Dubai, UAE » Entertainment » Shopping Centres

Dubai is labelled the "shopping capital of the Middle East". With so many shopping malls and souks, there is no better place to find products at unbeatable prices. It is truly a duty free shopper's paradise that gives you more for your money. Dubai's numerous shopping centres cater for every consumer’s need. Cars, clothing, jewellery, electronics, furnishing, sporting equipment and any other goods will all be likely to be under the same roof.

Dubai's Shopping Centres

Al-Ain Shopping Centre - located in Bur Dubai, on Al-Mankhool Road, this electronic centre specialises in computers. The shops offer all sorts of peripherals and accessories for PC’s, such as external hard drives and USB gadgets. There is also a decent range of digital cameras. Opposite the Al-Ain centre is the Al-Khaleej shopping centre which caters for similar needs, although it comprises of fewer shops.

Tel: 04 351 6914

Al – Ghurair City - located in Deira, this shopping centre caters for those especially seeking traditional Emirati clothes. It is the oldest mall in Dubai, shops here offer stylish abayas and shaylas and Arabic jewellery and rugs. This shopping centre also includes well known outlets such as Paris Gallery and Nine West.

Tel: 04 223 2333

Burjamen Centre - this shopping centre concentrates mostly on the high end of the market, offering premium brand shops and luxury boutiques such as Dolce & Gabbana, Cartier, Calvin Klein and Tiffany. It is located near Khalid bin al-Waleed (Bank St.) and Trade Centre roads.

Tel: 04 352 0222

Deira City Centre – this shopping centre is not as fancy as most of the ones mentioned below but still competes well with its rational lay-out of shops. Like a lot of the other malls it offers a wide seletion of outlets such as Debenhams, Virgin Megastore, Zara and other international high street brands. It includes a multiplex cinema amongst a spread of restaurants and cafes. Deria City Centre is also home of the “Arabian Treasures” souvenir and traditional textiles area. There is a Carrefour hypermarket attached which is usually very busy.

Tel: 04 295 1010

Dubai Festival City – this interconnected shopping centre, branded as a retail resort of its own, opened in 2007 and has been popular ever since. It holds around 600 stores, features out-door performances and 100 restaurants and cafes, as well as being the home of three major hotels. The centre presents so much variety, including well known shops like Mark Jacobs, Marks & Spencer and IKEA. Overall the shopping centre is set over an enormous 2.8 million square foot and its location by the water offers picturesque abra rides.

Tel: 04 213 6213

Emirates Towers Boulevard - this shopping centre is located on Sheikh Zayed Road in the Emirates Towers where Sheikh Mohammed’s office is. Therefore there is very tight security in this mall and it mostly attracts wealthy people who can afford to shop in exclusive designer shops. Brands include - Armani, Gucci and Jimmy Choo.

Tel: 04 330 0000

Ibn Battuta Mall – this shopping centre is located on Sheikh Zayed Road. It is the most unique and captivating mall in Dubai, having been separated into six different themes from the countries Ibn Battuta travelled to. These countries include: China, India, Persia, Egypt, Tunisia and the Andalusia. There is an eclectic row of shops to investigate and there is a golf-cart shuttle to help you get around. A recommended shop to view is Mumbai Se, a collection of Indian accessories from bejewelled mandarin tunics to hand-crafted bags. This fascinating shopping centre also has a permanent exhibition of Islamic science, invention and astronomy.

Tel: 04 362 1900

Karama Shopping Centre - located in Bur Dubai, this popular souk-like area includes a bundle of small shops scattered along a busy backstreet. The shops offer handicrafts, souvenirs and accessories. Here you can purchase fake designer clothes and handbags at bargain prices.

Mall of the Emirates - near the 4th interchange on Sheikh Zayed Road, this is one of the largest shopping centres in Dubai. It houses more than 200 shops, including international high street chains, luxury brand shops, boutiques such as Charles & Keith, and craft shops like the popular Al-Jaber Gallery. Furthermore, the well known food outlet, Carrefour, is attached to the centre. The mall of the emirates also includes many restaurants and cafes and more importantly offers the chance to ski and even watch movies at the multiplex cinema, all under one roof.

Tel: 04 409 9000

Mercato Mall - this shopping centre is on Jumeirah Road and is the only Renaissance-themed shopping centre in Dubai or even in the whole of the Middle-East perhaps. Whilst there is not as much choice as you would find in a larger centre it still includes many trendy shops like Mango, Next, Massimo Dutti, Topshop and Virgin Megastore. There are also several restaurants to dine in.

Souk Madinat Jumeirah – located on Jumeirah Road, this is another of Dubai’s popular shopping centres. Its Arabian architecture with arched wooden ceilings assists to its resemblance of a traditional souk. The Souk Madinat Jumeirah can be quite confusing; with its dim lighting and identical passage ways you may end up walking into the same shops, tempting you to buy yet some very intriguing souvenirs but can be overpriced.

This shopping centre attracts mainly tourists, being right next to the landmark hotel Burj Al Arab, and boasts many licensed bars and restaurants along the waterfront keeping the crowds satisfied.

Tel: 04 348 8797

Wafi Shopping Centre – located on Al-Qataiyat Road this mall mostly focuses on luxury brands, jewellery and expensive boutiques such as Chanel and Givenchy. The Egyptian themed architecture in the new wing includes beautifully stained-glass pyramids which are worth seeing. A luxury spa is also attached to the complex, as well as many bars which are licensed.

TIP: Several malls have a large Carrefour, or similar, hypermarket where you will find the lowest cost electronics.

The best places in Dubai for Gold and Jewellery shopping

Gold Souk – located in Deira, this is a very impressive historic market containing hundreds of shops offering all kinds of jewellery. There are many stunning items such as pearl necklaces, diamond rings and gold bangles to choose from. It is the largest gold market in Dubai located at the mouth of the Creek and is a must see for tourists.

Gold & Diamond Park – at interchange 4 on the Sheikh Zayed Road, this Arabian designed centre contains over 30 retailers, and over 100 manufacturers willing to negotiate good deals on gold and diamond jewels.