If we were to recommend just one thing you absolutely must do whilst visiting Dubai - it would be to shop. And we don’t just mean have a look around the nearest mall to your hotel, or check out the shops on your resort - you’ll find some of the world’s most unique shopping experiences in the city.
Dubai is indeed a shopper’s paradise and though many of the city’s retail outlets are collected in a variety of shopping malls ranging in size, style and theme the city offers an amazing array of independent boutiques, stores and traditional souks. Expect to haggle in the souks and don’t always take the ticket price for granted - even in shopping malls. Many of the malls offer a complimentary bus service to and from the major five star hotels - so check with your concierge for details and timings.
We’ve listed some of the premium shopping destinations in Dubai below:
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BurJuman – Bur Dubai – 04 352 0222
Opening times: Sat - Thu: 10:00 am to 10:00 pm, Fri: 2:00 pm to 10:00 pm
A stylish mall featuring more than 300 outlets including prestigious designer brand stores such as Hermes and Van Cleef & Arpels, along with a range of restaurants and a food court. Flagship store is Saks Fifth Avenue, an 80,000 Sq ft store spread over two levels, providing a multi-brand designer assortment in one place.
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Deira City Centre – Deira – 04 295 1010
Opening times: Sun - Wed: 10:00 am to 10:00 pm, Thu - Sat: 10:00 am to 12:00 am
One of Dubai’s first malls, but today an attractive shopping location adjacent to Dubai Creek.
On offer are exclusive brands including Hugo Boss, Coccinelle, CK Calvin Klein, Paul & Shark, Shanghai Tang and many more.
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Dubai Festival City – Ras Al Khor – 04 232 5444
Opening times: Sun - Wed: 10:00 am to 10:00 pm, Thu - Sat: 2:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Rising along the banks of the historic Dubai Creek, Festival Centre is Dubai’s unrivalled waterfront destination for style and sophistication, showcasing an exciting selection of prestigious brands. Festival Centre totals over 600 shops including 25 flagship stores, over 100 restaurants, cafes and bistros, a 12 screen Grand Cinemas complex, Bowling City and a vast entertainment centre and parking for 13,000 cars. Today guests can browse world-leading brands offering a rich diversity of fashion, jewellery, home accessories, toys and gifts for every occasion.
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The Dubai Mall – Downtown Dubai – 04 362 7500
Opening times: Sun - Wed: 10:00 am to 10:00 pm, Thu - Sat: 10:00 am to 12:00 am
The Dubai Mall is the region’s premier shopping, lifestyle and entertainment destination. With more than 1,200 stores hosting well known brands.
With an impressive array of leisure pursuits, this is a cutting-edge shopping experience. A range of adventure sports vies for attention alongside the romance of ice-skating. The Dubai Mall is a place where outdoor brunch can be followed by the delights of the big screen and where to get a glimpse of the Burj Dubai (world’s tallest structure) and the amazing water fountain.
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Ibn Battuta Mall– Jebel Ali – 04 362 1900
Opening times: Sun - Wed: 10:00 am to 10:00 pm, Thu - Sat: 10:00 am to 12:00 am
The Arab traveller and adventurer Ibn Battuta was a man of great vision and strong Islamic values. He set off to journey the world at the age of 20 and soon became acknowledged as a scholar and a man of great wisdom. Each region Ibn Battuta explored – Andalusia, Tunisia, Egypt, Persia, India and China – is reflected in the architecture and theme of the mall’s six courts. These courts strongly project historical and cultural richness, serving as inspiration to all those who visit. The mall possesses a unique multi-cultural atmosphere and a real sense of ease, enjoy shopping in thematic environments.
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Mall of the Emirates – Al Barsha – 04 409 9000
Opening times: Sun - Wed: 10:00 am to 10:00 pm, Thu - Sat: 10:00 am to 12:00 am
Mall of the Emirates is strategically located in the heart of what is now deemed ‘New Dubai’, this 223,000 square meter centre offers a unique range of shopping, leisure, and entertainment. Featuring 466 international brands including Paul & Shark, Porsche Design, GF Ferré, Hugo Boss, Tommy Hilfiger, CK Jeans, as well as department stores, fashion, lifestyle, sports and electronics stores. The compelling family leisure offer includes a Magic Planet family entertainment area, a 14-screen multiplex cinema and the world-renowned Ski Dubai.
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Mercato – Jumeirah – 04 344 4161
Opening times: Daily: 10:00 am to 10:00 pm
Mercato (Italian for market) is the first themed shopping mall in the UAE, and brings together the lifestyle offerings from the Mediterranean, in addition to many exclusive international brands including GF Ferré and Hugo Boss, fashion, jewellery, perfume and cosmetic outlets. Based on a distinctive Renaissance architectural concept, Mercato captures Italian, French and Spanish flavours and artistic characteristics.
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Souk Al Bahar - Downtown Burj Dubai
Souk Al Bahar is an Arabesque shopping mall and entertainment destination located in the heart of the prestigious Downtown Burj Dubai, at the Old Town Island. The cultural theme flows throughout the mall, with boutique shops showcasing the Arabian heritage through a mix of authentic handicrafts, fashion and accessories, perfumes, carpets, artwork and furnishings. Waterfront dining at Souk Al Bahar’s generous selection of food and beverage options highlights its premier location offering the city’s best views of the Burj Dubai.
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Souk Madinat Jumeirah – Al Sufouh Road – 04 366 6546
Opening times: Daily: 10:00am to 11:00pm
At Souk Madinat Jumeirah, it is almost guaranteed that you will lose yourself amongst the walkways designed to reflect a traditional Arabian bazaar. Full of fashion, antiques, art, souvenirs, coffee shops, bars, restaurants and even a theatre, Souk Madinat Jumeirah is well worth visiting during the day and at night.
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Wafi – Oud Metha – 04 324 4555
Opening times: Sun - Wed: 10:00 am to 10:00 pm, Thu - Fri: 10:00 am to 12:00 am
Wafi is a unique destination in the heart of Dubai presenting an unrivalled collection of brands inlcuding Kenneth Cole, Zilli and Miss Sixty as well as a wide variety of excellent food outlet concepts.
Indulge in a unique shopping experience, with over 350 stores offering the world’s most original, revered and influential brands, many of which are exclusive to Wafi.
