Satwa Roundabout 2 – Simple Guide: Satwa Roundabout Dubai

What You Will Learn Here

This guide explains everything about Satwa Roundabout 2 in Dubai. You will learn where it is, how to drive through it, what to watch out for, and why locals still use this name. No complicated words. Just practical help.

Table of Contents

The Short Answer About “What is Satwa Roundabout 2”

Satwa Roundabout 2 is not really a roundabout anymore. It used to be a traffic circle where Al Hadiqa Road meets Al Satwa Road. Dubai removed the circle in 2019 and put traffic lights instead. But people still call it Roundabout 2. It sits about 500 meters southeast of the more famous Satwa Roundabout 1.

How This Spot Came to Be

What People Mean When They Say “Roundabout 2”

Locals use this name to describe a specific crossing. You will not find any official sign saying “Roundabout 2”. It is a nickname that stuck. Before 2019, there was a real roundabout here with four exits. After road upgrades, the circle disappeared. But old habits die hard. Taxi drivers, delivery riders, and shopkeepers still use the old name every day.

A Brief Background of Satwa roundabout 2

Back in the 1980s, Dubai was growing fast. This intersection helped workers reach new office areas like Al Jafiliya and the Trade Centre. Unlike Roundabout 1, which had many shops and restaurants, satwa Roundabout 2 was mostly homes and small workshops.

By 2010, the traffic became too heavy for a simple roundabout. In 2019, the government stepped in. They removed the circle, added traffic lights, and created dedicated turning lanes. Maps stopped showing the roundabout name, but people never forgot it.

Why Satwa roundabout 2 Still Matters Today

This crossing saves time. When Sheikh Zayed Road gets clogged, smart drivers use Al Hadiqa Road to escape. The intersection links three busy districts:

Affordable housing in Al Satwa
Government offices in Al Jafiliya
The Iranian Hospital and surrounding clinics

Also, the F13 bus passes through here on its way to Dubai Mall. If you live or work in central Satwa, you will pass this spot often.

Finding the Exact Spot of Satwa roundabout 2 on Google Map

GPS location of Satwa roundabout 2: around 25.223°N, 55.274°E

Best landmark: Pakistan Association Dubai. Stand there and walk about 150 meters west. You will reach the intersection. No signboard marks it.

What is nearby:

Satwa Park – about 400 meters to the northwest
Al Satwa Bus Station – about 500 meters to the northwest
Iranian Hospital – about 200 meters to the southeast

Roads That Meet Satwa roundabout 2

Road Name	Direction	Where It Goes
Al Hadiqa Road (old name: Al Dhiyafa)	East to west	West: Al Wasl Road / East: Al Jafiliya and Oud Metha
Al Satwa Road	North to south	North: Satwa Roundabout 1 / South: Iranian Hospital and Al Mankhool
17th Street (small local road)	From northwest	Feeds into local homes and small alleys

Neighborhoods You Can Reach From Here

Al Satwa – head north or west for homes and small shops
Al Jafiliya – go east on Al Hadiqa for government buildings and Dubai Municipality
Iranian Hospital area – go south on Al Satwa
Oud Metha – continue east past Al Jafiliya

Well-Known Places Within Walking Distance

Pakistan Association Dubai – 150 m northwest
Iranian Hospital – 200 m southeast
Satwa Park – 400 m northwest
Al Satwa Bus Station – 500 m northwest
Dubai Frame – about 2 km east (you can see it from the road)

Food, Shops, and Services Nearby

Places to Eat

Ravi Restaurant – famous Pakistani Best food Around roundabout, 10 minutes walk north
Al Ustad Special Kebab – Persian dishes, 8 minutes walk northwest
Operation Falafel – quick Lebanese meals, near the bus station
Many small Iranian and Indian cafeterias within a short walk

Shops for Daily Needs

Day-to-Day – cheap groceries and household items, 5 minutes walk
Choithrams (Al Dhiyafa branch) – bigger supermarket, 7 minutes drive (closed Friday 1–5 PM)
Laundry shops – at least five nearby (about 5–8 AED per shirt)
Mobile repair shops – several along Al Satwa Road

Hospitals, Clinics, and Places of Worship

Iranian Hospital – full services (emergency, checkups, surgery)
Satwa Medical Centre – small clinic, 300 m north
Pakistan Association Clinic – low-cost checkups
Mosques – three within 5 minutes walk (Al Satwa Mosque, Iranian Mosque, and a small local one)
Satwa Church Complex – 1 km north (many Christian groups meet here)

Getting to the Metro

Al Jafiliya Metro Station (Red Line) – 1.2 km east. That is a 15 minute walk or a 5 minute bus ride.
Important: No metro station is inside Satwa. You must take a bus or taxi.

Buses and Taxis

Buses on Al Satwa Road: F13 (to Dubai Mall), 8, 9, 12, 88

Al Satwa Bus Station (500 m northwest): Many routes start here – 7, 10, 14, 21, 29, 33, 44, 61D, 83, 91A, C3, C5, C7, C9, X13, X22

Taxis and Careem/Uber: Easy to find. For pickup, tell the driver to go to “Pakistan Association”.

Best and Worst Times to Drive Satwa roundabout 2

Time of Day	Traffic	What to Do
7:30–9:00 AM	Heavy	Avoid if you can. Many people drive to Al Jafiliya and Business Bay.
10:00 AM–12:00 PM	Light	Perfect for hospital visits.
12:00–2:00 PM	Medium	Still fine. Lunchtime does not cause jams.
5:00–7:00 PM	Heavy	Very slow. Cars heading toward Al Wasl block the road.
After 9:00 PM	Light	Very quiet. Good for late errands.
Friday 1:00–3:00 PM	Very light	Best time for beginners to practice driving here.

Important Traffic Rules (Read Before You Go)

Since Satwa roundabout 2 is gone, you follow traffic light rules. But some drivers still act like it is a roundabout. Do not copy them.

The real rules:

Always obey the traffic lights. Cameras will catch you. Fine for running a red light: 1,000 AED and 12 black points.
There is a dedicated right-turn lane from Al Hadiqa Road onto Al Satwa Road south. Do not stop there.
No U-turns at this intersection. Drive 200 meters further to the designated U-turn spots.
Pedestrians have the right of way when their crossing light is green. They also have buttons to request a green.
Do not park or stop within 50 meters of the crossing. RTA patrols check often.

Mistakes Drivers Make Here

Using the wrong lane – Some drivers turn left from a straight-only lane. This causes close calls.
Stopping in the yellow box – The intersection is small. Impatient drivers get stuck inside.
Assuming old roundabout rules apply – There are no “yield to the right” rules anymore. Follow the lights.
Missing the hospital entrance – The Iranian Hospital turn is just 150 meters south on the right. Many drivers overshoot and try illegal U-turns.
Trusting Google Maps for “Roundabout 2” – Maps may send you to the old circle location (now a straight road). Instead, search for “Pakistan Association”.

How to Handle Each Exit (Step by Step)

Exit A – Going West on Al Hadiqa Road (toward Al Wasl and Jumeirah)

Where you come from: Al Satwa Road north (coming from Roundabout 1)

Which lane to use: Leftmost lane

What to do: Turn left at the lights onto Al Hadiqa west

What you see next: After 300 meters, you hit Al Wasl Road. Go straight to reach Jumeirah Beach Road. Turn left to reach Al Wasl Centre.

Busiest time: 4–6 PM when people drive home to Jumeirah.

Exit B – Going North on Al Satwa Road (toward Roundabout 1 and Al Wasl)

Where you come from: Al Hadiqa Road east (coming from Al Jafiliya)

Which lane to use: Right lane

What to do: Turn right onto Al Satwa north

What you see next: After 500 meters, you reach Satwa Roundabout 1. Continue north to Al Wasl Road and the main shopping street of Satwa.

Nearby spots: Satwa Park (left after 300 m), bus station (right after 400 m).

Exit C – Going East on Al Hadiqa Road (toward Al Jafiliya, Oud Metha, Dubai Frame)

Where you come from: Al Satwa Road south (coming from Iranian Hospital)

Which lane to use: Rightmost lane

What to do: Turn right onto Al Hadiqa east

What you see next: After 1 km, Al Jafiliya metro station and Dubai Municipality. Keep going straight to Oud Metha and Wafi City.

Best use: This is the fastest way to Al Jafiliya during morning rush hour (7:30–9 AM). Do not use the left lane here – that is for traffic coming from the other direction.

Exit D – Going South on Al Satwa Road (toward Iranian Hospital, Al Mankhool, Bur Dubai)

Where you come from: Al Hadiqa Road west (coming from Al Wasl)

Which lane to use: Left lane

What to do: Turn left onto Al Satwa south

What you see next: After 200 meters, the Iranian Hospital entrance is on your right. Continue straight to Al Mankhool and Bur Dubai via Al Fahidi Street.

Warning: The left-turn green light lasts only 12 seconds. Be ready to move.

Safe Driving Tips for Satwa roundabout 2

Since there is no roundabout, follow this simple plan:

Slow down as you approach – Watch for pedestrians who may cross early.
Check lane arrows well ahead – There are special stop lines for bicycles and scooters.
Do not change lanes inside the crossing – Cameras cover all four directions.
Give space to buses – The F13 and 88 buses make wide turns here. They need extra room.
Keep a steady speed after crossing – Sudden brakes cause rear-end crashes. Drivers behind you do not expect stops after the lights.

READ THIS ARTICLE ALSO “Reach Satwa Roundabout Dubai from Major Locations“

Advice for First-Time Visitors

Show up 10 minutes early if you are going to Iranian Hospital. Finding parking takes time.
Use the service road on Al Hadiqa east if you need to stop quickly. The main road has no shoulder.
Know your exit number before you arrive – Do not decide at the last moment.
If you miss your turn, keep going. Do not reverse or cut across. For Al Hadiqa east, the next U-turn is 400 meters ahead near Al Jafiliya metro.
Watch for delivery bikes – Satwa has many food delivery riders. They squeeze between cars. Sudden lane changes cause small accidents.

What Professional Driving Instructors Say

“Students get confused because the name says roundabout but the road says traffic lights. I tell them to ignore the name completely. Treat it as a normal crossroad. The only old rule that remains is: if you are in the right lane, you must turn right unless a sign says otherwise.”
— Driving instructor, 12 years of experience

“The most dangerous part is the pedestrian crossing near the hospital on the south side. Sick people cross slowly. I have seen three close calls there in just the last year. Drivers must stop for the red light even when no other cars are around.”
– Instructor from Emirates Driving Institute

Why Everyone Knows This Name

A Small Piece of Local History

Before 2019, Satwa roundabout 2 marked the entrance to the Iranian Hospital neighborhood. During Ramadan, people gathered here. Taxi drivers waited for late-night passengers. Unlike the busy Roundabout 1, this spot had a calm, friendly feel.

Its Everyday Role Now

Even though the roundabout is gone, the name lives on. It helps people describe where they live. “I am near Satwa Roundabout 2” makes sense to real estate agents, delivery apps, and handymen.

Traffic-wise, it plays a backup role:

When Roundabout 1 gets stuck, drivers detour through Satwa roundabout 2.
When Al Jafiliya metro parking fills up, people park in Satwa and walk to the station via this intersection.

It is not a famous landmark. But it is a useful one.

How It Compares to Other Dubai Roundabouts

Name	Location	What Makes It Special	Traffic Level	Compared to Satwa Roundabout 2
Satwa Roundabout 1	Al Wasl / Al Satwa	Larger, more shops, partly changed	Very high	Roundabout 2 is smaller and more residential
Deira Clock Tower	Deira	Old landmark with a clock statue	High	Satwa Roundabout 2 has no monument – purely practical
Trade Centre Roundabout	Sheikh Zayed Road	Huge, many lanes, links main highway	Extremely high	Satwa Roundabout 2 is local and low-speed
Al Nahda Roundabout	Near Sharjah border	Known for long traffic jams	Very high	Roundabout 2 rarely jams more than 5–10 minutes

Final Summary and Simple Action Steps

Satwa Roundabout 2 is not a real roundabout anymore – but the name remains useful. Whether you are driving to the hospital, looking for an apartment nearby, or catching the F13 bus to Dubai Mall, knowing this spot helps you save time.

Remember these three things:

The circle was removed in 2019. Follow the traffic lights.
Use “Pakistan Association” as your GPS destination, not “Roundabout 2”.
Avoid lane mistakes and illegal U-turns.

Next time you drive through, you will know exactly which lane to take, when to go, and how to stay safe. Share this with friends who are new to Satwa – it could save them from a fine or a missed doctor’s appointment.