Yas Village is a residential community on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi — developed by Aldar as rental housing for the people who live and work on the island. It is not in Dubai, and it has nothing to do with Global Village in Dubai (a common mix-up). In October 2025 Aldar announced a major expansion: 665 new rental homes on Yas Island, including a gated community of 217 townhouses and villas plus 448 apartments extending the existing staff village. Here’s what Yas Village is, where exactly it sits, and what’s around it.
What Is Yas Village?
Yas Village (also called Yas Residential Village) is Aldar’s rental community on Yas Island — the entertainment island that’s home to Ferrari World, Yas Waterworld, Warner Bros. World and the Yas Marina Circuit. Unlike Aldar’s for-sale villa communities, Yas Village is develop-to-hold rental housing: built to be rented, not sold, aimed at young professionals, families and the thousands of staff who work on the island’s theme parks, hotels and mall.
Where Is Yas Village? (Abu Dhabi, Not Dubai)
Yas Village is on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi — about 15 minutes from Zayed International Airport and roughly 1 hour 15 minutes from Dubai via the E11. If you searched “yas village” expecting something in Dubai: the Dubai attraction with a similar name is Global Village, the multicultural theme park on the E311 — a completely different place.
Housing in Yas Village
Aldar’s October 2025 announcement (part of a AED 3.8 billion develop-to-hold programme) added 665 rental units on Yas Island:
- 217 townhouses and villas in a new gated community, designed for young professionals and families who want the Yas Island lifestyle near top schools, leisure and workplaces.
- 448 apartments as an extension to the existing Yas Residential Village, dedicated to accommodating staff working on the island.
Because the programme is rental-focused, availability runs through Aldar’s leasing channels rather than the open sales market. Unit mixes run from studios to family-sized apartments and townhouses (exact current availability changes — confirm with Aldar directly).
What’s Near Yas Village
The whole point of living on Yas Island is having the UAE’s biggest entertainment cluster on your doorstep:
- Ferrari World Abu Dhabi — the Ferrari-branded theme park with the world’s fastest roller coaster
- Yas Waterworld and Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi
- SeaWorld Abu Dhabi on Yas Island
- Yas Mall — Abu Dhabi’s large mall, minutes away
- Yas Marina Circuit — home of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
- Disneyland Abu Dhabi — announced by Disney and Miral in 2025 (expected, no opening date confirmed), set to join the island’s lineup
Day-to-day needs are covered by Yas Mall, community retail, international schools on the island, and the beach clubs along Yas Bay.
Living in Yas Village: Pros and Cons
Pros: unbeatable access to the island’s entertainment, Yas Mall minutes away, modern Aldar-managed rental stock, international schools on the island, and the airport 15 minutes away — handy for frequent flyers. Cons: it’s a drive from Abu Dhabi’s Corniche and city centre, public transport off the island is limited, and as a rental-focused community there’s less of an owner-occupier neighbourhood feel than in Aldar’s for-sale communities like Yas Acres.
Schools Near Yas Village
Families are covered by the island’s international schools, including Sabis International School – Yas Island and West Yas Academy, both a short drive from the village. Combined with the gated-community setup of the new townhouse/villa cluster, Yas Village is clearly pitched at families who want island living without leaving the school run to chance.
Getting There From Dubai
Drive the E11 south for about 1 hour 15 minutes (traffic-dependent) and follow signs for Yas Island. By public transport: take a bus to Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station, then a taxi or the Yas Express shuttle connections to the island. There’s no direct Dubai–Yas Island public bus, so a car or taxi is the practical option for a day trip.