Whenever you ask someone what to see in UAE, the answer often seems predictable—shopping malls in Dubai. You might think, “That’s not too exciting, it’s just like back home.” Even if planning on picking up a few things, you probably expect to spend most of your time visiting cultural spots or relaxing on the beach.
But remember—the beach may not always be an option due to Dubai climate. And when it comes to places to visit in Dubai, you’ll need more imagination than you might expect. But let’s get to that…
Despite not being overly thrilled about the idea of visiting malls, keep in mind that malls in Dubai are like mini cities, offering an experience that the city takes great pride in—one you’ll find hard to match anywhere else.
Malls in Dubai
Fancy a Scuba Diving?
You’ll be surprised when you realize that Dubai, a city of two million residents stretched along the coastline for just a few dozen kilometers, is home to an incredible number of malls.
People from all over the world come here to shop and trade, while locals and visitors from nearby Arab countries flood in during weekends. You might even find yourself going for a walk inside one of these vast complexes (since it’s often too hot outside), as if you were strolling down a grand boulevard. You’ll pass by numerous shops, grab a bite to eat or a coffee, watch a movie, maybe pay a few bills—and, of course, shop along the way. On one of the plazas, you might stumble upon a dance performance or a kids’ workshop. But there’s always something unexpected.
Take Dubai Mall, one of the largest shopping centers in the world. It houses over 1,200 stores, a luxurious Fashion Avenue, and countless cafes and restaurants offering cuisines from all corners of the globe. There’s even a special gold souk featuring over 220 jewelry outlets, a luxury hotel, and a massive cinema screen.
The mall also boasts a four-story fountain with sculptures of men diving, and kids will love the attractions like SEGA Republic and KidZania. You’ll even find an Olympic-sized ice skating rink and a gigantic aquarium in Dubai displaying over 33,000 tropical fish. Yes, you can go scuba diving with sharks and rays—all within the mall.
“It may seem unusual to have all this in the middle of a shopping center, but that’s Dubai for you,” as my guidebook puts it.
But it’s not just Dubai Mall that offers these incredible “cooling down” activities. At the Mall of the Emirates, you’ll find a genuine indoor skiing in Dubai.
Skydiving inside
Other shopping malls in Dubai offer a wide range of activities. Time Square Center has an ice chamber and a climbing area, while Mirdif City Center features a skydiving simulator. Wafi Center is designed to resemble an ancient Egyptian temple and is adorned with pillars and hieroglyphs. Deira City Center is another modern shopping experience.
Then there’s the Ibn Battuta Mall, named after the famous 14th-century Moroccan explorer. The mall is divided into sections inspired by his travels to places like India, Persia, and Andalusia.
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A Pond in the Arab Souk
In addition to these glittering, massive malls, there are those with a more intimate charm, like Ibn Battuta I mentioned previously.
Souk Madinat Jumeirah, for instance, is designed to resemble a traditional Arab market, with wooden arches, narrow corridors, and shops selling oriental crafts. A picturesque pond outside offers boat rides with stunning views of Dubai’s iconic Burj Al Arab hotel.
Another one, Souk Al Bahar, is connected to Dubai Mall by a wooden bridge that spans a small artificial lake. Across from the replica of an Egyptian pyramid in ‘Wafi,’ you’ll find the charming Khan Murjan, featuring an open-air restaurant at its center, surrounded by floors of shops in the Moroccan Quarter, Turkish Quarter, and Syrian Quarter. These stores offer typical clothing and household items, all brimming with the charm of traditional Arabic craftsmanship.
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Dubai is often portrayed as rich, glamorous, and modern, with luxury hotels, world-class restaurants, and sleek limousines. But for those looking for something a little more exotic and authentic, head to the souks in Old Dubai Souks, where haggling is part of the experience. And that’s when you’ll remember…
Despite hearing English everywhere, with signs in both English and Arabic and the majority of workers in shops, cafes, and agencies hailing from Asia, you’re still very much in an Arab country. It’s easy to forget that only 20 percent of Dubai’s population is Emirati, while the other 80 percent are foreign nationals, predominantly from Asia.
Next: SKIING IN THE SUMMER
The full Dubai SERIES
