The Dubai Mall
The biggest shopping destination in the world when you combine all of its shopping, dining and entertainment options, the Dubai Mall is a behemoth of things to do. Actually, there’s so much going on here you might actually forget about the shopping bit. Well, maybe. Thereisover 1200 retailers here, running the gamut from high street (think H&M) to seriously high fashion over in the Fashion Avenue area.
Shopping aside, there’s an Olympic-sized ice skating rink here, the Dubai Fountains, as well as a full-on aquarium – just because. Peoplecome to Dubaijust to visit this mall, which we reckon says everything you need to know.
Find it on Financial Centre Road – Downtown Dubai
Mercato Mall
The Marcato Mall will have you tripping, thinking you’ve accidentally wandered into an Italian piazza. All cobbled stone streets and Italian Renaissance-style facades, this mall is a much more manageable size, with just under 200 shops to peruse. Thanks to a great big glass atrium above you, the space is filled with natural light, making a trip here feel more like a passeggiata (that’s Italian for a really nice walk) than a shopping session.
Oh, there’s also a slide to take you all the way back down to the ground floor if you don’t fancy taking the lift. Go on, then.
Find it on Jumeirah Beach Road, Jumeriah 1
Mall of the Emirates
This one gives The Dubai Mall a run for its money. While it might have fewer shops (it’s still got over 500!), it’s got a whole bunch of entertainment options to rival its bigger neighbour. There’s Ski Dubai, a cinema complex (with VR shows), and Magic Planet – an arcade with rides and simulations. We especially love the great big metal atrium roof that makes you feel like you’re in a European railway station.
Find it at Interchange 4, Sheikh Zayed Road, Al Barsha 1
WAFI Mall
If you like your malls with a theme, you’ve got more than just the Mercato Mall to play with. WAFI Mall is all about Ancient Egypt. Yep. We’re talking obelisks, giant sphynx statues, hieroglyphs… the lot. With a few more retailers than Mercato, you can even shop at Matalan! Yeah, we were surprised too.
There’s fashion, jewellery, electronics, home goods, and more here, but it’s also home to Khan Murjan, a souk-style market that recreates the atmosphere of a traditional Arabic marketplace. Definitely don’t miss the Pyramids Rooftop Gardens if you’re there on a Sunday – the space is converted into an outdoor theatre for their ‘Movies Under the Stars’, showing both classic and modern films.
Find it on Oud Metha Road in Wafi City
City Walk
On the complete other end of the spectrum is City Walk, a mega contemporary mixed-use development that combines shopping, dining, entertainment, and residential elements. It’s got both high end and high street clothing, and absolutely loads of dining options, from Asian to Italian to Lebanese. There’s a cinema here, and Honey Bee Nursery. There’s even a Canadian University Dubai campus here!
Find it at Al Wasl and Al Safa Road Junction, Sheikh Zayed Road
