Abu Dhabi’s real estate has experienced steady growth in Q1 2025. The rise in property prices has reflected strong demand in both the rental and sales segments of the emirate. Offering both affordable and luxury options, several key areas have seen varying price shifts. The increase in property prices has been an indication of investor confidence and shifting buyer preferences.
Dubizzle, the UAE’s top classifieds platform, makes finding property easy with smart filters, allowing buyers and renters to browse a wide range of listings conveniently. This analysis of dubizzle’s Q1 2025 search trends offers insights into market performance and showcases how the sector has scaled up.
Haider Khan, CEO of dubizzle and Dubizzle Group MENA, commented on the latest market trends, saying:
“It continues to be a period of steady growth for the Abu Dhabi real estate sector with significant progression in infrastructure, development and sustainability efforts. At dubizzle, we’re immensely proud to be part of this growth. As a leading platform, we remain dedicated to delivering innovative solutions that cater to the evolving needs of our users and partners.’’
Here are the key developments in Abu Dhabi’s property market for Q1 2025.
Top Luxury Apartment Community: Yas Island has secured the top position for buying luxury apartments, with an average sales price of AED 1.87. Meanwhile, Al Raha Beach has emerged as the preferred choice for tenants, where the average rent has been recorded at AED 143k.
Top Luxury Villa Community: Yas Island has led the market for both buying and renting luxury villas. The sales price of the villas in this area has averaged AED 4.68M while the rent has hovered around AED 229k, as per dubizzle search trends.
High Investment Returns for Luxury Properties: Saadiyat Island has emerged as the top-performing area for luxury villas, with an ROI of 5.60%. On the other hand, Yas Island has recorded the highest return of 6.99% in the luxury apartment sector.
Top Affordable Apartment Community: Al Reem Island has upheld its reputation as the top area for buying affordable apartments, with an average sales price of AED 1.54M. Meanwhile, Khalifa City has achieved the top position in the rental segment, where tenants have paid AED 44k annually.
Top Affordable Villa Community: With an average sales price of AED 2.21M, Al Reef has gained the leading position in the affordable villa market. At the same time, Mohammed Bin Zayed City has solidified its position as the top area to rent villas. The rent in this area has averaged AED 153k.
High Investment Returns for Affordable Properties: Al Reef has achieved the highest ROI in the affordable segment, with villas at 6.23% and apartments at 10.08%.
Properties for Sale in Abu Dhabi
According to dubizzle search trends, the following areas have ranked as the top choices for buying apartments and villas in Abu Dhabi in Q1 2025.
Apartments for Sale in Abu Dhabi
Yas Island, Al Raha Beach and Saadiyat Island have emerged as the leading areas for luxury apartment investments in Abu Dhabi for Q1 2025. This trend has been fueled by the proximity of these areas to world-class dining, shopping and entertainment options.
Yas Island has become the top choice among apartment seekers, with an average price of AED 1.87M and an ROI of 6.99%. The per-square-foot price has increased by 2.54%, climbing from AED 1,695 in Q4 2024 to AED 1,738 in Q1 2025.
Al Raha Beach has recorded a slight increase in per-square-foot price, rising from AED 1,320 in Q4 2024 to AED 1,347 in Q1 2025. The average sales price of the apartments in this area has been recorded at AED 1.95M.
Saadiyat Island has become a popular destination for luxury apartment buyers. The area has seen a 2.81% rise in per-square-foot prices.
Al Jubail Island and The Marina have experienced a decline in per-square-foot prices, dropping by 1.74% and 1.20%, respectively.
Al Reem Island, Masdar City and Al Reef have established themselves as top destinations for buying affordable apartments in Abu Dhabi.
Leading the segment, Al Reem Island has recorded an impressive ROI of 7.31%, with an average sales price of AED 1.54M. The area has seen a 3.57% increase in per-square-foot prices, increasing from AED 1,216 in the last quarter of 2024 to AED 1,259, in the first quarter of 2025.
Masdar City and Al Reef have seen slight increases in per-square-foot prices, rising by 0.68% and 1.74%, respectively.
Affordable apartment buyers have also shown strong interest in Al Ghadeer and Al Shamkha. The per-square-foot prices in Al Ghadeer have climbed by 2.18%. On the other hand, the per-square-foot price in Al Shamkha has reached AED 1,401.
Villas for Sale in Abu Dhabi
Yas Island, Saadiyat Island and Al Jubail Island have dominated the luxury villa market in Q1 2025. These communities have garnered significant attention for their modern villas offering various luxurious amenities.
Villas in Yas Island have reached an average sales price of AED 4.68M, with an ROI of 5.53%. The sales prices for 4, 5 and 6-bedroom villas in the community have risen by 2.41%, 0.24% and 0.89%, respectively.
Saadiyat Island has witnessed a 0.47% rise in per-square-foot prices, bringing the average villa sales price up from AED 9.12M in Q4 2024 to AED 9.31M in Q1 2025. On the other hand, the average sales price of villas in Al Jubail Island has been estimated at AED 9.902M.
Al Jurf has become a sought-after destination for luxury villa buyers. The sales price of villas in this area has averaged AED 5.84M. Meanwhile, the average sales price in Ramhan Island has been recorded at AED 12.4M.
Al Reef, Al Shamkha and Khalifa City have emerged as the top choices for buyers looking for affordable villas.
Al Reef has maintained its position as the top area in the affordable villa segment, with an average price of AED 2.21M and an ROI of 6.23%. The per-square-foot price has climbed by 0.26%, rising from AED 827 in Q4 2024 to AED 829 in Q1 2025.
Al Shamkha and Khalifa City have also come out as coveted destinations for affordable villas, with average sales prices of AED 4.13M and AED 4.91M, respectively.
Al Reem Island has recorded a 5.23% rise in per-square-foot prices, rising from AED 1,304 in Q4 2024 to AED 1,373 in Q1 2025. Zayed City has seen its average sales price grow to AED 3.92M.
Properties for Rent in Abu Dhabi
Based on dubizzle’s search trends, demand for rental villas and apartments in Abu Dhabi has risen in Q1 2025 when compared to Q4 2024. The most sought-after villas and apartment communities among tenants are listed below:
Apartments for Rent in Abu Dhabi
Al Raha Beach, Corniche Area and Yas Island have come out as the top choices for renting luxury apartments in Abu Dhabi.
The annual rent of apartments in Al Raha Beach has averaged AED 143k. The rent of the luxurious 1, 2 and 3-bedroom apartments has been recorded at AED 89k, AED 131k and AED 188k, respectively.
Corniche Area has maintained an average rent of AED 126k. Moreover, rental prices have seen a decrease, with 1-bedroom units down by 4.44%, 2-bedroom units by 3.23% and 3-bedroom units by 1.44%.
Yas Island, Saadiyat Island and Al Bateen have emerged as sought after areas for renting luxury apartments in Abu Dhabi. The rent of apartments in these communities has averaged AED 115k, AED 165k and AED 133k, respectively.
Khalifa City, Al Reem Island and Madinat Al Riyadh have come out as premier locations for affordable apartment rentals.
In Khalifa City, the average annual rent for affordable apartments has stood at AED 44k, with studios renting for AED 34k, 1-bedroom units for AED 46k and 2-bedroom units for AED 78k.
Al Reem Island has seen a slight 4.35% rise in average yearly rent, reaching AED 120k. Meanwhile, the rent of apartments in Madinat Al Riyadh has averaged AED 40k.
Al Muroor and Al Khalidiyah have ranked among the top locations for affordable apartment rentals, with average rents at AED 55k and AED 102k, respectively.
Villas for Rent in Abu Dhabi
Yas Island, Al Mushrif and Al Bateen have emerged as the top locations for luxury villa rentals in Abu Dhabi.
Yas Island has witnessed a 1.33% rise in annual villa rents, now averaging AED 229k. The rental prices for luxurious 4, 5 and 6-bedroom villas have been recorded at AED 250k, AED 308k and AED 650k, respectively.
In Al Mushrif, the rent of luxury villas has increased by 4.15%, reaching an average of AED 201k per year. Meanwhile, the rent of villas in Al Bateen has averaged AED 275k.
Saadiyat Island has recorded an increase of 5.19% in villa rents, bringing the average to AED 588k. Al Matar has also ranked among the most sought-after areas for luxury villa rentals, with annual rent averaging AED 211k in Q1 2025.
Mohammed Bin Zayed City, Khalifa City and Madinat Al Riyadh have become prime areas for affordable villa rentals.
The average asking rent for luxury villas in Mohammed Bin Zayed City stands at AED 153k.
In Khalifa City, villa rents have risen by 3.74%, reaching an average of AED 194k, whereas Madinat Al Riyadh has also experienced a 1.20% increase in annual villa rents, now averaging AED 168k.
Shakhbout City has experienced a 4.17% drop in yearly rent, bringing the average to AED 161k in Q1 2025. Similarly, Al Reef has seen a 2.90% decline, with annual villa rents now averaging AED 134k.
Off-Plan Properties for Sale in Abu Dhabi
Several off-plan projects have contributed to the growth of Abu Dhabi’s real estate market in Q1 2025, attracting strong investor interest compared to Q4 2024. The most in-demand off-plan developments among buyers are listed below:
Off-Plan Apartments for Sale in Abu Dhabi, Yas Bay, Saadiyat Cultural District and Al Maryah Vista 2 have gained prominence as Abu Dhabi’s leading luxury off-plan apartment projects in Q1 2025.
Yas Bay on Yas Island has established itself as a top choice for off-plan luxury apartments, with average prices reaching AED 2.02M.
With an average price of AED 4.45M, Saadiyat Cultural District on Saadiyat Island has solidified its position as Abu Dhabi’s top destination for luxury apartments.
Al Maryah Vista 2 has become the top-searched project in Al Maryah Island, featuring centrally located off-plan luxury apartments priced at an average of AED 1.11M.
Reem Hills, Royal Park and Al Reeman 1 have emerged as the top affordable projects for off-plan apartments in Abu Dhabi in Q1 2025.
Reem Hills on Al Reem Island has drawn investor interest as an affordable community, with an average sales price of AED 1.65M.
Royal Park in Masdar City has appealed to buyers seeking budget-friendly options, with properties averaging AED 934k.
Al Reeman 1 in Al Shamkha has gained popularity as an affordable off-plan project for apartments, offering properties at an average price of AED 793k.
Off-Plan Villas for Sale in Abu Dhabi, Yas Acres, Saadiyat Lagoons and Al Jurf Gardens have gained prominence as Abu Dhabi’s leading luxury off-plan villa projects in Q1 2025.
Yas Acres on Yas Island has cemented its reputation as a premier luxury destination, with off-plan villas priced at an average of AED 6.52M.
Saadiyat Lagoons on Saadiyat Island has established itself as Abu Dhabi’s premier villa community, with luxury homes priced at AED 8.98M.
Al Jurf Gardens in Al Jurf has drawn interest for its upscale villas, priced at AED 5.56M on average.
Al Reeman 2, Bloom Living and Al Naseem Community have gained recognition as Abu Dhabi’s top affordable off-plan villa developments.
Al Reeman II in Al Shamkha has emerged as a standout affordable off-plan project, offering apartments with an average sales price of AED 4.1M.
Bloom Living in Zayed City has become a preferred choice for budget-conscious buyers, with average property prices at AED 3.92M.
Al Naseem Community on Al Hudayriat Island has also been among the sought-after destinations for affordable villas, averaging AED 8.89M.
