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Shopping Malls in Dubai

By Jo Cooke

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If Paris is the city of love and New York is the city that never sleeps...could Dubai be the city of...shopping? Maybe you’ve always wondered how many shopping malls are in Dubai? Already over 70, but it’s almost too hard to count since new and yet more breath-taking ones are being added all the time. From unique souvenirs to high-end fashion, Dubai offers visitors some of the best shopping in the world.

Yet that’s not all the Dubai malls are about. As summer temperatures in the UAE soar as high as 49 degrees, everyone prefers to be indoors, so the huge climate-controlled malls provide communal spaces where people gather to meet, stroll or socialise. Plus, as the fourth most-visited city in the world Dubai is keen to offer reasons to travel! The world’s tallest building, cinemas, ski slopes, light shows and a giant aquarium...you’ll find it all in the mega-malls that are more like mini cities than merely shopping centres. Too much to take in? Let us help. Whether you’re after luxury goods, bargains or pretty much any kind of entertainment, join us on a quick tour of what’s on offer in the best shopping malls in Dubai.

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What to buy in Dubai

Credit cards at the ready! But, before we plunge in, let’s take a look at some of the best buys. Pick up perfume, pashminas and Persian carpets and rugs. Get your hands on glittering gold and jewellery and unique house-wares like Asian lanterns and coffee pots. Stock up on spices, dates and chocolate made from camels’ (not cows’) milk!
And of course you’ll find fashion for every taste and budget - from H&M, Zara and GAP to Chanel, Dior or Louis Vuitton. For the best discounts check out the outlet malls or hit the annual shopping festivals which have become attractions in themselves. Dubai Summer Surprises, a nine week long summer shopping extravaganza starts in July. Twice a year, in spring and autumn, the Gulf Information Technology (GITEX) festival delivers huge discounts on phones, laptops, TVs and home appliances. But best known is the Dubai Shopping Festival in January, accompanied by a carnival with outdoor entertainment. The shops are open until midnight and offer not only huge discounts but some incredible giveaways - we’re talking cash, gold, Bentley cars and apartments! Mind-blown? Let’s not delay any longer - it’s time to hit the shops at...

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Dubai Mall

Renowned as the world’s biggest shopping mall, Dubai Mall covers 12 million square feet - that’s more than 200 soccer pitches! So you can easily spend a day amongst its 1,200 shops, stalls and boutiques offering everything from off-the-catwalk fashion to traditional Arabic art and crafts. At its heart, a fabulous four-story waterfall gives a fresh feel so you won’t get hot and sweaty chasing down bargains at flagship stores including Alexander McQueen, Gucci, Valentino, Chanel and Ralph Lauren. Look out for luxury footwear from Louboutin, Fendi and Dior. Alongside high street names including Zara and H&M and department stores Galeries Lafayette and Bloomingdales, connoisseurs of couture will find luxury labels at Fashion Avenue just one of the mall’s ‘neighbourhoods’.

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And if shopping is still not enough, the mall boasts over 200 international dining options and amazing leisure attractions for the whole family. Glide on the ice at the Olympic-sized ice rink or meet underwater friends at the Dubai Aquarium.

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When the sun goes down, Dubai Mall lights up. Be sure to stick around for the famous fountain display that takes place each night, accompanied by music. And of course, since it’s right next door, you can also catch the light show displays at the awe-inspiring Burj Khalifa.

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Mall of the Emirates

Located near the Sheikh Zayed Road in the Al Barsha district, this retail paradise delivers another 630 stores, alongside 100 restaurants and cafes and even an indoor ski slope! Stay cool skiing, snowboarding, tobogganing or meeting the penguins at the world-famous Ski Dubai, then explore luxury brands in the even cooler Fashion Dome.
Dig Kate Spade, DKNY - and don’t forget the high-tech Apple boutique. Browse high street names like Marks & Spencer, Debenhams and Forever 21, as well as quirky independent boutiques and high-end department stores including Harvey Nichols.
Once you’ve shopped fit to drop, the experiences are still only just beginning. Catch some culture at art galleries and VOX cinemas, discover the Dreamscape VR experience and let the kids loose in the Magic Planet play and entertainment centre.

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Ibn Battuta Mall

Time for another ‘largest’ - this time the world’s largest ‘themed’ mall, which takes you on a 270-shop journey around the globe, in dedication to its namesake, medieval explorer Ibn Battuta. The six themed areas are based on Battuta’s travels to Egypt, India, China, Persia, Tunisia and Andalucia, with decor inspired by the art and culture of those regions. Look out for elaborate tiling, an enormous golden elephant and high ceilings designed to feel like blue skies. Needless to say, the shopping is equally impressive, majoring on fashion, lifestyle and sports stores, many with regular in-store promotions.

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Mercato Mall

Mamma mia! Step inside the Mercato Mall and you might feel you’re in Italy rather than the MENA regions. Mercato is, of course, Italian for ‘market’ and this soaring metropolis of shops is designed in the style of a Renaissance-era Italian village, complete with cobbled streets and welcoming piazzas where people gather. The shops are right up to date however, with a wide selection of internationally recognisable mid-market names such as Gap, Mango, Bershka, H&M, Laura Ashley and Hallmark. There’s even a pet store - and a wide selection of places to eat and drink. For the true taste of the Emirates, drop into the Arabian tea house for tasty local bites and a cup of strong karak chai. Meanwhile, kids can let off steam at indoor play area, Fun City.

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Wafi Mall

Your jaw is on the floor before you’ve even stepped inside at Wafi Mall, with a facade of obelisks, towering Egyptian statues and a central pyramid giving more than a clue to the decorative inspiration. 300 stores from a host of international labels are set amongst more statues, ancient scripts and colourful mosaics - as well as more contemporary art. Wafi is home to several galleries offering varied exhibitions of East and Western art, from old masters to modern painting, sculpture, photography and installations.
Back at the sharp end, popular stores include Matalan and Marks & Spencer but you’ll also find local brands and Middle Eastern fashion boutiques selling beautifully decorated kandoras and abayas (Arabic dress for men and women).
Wafi Mall is known for its light and sound shows in the evening and its mammoth Christmas tree decorations in December, so prepare to be dazzled!

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Festival City Mall

This temple of fashion and fun sits on the banks of Dubai Creek, with views across the water to downtown Dubai. 250 stores include the Robinson’s department store, packed with luxury brands. Other popular outlets include Beverley Hills Polo Club, DKNY, Mango, Zara, Toys R Us - and Dubai’s first (enormous) IKEA furniture store. There are plenty of places to eat too; hop aboard an abra (traditional small ferry) to reach one of the waterfront restaurants or drop by the Cheesecake Factory or the Sugar Factory for deliciously Instagrammable desserts.
In the cooler months or in the evening, stroll along the 6.4km waterfront Dubai Water Canal - and take in the view of the city’s shimmering skyline from one of 5 pedestrian bridges. Whatever you do, don’t miss the spectacular IMAGINE laser, light and fountain show in Festival Bay.

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City Centre Mirdif

The sky’s the limit (well nearly) at City Centre Mirdif - with indoor skydiving venue i-Fly just one of the entertainment options available. Known for its eco-credentials, this retail paradise is located in the family-friendly neighbourhood of Mirdif so has lots of fun on offer. Little Explorers is a play centre combining education and entertainment, whilst there’s also a 12-lane bowling alley for competitive families. Oh and did we mention almost 500 stores?
Browse beautiful styles from contemporary Arab fashion designers at United Designers and Yoshii Boutique or check out popular stores including Hamleys, Decathlon, Pottery Barn and Debenhams.

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Dubai Marina Mall

Beside the sparkling marina, this is a mall that’s a little less ‘extra’. Whilst it still has its share of luxury brands, the emphasis is on more affordable high-street fashion and beauty brands in a relaxed environment. Billabong, Monsoon, River Island and H&M are just some of the popular names. There are plenty of dining options too. Families enjoy the jungle vibes at the Rainforest Cafe, while Pier 7 features seven exciting foodie concepts, all with waterfront seating.

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Dubai Outlet Mall

We’re almost shopped out but not before we mention the behemoth of bargains that is the Dubai Outlet Mall, well worth the 40-minute drive from downtown. Year long sales and generous discounts tempt those looking for electronics, perfumes and designer names like Diane von Furstenberg, Burberry, Marc Jacobs, Adidas, Coach and Fred Perry. Visit on a Monday for further discounts of up to 50% at selected stores.

We hope that’s given you more than a glimpse of the good deals to be had in the marvellous malls of Dubai. And you’ll always be sure of a good deal more adventure for less, with Go City. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook for all the info and top tips, wherever your adventures take you.

Jo Cooke
Go City Travel Expert

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Things to do in Dubai When it Rains - Wet/Rainy Activities

Rain - the bane of many a made-up mane, falling water is something many of us would rather avoid entirely. In a desert oasis like Dubai, you may think you're safe from the sprinkly pestilence. But you'd be wrong. Dead wrong. See, it turns out Dubai does experience rain. But don't let a little rain spoil your vacation. Instead, seek shelter from the storm, and fun undercover. Below, we've detailed the best things to do in Dubai when it rains. You don't even have to lift a finger. Now, prepare your eyes for an onslaught of useful information. Including: Ski Dubai IMG Worlds of Adventure Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo Wavehouse VR Park Dubai and more! Ski with the roof up Even at its coldest or wettest, Dubai's temperature never really dips below 65-70°F. So even when it's raining sideways, you might be looking to chill out those warm bones. Well, if it's chill you want, look no further than Ski Dubai - the world's biggest indoor ski center. Featuring slopes, ski lifts, and even penguins, stepping inside this icy park is like being transported to another country entirely. You're free to ski, snowboard, or toboggan to your heart's content. You can even descend in a giant snowball, if that's your sort of thing. With all your equipment provided and instructors on hand for newbies, it's the perfect place to try out winter sports if you've never partaken. If you're a seasoned vet, feel free to go ahead and tear it up however you like. Themed park "Theme parks? But they're outside!" We hear your cries, but they are in vain. Stifle your screams into your nearest pillow and listen up. IMG Worlds of Adventure isn't just your average, weather-friendly theme park. It's not only an inside theme park; it's the biggest indoor theme park on the planet. With thrilling rides themed around beloved characters from pop culture, including Cartoon NetworkTM and MARVEL, you'll spend hours exploring and enjoying each of its five zones. Will you survive a night in the Haunted Motel? Can you help the Avengers stop Ultron? Are your legs strong enough to outrun a velociraptor? Only time, and a visit to IMG Worlds of Adventure, will tell. Who says the rain has to keep you away from the rollercoasters? Not Dubai, that's for sure. Beneath the waves With all the rain tumbling down outside, the last thing you might want to do is surround yourself with water. But you'd be wrong, rain avoider! There's a whole world to explore under the ocean, so go check out Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo and see it for yourself. The bulk of the experience takes place in a massive underwater tunnel, where you'll be able to see all sorts of aquatic species going about their day all around you. Perfect for photo ops, as well as a strangely serene stroll, it's a one-of-a-kind experience in Dubai, and well worth a visit. After you've wandered along the tunnel, you'll reach the Underwater Zoo, where you can get up close and personal with tons of exotic fish, crustaceans, and other aquatic wonders. You'll meet spider crabs, otters, piranhas, penguins, and other colorful characters. Despite its watery nature, Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo is easily one of the best things to do in Dubai when it rains. Wave for the camera Even the oldest of us like to pretend we're young again every once in a while. For some, that can mean buying modern clothes to help us look young. For others, it can be doing silly things our bodies aren't capable of achieving anymore. But what if there was a way to relive your youth without any unnecessary embarrassment? Just head to Wavehouse in the Atlantis Hotel and transport yourself back to the good old days of 80s arcades! They've got bowling alleys, arcade games, and even a surfing simulator to embarrass yourself on. Plus, you can pair all that fun with a host of delicious American diner-esque dishes, from succulent burgers to mouthwatering pizzas. Just make sure you surf those calories off; your metabolism isn't getting any younger, either. Explore worlds without rain If you want to avoid the rain, why not travel to another world entirely? It may sound farfetched, but thanks to the state-of-the-art technology on offer at VR Park Dubai, your dreams of a rain-free world can become a reality. For four hours, you'll have the opportunity to choose 7 from 25 games and enter virtual reality. Simply slip the headset on, pick your poison, and play away. Can you make your way out of the VR Maze? Can you stop the robot uprising in Robocom? You can even challenge your friends or family to competitive games, including sports, platforming, and puzzle-solving genres. And who knows, maybe when your four hours are up, the rain will have passed, and you'll be free to roam the sunny streets once more? Find a way out Of course, escaping the rain is your top priority. But what if your rain escape leads you into a trap?! Imprisoned in a room that demands all your wits and grit to escape? An...escape room, if you will. Well, lucky for you, all your nightmares can come true thanks to No Way Out escape rooms! With 10 spooky rooms on offer, including authentic offerings from the IT and Ring universes, you and up to 8 prisoners - sorry, friends - will battle the clock, devious traps, and puzzles, and contend with creepy actors playing their parts as they try and scare you senseless. And if that wasn't enough, you can even stay after your game and sit down for a bit of interactive horror cinema. Each showing features wind, water, and other special effects that will assault your senses as you watch. But, be careful. You never know when one of the actors will be creeping right behind your seat. If you have the stomach for it, No Way Out is definitely one of the best things to do in Dubai when it rains! And those were our picks for the best things to do in Dubai when it rains! Looking for some sunny activities when the weather finally clears up? Check out Go City. With our All-Inclusive Pass or Explorer Pass, you can see all of Dubai's best bits when and how you want.
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Best Restaurants in Dubai

Sometimes, going on vacation can be daunting - especially when it comes to food. Local cuisine can make or break a holiday, so it's good to know your options. Thankfully, Dubai has a large number of amazing restaurants that cater to every cuisine imaginable, so you'll never feel like you're missing out. These are our picks for the very best restaurants you absolutely must visit in Dubai! Including: Coya BB Social Dining Long Teng 21 Grams Bagatelle and more! Coya If you're looking for some delightful bites influenced by Latin American cuisine, go check out Goya. This Peruvian restaurant, which also borrows generously from Spanish and far Eastern cuisine, is well known around Dubai as one of the best in town. Visitors can expect great food and great service, all wrapped up in a lively atmosphere that peaks in the evening. Just bear in mind that all that good comes at a cost, so make sure you're flush and check their menu prices before striding in all confident. If you've got the dough, and the menu's for you, Coya is easily one of the best restaurants in Dubai. BB Social Dining BB Social Dining feels like a joint teleported in from New York, thanks to its narrow-yet-tall three-floor structure. Step inside, glide up the staircase to your table, and sit down for some amazing fusion of Eastern and Middle-Eastern cuisine. You'll find crispy sprouts sitting right by truffle egg and kung fu wings on the menu, and you can pair all these weird yet wonderful combinations with a selection of delightful drinks, should you be parched. Long Teng Hidden in plain sight among the Business Bay office towers, you'll find this wonderfully aquatic Chinese restaurant. Step inside Long Teng, and you'll feel like you've journeyed beneath the waves, thanks to its large aquarium of sea-living legends. Approach the aquarium, pick your dish, and then sit down to your delicious treat. The menu is packed full of authentic Chinese dishes, so if seafood isn't your jam, or picking your meal seems a little morbid, you can select one of the already deceased options and enjoy that instead. They have vegetarian options too, if you want to give the murder a miss. 21 Grams Balkan cuisine doesn't get a lot of love across the globe, which is a shame. A fusion of many different cuisines from nearby, its mix of meats, seafood, and baked delights doesn't get its due. But that's not the case in Dubai, thanks to 21 Grams. Enter the generous dining area and chow down on some delightful family recipes like zucchini fritters, wagyu beef stuffed patties, and a daily rotation of fresh fish. Grand. Bagatelle Look for late-night French delights? Look no further than Bagatelle, which many consider one of Dubai's best evening hangouts. Though you can book earlier, head there when the sun goes down to make the most of your Bagatelle experience. With a menu teeming with authentic French cuisine, including uniquely French oddities like snails and frogs legs, as well as a burgeoning drinks menu and live music throughout the night, it could easily be your one-stop shop for a perfect night out. Definitely one of the best restaurants in Dubai if you're looking for a lively time. Masti If you're in the market for a little Indian, head to Masti, which does the best South Asian dishes anywhere in Dubai. With meals designed by award-winning chef Prashant Chipkar, expect nothing but the best Indian cuisine, with small plates sure to tickle your spicy side. But this isn't your traditional affair, with each Indian mainstay given a very modern twist. Just when you thought you knew what to expect from a curry, Masti offers a delicious rug pull that will have you questioning reality itself. Or, well, maybe not reality. But your expectations of an Indian menu? Sure. Even the decor is delightful, thanks to the blue upholstery and giant hanging light bulbs. Dine like royalty while feeling like royalty. That's the name of the game at Masti. Armani/Ristorante For Italian cuisine lovers, look no further than the classy, upmarket vibes on offer at Armani/Ristorante. Don't let the minimalist decor fool you - the menu is far from basic. With wonderful Dubai twists on classic Italian dishes, and each selection paired with a recommended wine, you'll have your pick from the likes of braised lamb ravioli, foie gras, blue lobster, and many more. If your bank account can handle it, we'd recommend the Tajima wagyu strip loin with black truffle mashed potato. Divine. Al Beiruti Al Beiruti caters to all your Middle-Eastern culinary desires, so if you want some authentic local food, you know where to go. Thanks to the all-day menu featuring breakfasts, mezze, grilled meats, and even a kids menu, you can enjoy Al Beiruti's delights from sun up to sun down. And, with the kitchen visible from your table, you can see the master chefs in action as they wrangle up your tasty treats. Expect plenty of hummus, shawarma, sausages, and Middle-Eastern takes on burgers, to name but a few. Bubbalicious And finally, no list of the best restaurants in Dubai would be complete without a shout-out to everyone's favorite between-meal; brunch. Does Dubai do brunch? Too right it does. So why not check out the city's best brunch spot at Bubbalicious? Located in the Marriott's Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina, you'll find this delightful all-you-can-eat brunch fest. And their offerings are startling, to say the least. Lobster, curry, steak, Asian dishes, roasted meats, and much more fill the aisles, and you can have as much as you want. Not a bad way to start your day, ay? Those are our picks for the best restaurants in Dubai! With all that fuel in you, you'll be ready for all the amazing experiences Dubai has to offer. Looking for ideas? Why not check out Go City? With our All-Inclusive Pass or Explorer Pass, you can see all of Dubai's best bits when and how you want. There's so much to do, see, and experience that no matter what you decide to do, you'll love your time in the city!
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