Most tourists photograph the Burj Khalifa and never notice one of the oldest landmarks in the city, sitting quietly on a busy roundabout in Deira. The clock tower roundabout Dubai has directed traffic since the 1960s, long before the skyline existed, and it is still one of the easiest reference points for finding your way around old Dubai.

This guide covers what the clock tower roundabout Dubai is actually called, its exact location, the nearest metro station, its history and what to expect if you go and see it.

In this guide you will learn:

• What the Dubai clock tower is officially called
• The clock tower roundabout Dubai location, road by road
• Which metro station is closest to the clock tower roundabout Dubai
• The history behind the Dubai clock tower building
• What to do nearby, and price expectations for visiting

Key Takeaways

• The clock tower roundabout Dubai is officially called the Deira Clocktower, originally the Dubai Clock Tower.
• It sits in Deira at the intersection of Umm Hurair Road and Route D89, also known as Al Maktoum Road.
• The nearest metro station is Al Rigga, with City Centre Deira also close by, both on the Red Line.
• The tower was completed in 1965 and renovated in 2023.
• Visiting the roundabout itself is free, since it is a public traffic landmark, not a paid attraction.

What Is the Dubai Clock Tower Called?

The Dubai clock tower is called the Deira Clocktower, though most people still refer to it as the Dubai Clock Tower, its original name. It sits on a roundabout in Deira and was designed by Otto Bullard, with engineer Edgar Bublik involved in the project’s background. The Daily Telegraph once listed it among the world’s most beautiful clock towers.

Deira clock tower location and clock tower roundabout Dubai describe the same landmark. The first name refers to the structure itself, while the second refers to the traffic circle built around it. Locals use both interchangeably.

Clock Tower Roundabout Dubai: Location

The clock tower roundabout Dubai is located on a roundabout at the intersection of Umm Hurair Road and Route D89, commonly known as Al Maktoum Road, on the border of Al Rigga and Deira. It sits close to the Al Maktoum Bridge, the first land crossing built between Deira and Bur Dubai.

If you are searching for the clock tower roundabout Dubai map, drop a pin at the Al Rigga and Al Maktoum Road junction in Deira. The roundabout sits a short drive from Dubai International Airport and connects several major routes through old Dubai, which is part of why it became such a well known reference point.

Clock Tower Roundabout Dubai Near Metro Station

The clock tower roundabout Dubai near metro station options are Al Rigga and City Centre Deira, both on the Red Line. Al Rigga is the closer of the two, roughly a ten minute walk from the roundabout. Several RTA bus routes also serve the area, including 27, 53, 11A and X28.

How to reach the clock tower roundabout by metro:

Step 1: Take the Dubai Metro Red Line toward Al Rigga station.

Step 2: Exit the station and walk in the direction of Al Maktoum Road.

Step 3: Follow the road for around ten minutes until you reach the roundabout.

Step 4: Cross using the designated pedestrian routes, since the tower sits inside active traffic.

Pro Tip: City Centre Deira station works just as well if you plan to combine the visit with a stop at the mall.

Dubai Clock Tower Building: History and Architecture

The Dubai clock tower building was completed in 1965 as a symbolic gateway landmark for the city. The clock itself was a gift from Sheikh Ahmed of Qatar, son-in-law of Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum. The tower originally used steel reinforcements, which corroded over time and eventually needed attention.

The Dubai Municipality carried out a renovation of the roundabout and tower, completed in 2023 at a reported cost of around AED 10 million, restoring the historic landmark while modernising the surrounding roundabout. The clock now displays numbers in both English and Arabic.

Before the Dubai to Abu Dhabi road existed, this roundabout marked the convergence point of all major routes into the city. For long time residents, the clock tower roundabout Dubai represents old Dubai, a fixed point in a skyline that otherwise changes constantly.

Clock Tower Roundabout Dubai: Access Options Compared

Recommendation: The metro to Al Rigga is the simplest and cheapest way to see the clock tower roundabout Dubai for most visitors.

Clock Tower Roundabout Dubai: Price to Visit

There is no entry price for the clock tower roundabout Dubai, since it is a public traffic roundabout rather than a ticketed attraction. Visitors view and photograph it from the surrounding pavements and pedestrian crossings. Any cost involved is limited to how you travel there, such as metro fare or a taxi ride.

Things to Do Near the Clock Tower Roundabout

• Deira Gold Souq for traditional jewellery shopping
• Deira Spice Souq for a short walk through stalls of spices and dried goods
• Dubai Creek for an abra ride across to Bur Dubai
• Deira City Centre mall for shopping and food courts near the City Centre Deira metro stop

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Trying to walk directly onto the roundabout instead of using pedestrian crossings
• Expecting a ticketed attraction with opening hours, when it is a free public landmark
• Confusing it with the Burj Khalifa area, which is a separate part of the city
• Visiting during peak traffic hours if you plan to photograph it from ground level

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Dubai clock tower called?

The Dubai clock tower is officially called the Deira Clocktower, though it is still commonly referred to by its original name, the Dubai Clock Tower.

Where is the clock tower roundabout Dubai location?

It sits in Deira at the intersection of Umm Hurair Road and Route D89, also called Al Maktoum Road, close to Al Rigga and Deira City Centre.

The Dubai clock tower is located on a what?

The Dubai clock tower is located on a roundabout in Deira, at the junction of Umm Hurair Road and Al Maktoum Road, near the Al Maktoum Bridge.

Which metro station is near the clock tower roundabout Dubai?

Al Rigga station is the closest, about a ten minute walk away, with City Centre Deira station also within easy reach on the Red Line.

What is the clock tower roundabout Dubai price to visit?

There is no price. It is a free public roundabout, and any cost is limited to your transport there, such as metro fare or a taxi.

When was the Deira clock tower built?

Sources place construction between 1963 and 1965, with most citing 1965 as the completion year, making it one of Dubai’s earliest modern landmarks.

Was the Deira clock tower ever renovated?

Yes. The Dubai Municipality completed a renovation in 2023, reported at around AED 10 million, restoring the tower and the surrounding roundabout.

Conclusion

The clock tower roundabout Dubai is a free, easily reached landmark that tells you more about old Dubai than most modern attractions. Take the metro to Al Rigga, walk about ten minutes, and combine the visit with the nearby gold souq or Dubai Creek for a fuller half day in Deira.

Next Steps:

• Plan your metro route to Al Rigga or City Centre Deira station
• Pair the visit with the Deira Gold Souq or an abra ride across Dubai Creek
• Bookmark this guide for current transport and renovation details