Dubai and the UAE is one of the world’s ultimate shopping destinations. But the actual experience of shopping here is just as important as the shops themselves. Many of the malls here are more entertainment complex than they are shopping centres – each vying to bring customers through the door through their impressive sights and attractions.
Dubai is home to the lion share of the UAE’s malls, but you can find plenty of fantastic shopping location all across the country. If you tire of the glitzy centres it’s worth seeking out the traditional souks dotted around the country. These make for a refreshingly different experience and can feel more like you are sampling real Emirati life – and all are accessible by road, with many car hire companies readily available.
Dubai Mall, Dubai
The Dubai Mall is probably Dubai’s most famous shopping centre and one of the true must-sees on any UAE shopping trip. With over 1,200 shops and more than 14,000 parking spaces, the Mall is one of the largest in the world. With everything from boutique fashion stores selling the world’s most famous brands to obscure speciality shops, there’s just about everything you can imagine buying here.
Beyond the stores is virtually a city’s worth of entertainment including an ice rink, the SEGA Republic indoor theme park, an enormous aquarium and a cinema complex. The famous Dubai Fountain also sits directly in front of the mall.
Mall of the Emirates, Dubai
Smaller than the Dubai Mall, this is nevertheless an enormous shopping centre that is home to more than 600 shops including 250 flagship stores. The Mall of the Emirates is also the location of Ski Dubai, the Middle East’s first indoor ski resort and the world’s largest indoor snow park – it makes for a great family day out.
As if this that wasn’t enough, the mall additionally houses a 14-screen cinema as well as a family entertainment area called Magic Planet.
Ibn Battuta Mall, Dubai
Sitting a little way away from the city centre, Ibn Battuta Mall’s claim to fame is that it is the largest themed shopping mall in the world. The mall showcases the life of famed Arabian explorer Ibn Battuta and the six zones of the mall are themed around the different parts of the world that Battuta visited during his lifetime: Egypt, India, China, Persia, Tunisia and Andalusia.
Gold Souk, Dubai
Probably Dubai’s most famous souk, the Gold Souk is well-known for its range of jewellery stores, hence the name. Remember that this is a traditional market where Middle Eastern-style bartering is expected for goods. Many of the shops here sell the same or very similar items so bargaining is essential to get the best deal.
You don’t need to worry about quality – the souk is closely monitored by the UAE government to ensure that everything sold here is genuine gold.
Yas Mall, Abu Dhabi
Yas Island is fast becoming one of the hottest destinations in Abu Dhabi and the UAE. As well as the impressive Formula One circuit and range of fun attractions, the island is now home to the Yas Mall. This enormous complex has more than 370 stores and 60 restaurants and cafes.
There’s also a direct link to Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, an enormous indoor theme park based around the luxury car brand. And an extension for the mall is already being planned.
Camel Souk, Al Ain
For something entirely different and unique, head to Al Ain, the oasis city sitting in the desert of Abu Dhabi. Here you can visit the last camel market in the UAE. You probably won’t be in the market to buy one but it can be a fascinating experiencing watching locals barter for the animals as well as the chance to take photos with them.
