Is the very notion of shopping irresistible to you? Then Dubai and all its glory is about to be your playground! Picture yourself walking in and out of the most glamorous boutiques, where all your desires are right there, behind the windows, calling your name. Dubai is home to an impressive lineup of shopping malls, each more luxurious and alluring than the last. They offer not just endless goodies to buy, but also fantastic entertainment and dining—all in one place.
Join us today as we dive headfirst into the world of Dubai’s top shopping centers, where the atmosphere buzzes with excitement, faces glow picturing the possibilities, and every visit feels like a celebration. It is right about time to indulge in the best Dubai has to offer!
You might consider shopping to be an entertainment, then the affordable malls in Dubai are there to amaze. You can find whatever you want and will not have to worry about high prices, plus can have a good time at the same time. Dubai’s affordable malls provide you with international brands, as well as less known labels so that you’ll find whatever you might need without breaking the bank.
Now do we have any suggestions or are we here just to make you drool a little? Well of course we have the answer! Dubai Outlet Mall ranks among the most pocket-friendly malls in Dubai as most things here are sold with special discounts. Other budget friendly options include Dragon Mart, Outlet Village, and City Centre Deira. If affordability is on your mind, then please check out our list of Best Free Things to Do in Dubai. You’ll be inspired and that’s a promise.
Before we start, let’s put your mind at ease by saying that credit and debit cards are widely accepted across Dubai, but it would be handy to have some cash with you, UAE Dirhams, especially for small vendors and in markets like the Gold Souk.
Now let’s move on to the luxury section of our guide as Dubai covers the whole shopping destination spectrum. From open-air markets to international brands and local labels, Dubai offers all there is. Let’s have a look around:
This is the world’s biggest shopping mall and the world. It houses more than 1200 stores. All you need is in this place, all under one roof. It includes fashion avenue, a conventional Souk, an Aquarium, Jurassic Museum, Reel Cinemas, Ice-skating rink and Kidzania to highlight some of its attractions beside the Fountains and different cafes/restaurants.
You can find brands like Gucci, Burberry, Nike, Armani, Dior and Versace among others here, especially if you prefer shopping from only high-end labels. Although you must remember, this is a mall with a sign that says no kissing, no hugging, no smoking, no pets. So have a happy time in this shopping paradise and try not to break any rules. As the mall is near Burj Khalifa, we strongly suggest combining your Burj Khalifa visit with shopping at The Dubai Mall.
The impressive annual shopper footfall of about 30 million grants us permission to call Emirates Mall the third-largest mall in the Middle East and among the most visited shopping centers in Dubai. This mall has gathered around more than 630 brands, from fabulous clothing to electronics to sports. Jimmy Choo, DKNY, Louboutin and Versace, big brands all welcome you here. We are happy to tell you that the indoor amusement park Magic Planet is also right there, so have the most fun pairing the thrill of shopping with games. And please, don’t worry about getting there as we have covered it all in our How to Use Public Transportation in Dubai.
The Dubai Marina Mall is a must see once you go to Dubai. You’ll find there a fantastic mix of high-street chain stores like Koton, Levi’s, Tommy Hilfiger and Cos.
Spanning over 36,200 square meters of space and four levels are the best if you are looking for cafes and restaurants, cutting-edge cinemas and a kid’s play zone – all in one package. The Dubai Marina Mall is so popular that it also provides a 200-room in a five-star hotel setting. Shop all day long and rest right there when you are done! Now, that’s considerate.
The mall often hosts amazing events for kids, like dancing with SpongeBob SquarePants, and Indoor Beach Party where you can enjoy carnival games, arts shows, and other games. During the month of December the mall shines with Christmas decorations and child-friendly activities.
Part of a larger 48-hectare complex that consists of traditional and international restaurants, four five-star hotels, shopping, family entertainment and Arab arts, this modern yet traditionally styled Arabic marketplace. Whether you are looking for jewellery or something decorative, this authentic Arabian bazaar is the best place to indulge in a little retail therapy.
Soup Madinat Jumeirah comes with some perfectly souk-sized shops to really sell the whole Arabic market vibe, Souk Madinat Jumeirah is where you can shop for Iran carpets and Turkish pottery; as well Arabian fashion, among other things. It is also nestled beside the iconic Burj Al Arab.
Dubai Festival City Mall is the biggest entertainment, dining & fashion mall in Dubai. Dubai shopping powerhouses list Festival City Mall as one of the best and all for a good reasons. They have over 400 shops in there and this is the only place you will find IKEA in Dubai. A plethora of international & local brands, food brands including Hardeeus, amusement park, Ferris wheel, musical fountain, flight simulator and cinema hotel. This mall is most charming in Christmas season and if such lavish celebrations excite you, make sure to read our Christmas in Dubai: A Unique Celebration post right away.
This is one of the loveliest shopping malls in Dubai, City Walk mall. You also get to visit 140 segments and see artworks from names like Banksy and Nick Walker (one of the best). There are also 70 restaurants and cafes, Hub Zero, a bunch of boulevards; the Mattel Play Town amusement park; cinemas & theaters; and La Ville hotel all within the center. This is one of Dubai’s premier lifestyle destinations indeed.
Burjuman Mall is one of the oldest shopping centers of Dubai that offers global fashion trends. The mall consists of two wings: an old North Wing full of luxury brands, including Montblanc, Louis Vuitton and Hermes; and a new South Wing that contains commercial and residential guests. This mall also offers B Hub, a state-of-the-art community space spanning 413 sqm. This versatile venue also has flexible seating, a portable TV, a projector screen, a catering area, a games zone.
Established in 1996, in City Centre Deira you can find over 370 stores, 11 multiscreen cinemas, a bowling alley, two food courts, 112 apartments plus a hotel. You can find brands like Amani, Biba, Zara, Forever 21 and Aldo and Marks & Spencer right there. The VOX Cinemas here is certainly a crowd-puller too.
It is located in the older part of the city on the crossroad between Sharjah, Bur Dubai and the Airport, a busy area as you see, no wonder over 20 million people visit this center every year. It is also conveniently connected to two hotels, Aloft Dubai Creek and Pullman Dubai Creek City Centre, making your stay a one-stop-shop kind of holiday.
We mentioned this one before but it is worth your attention twice. The first outlet center in the Middle East, Dubai Outlet Mall hosts more than 240 stores representing over 1,200 major brands from across the world. Discount rates range from 30% to sometimes 90% off and make buying thousands of items including clothing, luggage, shoes, fragrances, accessories, home furnishings and a full line of electronics for you to indulge.
Mercato Shopping Mall is one of the most beautiful, eccentric malls built in Dubai under the cheek of an Italian renaissance vibe. Mercato, being the true haven for every brand lover, has more than 140 stores calling your name. The name, style, and architectural beauty of this place clears that Italy has a huge impact on this place. Sweet spoiler alert: Mercato has something for all ages from shoes to sunglasses, jewelry, and cosmetics.
Sparkling up your usual shopping routine, the mall also invites you to pamper yourself by joining in other fun activities like Fun City amusement area or a movie in Vox Cinemas.
Wafi Mall is unlike any other as the architecture is based on Egyptian and Turkish models. If someone walks into this mall, they feel like walking through a fairy tale, outside the mall are also large statues of Egyptian pharaohs.
In addition, some of the different entertainment spots in the mall are also specially themed such as wooden play area, Khan Murjan Souk and light and sound show that add its own flavor to this mega luxury mall.
Have you been looking for a unique theme based shopping mall in Dubai that cherishes the memory of famous Moroccan explorer, Ibn Battuta? Well you have found it. Everywhere you look in Ibn Battuta Mall, you’ll see at least one of the various districts he has gone to, from India and Persia all the way to China. At this mall you feel like having a world tour while walking around and every section takes one to those countries.
Home to more than 270 stores, Ibn Battuta Mall has it all covered. It’s not only a mall to shop at but also to entertain as one will find Fun City and karaoke and bowling and Sky Zone as well as many restaurants and cafes for all tastes.
BurJuman Center is a very good option when it comes to luxury shopping in Dubai. It is a beautiful shopping plaza that makes it to the ranks of exclusive malls, providing high-end features with its returned retail shops over boutiques and branches.
In addition to shopping, the BurJuman Centre also offers entertainment facilities like Magic Planet and a cinema. And when it comes to where we can all eat, cafes and restaurants for dining, restaurants are there for your rest and relaxation after shopping.
Nakheel Mall is one of the most attractive shopping and tourism destinations located in one of the most up and coming locations of Palm Jumeirah. You can indulge yourself in luxury shops and if they seem never ending it is because there are more than 140 stores there. You can also dine with over 30 cafes and restaurants or go and enjoy the cinema, trampoline parks and play zones for all.
Nakheel Mall, although comparatively smaller when compared with Dubai mall, houses a few of the topmost international brands and gives you a luxurious feeling when shopping.
Dragon Martalso known as Dragon Mall, is a big Chinese shopping center where you can buy just about everything from China at reasonable prices to that fabulous sunglasses you’ve always been looking for. The average Joe will come here for wholesale, electronics and accessories, home decor and clothing. You could also find furniture and toys, there are also books and a never ending list of products that are good and cost effective. The mall consists of Dragon Mart 1 and new addition, Dragon Mart 2, where you can find restaurants, cafes and a cinema there as well.
Built on an empty plot of land in 1981, Al Ghurair Centre was the first modern shopping mall of its kind in the Middle East. Al Ghurair reflects traditional mixed with modern shopping styles. You can head here for more than 300 international brands under one roof. This shopping mall with a lot of fashion brands to explore, electronic stores, and dining choices will not leave you unsatisfied.
Whenever you are in need of sweet deals and discounts, come to the Outlet Village Dubai and you wouldn’t be disappointed. It is designed in the manner of a vintage European village and there are high-end brands with the finest discounts welcoming you with open arms; generally, the discount here lies between 30% off–90% off. Being located next to Dubai Parks and Resorts means they are easy to find too.
Dubai Gold Souk, One of the most famous Dubai Shopping centers, has a well deserved reputation around the world for its gold and jewelry shops. Located in Dubai’s Deira district, the market features an array of gold and diamonds as well as other previous stones. Gold prices in here are generally lower than in many other countries, and the area is tax-free. While there is a Value Added Tax (VAT) that is recently added, it is refundable. The best time to visit the Gold Souk can be in the evening.
If you’re looking for textiles and fabrics, get yourself, fast as you can, to the Dubai Textile Souk in Bur Dubai. A different type of shopping experience can be found in this souq, which includes local and foreign textiles from other countries all around the world, with many enthusiastic merchants providing great quality materials for individuals and brands. The souks of Dubai have a long history of trade within the Persian Gulf region and have developed considerably over time.
What do you crave right now? Arriving here, you’ll immerse yourself in the aromaticly delightful Dubai Spice Souk, where you can buy spices and some other exotic items to flourish your kitchen with flavors. The souk comprises several narrow lanes lined with exotic open and closed-roof stores, and is popular tourist attraction. Stores here sell a variety of fragrances and spices from frankincense and shisha to some herbs used in Arabic and South Asian food.
This one of a kind place offers the exact kind of ingredients Middle Eastern and South Asian food lovers are looking for.
For plan orientated shopping enthusiasts, the best time to go shopping in Dubai is between November and April. Around this time, the temperature is a little bit lower when you compare it to the rest of the year, so shoppers are allowed to walk around in both indoor and outdoor shopping areas with ease. One of the major events we mentioned before, attracting shoppers with discounts and giveaways is the annual Dubai Shopping Festival. This one runs between December and January every year. This is a great time to pick up some of the best bargains on luxury and delicious items. And if you are not bothered by hot weather, you’ll find July and August welcoming you to the Dubai Summer Surprises, although you must plan your activities indoors.
It is best to remember to consider customs rules when you buy something from Dubai to take home. Although Dubai is tax-free for shopping, most countries either have a quantity or value limit on the goods you can import from there without further customs charges. So, always check with your home country’s customs regulations before you buy anything major. This is even more important if you are purchasing any type of electronics, jewelry, or other luxury items.
Furthermore, If you are buying in bulk, or purchasing larger items, Dubai provides you with several options to transport what you have bought back home:
Shopping centers have transformed the real estate market in Dubai and you may ask why. Well, It is obvious to say that Dubai has turned into a world shopping and tourism center and the iconic malls like The Dubai Mall and the Mall of the Emirates naturally became its hubs. All these retail landmarks have drawn a high level of footfall, who in turn found the residential real estate in Dubai very alluring. Properties lying close to such shopping hubs command an increase in value, as both investors and residents are drawn to the conveniences and luxury way of life. The emergence of such new projects enriches Dubai’s urbanity and leads to an increased property prices in Dubai.
As you see, these malls have surely contributed to the development of Dubai’s real estate market and increased demand for property in areas around the hottest retail spots. These tempting malls combine shopping, dining, and entertainment in a way that is most desirable to residents and tourists alike. From the most luxurious brands to more affordable outlet stores, we mentioned some of the best shopping centers in Dubai, suitable for a great number of tastes, budgets, and interests. Indeed, not many cities in the world could show you such an unforgettable and dynamic shopping experience as Dubai.
Depends on what you're looking for, but the largest in the world, the Dubai Mall-1200 stores, an aquarium, VR Park and close to Burj Khalifa is a must see. The other most famous mall in Dubai is the Mall of Emirates, which is known because of Ski Dubai, an indoor ski place, having luxury brands, fun games, and other entertainment options. Each course offers a unique blend of shopping and entertainment, plus eateries offering a lot of options to suit every taste.
The best time for Dubai mall shopping is during the month of January and February during the DSF or Dubai Shopping Festival, where every store in Dubai has to offer great discounts, exclusive events, and promotions. Then, it is during the Dubai Summer Surprises, DSS, in July and August; you can find other good discounts with special events. Shopping on weekdays and morning hours tends to be quiet, but a weekend and evening time is busier and more energetic.
Yes, Dubai malls are packed with family-friendly entertainment. An example could be that The Dubai Mall contains an aquarium, ice rink, KidZania, and VR Park, which are really interesting for kids and adults alike, while the famous indoor ski park-entitled Ski Dubai-and the Magic Planet arcade are located in the Mall of the Emirates. Most Dubai malls house an amusement center for entertaining all age groups.
