Shopping Malls In Dubai

Dubai is well known for being a shopper’s paradise, and an astonishing 96 malls mean you’ve got plenty to choose from. Escaping to an air-conditioned mall is a great way to get out of the heat of the sun, and many malls are designed to appeal to the whole family, with lots of activities, a good choice of places to eat, and dozens of top-name shops. Here are our top picks for the best shopping malls in Dubai.

Dubai Shopping Mall

For the ultimate shopping experience, pay a visit to the world’s biggest retail centre, Dubai Mall. Browse designer clothes in high-end boutiques before getting an adrenaline fix in the indoor theme park, grabbing a bite to eat at one of the mall’s 150 eateries, and sipping on a cool drink as you watch the incredible Dubai Fountain.

With 1,200 shops and attractions including an Olympic sized ice rink and an aquarium, it’s known as one of the best malls in Dubai, and a visit can easily fill an entire day. Perfect for some time out of the hot Dubai sun, there’s plenty for the whole family to enjoy, including a souk with 220 stalls, a 22 screen cinema, and even a real dinosaur skeleton. Don’t forget to take your camera to snap pictures of The Waterfall, an impressive feature that cascades through all four storeys.

Plan your visit

Dubai Mall is open from 10am until 2am every day. Some attractions like Kidzania close earlier, so if there’s something you really want to see just check on their website thedubaimall.com.

To get to Dubai Shopping Mall by metro take the red line to Burj Khalifa and use the metro link bridge to get to the mall, which is open from 10am to 11pm Sunday to Wednesday, and from 10am to 12am Thursday to Saturday.

To take the bus, look for numbers 27 or 29 which run every 15 minutes and drop passengers at the Grand Drive entrance of the mall. Taxis or Uber are plentiful, and many hotels have their own shuttle buses to and from the mall.

What else is there to do?

The mall’s also home to KidZania, a unique role-playing experience for families, where your kids can choose a job and help to run a child-sized city. For even more action, head to the SEGA Republic indoor theme park where you’ll find 15 rides, including a giant slide, laser maze, three roller coasters, and more than 170 arcade games.

After shopping until you drop, go to see Dubai Mall’s giant neighbour the Burj Khalifa. From its observation decks you’ll experience unforgettable views as you see for miles from the world’s tallest building. If you don’t like heights, round off your day with a drink at one of the mall’s many bars, with views of the city’s impressive skyline.

Dubai Outlet Mall

This is the first outlet mall in the middle east and it’s perfect if you like to get a great deal. In the 240 shops you’ll find designer brands and high-street names. As well as a huge choice of fashion, you’ll find electronics outlets so you can get the latest iPhone and all sorts of accessories and gadgets at a good price.

If you’ve forgotten any holiday essentials, there are top name sports stores and beachwear outlets, as well as luggage shops if you need an extra suitcase to get all those bargains home. There’s plenty of shops selling cosmetics too, and you’ll see some brands from home alongside Arabian ones.

There are lots of options for eating in the Dubai Outlet Mall. The food court is on the first floor and there are plenty of familiar fast food names to choose from, as well as the chance to enjoy Arabic, Filipino or Turkish food.

What else is there to do?

Dubai Outlet Mall is focused on bargain hunting, so there’s not a lot in the way of other activities. There are good family facilities like baby-change and baby carts as well as internet cafés and a photo studio, and the mall sometimes puts on special events or competitions to win big prizes.

Plan your visit

The mall is open 10am to 10pm from Saturday to Wednesday and from 10am to 12am on Thursday and Friday. You’ll find the best deals on ‘Bargain Mondays’, when many shops run extra special promotions.

Getting to Dubai Outlet Mall is easy; many hotels are on the shuttle bus route, or you can catch bus number 66 or 67 which run every hour. You can find exact times on the website dubaioutletmall.com/reach-us/bus-schedule.

Emirates Shopping Mall Dubai

Also known as Mall of the Emirates, or MoE this is a must-see on any Dubai holiday. There are over 600 shops, as well as lots of other activities including Dubai Ski and Magic Planet. All the familiar high street and designer brands are here, and you can expect to see them alongside exclusive (and very expensive) luxury brands.

You’ll be able to find almost anything you want in the Emirates Shopping Mall Dubai, including electronics, cosmetics and leather goods, as well as practical stores like pharmacies or photo shops. There’s lots to interest younger shoppers too, like bookshops, toy shops including Early Learning and Hamley’s, and a Lego store.

There’s also plenty of choice for eating. You can refuel with coffee and cake at one of the cafés, nip into a fast-food place for on-the-go snacks, or splash out on a meal in one of the restaurants. You’ll find food from every corner of the world, so there’s bound to be something to tempt you.

What else is there to do?

What makes Emirates Shopping Mall Dubai unique is the number of other things to do. You can ski at Ski Dubai, visit the Vox cinema complex, or head to Magic Planet where you’ll find exciting rides, climbing walls, soft play, and bowling lanes. There’s lots for all ages to do, so it really is a great day out for everyone.

Plan your visit

Shops are open from 10am until 10pm from Sunday to Wednesday and from 10am to 12am Thursday to Saturday. Other attractions like the cinema and Ski Dubai are open later, and you’ll find details on the website.

To get here by metro take the red line towards UAE exchange. Mall of the Emirates metro stop links directly to the mall. To take the bus, look for number 81 or 93. You can take a Big Bus tour too, which runs from 10am to 5pm and includes a tour of the beaches as well as a stop at Emirates Shopping Mall Dubai. If you’d rather have a taxi, you can use Uber, or one of the many local taxi firms.

More Things To Do ideas

Find more Things To Do in Dubai: Burj Khalifa Observation Deck | Desert safari | Hot Air Balloon Ride | Wild Wadi Water Park