Top 12 Shopping Malls & Traditional Markets to Explore in Dubai

Posted on: Jul 15, 2024 | 3 mins | Written by: HDFC ERGO Team

Top 12 Shopping Malls & Traditional Markets to Explore in Dubai

Dubai is every shopaholic’s dreamland for its exquisite lifestyle stores, designer boutiques, souvenir centres, luxurious malls, Dubai traditional souks, and wholesale markets. Gold is one of the major commodities that travellers buy in Dubai; however, there's an array of cafes, spas, restaurants, and cinemas to visit. Dubai gives once in a lifetime shopping experience for every budget, taste, and kind of traveller. Get international travel insurance and plan your shopping itinerary out of these 12 best places to shop in Dubai that we have listed in this blog.

Top 12 Shopping Malls & Traditional Markets to Explore in Dubai

Below is the list of street markets, glorious malls, and traditional souks that you can explore to experience a shopping paradise in Dubai:

1. The Dubai Mall

First on the list is the world's largest mall, the Dubai Mall, in Downtown Dubai. It has over 1200 outlets with a vast collection of high-end brands, zones of gaming and entertainment, cafes, and food outlets. It is a perfect outing spot for couples and families to visit the Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo, Ice Rink, VR park, and Kidzania, witness Dubai Fountain shows, and the exclusive sight of Burj Khalifa.

Visiting Hours: 10:00 AM to 12:00 Midnight

2. Mall of Emirates

If you're looking for a premier Dubai shopping mall, visit the Mall of Emirates at Sheikh Zayed Road. The mall is a piece of architecture with an indoor ski resort, Ski Dubai, as its particular highlight, where you can also meet Penguins. Walk through 700+ stores, from concept stores to restaurants to the kid attraction ‘Magic Planet’. If you're in Dubai, take advantage of unbeatable deals at the mall during the Annual Dubai Shopping Festival.

Visiting Hours: 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM

3. Meena Bazar

Meena Bazar, the unofficial name of the market at Al Ghubaiba Road on Al Fahidi Street, is a dreamscape for fashionistas. It is one of the oldest traditional markets known as the Mini India of Dubai. Travellers visit the bazaar in the afternoon when it is less crowded to buy special products like traditional dresses, jewellery, spices, furniture, and everything a home needs.

Visiting Hours: 9:30 AM to 12:00 Midnight

4. Global Village

Explore Dubai’s rich culture and entertainment in the vibrant Global Village, an open Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road market. Foreign travellers can explore 75+ pavilions representing merchandise from different countries. Some of the special highlights of the village are the Odditorium, 4D theatre, crazy games, street performances, real-life exhibits, and Carnaval, featuring over 30 rides for all. On Thursdays and Fridays, you can enjoy the fireworks show at 9 PM.

Visiting Hours: 4:00 PM to 12:00 Midnight

5. Ibn Battuta Mall

Ibn Battuta Mall, named after the Arab Explorer, is a six-zone-themed shopping complex. It is claimed to be the largest themed shopping mall in Dubai, with over 400 shopping outlets and a mouth-watering blend of various cuisines! Thanks to the six masterfully crafted courts: India, China, Persia, Egypt, Tunisia, and Andalusia, Ibn Battuta Mall can offer its patrons an immersive and spectacular dive into history.

Visiting Hours: 10:00 AM to 12:00 Midnight

6. Dubai Marina Mall

Located near the Dubai Marina, the Dubai Marina Mall is a family-friendly Dubai shopping mall that houses some top fashion, beauty and home collection brands spanned over 4 levels with over 21 delicious dining options and a separate Children’s play zone for kids to enjoy!

Visiting Hours: 10:00 AM to 12:00 Midnight

7. Souk Madinat Jumeirah

Souk Madinat Jumeirah blends old Arabian charm with modernity. Its bustling souk-style atmosphere offers a maze of alleys filled with stands selling souvenirs and local treasures. It has nearly 50 bars and restaurants offering cuisine ranging from Indian to Persian against a stunning canal backdrop. Serene boat rides along the picturesque canals provide a relaxing retreat, while the Madinat Theatre hosts cultural performances.

Visiting Hours: 10:00 AM to 12:00 Midnight

8. Dubai Outlet Village

The Dubai Outlet Village is a Tuscan-inspired mall that offers several high-end upscale brands at affordable prices and a delicious spread of cuisines and gastronomy. It also offers shuttle services, Wi-Fi, EV charging stations, prayer rooms, baby strollers, and much more. All you need to have is travel insurance before planning your trip to the Dubai shopping spree.

Visiting Hours: 10:00 AM to 12:00 Midnight

9. Mercato Shopping Mall

This mall captures the essence of a Mediterranean town from the European Renaissance. Mercato is a Dubai shopping mall with over 140 shops offering international fashion brands, accessories, footwear, and more. It has a range of cafeterias and restaurants, providing an ideal setting for relaxed dining on quaint cobbled streets or alfresco on the terrace, serving everything from Arabic and French cuisine to fast food.

Visiting Hours: 10:00 AM to 12:00 Midnight

10. Dubai Festival City Mall

Only 5 minutes from the Dubai International Airport, this mall is home to world-class brands spread over 400 outlets and a dining destination that offers exquisite waterfront dining in 50 restaurants and cafés, along with a large food court. It also has a trampoline park and an arcade centre that glows in the dark.

Visiting Hours: 10:00 AM to 12:00 Midnight

11. City Walk

City Walk is a vibrant, art-inspired neighbourhood featuring hundreds of exclusive shops, restaurants, and leisure activities amidst 34 low-rise residential buildings, tree-lined avenues, and a captivating array of contemporary street art murals.

Visiting Hours: 10:00 AM to 12:00 Midnight

12. Al Fahidi Street

Al Fahidi Souk offers a glimpse of Old Dubai with a unique shopping experience away from the city crowds. Browse through shops selling wares from local designers and popular brands, toys, gifts, antiques, and electronics. Refuel at restaurants or grab snacks from the food court.

Visiting Hours: 10:00 AM to 12:00 Midnight

Getting admired by the sparkle of Dubai’s shopping experience and zoning out is common and understandable, so it's wise to invest in Dubai travel insurance to avoid any unnecessary and unforeseen troubles overseas.

Conclusion

Is an overseas tour even successful without shopping for unique items, traditional giftables, and souvenirs? Dubai has a large variety of shopping places catering to every kind of shopaholic, budget buyers, window shoppers, and families. Witness the vibrant hues of the city in open markets and souks in the day, thrill with kids in the shopping malls, and the serenity of the nightlife by the waterways.

Disclaimer The above information is for illustrative purposes only. For more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

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