Joanna James
Dubai is home to sprawling shopping malls, each of which offers eclectic shopping experiences to travellers. Read on for a list of the best malls in Dubai and to discover what makes each special.
Dubai Mall is not only the largest mall in the emirates but also in the world and happens to be the crowning glory of the remarkable shopping portfolio Dubai has to offer. It is widely considered to be the best mall in Dubai and is the base of several flagship stores of renowned fashion brands including Gucci, Prada, Chanel and Louis Vuitton. Other notable stores include Debenhams, Bloomingdales and GAP. Apart from the shopping outlets, the mall is home to an Olympic size rink and has a parking lot that can comfortably accommodate up to 14,000 vehicles at a time. Fun activities to do in the Dubai Mall, include visiting an old-fashioned souk, the aquarium and underwater zoo, and Reel cinemas. If you are travelling with kids along, do consider taking the time to drop by at Kidzania.
Another Majid Al Futtaim retail centre, City Centre Deira is one of the oldest shopping complexes in Dubai, which still has its loyal fanbase. The mall's very own Deira City Centre metro station makes it extremely accessible to both residents and visiting tourists. The mall can be easily reached from many of the hotels in Dubai Deira including the likes of Avani Deira Dubai Hotel.
Another natural pick for one of the best shopping malls in Dubai is the Mall of the Emirates. The shopping complex occupies more than 2 million sq. Ft. and has been a top shopping destination in Dubai since it opened its doors back in 2005. It offers over 600 retail outlets and over 100 cafes and restaurants. Another fun factor about MOE is that it is home to Ski Dubai – UAE's first indoor ski resort and park. Other key attractions include VOX Cinemas, Magic Planet Family entertainment centre and a Dreamscape VR experience.
Located in Dubai Festival City, this particular mall is famous for its spectacular light shows. A highlight of the Dubai Festival City Malls is the famous Robinsons department stores, which has a whole range of luxury brands on offer. Other popular high street brands include DKNY, Mango and Zara. Popular restaurants and cafes to check out include the Sugar Factory and Cheesecake Factory.
The Ibn Battuta Mall is the world's largest themed mall and is located close to Jebel Ali Village and Discovery Gardens. The mall is a single-story shopping complex that interestingly pays homages to the famed explorer Ibn Battuta and his travels. This unique mall is known for its inimitable architecture and is divided into six courts based on the travel destinations of the explore, and includes China, Egypt, Persia, Andalusia, India and Tunisia. The mall is open to the public from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm.
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