Glittering malls, fabulous boutiques and souks that practically dazzle you from the moment you step inside, retail in Dubai offers visitors one of the best shopping experiences in the world. From spices and silks to high-end fashion, premium quality leather to glittering gold jewellery, there’s something for every taste, and every budget. So let’s take a quick tour of Dubai’s shopping hot-spots, with a few tips for getting a bargain too!
The Dubai Mall
This is one of the biggest malls in the world, and you’ll need the whole day to explore its maze of shops, retail outlets, stalls, and boutiques. At its heart is an incredible four-storey waterfall, that gives the Mall a cool, fresh feel so you won’t get too hot and sweaty chasing down those bargains.
In between exploring over a thousand (yes, over a thousand!) stores, you can take a spin on the full-size skating rink, stare at the aquatic wonders in a huge aquarium, or grab something to eat from the hundreds of food outlets. The shops themselves cater for every type of taste, from straight-off-the-catwalk high fashion to traditional Arabic arts and crafts.
When the sun goes down, Dubai Mall lights up. Make sure you stick around for Dubai’s famous fountain display that takes place each night, accompanied by a musical soundtrack. You’ll also be able to taken in the awe-inspiring Burj Khalifa and it’s regular light show displays.
How to get to Dubai Mall
Metro Station – Dubal Mall – Red Line
Parking – Free parking in 14,000 undercover spaces
Mall of the Emirates
This comes in a close second to Dubai Shopping Mall, with over 630 retail outlets, a hundred restaurants and cafés, a children’s play area, and even an indoor ski centre! Spend the morning snowboarding, and then in the afternoon you can take your time to wander round a mall that’s packed with boutiques and more unusual retail outlets, as well as the high-end luxury brands.
With it’s own stop on Dubai Metro’s Red Line it’s within easy reach of Premier Inn hotels in Dubai.
How to get to Mall of the Emirates
Metro Station – Mall of the Emirates – Red Line
Parking – Free parking on weekends and Public Holidays. Chargeable Sunday to Thursday.
Dubai Festival City Mall
You’ll find Festival City on the banks of Dubai Creek, with views of Downtown Dubai across the water. Festival City is a destination for fashion and fun, with the biggest fashion brands from around the world inside the mall. It’s also home to Duabi’s first Ikea furniture store.
But if it’s a fun day out you’re after, you can take a traditional Abra ride along the Creek and stop off at Festival City. Feast upon an array of dining destinations, including Eataly, The Cheesecake Factory and Nandos. Spend the evening soaking up live entertainment at Hard Rock Café, or watch the Imagine laser and water show across Festival Bay.
How to get to Dubai Festival City
RTA Water Taxi – Dubai Festival City (Zone 2)
Parking – Free parking underground and outdoors
The Ibn Battuta Mall
The world’s largest ‘themed’ mall, this takes you on a journey around the globe with 270 shops divided into themed areas. This glittering mall is decorated in different styles, replicating the art and culture of the themed areas including Egypt, India, China, Persia, Tunisia, and Andalusia. The themes are a celebration of the travels of the Mall’s namesake, the Moroccan Berber explorer Ibn Battuta. You’ll find a great selection of shops, as well as restaurants and comfortable hotels such as our very own Premier Inn Ibn Battuta Mall Hotel.
How to get to Ibn Battuta Mall
Metro – Ibn Battuta Mall
Parking – Free outdoor parking
Hotels near Malls
When you’re all shopped out, you can rest easy at Premier Inn hotels near Dubai malls. Premier Inn Dubai Al Jaddaf is a central anchor if you’re looking to shop at Dubai Mall, Wafi or spend an evening at Festival City. Fall back on to our super-comfy beds for a good night’s sleep, and wake up wonderful with our legendary breakfasts.
Take a look at our latest offers to save more money on your next stay in Dubai.