Dubai is a shopping paradise! If you’re searching for the best places for shopping in Dubai, look no further—Dubai has it all, from luxury department stores to outlets and malls packed with fun entertainment for the whole family.
Whether you’re after the world’s largest mall or a spot featuring the tallest 360° infinity pool, Dubai’s shopping destinations have something for everyone. Get ready to explore these amazing shopping hubs like never before!
Table of Contents
1. Dubai Mall
- The Dubai Mall is the ultimate shopping center with the entrance to the Burj Khalifa.
- It is the largest and most visited shopping center in the world with more than 1,300 retail stores in a total area of 54.8127 m².
- The entrance to three of the top attractions in Dubai is also located in the mall, meaning the Burj Khalifa, the Dubai Aquarium, and the Dubai Fountain. If you only have time for one mall, our recommendation is the Dubai Mall.
- You will find here Galeries Lafayette Dubai, Bloomingdale’s, a 200-stall food hall, cafes and restaurants. There is also a 22” screen cinema, an Olympic-sized ice rink, and the 5-star Armani Hotel in the Burj Khalifa in the Dubai Mall.
2. Mall of The Emirates
- The Mall of Emirates includes the famous indoor ski hall in Dubai, which is an attraction in itself. But it is also an ideal place for shopping, with stores of 630 international brands in an area of 230,000 m².
- Here you will find fashion, lifestyle, sports, electronics, and interior design stores as well as the city’s largest Carrefour. There is also a 14” screen cinema, the 500-seat Dubai Community Theater and Arts Center (DUCTAC), and more than 90 international restaurants and cafes.
- It is also a good shopping center for families. There is Magic Planet with a bowling center, video arcades, trampoline park, and virtual reality games center Dreamscape. The luxurious 5-star hotel Kempinski Mall of Emirates is directly connected to the Mall of Emirates.
3. Nakheel Mall
- Nakheel Mall stands at the base of the famous man-made island, The Palm Jumeirah. The five-story shopping center includes more than 300 shops, restaurants, and entertainment options.
- Nakheel Mall is also the access point to The View at The Palm Tower building. From there, you have a famous view of the villas, beaches, and hotels in Palm Jumeirah. The entrance to the world’s tallest 360° infinity pool, the Aura Skypool, is also located in the Mall.
- You can find everything from housewares to beauty products and jewelry in the mall.
- Examples of brands in the mall are H&M, Gant, and Sephora.
- In addition, there is a VOX cinema, a trampoline hall, and the Fabyland for children in the mall.
4. Dubai Outlet Mall
- The Dubai Outlet Mall with over 1200 brands and 240 stores is located on Dubai-Al Ain Road and is part of Dubailand. The mall is the right place for you if you are looking for bargains in Dubai.
- Here you can find everything from clothes, shoes, accessories, perfumes, and watches to electronics. The special thing about the Dubai Outlet Mall is that you can get old collections at any time of the year with discounts of 40% to 90%.
- Brands represented at Dubai Outlet Mall include Dolce & Gabbana, Façonnable, Alexander McQueen, Kenzo, Iceberg, Coach, Burberry, Roberto Cavalli, and Missoni among many others.
- Of course, there are also restaurants, cafes, and a playground for children in the outlet mall.
5. Ibn Battuta Shopping Mall
- Ibn Battuta Mall is one of the world’s largest themed malls. The huge shopping complex is named after the great Moroccan world traveler Ibn Battuta. He is something like the Marco Polo of the Arab world.
- The themed shopping center tells the story of Ibn Battuta’s travels in the 14th century from Morocco to Tunisia, Egypt, India, Andalusia, and Persia to China. The center is therefore also divided into six countries, each with its own design and culture.
- In total, you will find 270 shops, 50 restaurants, and a cinema with 21 screens in the mall.
- The mall is also one of the largest shopping centers in Dubai with an area of 521,000 m².
6. City Walk
- The City Walk is Dubai’s most popular and longest shopping street. The special thing about the City Walk is the outdoor atmosphere. The pedestrian zone extends over several blocks of high-rise buildings with a view of the Burj Khalifa in Downtown Dubai, which is only one metro station away.
- On an area of over 13,000 m², you will find numerous shops such as Sephora, 7 For All Mankind, or Swarovski, outdoor restaurants, beautifully designed outdoor areas, and the chic boutique hotel La Ville Hotel and Suites.
- The City Walk is also a family-friendly place with a variety of activities for children, such as The Green Planet, Coca-Cola Arena, a movie theater, and playgrounds.
7. WAFI Mall
- WAFI is a large shopping mall built in Egyptian style. It was opened in 1999 and has a selection of 300 shops and boutiques on 5 floors. In the mall, there are also some restaurants, a hotel, and a nightclub.
- In the mall, you will mainly find local and Arabic brands, but international brands in WAFI Mall include Chopard Boutique, Pierre Cardin, and The Body Shop.
- There is also an underground Arabic souk.
- A beautiful crystal maze, a 3D cinema, and a roller coaster simulator provide entertainment.
- There’s also a huge outdoor pool with lazy river action. Here you can float along an artificial river on an air mattress.
8. Dubai Festival City Mall
- The Dubai Festival City Mall is famous for its spectacular light shows.
- As the name suggests, the mall is located in Dubai Festival City. You can reach them from Dubai Downtown in around 25 minutes by taxi.
- It is one of the largest malls in Dubai with 500 stores. These include brands such as Beverly Hills Polo Club, DKNY, GAP, Mango, and Zara, but also IKEA and Toys R US.
- For dining, you will find numerous cafés and restaurants with international and national dishes in the Dubai Festival City Hall. Our recommendation is the Al-Fanar restaurant. It is one of the few restaurants with authentic Dubai food.
- The mall is also a good place for shopping with children, with the entertainment center Fabyland, the play center BRICOBILANDIA, and an indoor arcade.
- There is also the world’s first freestyle terrain park BounceX and the famous light show IMAGE. You see the light show every night after sunset. It is best to combine them with a dinner with a view of the show.
9. Dubai Marina Mall
- Dubai Marina is a relatively small mall compared to the other major malls in Dubai. However, it’s in a hip location, directly across from Dubai Marina and Dubai’s nightlife and food hotspot, Pier 7.
- The modern four-story mall is a massive circular atrium with a marina promenade that extends to the water.
- In the mall, you will find around 130 shops with brands such as Billabong, Monsoon, Cos, River Island, Pinko, and H&M, a cinema, some restaurants, and cafés.
- You can easily combine shopping in the Dubai Marina Mall with a walk along the Dubai Marina. You can also reach Marina Beach from the mall in less than 15 minutes. This makes Marina Mall a combination of shopping, dining, nightlife, and the beach in one day.
10. Mercato Shopping Mall
- The Mercato Mall in the Jumeirah district is one of the world’s finest malls. It is designed in an Italian-inspired Renaissance style with cobbled streets and Mediterranean piazzas.
- Covering 59,742 m² you will find more than 140 stores including Mango, Laura Ashley, and Hallmark. There are also cafés, restaurants, a VOX cinema, and the entertainment center Fun City.
- The Renaissance design in calm pastel tones makes the Mercato a unique shopping experience and a work of art. Many visit the shopping center just for this.
- The mall also has a free tourist shuttle bus service between hotels and Port Rashid.
11. Gold Souk
- Dubai’s Gold Souk is the heart of the Old Souk. This is where locals and tourists are in search of an exceptional piece of jewelry. Stroll through the alleys in the souk and let the traders, artists, and jewelry designers show you their gems.
- You will find everything from classic Arabian jewelry to individual one-offs in the Gold Souk. Prices are negotiable.
- But there is more than gold. Examples include silver ornaments with diamonds and pearl necklaces.
- Near the Gold Souk, you will also find the Textile Souk, Perfume Souk, and Spice Souk.
12. Souk Madinat Jumeirah
- Souk Madinat is the market modeled after a real souk between Dubai’s 5-star luxury hotels Mina A’Salam and Al Qasr.
- Here you will find souvenirs and at the same time have the best view of the 7-star hotel Burj Al Arab from the restaurants, cafes, and beaches in Souk Madinat Jumeirah.
- The souk is open to everyone, just drop by and you can find souvenirs, fine Arabic art, sculptures, international art houses, and all sorts of other things in the market.
- Finally, a trip on a traditional abra on the waterways in the souk is a must. You will also see the nearby Burj Al Arab.
13. City Centre Deira
- Opened in 1995, City Center Deira was the first major shopping center in the Emirates, with a variety of shops, restaurants, entertainment venues, and a hotel.
- On an area of 123,028 square meters, you will find 371 shops, several cafes, and restaurants. The shops are a good mix of international and local brands, for example, Mark & Spencer, H&M, or Bershka.
- The shopping center also includes a cinema with 20 screens and 3,000 seats.
- The mall is directly connected to the 5-star City Center Hotel & Residence managed by Pullman.
14. BurJuman Center
- BurJuman Center is one of the oldest malls in Dubai dating back to the year 1991. It has been recently renovated and is worth a visit even without a shopping trip as the interior design is worth seeing.
- The center is part of Dubai’s old town district of Bur Dubai. If you want to combine the old town with shopping, it is convenient. You can reach the BurJuman Center by subway, bus, or taxi in 15 to 30 minutes from Downtown Dubai.
- In the family-friendly shopping center, you will find 320 shops, restaurants and cafés, the entertainment center Magic Planet, and a VOX cinema.
- The shops are a good mix of street fashion brands like Next or Calvin Klein and luxury brands like Mont Blanc, Louis Vuitton, and Hermes.
- Popular Burjuman restaurants include Yo! Sushi, Jollibee, Nandos, and the Dome Cafe.
What is the best mall in Dubai?
The best mall in Dubai is probably the Dubai Mall. It is the largest mall in Dubai.
In addition, the entrance to the Burj Khalifa, the Dubai Aquarium, and the Dubai Famous Fountain also belong to the Dubai Mall. These are among the top 10 sights in Dubai.
Is there a shopping street in Dubai?
There is only one true shopping street in Dubai – City Walk.
Locals and travelers usually go shopping in one of the many malls in Dubai.
They are air-conditioned and therefore a recommendation for shopping all year round.
Is cash necessary for shopping in Dubai?
No. Cash is not necessary for shopping in the shopping malls in Dubai. Paying with a credit card is very common in Dubai.