Retail Royalty – Your Insider Guide to Dubai’s Best Malls
From indoor ski slopes to dancing fountains, these are more than your average shopping centre.
Dubai doesn’t just do malls: it builds empires where entertainment meets culture, and retail therapy comes with a side of roller coasters, aquariums, and Michelin-starred bites.
You can find a plethora of your finest luxury stores, grab a snack from a sprawling food court, drop in for upper class dining – or even go see some penguins (we are completely serious.)
And whether you’re in town for a spree, a spectacle, or you’re a resident looking for your next pay-day spend, here’s your ultimate guide to the city’s shopping sanctuaries.
The Dubai Mall – The Giant of Them All
If Dubai had a crown jewel it would be awarded to The Dubai Mall. As the world’s largest, housing over 1,200 shops, it boasts a dizzying mix of luxury boutiques, high-street fashion, and coolest concept stores. The star attraction has to be the Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo, home to 33,000 marine creatures swimming beneath the feet of unsuspecting shoppers. Pair that with the mesmerising Dubai Fountain shows outside and it becomes clear why this a global landmark.
Location: Downtown Dubai, next to Burj Khalifa
Opening hours: 10 AM – 12 AM daily
Contact: +971 800 38224 6255
Mall of the Emirates – Ski Slopes and Style Icons
A shopping centre with a “cool” secret? Mall of the Emirates is home to Ski Dubai, a full-fledged indoor ski resort where penguins waddle and snow bunnies carve slopes in the middle of the desert – great to learn to ski, board, or simply take the kids for some frozen escapades. Fashion devotees flock to its luxury wing with designer houses like Chanel, Prada, and Gucci, while families head straight to Magic Planet for rides and games. Dining ranges from fine French fare to casual cafés, and there’s a huge Carrefour, making it perfect for a quick grocery visit or a longer excursion.
Location: Sheikh Zayed Road, Al Barsha
Opening hours: 10 AM – 12 AM daily
Contact: +971 4 409 9000
Ibn Battuta Mall – A Journey Through Time
The world’s largest themed mall is designed as a tribute to the legendary traveller Ibn Battuta (if you didn’t get a tourist photo of yourself next to the giant ship when you arrived in Dubai can you even call yourself a resident?) Each court reflects the regions Ibn explored – from the hand-painted ceilings of the Persian Court to the grand elephant clock in the India Court. Beyond the visual feast, it’s also home to affordable brands, a megaplex cinema, and plenty of dining options. Shopping here feels like a history lesson wrapped in retail therapy, but beware, it’s easy to get lost down the long corridors – strategic parking spots advised!
Location: Sheikh Zayed Road, Jebel Ali
Opening hours: 10 AM – 12 AM daily
Contact: +971 4 362 1900
City Walk – The Urban Playground
Sleek, stylish, and oh-so-Instagrammable, City Walk blends shopping with street art, pop-ups, and al fresco dining and has influencers to match. It feels more like strolling through a chic European street than a standard Dubai-esque mall. Think boutique fashion labels, trendy restaurants, and attractions like The Green Planet, a biodome rainforest teeming with exotic wildlife. Perfect for an afternoon of shopping that turns into dinner and cocktails or an early breakfast at content creators’ favourite spot Saya – a sight to behold!
Location: Al Safa Street, near Downtown Dubai
Opening hours: 10 AM – 12 AM daily
Contact: +971 4 590 9090
Dubai Festival City Mall – Lights, Camera, Laser Action
Festival Bay is where this mall shines – literally. Home to IMAGINE, the record-breaking laser, water, and fire show, Dubai Festival City Mall is as much about spectacle as it is shopping. With more than 400 stores, including IKEA and Zara, plus waterfront dining overlooking the Dubai Creek, it’s a family-friendly favourite. The mix of retail, leisure, and nightly entertainment makes it one of Dubai’s most well-rounded malls. It’s a bit of a hike if you’re on the Marina end of town, but worth it for the IKEA alone.
Location: Dubai Festival City, near Dubai Creek
Opening hours: 10 AM – 12 AM daily
Contact: +971 800 332
Dubai Hills Mall – Thrills Meet Style
One of the city’s newer retail stars, Dubai Hills Mall boasts modern shopping with a lot of fun. Its headline act is The Storm Coaster, a vertical drop indoor rollercoaster that is a chance for hilarious IG stories. Meanwhile shoppers can browse over 600 outlets ranging from luxury fashion to family favourites, while foodies are spoiled with a ton of international dining options. It’s designed with wide, airy spaces and a contemporary vibe, making it the perfect spot to drift through enjoying the AC, particularly when it’s too hot outside for much else.
Location: Dubai Hills Estate, Al Khail Road
Opening hours: 10 AM – 11 PM (weekdays), 10 AM – 12 AM (weekends)
Contact: +971 4 448 5033
Marina Mall – Waterfront Shopping with a View
Set against the glittering backdrop of Dubai Marina, Marina Mall is an uber cute mall that’s been a city favourite for many years. The vibe here is more laid-back than the mega-malls, but it delivers with a curated mix of high-street fashion, cinemas, and casual dining, some of which has stunning Marina views. Families love it for the entertainment options, while couples head straight to Pier 7 next door for world-class dining. Bonus points for its location right on the tram line and easy-to-navigate layout.
Location: Dubai Marina, next to Pier 7
Opening hours: 10 AM – 10 PM (weekdays), 10 AM – 12 AM (weekends)
Contact: +971 4 436 1020
Nakheel Mall – Palm Island’s Newbie(ish)
Perched at the heart of Palm Jumeirah, Nakheel Mall is the gateway to The View at The Palm, a 240-metre-high observation deck with panoramic views of Dubai’s iconic skyline. Inside, you’ll find 300 shops, restaurants, and entertainment spots, plus a rooftop dining scene – surprisingly it manages to cram all that epic entertainment into what looks like a small space. It’s sleek, modern, and perfectly positioned for anyone staying on the Palm or making a day trip to the island. Note: traffic on the Palm can sometimes get a little undesirable at times, so it’s better to go during non-peak hours or make it your local if you’re a Palm resident.
Location: Palm Jumeirah, Al Ittihad Park
Opening hours: 10 AM – 10 PM (weekdays), 10 AM – 12 AM (weekends)
Contact: +971 4 390 9999
