the most active for rental listings. Khannour and Hemaim are popular for their internal community feel and landscaping. Qattouf generates consistent rental and buyer interest.

Amenities

Al Raha Gardens’ community amenities are distributed across the 11 sub-communities and the master development’s shared infrastructure. Within the community: children’s play areas, community swimming pools (shared, maintained by Aldar community management), gym facilities, landscaped internal parks and green corridors, BBQ areas, 24-hour gated security at all precinct entrances, and a managed network of internal roads and pedestrian paths.

Many individual villas have private swimming pools (standard in the larger Al Ward, Lehwieh, and Al Tharwaniyah configurations; optional in smaller sub-communities). Private gardens are standard across all villas. The community’s internal park and green corridor network is one of the more extensively landscaped residential community settings in Abu Dhabi’s suburban belt — a direct result of Aldar’s original design brief for a “quiet, safe, and picturesque” family environment.

Gardens Plaza is the community’s primary shopping destination, located within or adjacent to Al Raha Gardens. The Plaza houses numerous retail outlets including Mothercare, Claire’s, Boots the Chemist, Safa Express supermarket, Grand Optical, Tip Top Nail Bar, Pace e Luce Hair & Beauty Salon (for men and women), Modern National Laundry, Pets Delight, and Al Ansari Exchange. Oriental Wellness Spa provides in-community wellness services.

Dining and Retail

In addition to Gardens Plaza, residents have easy access to Al Raha Mall — approximately 10 minutes by car — with its department stores, food court, Oscar Cinema, and Sparky’s Digital Land entertainment venue. The Al Raha Beach promenade dining scene — Pacifico TIKI, Ornina, Desert Lotus at Al Bandar Marina; Leopold’s of London and Berris La Brioche at Al Muneera Beach Plaza — is accessible within approximately 5–10 minutes. The Al Raha Beach Hotel restaurants (Sevilla, Azur, Wanasah) serve as weekend dining and brunch destinations for Al Raha Gardens families.

Within Khalifa City A, immediately adjacent to Al Raha Gardens, there are multiple supermarkets, cafes, pharmacies, restaurants, and everyday retail options. Spinneys operates within the Al Bandar precinct of Al Raha Beach (approximately 10 minutes by car). Lulu Express, Carrefour, and Grandiose Supermarket cover the grocery needs of different parts of the community corridor.

Healthcare

Al Raha Gardens is served by the Khalifa City healthcare cluster — one of Abu Dhabi’s most developed suburban medical corridors. Mediclinic Khalifa City and NMC Royal Hospital Khalifa City are both within approximately 10–15 minutes by car from Al Raha Gardens. Madinat Khalifa Healthcare Center and NMC ProVita International Medical Center are within approximately 10 minutes. For residents who need in-district primary care, the community has a pharmacy cluster within Gardens Plaza.

For hospital-level acute care, the Abu Dhabi hospital network — including Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, Burjeel Medical City, and Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi — is accessible from Al Raha Gardens within approximately 20–30 minutes via the E10. The emirate’s ambulance and emergency services operate standard response times across the Al Raha Gardens / Khalifa City A corridor.

Schools and Nurseries

Raha International School — Gardens Campus

Raha International School (Gardens Campus) is physically located within Al Raha Gardens — the school’s address is the Al Raha Gardens / Khalifa City A corner of Al Mireef Street. It is Abu Dhabi’s first International Baccalaureate Continuum school, fully authorised to offer all three IB programmes (PYP, MYP, and Diploma) by the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge. Founded in 2006, RIS Gardens Campus has over 18 years of IB teaching at the address. The school is part of the Taaleem group — the UAE’s second-largest school provider — and serves students of more than 50 nationalities from early years through Grade 12. The RIS Khalifa City Campus (KCC) opened in September 2020 and is approximately 7 minutes from the Gardens Campus, accepting students from PreK to Grade 11.

Al Yasmina Academy

Al Yasmina Academy (operating previously as Al Yasmina School) is an Aldar Academies school in Al Raha Gardens near Abu Dhabi Golf Club, offering the British National Curriculum for students from ages 3 to 18 — from Foundation Stage through to GCSE and A Levels under the Edexcel Examination Board. Al Yasmina opened in September 2008 and is one of the most established British-curriculum schools in Abu Dhabi’s suburban corridor. It is part of the Aldar Academies group. Having an Aldar Academies school within the community is a direct legacy of Al Raha Gardens being an Aldar development.

Nurseries

Yellow Submarine Nursery operates nearby in Al Muneera and Al Zeina — approximately 10 minutes by car from Al Raha Gardens. First Hope Nursery is within the same approximate distance. For young children in Al Raha Gardens, the school infrastructure begins with Raha International School’s early years programme and Al Yasmina Academy’s Foundation Stage, both offering Reception and KG1/KG2 from within the community itself.

Getting Around

By Car

Al Raha Gardens is a car-oriented community — most homes have double or triple private garages and the internal road network is designed for car movement between the gated sub-communities. The E10 (Al Salam Street) and E11 (Sheikh Zayed Road) are both accessible within approximately 2–3 minutes from the community perimeter. Via E10: airport 10–15 minutes; Yas Island 12–15 minutes; Abu Dhabi city centre 20–25 minutes; Dubai 60 minutes via E11. Via E11: Khalifa City A and Masdar City 5–10 minutes.

By Bus

Bus routes 160, 162, 216, and 218 serve Al Raha Gardens, with stops at Al Mireef Street and the Muzeyra Gate 19 area. While the community is designed around car ownership and the internal gated layout makes bus access to specific sub-communities limited, the bus network provides connectivity for residents and domestic staff travelling to central Abu Dhabi and to Khalifa City A. Taxis and ride-hailing services (Careem, Uber) operate in the community and provide a practical supplement to private car travel.

Sale Prices

Note on freehold eligibility: Al Raha Gardens was Abu Dhabi’s first freehold development dedicated to UAE nationals. Freehold purchase is predominantly available to UAE nationals. Expatriate buyers should independently verify current eligibility before enquiring. Most expatriate residents in Al Raha Gardens hold leasehold tenancy arrangements rather than freehold title.*

Villa sale range: AED 2,750,000 to AED 9,000,000 and above*

Average villa sale price: Approximately AED 3,750,000*

3-bedroom villas: From approximately AED 2,100,000–2,900,000 depending on sub-community*

4-bedroom villas: Approximately AED 2,700,000–3,500,000*

5-bedroom villas: From approximately AED 3,500,000–5,000,000*

6-bedroom villas (Al Ward): From approximately AED 5,000,000 and above*

Contact Address Point Properties for current availability and eligibility guidance.*

Rental Prices

Al Raha Gardens is among Abu Dhabi’s most active markets for mid-tier villa rentals, consistently ranked in Bayut’s annual market reports for its steady demand from expatriate families.* Annual villa rents across the community range as follows:

3-bedroom villas: Approximately AED 130,000–160,000 per year*

3–4 bedroom townhouses: Approximately AED 129,000–160,000 per year*

4-bedroom villas: Approximately AED 155,000–200,000 per year*

5-bedroom villas: Approximately AED 180,000–230,000 per year*

6-bedroom villas (Al Ward): Approximately AED 220,000–300,000 per year*

Al Ward (5–6BR, large format): Approximately AED 280,000–300,000 per year*

Community rental range (all types): AED 155,000–300,000 per year*

Average villa rent: Approximately AED 242,000 per year* 

Villas include private gardens, covered parking, maid’s rooms, and central air conditioning as standard. Many include private pools. Contact Address Point Properties for current listings and unit-specific guidance.*

Investment

Al Raha Gardens’ investment profile is defined by its stable, long-term leasing demand rather than capital appreciation trading. The community attracts expatriate families who stay for 3, 5, or 7+ years — often anchored by school enrolment at Raha International School or Al Yasmina Academy — generating consistent annual rental income with low vacancy risk for patient landlords.* The community ROI is approximately 5.99% across villa types*; 3-bedroom homes deliver approximately 6.3% — the highest within the community.* 4-bedroom villas: approximately 5.9%; 5-bedroom: approximately 5.6%.*

The freehold-for-UAE-nationals structure means the investor base is largely UAE national families who purchased at formation (2005–2009) and now lease to expatriate tenants, creating a stable landlord/tenant dynamic that the community has maintained for over 15 years. For UAE national investors buying into the market today, Al Raha Gardens offers a mature, proven income-generating asset with low operational complexity, established community management, and a school-anchored tenant demographic.* Contact Address Point Properties for current investment analysis.*

Who Lives in Al Raha Gardens

Al Raha Gardens is a family community in the most literal sense — the presence of Raha International School and Al Yasmina Academy within the community boundary creates a gravitational effect that makes school-age children central to the community’s daily character. Weekend mornings bring families to the community parks and play areas; school mornings create the pedestrian and car traffic of a properly residential neighbourhood; and the gated security of the 11 sub-communities provides the peace of mind that parents with young children consistently rank as a top priority when choosing Abu Dhabi communities.

The resident demographic is predominantly UAE national villa owners and expatriate families of diverse nationalities who are on long-term Abu Dhabi postings — in Khalifa City, Masdar City, Abu Dhabi city, and the Raha Beach business corridor. The community has a genuinely multi-national character within a broadly upper-middle family demographic: residents who value space, privacy, greenery, and school quality over proximity to nightlife or the downtown core. Social groups on Facebook and WhatsApp keep residents connected across the 11 sub-communities.

Al Raha Gardens and Al Raha Beach — A Complementary Pair

Al Raha Gardens and Al Raha Beach are different in character but designed to function as a complementary district. Al Raha Beach provides the waterfront apartments, the marina, the hotel, the open-air retail, and the social infrastructure — but not the school cluster, the villa scale, or the garden setting. Al Raha Gardens provides the villas, the schools, the green community character, and the family-first environment — but not the direct beach or marina access. Residents of one regularly use the amenities of the other, and the two are connected by a short journey across the highway.

For families who want the Al Raha district lifestyle, the practical choice between them typically comes down to: apartment vs villa, waterfront vs garden, and school proximity vs promenade access. For many Al Raha Gardens families, the knowledge that the Al Bandar Marina, Al Muneera Beach Plaza, and the 5-star Al Raha Beach Hotel are all within 10 minutes makes the inland position feel less like a compromise and more like the best of both environments.*

Frequently Asked Questions — Al Raha Gardens

Can expatriates buy property in Al Raha Gardens?

Al Raha Gardens was established as Abu Dhabi’s first freehold development dedicated to UAE nationals. Freehold purchase is predominantly restricted to UAE nationals. Expatriate residents in Al Raha Gardens typically hold annual leasehold tenancy agreements rather than freehold title. This is a key difference from neighbouring freehold communities like Al Raha Beach (which is open to all nationalities for freehold purchase). Anyone interested in purchasing property in Al Raha Gardens should independently verify current eligibility with the relevant authority and obtain independent legal advice before proceeding.*

What schools are in Al Raha Gardens?

Two major schools are physically located within Al Raha Gardens. Raha International School (Gardens Campus) is Abu Dhabi’s first IB Continuum school, fully authorised for all three IB programmes (PYP, MYP, Diploma), catering to students from early years through Grade 12. It opened in 2006 and is part of the Taaleem group. Al Yasmina Academy (an Aldar Academies school) offers the British National Curriculum from ages 3 to 18, including GCSE and A Levels. Al Yasmina opened in September 2008. Both schools have over 15 years of established operation within the community.

What are rental prices for villas in Al Raha Gardens?

Villa rents across Al Raha Gardens range from approximately AED 130,000 per year (3-bedroom) to AED 300,000 per year (Al Ward 5–6 bedroom large formats).* The market average is approximately AED 242,000 per year for villas.* 4-bedroom villas: AED 155,000–200,000; 5-bedroom: AED 180,000–230,000; Al Ward 6-bedroom: AED 220,000–300,000.* Townhouses (3–4BR): AED 129,000–160,000 per year.* All figures are indicative from market research. Contact Address Point Properties for current availability.*

How many sub-communities does Al Raha Gardens have?

Al Raha Gardens has 11 sub-communities: Muzera, Al Mariah, Samra, Sidra, Yasmina, Qattouf, Khannour, Hemaim, Al Tharwaniyah, Lehwieh, and Al Ward. Each is independently gated within the master development and managed under the Aldar community management standard. The sub-communities differ in villa size distribution, plot configuration, and internal character. The most popular for renters (by listing volume) are Al Mariah, Khannour, Qattouf, Sidra, and Al Tharwaniyah. For buyers, Al Mariah, Sidra, Samra, Lehwieh, and Hemaim have the highest sale listing volumes.

How far is Al Raha Gardens from Abu Dhabi airport and Yas Island?

Abu Dhabi International Airport (Zayed International Airport) is approximately 10–15 minutes from Al Raha Gardens by car via the E10 or Airport Road. Yas Island — home to Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, Yas Waterworld, Warner Bros. World, Yas Marina Circuit, and Yas Mall — is approximately 12–15 minutes by car. Abu Dhabi city centre is approximately 20–25 minutes. Al Forsan International Sports Resort is approximately 10 minutes. Masdar City is approximately 10 minutes.

What makes Al Raha Gardens different from Al Raha Beach?

Al Raha Gardens is a landside villa and townhouse community with landscaped gardens, gated sub-communities, and two major schools within its boundary. Al Raha Beach is a waterfront development of apartments, marina, hotel, and open-air retail on the opposite side of the E10 highway. The two communities are complementary: Al Raha Gardens provides villa space, school proximity, and garden character; Al Raha Beach provides beachfront, marina, dining promenade, and apartment formats. They are approximately 5–10 minutes apart by car and share the same district branding and infrastructure, but cater to fundamentally different lifestyle requirements.*

Summary

Al Raha Gardens is Aldar Properties’ 1,407-home villa and townhouse community across 665,000 sqm in Abu Dhabi — the emirate’s first freehold development dedicated to UAE nationals, completed in phases between 2007 and 2009. Eleven gated sub-communities (Muzera, Al Mariah, Samra, Sidra, Yasmina, Qattouf, Khannour, Hemaim, Al Tharwaniyah, Lehwieh, Al Ward) offer 3–6 bedroom villas and 3–4 bedroom townhouses from 3,200 to 6,200 sq ft. Most villas include private gardens, covered parking, maid’s rooms, and many include private pools. Freehold ownership predominantly restricted to UAE nationals; expatriates typically lease. Raha International School (IB Continuum, Abu Dhabi’s first — within community) and Al Yasmina Academy (British curriculum, Aldar Academies — within community) are the district’s flagship schools. Gardens Plaza provides in-community retail (Safa Express, Boots the Chemist, Mothercare, Pace e Luce, Al Ansari Exchange). Al Raha Mall 10 minutes. Airport 10–15 minutes; Yas Island 12–15 minutes; city centre 20–25 minutes. Bus routes 160, 162, 216, 218. Villa rents AED 130,000–300,000 per year*; average AED 242,000*. Sale from AED 2,750,000*; average AED 3,750,000*. Villa ROI approximately 5.99%–6.3%*.

Prices marked with an asterisk (*) are indicative only, sourced from market research, and subject to change without notice. Address Point Properties makes no warranty as to the accuracy or currency of any pricing, yield, or investment information on this page. All area, unit size, and distance figures are approximate. Freehold eligibility in Al Raha Gardens is subject to applicable Abu Dhabi property law; prospective buyers must verify eligibility independently and obtain independent legal and financial advice before entering any transaction. For full details please review our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.