It would be a sin to depart Dubai without at least a couple of new suitcases filled with new purchases. One of the world’s hottest holiday destinations, Dubai is also the world’s shopping capital. No one and we mean no one can escape its lure. There are swanky malls filled with showrooms from the world’s topmost fashion brands as well as traditional souks filled with diverse goods – textiles, spices, perfumes, electronics, fishes and even gold – and if you have the skill of bargaining, then you can get some real good deals – yes – even in gold! The experience gets even better during the Dubai Shopping Festival. So just, hop on and enjoy the most amazing shopping experiences ever – right here in Dubai!
10. Dubai Festival City Mall
Along the historic waterfront of the Dubai Creek, the Dubai Festival City Mall dazzles you with its amazing collection of shops, dining establishments and entertainment venues. Shop for clothes, jewellery, toys, accessories and much more from over 600 shops – the majority of which are from leading international brands. This mall also boasts the largest collection of waterfront dining venues in the Middle East, offering equally eclectic cuisines (The Marina Restaurant Pavilion is especially of great renown). With world-class bowling in the Bowling City, a vast entertainment centre and a 12-screen Grand Cinemas complex as well, the Dubai Festival City Mall has just the right attributes to leverage it to the final position of the top 10 shopping destinations in Dubai rankings.
9. Souks – Perfume, Textile, Spice and Karama
Souks or the traditional markets offer an authentic shopping experience of Dubai and the Arab world in general. While there are many souks to explore, the most amazing experiences can be found in the alleys of the Perfume, Textile and Spice souks. As their name entails, these souks offer you an almost endless array of choices for perfumes, textiles and spices – traditional and international. Another souk that might interest you is the Karama Souk, where you can get copies of all high-end clothing and accessories – be it watches, bags or electronics. The wide variety of goods and the traditional ambience of these souks together bring these souks to the 9th position of these rankings.
8. Wafi Shopping Mall
In the heart of Dubai, an Egyptian city arises and within it is a shopping mall, where luxury and high fashion come at affordable prices. The Wafi Mall appears to have been lifted right out of Ancient Egypt, except that it is lined with shops selling the latest fashions, luxuries and gadgets and includes within its premises a 14th Century Souk that combines the charm of Arabic Souks from Arabia and afar. Shaped like a pyramid, the mall boasts distinctive Egyptian influences in its architecture and design that make for great photo-ops in-between fun-filled shopping and dining. With over 300 shops and features such as cinemas with giant beanbags under the stars, one of the world’s largest stained glass ceiling window and Light & Sound Shows, the WAFI Mall earns a definite 8th spot in these rankings.
7. Ibn Battuta Mall
There are theme parks, theme parties, themed weddings and so on – but a themed mall? Visit Ibn Battuta Mall – the world’s largest themed shopping mall and experience it for yourself! Ibn Battuta Mall transports you to the times of the adventurous explorer – Ibn Battuta and celebrates his greatest adventures with a unique mix of retail outlets, cinemas, restaurants and more – all designed, decorated and styled according to the regions he explored. With all shops and outlets located according to zones such as Lifestyle, Entertainment, Family & Convenience and more, shopping becomes an even more pleasant experience. For all you know, your shopping trip might just as well lead you to your next holiday adventure.
6. Deira City Centre
One of the most visited malls in Dubai, the Deira City Centre or DCC is where you can enjoy a complete shopping and entertainment experience without running exorbitant bills. Choose to shop from over 370 retail outlets of high-end as well mid-level fashion brands for the entire family. International brands such as Carter, Forever 21, Calvin Klein and Armani vie for attention with traditional stores such as Atallah Freij and Ameerat. In the entertainment arena, you have Magic Planet, VOX Cinemas, Bowling City and even a platform to appreciate artwork by upcoming artists. When hungry, choose delectable delicacies from across the globe – Indian cuisine, burgers, sandwiches, doughnuts, ice creams cakes as well as multi-course menus at fine dining establishments.
5. Burjuman Centre
Fashion got a new address – and a highly sophisticated one at that – when Burjuman Centre threw open its doors. Travel to the heart of Dubai to the Burjuman Centre – a wonderful gateway to a world of fashion inhabited by top names such as Chanel, Versace, Saks Fifth Avenue, Cartier, Omega, D G, Dior and more. Update your wardrobe with the latest fashion trends and redecorate your home with the finest furnishings and accessories. With over 300 fashion names, over 2.8 million square feet to explore, a choice of over 40 renowned restaurants and cafes where you can indulge your palate amidst sunny courtyards, gardens and fountains, the Burjuman Centre is perfect suited for the 5th rank in this list.
4. Gold Souk
The Gold Souk is a must-visit for just about everyone interested in this yellow metal. Women especially will find the lure of endless lines of gold bangles, bracelets, necklaces, earrings and more irresistible. Gold is much cheaper here than anywhere else in the world and the authorities ensure that there is no compromise in quality. Once you master the skill of bargaining, you can actually get very good deals – good enough to be called a steal! You can even buy diamond, platinum and silver jewellery. The diversity of products available combined with the enchanting charm of the traditional souk itself places the Gold Souk well ahead of other destinations for the 4th rank in these rankings.
3. Gold & Diamond Park
A more luxurious experience of shopping for gold and diamond jewellery is found at the Gold Diamond Park. While the Gold Souk offers plenty of excellent opportunities in finding great deals for readymade gold jewellery, the Gold Diamond Park is where you can find artisans to create jewellery as per your own designs. Gold here is often much cheaper than at Gold Souk as well. You can choose diamonds according to carat, cut, clarity and colour; get it set in designs personally selected or created by you; and get the finished product – all in the span of just 24 hours. It s little wonder that the Gold & Diamond Park bypasses the Gold Souk to takes the 3rd spot in these rankings.
2. Mall of the Emirates
Nowhere else can you find over 500 international brands clubbed together with the largest indoor entertainment centre in Dubai and an indoors ski resort – Skidubai! Shop-till-you-drop for branded designer wear, watches, electronics, home furnishings and decor, accessories and everything you could possible want. Get transported to a wonderland of ice and snow and penguins – yes, you read that right – penguins in a desert city at Skidubai! Ski and snowboard down the snowy slopes and frolic in the world’s largest indoor snowpark. Enjoy one-of-a-kind experiences onboard innovative rides at the Magic Planet. With world-class dining and more within its premises, the Mall of the Emirates comes a close second to the Dubai Mall in the top shopping destinations rankings.
1. Dubai Mall
The world’s largest shopping and entertainment destination, the Dubai Mall will have even the most cautious shopper letting go off his/her purse strings. With over 1,200 retail outlets, that includes a dedicated Fashion Avenue with the fashion world’s biggest names and the world’s largest collection under one roof, a 21st Century Gold Souk and just about everything under the sun, the Dubai Mall is undoubtedly Dubai’s No. 1 shopping destination. Reenergize yourself at the finest dining venues; unwind with a blockbuster; glide around the ice on skates; or ascend to the World’s highest public outdoor Observation Deck for unrivalled views of Dubai. The mall also boasts world-class hotels, an indoor theme park, an ice-skating rink, underground zoo and a world-class aquarium!