Best Malls, villages and walks for shopping and fun in Dubai
Dubai is one of the best destinations in the world not only for those who want white sand and clear water for relaxing and tanning during the winter season but is also ideal place all year round for seekers who wish to have fun and experience something alternative and far from usual activities.
Dubai is the ultimate destination where you can find any extravagance and experience the biggest-tallest-widest attractions in the world: temperature-controlled beaches, seven-star hotels, and a humanmade archipelago, futuristic buildings, water parks, zoo safari, aquarium, the third largest indoor slope in the world and wide range of malls.
For a city with 3 million people, we count around 65 malls, and some more are on their way, and even someone could think it is quite odd, malls are one of the most iconic parts of the Dubai. That’s why, during your stay, it’s a must visiting at least the most popular malls enjoying their attractions between extravagance and particular design-architecture.
Our selection of the must-visit Malls in Dubai
1. Dubai Mall
One of the icons of the city, Dubai Mall is one of the largest in the world receiving millions of tourists every year: by total land area with 3.77 million square feet of retail space and more than 1,200 stores, the mall has hundreds of restaurants, movie theatres, a luxury hotel, an Olympic-size ice-skating rink, a virtual-reality theme park, and an aquarium. It is not a great place only for shopping but also for entertainment and leisure. Click here and find out what to see and do at the Dubai Mall.
How to get there: take the Metro red line and get off at Dubai Mall/Burj Khalifa station.
2. Mall of the Emirates
This place is one of the main attraction of Dubai and a must for worldwide shoppers with more than 630 general stores with a wide range of offers: healthcare, fashion, sport, electronics, furniture, design including 80 international luxury brands at “Fashion Dome” and “Rodeo Street”. The Mall of the Emirates is not only a place for shopping, but it is excellent also for entertainment and leisure. It includes the Ski Dubai (For more info check our experience), Magic Planet (Level 2; Opening Hours: 10 a.m. – 11 p.m.), Vox Cinemas (level 2; Opening Hours: 10 a.m. – 1 a.m.), Yalla Bowling (Level 2; Opening Hours: 10 a.m. – 11 p.m.), the biggest Carrefour in the city and more than 90 food points between cafes and restaurants. Moreover, there’s always something going on the ground floor, from fashion shows to family activities.
How to get there: take the Metro red line and get off at Mall of the Emirates station.
3. Souk Madinat Jumeirah
Your holidays in Dubai are not completed if you haven’t visited one of the most popular places in the city. Madinat Jumeirah is a complex of buildings, bars, restaurants, and shops located near the Burj Al Arab, and built in a full traditional Arab style. The entire area is connected by 5.4 km of waterways and guests can discover the place buying a ticket for the “water taxi” or abra, the typical boat. Just Let you get carried away from perfumed scents and get lost among 75 shops, galleries, and dining outlets. Madinat Jumeirah is one of the best places where you can enjoy the Burj Al Arab view, and at night, the Souk comes alive with a variety of exciting musical acts and plenty of activity. For more info click here. Opening Hours: Shops: 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Restaurants: 8 a.m. to 2 a.m.
How to get there: the better choice is by taxi. The nearest Metro station is Mall of the Emirates station (red line-6 km away). Here you can catch bus nr. 81 and get off at Dubai Police academy (then walk for 10 minutes).
4. City Walk by Meraas
In the hear of Jumeirah quarter, City Walk is a large and innovative open-air shopping centre characterised by wide tree-lined avenues and European-style buildings, spectacular playgrounds, water games, restaurants, shopping, and play areas. It combines art, shopping, and entertainment, including the Hub Zero, Green Planet, and Mattel Play, cinemas and a non-stop program of events. Opening Hours: Sunday – Wednesday 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.; Thursday – Friday 10 a.m. – 12 a.m.
How to get there: the easiest way is to take a taxi. The nearest Metro station is Business Bay station (red line-2.5 km away). Here catch the bus nr. 7 and get off at Dubai Petroleum Corporation stop (then walk for 5 minutes).
5. Dubai Marina Mall
A walk along the popular Dubai Marina is a must for those in the city. Among the spectacular skyscrapers of Dubai Marina lies the Mall which took the name from the neighbourhood. In Dubai Marina Mall you will find a huge lineup of high street brands such as Billabong, Monsoon, Cos, RiverIsland, Pinko or H&M, a wide range of waterfront dining options including the famous tower beside, the Pier 7, with some of the best restaurants in Dubai, and a constant stream of events and activities. Moreover, the Mall boasts Vox Cinemas, a Supermarket and one of the craziest activities of the city, the XLine Dubai. Opening Hours: Saturday – Wednesday: 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.; Thursday – Friday: 10 a.m. – 12 a.m.
How to get there: take the Red Line and get off at Damac properties station or DMCC station (then walk for 15minutes). From Damac Properties, you can also catch the Tram and get off at Matina mall stop.
6. The Global Village
No doubt one of the most beautiful places in the city. If you are in Dubai, don’t miss it. Visited by over five million people each year, the Global Village a multicultural festival park that will take you on a journey across the world: 32 giant stalls and pavilions, more than 75 countries with different cultures, a wide variety of shopping, dining, entertainment and funfair activities in an open-air environment make it one of the most fascinating places of Dubai. Opening hours: usually open throughout October till April 1st week from 4 pm to 11.30 pm. Fees: 15 AED.
How to get there: The Global Village is located at Exit 37, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road and Emirates Road and there is no metro. Therefore, the best mean of transport is taxi. You can get there by Bus as well but it’s a long way (catch n.102, n. 103, n. 104, n. 106 anyway, it depends on your location).
7. Dubai Festival City Mall
This Mall is close to Dubai Creek, one of the most peculiar places in the city. Dubai Festival City Mall is one of Dubai’s most favourite shopping destinations with over 500 brands and stores to choose from and spectacular light shows in the late evenings (click here to check what’s on). Luxury brands, IKEA, Hard Rock Cafe, are just some of the famous brands you will find there. Dubai Festival City Mall also includes a Kids Club, Cinemas, Carrefour supermarket and for those who love delicious food, Eataly, Peppermill or Sugar Factory are a perfect choice. Opening Hours: 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.; 10 a.m. – 12 a.m.
How to get there: the easiest way is by Taxi. The nearest Metro station is Creek station on the green line. Walk from here until you get to Al Jaffa Marine station, then take an Abra boat to reach DFC Marine station.
8. The Pointe
This amazing waterfront destination offers unrivalled dining, entertainment, and leisure with more than 80 restaurants, shops, and attractions including dining, retail and entertainment outlets. Its centrepiece is a spectacular fountain display which will enthral visitors with stunning shows. There’s also a dine-in cinema, a supermarket, children’s entertainment area and more. Don’t miss its 15. km promenade and the amazing sunset with Atlantis Hotel view. Opening hours: Monday – Sunday 10 am to midnight.
How to get there: the Pointe is located on the world-famous Palm Jumeirah, so the best mean of transport to get there is the taxi. If you want to use public transport, catch the Metro red line and get off at Damac properties metro station. Here you have to take the Tram and get off at Palm Jumeirah station where you can finally catch the Monorail and reach the mall. As an alternative, you should check the pointe complimentary shuttle service.
9. Wafi Mall
Have you ever been to Egypt? Well, it doesn’t matter because you have the chance to experience that in Dubai. Wafi Mall is an Egyptian themed shopping centre featuring local and international fashion brands, homeware, independent boutiques, and a traditional Arabian Souk besides events and light – sound show. The Wafi Gourmet restaurant is amongst some of the best in Dubai, and there is also a supermarket. At Wafi Mall you can experience the height of luxury at Cleopatra’s Spa such as facials, massages, hot stone therapy and more. Opening hours: Saturday – Wednesday 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.; Thursday – Friday 10 a.m. – 12 a.m.
How to get there: Wafi Mall is located in Oud Metha Road and the nearest Metro Station is Dubai Healthcare City Station on the Green Line (very close to the Mall). Passengers from the Red Line have to interchange at the BurJuman Metro Station.
10. Ibn Battuta Mall
This fascinating mall is a homage to one of the most important and famous explorer of the history, Ibn Battuta. His journey spanned 24 years and six different lands: Tunisia, Egypt, Persia, India, China, and Andalusia. That’s why the unique architecture of the Mall is divided into six courts basing on his travels remembering those countries. The Mall boasts many shops, restaurants, and cafes, cinema, supermarket, and hosts different events. Opening Hours: 10 am to midnight. During Ramadan, shopping and entertainment will remain open from 10 am to 1 am, and dining until 2 am.
How to get there: Ibn Battuta Mall is easily reachable catching the Metro red line (get off at Ibn Battuta Mall).
11. Mercato Shopping Mall
Last but not least, one of the most stunning and beautiful shopping malls in Dubai. Mercato, which means “market” in Italian, is built with a beautiful renaissance style architecture and with over 640,000 square meters, it is home of over 140 shops with a great variety of international fashion and lifestyle brands. The wide range of restaurants and cafes have something to satisfy all tastes whereas for those are looking for entertainment, Mercato Shopping Mall boasts Vox Cinemas and Fun City for kids. Inside you can find the Spinneys supermarket. Opening Hours: Sunday – Wednesday 10 am – 10 pm; Thursday – Saturday 10 am to midnight.
How to get there: the Mall is located in Jumeirah Beach Road between Jumeirah Beach Park and Jumeirah Zoo. You can reach Mercato Shopping Mall by metro. The nearest stop is The Financial Center Station, which is 5 minutes away.
12. Deira City Center
The City Centre Deira is one of the oldest malls in Dubai, opened in November 1995 and it redefined the concept of mall in the region: over 123,028 square meters of retail space and features over 371 retail stores and services, a great entertainment (Magic Planet and VOX Cinemas), Carrefour supermarket, a direct access to the 5-star City Centre Hotel & Residence and MAF Tower, an 11-storey office building. Opening Hours: check out the activities timetable at the Mall.
How to get there: catch the Metro red line and get off at Deira City Centre Metro station.
13. Burjuman Center
Situated in Bur Dubai, it is one of the oldest malls in the city and very frequented by locals. Burjuman center offers a good choice of restaurants and cafes, some very popular such as Yo Sushi, Jollibee and Dome Cafe; an high street brands including Luis Vuitton, Mont Blanc or Herms; Vox Cinemas featuring 14 screens with 2D and 3D capabilities; a supermarket Carrefour and Children’s area such as Magic Planet and 12D Rides.
How to get there: Burjuman Metro station is an interchange Station, therefore, you can catch the red line or the green line.
Need to Know
|
1) When to go The best season to visit Dubai is from October to March when the heat doesn’t hit you so much, and you can enjoy pleasant weather. It is perfect for exploring the city, its attractions and have some relax on their beaches. From April until September the weather is sweltering (July and August are unbearable), and at the peak of summer, the temperature can easily reach even 45° Celsius. 2) Where to sleep The city has a very massive range of accommodations, and there are many functional areas where you can book yours. It depends on your needs and budget. Click here and find out the best areas where to sleep in Dubai. 3) Where to eat The food in Dubai is not a problem because you can find anything everywhere! There are tons of restaurants, cafes, bars, malls and so on around the city so you can choose according to your taste. In this big amount of eateries, our favourite restaurants are Fish Beach Taverna, the Shimmers and the Boardwalk. Check here the TripAdvisor restaurants list.
4) Transportation Dubai is served by Metro, tram, Buses and water taxis. Anyway, Dubai is extensive and reaching some of the main attractions catching the local transports is not that useful because it takes a long time. Click here to know more about local transportation. Dubai’s taxis are available everywhere at just about any time, day or night and they are cheap compared with other cities, so it is an excellent way to move around. If you prefer to rent a vehicle, click here to see the fares of a Rental car. You can also use the smart app Uber for your device and get your ride. Alternatively, if your holiday is short, we highly recommend to use the Hop-on Hop-off Bus: there are 2 different companies, Big Bus Tour and City-Sightseeing, offering different routes to visit the city in the best way possible and their packages are very convenient (including discounts and free entrance in some attractions). 5) Tours and Activities One of the best ways to plan your activities and journey being hassle-free is by using Online Travel Agencies. Booking once you are already at your destination or beforehand doesn’t matter: your activities are just at your click! You can schedule your excursions everywhere getting all info on your device and enjoy it. They offer daily tours/activities, days tours, single tickets, transfers and much more. Another exciting thing is that you can buy Combo Packages and save money for your attractions. We recommend you Viator by TripAdvisor, GetYourGuide, and Musement, three reliable companies that we use during our trips around the world.  Are you looking for the best websites and companies to save money with? Check out our Travel Resources for the best companies to use for arranging your trip! And don’t forget your Travel Insurance!
|
