Shopping Malls In Dubai
After the beaches, probably the next most popular thing in Dubai is to visit the shopping malls, and Dubai has some of the best shopping experiences in the world. From mega-malls such as Dubai Mall and the Mall of the Emirates to local smaller malls like Mercato, there is a full range for all the family to meet every need.
All major fashion labels are available in Dubai, and there are many opportunities to pick up bargains if you like to shop around. You can be pampered as much as you want or battle through the old streets of Dubai and haggle your way through a vast group of street traders and small business owners which can be a lot of fun or exhausting, whichever way you look at it. Shopping in Dubai is quite an experience, so go out and enjoy it.
Let’s take a look at some of the best-known malls in Dubai.
Table Of Contents
Dubai Mall
Overview
Probably the most luxurious mall in Dubai, the Dubai Mall is located in the Downtown district of Dubai. We will never forget when this mall opened because so many people got lost trying to navigate around it. Opened in 2008, the number of times I had forgotten where I parked my car in the early days is too embarrassing to talk about. They now have ticket machines in the car park to show you where you parked your car!
So the mall is 13 million square feet, which is mad. It is currently one of the largest malls in the world, depending on how you measure it. There are over 1,200 retail outlets, so there is something for everyone, including two huge food courts, an indoor skating ring, a huge cinema complex, and at least 2 adjoining hotels.
Located next to the Burj Khalifa, the visitor’s entrance to the Burj is from inside the mall. Another spectacular feature is the Aquarium, where you can watch fish from inside a tunnel running end to end through the aquarium.
Outside along the side of the mall, there is a connection to the Dubai Fountain, where you can watch hourly shows in the evening every day. I highly recommend it. Many restaurants have views directly onto the fountain, so you can enjoy fine dining with a great view. The mall is divided into many areas, such as Fashion Avenue, where the leading high-end fashion shops are located. The place is so big that it is hard to describe in words.
Just go and visit it, you won’t be disappointed! Shopping in Dubai was changed forever when this mall was opened.
Key Shops
- Bloomingdales
- Waitrose
- Galeries Lafayette
- Kinokuniya Bookstore
- Gucci
- Louis Vuitton
Transport Links
Taxis will take you to the mall from anywhere in Dubai, and you can drive there yourself and risk losing your car like I used to do.
The metro is linked to the mall as well. The Dubai Mall station is quite far away, but it is linked to the mall via an air-conditioned moving walkway that will take about 15 – 20 minutes to get from the station to the mall entrance.
Two buses serve Dubai Mall, one from Deira Gold Souk station, route 27, and one from Ghubaiba bus station, route 29.
Mall Of The Emirates
Overview
The Mall of the Emirates is another large mall in Al Barsha 1, near Sheik Zayed Road. Probably my favorite mall in Dubai, the MoE is best known for its indoor ski slope, one of the world’s largest. It has 5 ski runs, a snowboarding park and penguins which you can learn about. There is something very surreal about skiing in the summer when the temperature outside is > 50°C.
The mall has over 600 retail outlets with fine dining and food courts. As well as the ski slope, there is a multiplex cinema, a large galleria (see picture), and two attached hotels where you can stay if you wish. The mall is on two floors and is large, spacious, and easier to navigate than Dubai Mall.
Key Shops
- Carrefour
- Apple
- Hamleys
- Harvey Nichols
- Debenhams
- Jumbo
Transport Links
Like Dubai Mall, you can drive to the Mall of the Emirates yourself, and it has a multi-level car park attached to it. The mall is well served by taxis and buses as well.
The metro is linked to the mall as well. The Dubai Mall station is quite far away but is linked to the mall via an air-conditioned moving walkway that will take about 10 minutes to get from the station to the mall entrance.
The mall has its own metro station with an air-conditioned enclosed walkway, linking it to the mall with a five-minute walk.
Buses
There is a bus station next to the mall and the metro station. From the station, you can take buses to many locations around the city. One particular bus, the 81, will take you to Jumeirah beach road and all the free beaches along that stretch of the coast.
93, F35, F36, F37, 81, F33, F30, F32, 105, 106, J01 at the Mall of the Emirates bus stop.
Festival City Mall
Overview
Festival City is a large mixed-use development alongside Dubai Creek, next to the Al Gharhoud Bridge. The mall is part of this complex and is a sweeping two story building along the edge. Famous for its evening light shows known as Imagine, the mall is more relaxed than many other malls in Dubai. You can see a beautiful view of the Dubai skyline from the outside.
The mall has over 400 retail outlets, including the location of Dubai’s Hard Rock Cafe. The mall is designed like a traditional Arabic Souq with wide open spaces, two floors of shops, and restaurants.
Its prime feature is the beautiful waterfront feature with many weekend activities for all the family.
A cinema complex and one of Dubai’s two Ikea stores are at the back end. Useful if you need some furniture and other household items. So this is a great location if you want a more relaxed shopping in Dubai experience.
Key Shops
- Ikea
- Carrefour
- Marks And Spencer
- Centrepoint
- Zara
Transport Links
The Festival City mall is not connected to the metro now, although there are plans for the future. So the best options are to either drive yourself (there is a large underground car park), or take a taxi or bus.
When I say it is not connected to the metro, one route can be used, which is very nice if you have time. Take the metro on the Green line to the Creek Metro station. You can walk 5 minutes from the Creek to the Al Jaddaf Marine Transport Station 2. This will allow you to take a boat across the creek to the Festival City complex (outside the mall). It’s a very nice way to visit the mall for the first time, and I highly recommend it.
Buses
There is a bus station next to the mall and the metro station. From the station, you can take buses to many locations around the city. One particular bus, the 81, will take you to Jumeirah Beach Road and all the free beaches along that stretch of the coast.
24, 44, 53, 64A, F08 stopping at the Dubaui Festival City, IKEA1 stop on Gateway Avenue
Ibn Battuta Mall
Overview
Ibn Battuta Mall is located on the Abu Dhabi side of Dubai near Jebel Ali. It is quite far out of the main city of Dubai but is surrounded by large residential communities such as Dubai Marina, Jumeirah Lake Towers, The Greens, and many more.
The mall is unique in Dubai in that its design is based on the travels of the renowned Islamic traveler Ibn Battuta. In the 14th century, he traveled extensively around Africa, Asia, and the Middle East; the mall is divided into courts, each modeled on one of the locations where Ibn Battuta visited. There are various exhibits located around the mall outlining his journey and other aspects of scientific discovery made by Muslims throughout history. It’s a cool place to walk around in between checking out the shops as well
The courts include Andalusia, Tunisia, Egypt, Persia, India, and China, containing over 270 shops, retail shops, and restaurants. There is a multiplex cinema, sports facilities, and wide open spaces to stroll around. I really like this mall, with the different themes and it’s more relaxed than most, probably due to its location.
Two hotels are also attached to the mall, so it’s an interesting place to stay and probably better value for money than others. This is mall is probably the most uniqe of all the shopping in Dubai experiences.
Key Shops
- Max
- Carrefour
- Marks And Spencer
- Centrepoint
- H&M
Transport Links
Although the mall is quite far away from the main parts of Dubai, it is well connected via public transport. The mall has a metro station with the same name on the red line. Multiple extensive car parks surround the mall, so driving and parking there is easy. In addition, there is a large taxi stop and bus station servicing the mall and surrounding area.
Buses
As mentioned, a large bus stop is next to the mall, which services many locations around the city. An inter-city bus can take you to Abu Dhabi in 90 minutes or so, which is useful is you want to visit the capital city of the UAE as well.
95, 5, F44, N55, 95A, F42, Abu Dhabi Airport Express at the Ibn Battuta Mall stop
City Center Mall
Overview
City Center Mall is what I would call an old classic for the malls in Dubai. Opened in 1995, it has been expanded over the years and remodeled. It’s a great mall in Deira, one of the oldest parts of Dubai (although more modern around the mall itself). It has over 370 units, including retail, restaurants, and a cinema complex. I have a soft spot for it as it was the first mall I ever visited when I made my first trip to Dubai.
This mall is an old favourite in Dubai and can get quite crowded at times, but it has some excellent restaurants, and the prices are cheaper here than in other malls in Dubai. Sometimes it pays to shop around and try different malls out.
So City Center is not a spectacular mall like Dubai Mall or the Mall of the Emirates, but it has plenty of facilities and places to see. Lots of activities for kids as well. So for those hunting for a bargain this is one of the best shopping in Dubai experiences.
Key Shops
- Carrefour
- Debenhams
- Sharaf DG
- Virgin Megastore
- Paris Gallery
Transport Links
The mall is located in a built-up area of Dubai and is well-served by public transport. It has its own metro station called City Center Metro, which is also an intersection between the red and green lines. The mall is also well served by taxis and the bus network.
Buses
77, 11A, 33, 64A, C01 at the City Center Metro Bus Stop on Al Ittihad Road
City Walk Mall
Overview
City Walk is different from most of the major malls in Dubai because it is an outside mall. It is located in the heart of Dubai and is a fantastic location for outdoor shopping. It is a wonderful place full of great shops and fantastic restaurants, and I have spent many a great night there.
One of the unique features of City Walk Mall is its outdoor design, which incorporates green spaces, water features, and sculptures into the shopping experience. The mall hosts regular events and activities, including art exhibitions, live music performances, and pop-up stores.
Next to the complex is the Coca-Cola Arena, the largest indoor event arena in the UAE, with a capacity of 17,000. They hold shows such as concerts, comedians, theatre, etc. This is a very different shopping experience in Dubai; it is one to remember alongside Ibn Battuta Mall.
Key Shops
- Adidas
- Brands For Less
- Paridhi
- The Rolls Royce Boutique
Transport Links
The nearest metro station is the Dubai Mall/Burj Khalifa station. It is quite far from the mall, but it would be a nice walk in the evening in winter. You can also reach there by taxi from anywhere else in the city.
Buses
7, 14, 28, 81 stop at the Dubai Petroleum Corporation Stop on Al Safa Street
Mercato Mall
Overview
Not every mall in Dubai is huge; there are many smaller malls around the city, and one of my favourites is Mercato Mall. This mall is designed to resemble a Mediterranean town, complete with Venetian-style architecture, piazzas, and a central courtyard. The mall features over 140 stores, including high-end fashion boutiques, gourmet food outlets, beauty and wellness centres, and electronics stores.
This mall is a lovely place to hang out during the week, meet friends, and do casual shopping. There is a large Spinneys shop here, a well-known grocery store brand in the UAE that caters to Europeans. There are also some charming cafes here, which are great for socializing and watching the world pass by.
Another advantage of the mall is that it is close to the beach. If you walk outside and cross Jumeirah Beach Road, there is a 5-minute walk to the beach. So it’s a great day to do both with family and friends; a very relaxed shopping experience in Dubai.
Another handy tip. If you want to visit the cinema and want to avoid the crowds, then there is a great cinema complex in this mall that is quieter than most.
Key Shops
- Spinneys
- Virgin Megastore
- Gap
- Diesel
- Berksha
Transport Links
The mall is located on Jumeirah Beach Road, so no nearby metro stations exist. Taking a taxi or a bus is the best transport option for you.
Buses
8, 9, 88, C10, X28 stopping at the Mercato Mall Bus Stop on Jumeirah Beach Road
Video Tour
Shopping In Dubai Summary
I have barely scratched the surface in terms of the malls in Dubai. I will post more about them in the future. You can visit a different one every day and be busy for months. Many small boutique malls are dotted around the city that are very interesting in their own right and worth exploring.
Useful Links For Shopping In Dubai
- The Dubai Mall The Dubai Mall
- Mall Of The Emirates The Mall Of The Emirates
- Festival City Mall Festival City Mall
- Ibn Battuta Mall Ibn Battuta Mall
- City Center Mall City Center Mall
- City Walk Mall City Walk Mall
- Mercato Mall Mercato Mall
- Please find our general guide to Dubai here
- Please find our guide to the main Dubai beaches here
- For fine dining options, you can check here
- Try the Spice Souq for unusual spices from around then region
Key Takeaways
- There are hundreds of malls in all shapes and sizes in Dubai.
- Don’t neglect the smaller boutique malls. There are many, particularly in the Jumeirah Beach Road area.
- There are malls for every budget. If you are looking for lower prices, check out the Deira malls.
- Some malls are dedicated to one type of product, such as computers.
- The larger malls take a long time to walk around, so plan your time carefully and be fit.
- Many larger malls hold big events throughout the year, so check the links above for more details.
- Feel free to negotiate in shops, particularly if you pay in cash and the shop is not a luxury brand.
