Dubai, a city often associated with luxury and opulence, is also synonymous with shopping. Home to enormous shopping malls and traditional souks, Dubai offers you ample opportunities to indulge in retail therapy. Moreover, it also hosts the Dubai Shopping Festival every year, which is considered to be the biggest shopping festival in the world. While shopping in the city during the Dubai Shopping Festival is quite exciting, shopping in Dubai during the rest of the year is nothing less than fun. Hence, here we present 10 places where you can enjoy best shopping in Dubai by booking your Dubai tourist visa.
1. Dubai Mall
The Dubai Mall is the ultimate shopping destination in the city. With an area of 5.9 million square feet, the Dubai Mall is the largest mall in the UAE and one of the largest malls in the world. Dubai Mall is home to more than 1200 retail stores, where you can buy everything from clothes to electronics. Here you will find stores of some of the top international brands like Cartier, Christian Louboutin, BVLGARI, Henry Jacques, Louis Vuitton, etc. Apart from shopping, Dubai Mall is also an entertainment destination and houses an aquarium and underwater zoo, an ice-skating park, a gaming zone, and a multiplex theater.
2. Mall of the Emirates
Another popular shopping mall in Dubai is Mall of the Emirates. It has 560 retail outlets, including stores of brands like Debenhams, Harvey Nichols, and Marks & Spencer. Apart from shopping, you can enjoy food at some of the best eateries and restaurants in town like The Cheesecake Factory, Din Tai Fung, etc. However, the star attraction of Mall of the Emirates is Ski Dubai, an indoor skiing resort and snow park. Here you can enjoy skiing and snowboarding on the tallest indoor ski slope in the world. Apart from this, it also has an indoor entertainment center and a cinema hall.
3. Deira Souks
The Deira side of Dubai Creek is home to some traditional markets or souks. The most popular amongst them is the gold souk, where you will find more than 300 stores selling gold jewelry. A little away from the gold souk is the spice souk, where you can buy an array of spices and herbs. Apart from these, there is the perfume souk, where you can buy traditional Arabic fragrances like the oud and attar as well as modern fragrances. You also get to buy souvenirs and other gift items at these souks. The best part about shopping in the souks of Deira is that you can bargain to get the best price, even while buying gold.
4. Bur Dubai Textile Souk
If shopping in the malls of Dubai seems like an expensive affair to you, head to Bur Dubai’s textile souk. A traditional souk, here you will find plenty of small stores that sell different kinds of fabrics, including the finest silks, cotton, etc. Moreover, you can get these fabrics custom stitched as per your liking from one of the tailors here. Apart from this, you can also buy readymade outfits here. Even if you do not want to purchase anything, do visit the textile souk to enjoy the colors and the vibe of this place.
5. Global Village Dubai
Global Village Dubai is a seasonal attraction that happens every year from October to April. If you are visiting Dubai during this time, you need to visit Global Village for shopping and more. The highlight of shopping in Global Village is that you get to see and buy goods not just from Dubai but all over the world. Global Village has pavilions from several countries around the world. Here, you will get to buy argan oil from Morocco, carpets from Afghanistan and Iran, dry fruits from Thailand, engraved necklaces from Spain, etc. You can also enjoy fun games, thrilling rides, entertainment programs, and great food here.
6. Souk Madinat Jumeriah
If you want to enjoy the souk experience in a peaceful and luxurious way, you must head to Souk Madinat Jumeriah. Just a few steps away from the Dubai Mall and Burj Khalifa, Souk Madinat Jumeirah is a true recreation of the traditional Dubai souks minus the heat, crowd, and noise. Here you can shop for high end jewelry, Arab handicrafts, souvenir items, latest fashion, etc. The place is also dotted with restaurants, cafes, and bars, where you can enjoy a drink, a snack, or a proper meal when you are tired of all the shopping. Do not forget to visit the Souk Madinat Jumeirah in the evening, as the place has its own charm during this time of the day.
7. Dragon Mart
If you want to enjoy shopping without breaking your budget too much, you must head to Dragon Mart in Dubai. The largest shopping hub for Chinese products, Dragon Mart is home to more than 3500 stores that sell everything under the sun. You can buy clothes, accessories, electronics, furniture, and household items here. There is also Dragon Mart 2 next door, where you can enjoy entertainment and good food along with some more shopping.
8. Dubai Hills Mall
The newest to join the list of shopping malls in Dubai is the Dubai Hills Mall. Spread around an area of 2 million square feet space, the mall is a lifestyle hub with more than 600 stores. Along with fashion brands, furniture stores, and luxury outlets, the mall also has anchor stores and a hypermarket as well. Apart from shopping, you can indulge in a delicious meal, ride on a super thrilling indoor rollercoaster, and watch a movie at the luxurious Roxy Cinemas. The Dubai Hills Mall also hosts fun activities, in-store events, and pop-ups regularly for its patrons.
9. Ibn Battuta Mall
The Ibn Battuta Mall is not just a shopping mall but a shopping experience altogether. It is the largest themed shopping mall in the world, and the themes of the mall have been inspired by the travels of the famous explorer Ibn Battuta. The mall has 6 courts, representing Tunisia, China, Andalasia, Egypt, India, and Persia. The Ibn Battuta Mall has more than 275 stores, where you can buy luxury and branded products as well as souvenirs and gift items.
10. Wafi Mall
If the budget is not a constraint, a visit to the Wafi Mall is a must. This is an Egyptian-themed mall where the architecture is dotted with pyramids and sphinx statues. This mall is home to high-end stores and luxury outlets. Moreover, the highlight of the place is Cleopatra’s Spa where you can enjoy luxury massages and other beauty treatments. While you are not shopping or admiring the architecture of the mall, you can indulge in some delicious food at the various restaurants and food outlets here. The Wafi Mall is also home to the luxurious 5-star hotel, Raffles Dubai.
Conclusion
Shopping in Dubai is an experience like no other, and you must indulge in it if you are visiting the city. The best part is that Dubai has malls and retail outlets for people with all kinds of budget.