The city of Dubai embeds intermingling of traditional Islamic ethos and ultramodern lifestyle. It is also one of the most preferred tourist destinations on the global tourism map – a place to relax and rejoice! The key attractions of Dubai are not only its scenic beaches, charming desert safaris and state of the art monuments; they include the ceaseless shopping options — from ultramodern mega malls and traditional souks in Dubai to local street outlets. So before you plan your trip, glance through the list of best shopping places in Dubai. It includes stores for handicrafts, décor, electronics, designer luxuries and dazzling gold ornaments!
Best Shopping Places In Dubai
Dubai is a highly developed city that offers tourists almost everything they require. The infrastructure, tourist attractions, activities, amazing food, and exciting markets, malls, and souks make your holiday experience simply unforgettable. Here are the best places to shop in Dubai that will you the ultimate shopping experience:
- Wafi Mall: A Unique Area
- Dubai Mall: World’s Largest Mall
- Ibn Battuta Mall: Biggest Shopping Centers
- Deira City Centre: Oldest Shopping Malls
- Mall of the Emirates: For A Supreme Experience
- Burjuman Centre: Among The Oldest Malls
- Karama Shopping Complex: Great Bargains
- Dubai Outlet Mall: Best Clearance Sale
- Mercato Shopping Mall: Like An Italian City
- Dubai Flea Market: Buy Pre-Loved Items
- Gold Souk: The Most Popular One
- Spice Souk: For A Wide Range Of Spices
- Perfume Souk: An Aromatic Shopping Center
- Textile Souk: With Plenty Of Shops
- Meena Bazaar Dubai: A Local Market Place
- Souk Madinat Jumeirah: Like An Ancient Bazaar
- Dragon Mart: Shopping Fiesta
- City Walk: Shop Till You Drop
- Naif Souk: Explore Dubai’s Culture
- The Outlet Village: For The Handcrafted
- City Centre Mirdif: Everything You May Ever Need
- Souk Al-Bahar: Arabic-style Shopping
- Friday Market: For Traditional Textiles
- Covent Garden Market Dubai: Outdoor Market
- Farmers’ Market: The Fresh Harvest
1. Wafi Mall: A Unique Area
Located on the Oud Medha Road, the Wafi Mall was established in 2001. A unique one among shopping malls in Dubai, it is known for its pyramid-shaped façade structure, collection of artwork, and Egyptian theme throughout the area. The mall has almost 350 stores of apparel, crafts, décor, and accessories. The major attraction is few eminent rejuvenation centers, the famous one being Cleopatra’s Spa.
How to Reach: 10 minutes from Dubai International Airport and Sheikh Zayed Road. You can take a direct cab or shuttle bus from the airport to reach Wafi Mall.
Famous For: Egyptian-themed shopping
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2. Dubai Mall: World’s Largest Mall
The Dubai Mall, located near Burj Khalifa, in Financial Centre Road is designated as the world’s largest mall. One of the best shopping places in Dubai, this opulent mall is endowed with over 1200 luxury and premium brand stores, an Underwater Zoo, Dubai Aquarium, Ice rink, Reel Cinema, Theme park, Dubai fountains, and numerous restaurants. Major attractions for chocolate and candy lovers are Hershey’s Chocolate World and the Candylicious store that sell all Hershey’s products and various types of candies, respectively. Whether you’re in for a honeymoon in Dubai, or to explore it with your family, this one is unmissable.
How to Reach: Take a direct cab to the mall or avail metro till Burj Khalifa station and then take a cab or a shuttle bus to the mall.
Famous For: International brand outlets
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3. Ibn Battuta Mall: Biggest Shopping Centers
The largest themed mall, Ibn Battuta Mall is located on Sheikh Zayed Road and has been designed in honor of the Arabian explorer Ibn Battuta; hence the name. Again, one of the biggest shopping centers in Dubai, the mall is divided into six sections — India, China, Tunisia, Egypt, Persia, and Andalusia and has close to 275 shops. These sections represent the regions traveled by Battuta and display plenty of exhibits of these places. The China courts have an Exhibition Centre, which houses many cultural events.
How to Reach: The mall is located just opposite Ibn Battuta Metro station, so traveling by metro is the most convenient option.
Famous For: Architecture
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4. Deira City Centre: Oldest Shopping Malls
Deira City Centre is one of the oldest shopping malls in Dubai, located at the waterfront of the Port Saeed Road. It comprises all major brands of dresses, electronics, ornaments as well as local outlets of silk, cashmere and rugs. Along with the shops the mall has a movie theater, a bowling alley and a magic planet for kids. Enjoy shopping in Dubai at this mall with your family to make the most of the time you spend in Dubai.
How to Reach: Take the metro till Deira City Centre and or a direct cab. Also, the mall authority runs shuttle buses from 11 major hotels in Dubai.
Famous For: Luxury, fashion, electronics, furniture & more.
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5. Mall of the Emirates: For A Supreme Experience
Mall of the Emirates offers a supreme experience with 475 premium stores of fashion, lifestyle, sports, electronics, home décor, magic planet kid’s play zone, and a multiplex cinema. The most amazing element is the Ski Resort — where you can have the ultimate skiing adventure. This is where you get an unforgettable Dubai shopping experience!
How to Reach: Take a metro to the Mall of Emirates station and then take the skywalk to reach the mall.
Famous For: Internation and Arabic goods
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6. Burjuman Centre: Among The Oldest Malls
Burjuman Centre is one of the award-winning malls in Dubai and is also among the oldest malls in the city. This place is known for having a wide variety of top luxury brand stores. Find all the labels like Louis Vuitton, Versace, Christian Dior, Dolce and Gabbana, and Hermes under one roof. Burjuman Centre is a favorite Dubai shopping spot for fashion lovers. Another USP of this mall is that it is home to the only outlet of Saks Fifth Avenue in Dubai. The open courtyards and pavilion gardens are the best hangout zones in the mall. Most of the restaurants and cafes are also concentrated in these areas.
How to Reach: Located on Bur Dubai’s Khalid bin Al Waleed Street, Burjuman Centre can be reached via Red and Green Metro lines. The nearest metro station is Burjuman Metro Station.
Famous For: Artisanal goods
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7. Karama Shopping Complex: Great Bargains
Karama Shopping Complex was built in 1975 and has witnessed several renovations over the years. But it still stands apart from the fancy shopping malls in Dubai. It is located in one of the earliest residential areas of the city. If you are wondering where to shop in Dubai for goods on great bargains, Karama Shopping Complex is the place. Some of the things that you can buy from here are jewelery and shawls. It is also one of the best places to visit in Dubai.
How to Reach: The complex is located along Zabeel Road. The nearest metro station is Al Karama Metro Station.
Famous For: Souvenirs and gifts
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8. Dubai Outlet Mall: Best Clearance Sales
Dubai Outlet Mall is one of the top places to shop in Dubai. What makes it special among the locals and tourists is the fact that here you get to buy branded fashion-wear at cheap prices. The mall receives stocks of last season from various brands like Harvey Nichols, Bloomingdale’s, and Boutique 1. You would find various designs from Stella McCartney, Givenchy, Adidas, Tods, and Wrangler on their end-of-season-sale. But the options are not just limited to clothing and footwear. Dubai shopping in this Outlet Mall also features a decent collection of interior home decor products.
How to Reach: Dubai Outlet Mall is located on the Dubai Al-Ain Road and can be reached from Creek Metro Station on Green Line.
Famous For: International outlets
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9. Mercato Shopping Mall: Like An Italian City
Mercato Shopping Mall is one of the most charming malls to explore in the city. It has been designed in the form of a beautiful Mediterranean town of Italy from the European Renaissance period. In fact, the name ‘Mercato’ means market in Italian. The mall has over 130 retailers selling a variety of products. Come here to experience best shopping in Dubai with your family and friends. With cobbled streets, sparkling streetlights, and classic piazzas the mall is also a romantic place to visit with your partner at night.
How to Reach: Located on the Jumeirah Beach Rd, you can reach Mercato Shopping Mall from the nearest metro station – Financial Centre on the Red Line.
Famous For: International fashion and lifestyle brands
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10. Dubai Flea Market: Buy Pre-Loved Items
Dubai Flea Market is one of the best places to experience street shopping in Dubai but in a different way. Hosted in the popular Zabeel Park, this is one place where you buy or sell pre-loved or second-hand products. This includes furniture, handicraft items, toys and games, books, ceramics, appliances, gadgets, clothes, and more. The environment is exciting and you get to buy a lot of things at cheaper rates.
How to Reach: Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall is the nearest metro station to Zabeel Park.
Famous For: Second-hand goods
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11. Gold Souk: The Most Popular One
Gold Souk is the most popular souk of Dubai and worth a visit even if you have no plans to buy. Located in Deira, adjacent to Dubai creek, it comprises covered walkways dotted with numerous jewelry shops. It is also one of the best Dubai shopping places to enjoy an evening splurging on your favorite goods.
How to Reach: Metro, Bus, Cab
Famous For: Authentic jewelry, and gemstones
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12. Spice Souk: For A Wide Range Of Spices
Very close to Gold Souk, you will find another area lined with plenty of small shops selling a wide range of spices and herbs like saffron, turmeric, cloves, pepper, cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, coriander, and sumac. The narrow alleys are surrounded by the enticing aroma of the spices as well as basmati rice, dry fruits, nuts, hookah masala, and flavored tobacco. If you love Dubai cuisine, you might as well want to take a bag of these spices and try cooking dishes yourself!
How to Reach: Bus, Cab, Metro
Famous For: International and Arabic Spices
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13. Perfume Souk: An Aromatic Shopping Centre
One of the most aromatic shopping centers in Dubai, Perfume Souk has a narrow passageway lined with small shops selling perfumes ranging from local Arabic ittars to branded international perfumes. You can also buy scented incense in powder, crystal, wood, and rock form; Frankincense is a famous one.
How to Reach: Take a bus or a cab to reach the place. Gold souk, spice souk, and Perfume Souk are close to Al Ras Metro Station, so traveling by metro is a good option. Just do not take your own car as the area is quite crowded and finding parking space is a challenge.
Famous For: Scents and fragnances
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14. Textile Souk: With Plenty Of Shops
In Bur Dubai, the textile bazaar or souk comprises plenty of shops dealing with a variety of textiles like silk, cashmere, wool, cotton, ready-made apparel, footwear, and souvenir.
How to Reach: Reach Deira and cross the waterway in a water taxi or take the metro to Al Fahidi Metro Station.
Famous For: Textile products
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15. Meena Bazaar Dubai: A Local Market Place
Meena Bazaar in Dubai is a local marketplace in Bur Dubai, adjacent to the Al Bastakiya area. The market area is famous for jewelry and wedding jewelry, watches, textiles, furniture and accessories, and spices from India.
How to Reach: Meena Bazaar is just adjacent to the Al- Fahidi metro station in the green line.
Famous For: Traditional textiles, and handicrafts
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16. Souk Madinat Jumeirah: Like An Ancient Bazaar
Wondering where to do shopping in Dubai to experience a traditional souk environment without having to struggle in the heat and noise? Souk Madinat Jumeirah is the answer! Located within the Madinat Jumeirah Resort, this shopping spot has been designed in the form of an ancient market. But it has a modern touch and is aesthetically much more appealing. There are a variety of things that you can buy here beautiful handicrafts products and jewelry. Souk Madinat Jumeirah is also one of the best places to witness the nightlife of Dubai as there are several restaurants, bars, and cafes too. It is also one of the best shopping places in Dubai.
How to Reach: Souk Madinat Jumeira is located on Jumeirah Beach Road and the nearest metro station is the Mall of the Emirates Metro Station.
Famous For: Locally-made jewelry
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17. Dragon Mart: Shopping Fiesta
With regards to shopping in Dragon Mart, you have abundant choices to pick from. There is a wide assortment of souks, shopping centers, shops, and stores. All give unmistakably extraordinary shopping encounters. Quest for deals in the souks, or peruse in one of the expert workmanship stores. Break from looking for originator products with lunch at a spectacular eatery at one of the city’s huge shopping centers.
How to Reach: Bus, Metro, Cab
Famous For: Local and international brands
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18. City Walk: Shop Till You Drop
Loaded with minuscule shops offering conventional produce from honey to international clothing brands, the City Walk is the greatest and generally engrossing in Dubai. It is not difficult to get lost in the event that you head off the mall’s central avenue, albeit this everything is essential for the experience. Take a little detour from the mall, and explore the amazing Gold Souks, available from further down the road.
How to Reach: Bus, Cab, Metro
Famous For: Metropolitan shopping experience
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19. Naif Souk: Explore Dubai’s Culture
Naif Souk is a popular street market that offers a wide collection of authentic Arabic goods and ranges from services like henna designs to personalized clothing for tourists and travelers.
How to Reach: Bus, Cab, Metro
Famous For: Vibrant street market kiosks and artifacts.
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20. The Outlet Village: For The Handcrafted
Nestled close to the Dubai Parks and Resorts, the Outlet Village is one of the best hangout places in Dubai and one of the best shopping avenues where you can find contemporary, traditional, ethical, and ultra-modern goods, depending on what you are looking for. More than a shopper’s stop, it is also a great place to observe Dubai’s bustle as a traveler.
How to Reach: Bus, Metro, Cab
Famous For: Locally-made products
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21. City Centre Mirdif: Everything You May Ever Need
The City Centre Mirdif is a classic mall that fulfills families and sightseers’ need for recreation and shopping notwithstanding an excellent business workplace. If you are planning a weekend shopping trip where you can get everything you need plus shop for some Arabic souvenirs and goods, this is the place to be.
How to Reach: Bus, Metro, Cab
Famous For: Locally-made jewelry
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22. Souk Al-Bahar: Arabic-style Shopping
Souk Al-Bahar is one of the most popular dining places in Dubai but is an underrated spot for shopping. If you are looking for a traditional version of the Middle Eastern marketplace, this is exactly the place you want to be.
How to Reach: Bus, Metro, Cab
Famous For: Contemporary art and fine-dining
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23. Friday Market: For Traditional Textiles
The main draw in Friday market is the variety, probably the only place where you can buy literally anything. It is also one of the few places in Dubai where you can enjoy breakfast, coffee, shop, have lunch, shop some more and get back home after a hearty dinner, all under a single roof.
How to Reach: Bus, Metro, Cab
Famous For: Locally-made food items
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24. Covent Garden Market Dubai: Outdoor Market
Covent Garden Market Dubai is a flea market that consists of 50 kiosks and is an unlimited source of amusement, especially for tourists and travelers. From clothing to jewelry to artifacts, besides shopping, this is also a perfect place to do some souvenir hunting for things that you would want to take back for your friends and family.
How to Reach: Bus, Cab, Metro
Famous For: Artifacts
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25. Farmers’ Market: The Fresh Harvest
The Farmer’s Market in Dubai is one of a kind coming-together of local producers who farm fruits, vegetables, and other organic craftspersons who sell everything from exotic herbs to dairy products. The market is a must-visit for anyone who is looking to discover what goes into ethnic Arabic cooking and understand where and how the locals shop in this country.
How to Reach: Metro, Bus, Cab
Famous For: Straight-from-the-garden produce stands
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Popular Things To Buy In Dubai
Here are some of the popular things to buy in Dubai and the best places to shop for these products:
- Electronics: Electronic products like gadgets, mobile phones, and accessories, entertainment systems, etc. are very popular amongst locals as well as tourists. Almost every mall-like Dubai Mall, Mall of the Emirates, Ibn Battuta Mall, and Deira City Center has a large number of branded electronics stores like Better Life, Axiom Telecom, Jumbo, Eros Digital Home, Emax, IQ, Fono, etc. ECity, one of the largest private group companies, operates a chain of multi-brand electronics retail stores across different malls of Dubai.
- Fashion: For fashion shopping, there is ample choice too. Every mall houses all leading fashion stores such as Bebe, Hugo Boss, Chanel, Burberry, Calvin Klein, Mango, Armani, Forever 21, and Dior. Also, there are luxury boutiques in Oasis and Boutique 1.
- Decor: The Karama shopping center and the road from Dubai to Hatta is dotted with numerous shops selling crafts, home decors, souvenirs, and artifacts. Such shops are most popular among tourists who want to gift mementos of the place to friends and family.
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So, here are the best shopping places in Dubai that will fulfill the shopaholic inside of you. If you want to plan your Dubai Trip ? Let us help you create an incredible experience that’ll make your vacation memorable.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Best Shopping Places In Dubai
What are the cheapest things to buy in Dubai?
Dates, dry fruit, Arabian coffee, Pashmina shawls, and oud are some of the cheapest things to buy in Dubai.
Is Dubai cheap for clothes shopping?
If you want to buy cheap but quality clothing in Dubai, then ditch the malls. Instead, shop in souks and outlet malls where you will find much cheaper clothing than the malls. Look out for Concept Big Brands Sale when all the brands offer a discount of as low as 80%. January, July- August is the best time to do cheap shopping in Dubai as there are so many sales and shopping events going on.
Are things cheaper in Dubai than in the UK?
If you are talking about international brands that are not from Dubai, then no, Dubai is not cheaper than UK. You will find branded goods way more cheaper in the UK. if it is gold and other indigenous items in Dubai, then these are cheaper in Dubai than the UK.
Is shopping tax free in Dubai?
At Dubai Airport, you will find a duty-free store from where you can buy goods like perfume, cosmetics, alcohol, electronic gadgets, and bags. You can now even use Indian rupee for shopping in Dubai duty-free.
Is Gold cheap in Dubai?
If you compare with other countries, buying gold is cheaper in Dubai. You will be levied a tax by the Indian government on the gold items bought from Dubai.
Can tourists buy gold in Dubai?
No, tourists are not allowed to buy gold in Dubai. Only Indian expats or NRIs can buy gold in Dubai that too the quantity is limited. A male passenger cannot bring gold worth INR 50,000 and if you are female passenger, you can buy gold worth INR 100,000.
What is the biggest shopping mall in Dubai?
Dubai Mall is the biggest shopping mall in Dubai, and also in the whole world. It spans across an area of 12.1 million square feet.
What can I buy from Dubai?
Indigenous items like camel milk, dates, dried fruits, Arabic coffee, oudh, and gold are some of the items you should buy from Dubai.
What is there to shop in Dubai Mall?
Hershey's Chocolate World, Ted Baker, Adidas, Accessorize, Aeropostale, Aldo, and Christian Louboutin are just some of the brands available in Dubai Mall. Here, you can shop for apparel, footwear, gadgets, chocolates, toys, and a lot more.
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A book lover and fun-loving, overtly emotional mom with a wanderlust soul, Sukanya has completed her Master Degree in Geography and currently perusing her passion for writing as a profession. Nothing detoxes her more than trying new recipes and travelling to offbeat places is ultimate Therapy for her.
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