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Feeling the urge to shop? Dubai is the perfect place for the best shopping malls
7 January 2013
| Last updated on 14 January 2020
Dubai has always been known as a top shopping destination and rightly so - here's our guide to Dubai's best shopping malls!
We are spoilt for choice with the number of large malls with many attractions inside; whether resident or visitor, we have no doubt you'll be amazed at the vast amount of shops, suiting all budgets, activities, entertainment, and fun can be found in every one of Dubai's malls.
During the hotter months, you can spend the whole day in one of the great malls. Most international brands are in Dubai as well as unusual homegrown cafes and brands. You really can shop till you drop- make sure you wear comfy shoes!
A note for shoppers in Dubai
Dubai has a dress code based on respect for the culture and religion of the UAE. Therefore, shoppers visiting a shopping mall in Dubai is expected to abide by the emirate's dress code and should wear respectful, appropriate clothing when visiting a UAE mall.
1) The Dubai Mall
- Location: Click here
- Opening Times: 10am - 12am daily
- Directions: Click here
- Contact: 800 382246255
It's only fitting that we start a list of Dubai's best malls with the world's largest shopping mall. The Dubai Mall is home to over 1,000+ shops and is the go-to place for shopping, leisure, entertainment for ourists, and some (patient) residents. The Dubai Mall is the perfect place for a shopping spree, and you can also visit some of Dubai's best tourist attractions, including Burj Khalifa and the beautiful The Dubai Fountains.
Key attractions: Burj Khalifa, The Dubai Fountains, Dubai Dino, Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo, Dubai Ice Rink, KidZania
2) Mall of the Emirates
- Location: Click here
- Opening Times: 10am - 10pm Sunday to Wednesday, 10am - 12am Thursday to Saturday
- Directions: Click here
- Contact: 04 409 9000
Mall of the Emirates prides itself as the world's first shopping resort, with ultimate leisure, entertainment, and shopping facilities. This place opened in September 2005, and is strategically located in the heart of what is now deemed ‘New Dubai’. This multi-level shopping centre featuers more than 560 international brands, spanning over a whopping 233,467 square meters... Including the largest Carrefour in the city.
The mall is also home to a number of department, fashion, lifestyle, sports, electronics and home furnishing stores, a Magic Planet entertainment area, a 14-screen VOX Cinemas, and the world-renowned Ski Dubai.
Key Attractions: Ski Dubai, Magic Planet, VOX Cinemas, Kempinski Hotel
3) Dubai Festival City Mall
- Location: Click here
- Opening Times: 10am - 11pm Sunday to Wednesday, 10am - 12am Thursday to Saturday
- Directions: Click here
- Contact: 800 332
Head down to Dubai Creek and you'll inevitably cross paths with the huge area we know as Dubai Festival City. This landmark destination spans 2,500,000 square feet of shopping, recreation, dining, and leisure. It's home to signature fashion outlets, the world's largest Aldo store, Mint Velvet and Old Navy, as well as other popular destination stores. So you can shop until you completely drop! Among the stores, you'll find IKEA, Serendipity, the iconic Hard Rock Cafe and Fabyland.
It's a unique waterfront shopping and leisure experience, thanks to its location at the heart of Dubai Festival City, near Dubai Creek.
Key attractions: Bowling City, Hard Rock Cafe Dubai, IKEA, Robinsons, IMAGINE Laser Light Show
4) Mirdif City Centre
- Location: Click here
- Opening Times: 10am - 12am Sunday to Wednesday, 10am - 1am Thursday to Saturday
- Directions: Click here
- Contact: 04 602 3000
As one of the city's busiest malls, Mirdif City Centre offers visitors opportunities to shop, dine and even skydive. This Dubai mall is popular with families thanks to the huge range of activities on offer; including bowling, a climbing wall, a soccer circus, an arcade, and iFly Dubai. There's also a 10-screen VOX Cinema, 80 eateries, and a huge Carrefour supermarket. If you are here to shop, however, there are over 260+ brands on offer, including a Debenhams, Pottery Barn and Forever 21.
Key attractions: iFly Dubai, VOX Cinema, Magic Planet, Yalla! Bowling, Little Explorers
5) Deira City Centre
- Location: Click here
- Opening Times: 10am - 10pm Sunday to Wednesday, 10am - 12am Thursday to Saturday
- Directions: Click here
- Contact: 04 295 1010
Deira City Centre, Dubai , UAE, first opened its doors in November 1995. At the time, it virtually redefined the concept of "malls" for the region. As the first large-scale, mixed-use shopping destination, complete with retail outlets, restaurants, entertainment facilities, and a hotel, Deira City Centre created an international dimension for one-stop shopping and entertainment for the Middle East, bringing it to an entirely new level.
With average annual footfall traffic in excess of 20 million, Deira City Centre remains one of the region's most visited destination for both residents and tourists.
Key attractions: Magic Planet, Bowling City, 11 screen cinema
6) Burjuman Centre
- Location: Click here
- Opening Times: 10am - 10pm Sunday to Wednesday, 10am - 11pm Thursday to Saturday
- Directions: Click here
- Contact: 04 352 0222
Burjuman is billed as the world's most luxurious shopping destination. With almost 200 leading stores, you'll always be spoilt for choice. Located in the heart of Dubai, the Burjuman Centre is a distinctive landmark which comprises of 800,000 square feet of retail space. Following a major redevelopment, Burjuman now has almost 200 prestigious stores, including New Look, Forever 21 and Mothercare. You can also choose from a wide selection of restaurants, a food court, and cafes.
Key attractions: Magic Planet, VOX Cinema
7) Ibn Battuta Mall
- Location: Click here
- Opening Times: 10am - 10pm Sunday to Wednesday, 10am - 11pm Thursday to Saturday
- Directions: Click here
- Contact: 04 295 1010
Ibn Battuta Mall, the world’s largest themed shopping mall is revolutionising the retail and entertainment experience in Dubai. Uniquely designed to celebrate the travels of the famous Arabic explorer Ibn Battuta, the exciting mix of over 275 retailers, 50 restaurants and food outlets, 21 cinema screens including the UAE’s only IMAX theatre and a continual array of events and promotions have helped evolve and develop one of the city’s fastest growing areas.
Key attractions: IMAX theatre cinema, one level shopping, themed events
8) Dubai Marina Mall
- Location: Click here
- Opening Times: 10am - 12am Sunday to Wednesday, 10am - 1am Thursday to Saturday
- Directions: Click here
- Contact: 04 436 1020
Dubai Marina Mall offers you the best of the big malls right in the heart of the Marina area– it is a modern shopping and lifestyle destination for residents and visitors of the Dubai Marina community. With more than 130 outlets spread across four levels, Dubai Marina Mall features a retail mix of high street fashion brands, boutique fashion, al fresco waterfront dining, a supermarket, and a great entertainment offer. The 5-star Address Dubai Marina Hotel is directly linked to the mall.
Dubai Marina Mall is a relaxed, stylish environment which makes spending time here effortless and enjoyable. Feel free to be yourself, whether your style is casual, chic or fashionably cool. Dubai Marina Mall is a place where you’ll feel at home.
Key attractions: Waitrose, Carluccio's, large cinema, Marina Promenade, Pier 7
9) Dubai Outlet Mall
- Location: Click here
- Opening Times: 10am - 10pm Saturday to Wednesday, 10am - 12am Thursday and Friday
- Directions: Click here
- Contact: 04 423 4666
Dubai Outlet Mall is the only 'outlet' concept mall in the Middle East and home to over 800 of the world’s premium and top fashion brands. The mall is dedicated to being a true value retail destination and you can snap up discounts of between 30 - 90% on the majority of products on offer in the 240 stores there. The mall is on the Al Ain Road (Route 66).
Key attractions: Chuck E Cheese, Adidas Factory Outlet, food court, The One Outlet, soft play area
10) City Centre Me'aisem
- Location: Click here
- Opening Times: 10am - 10pm Sunday to Wednesday, 10am - 12am Thursday to Saturday
- Directions: Click here
- Contact: 04 437 4999
One of the newest Dubai malls on this list, City Centre Me'aisem might be smaller than Mall of the Emirates or Deira City Centre, but it still has an incredible range of things to offer. Fitness, food and beauty bases are all covered in this mall near Dubai Sports City and with shops like Typo, Magic Planet, Borders, Cath Kidston, and Carrefour, residents who frequent this mall often find everything they need.
Key attractions: Magic Planet, Carrefour, themed events throughout the year
