[2023 GUIDE] The Best Places to Go Shopping in Dubai

Shopping in Dubai is the perfect place to find unique and interesting items for every budget.

Dubai is dominated by luxurious and huge malls offering world-famous brands. In addition to these, there are charming local shops, exclusive designer boutiques, and wholesale stores. Even handicraft centers are available to make your retail experience unique.

Not only can you find great goods, but spas, cinemas, and high-end cafés and restaurants are also available to help you make the most of your shopping spree. You will surely leave Dubai with more souvenirs than you brought.

The Best Places to Go Shopping in Dubai

1. Mall of the Emirates

Mall of the Emirates is a premier shopping destination in Dubai, boasting more than 560 stores that provide a comprehensive range of products, from budget-friendly items to luxe offerings. Shopping in the mall is an enjoyable experience, as customers are sure to find something that perfectly suits their style. 

When shoppers need to take a break, they can enjoy a cup of coffee or a meal at one of the many cafés and food courts in the mall. Those looking for an exciting day out can also try skiing on the indoor ski slope or watch the latest films at VOX Cinemas.

2. Deira City Centre

Deira City Centre is one of the oldest shopping malls in Dubai. It is located on the waterfront of Port Saeed Road and offers a wide variety of shops. These include all major brands of dresses, electronics, ornaments, and local outlets of silk, cashmere, and rugs.

In addition to the stores, Deira City Centre also provides entertainment options. There is a movie theater, a bowling alley, and a magic planet for kids. This makes it an ideal destination for a family outing in Dubai.

If you’re looking for a shopping experience that is both convenient and fun, then Deira City Centre is the perfect place for you. Enjoy the shopping, entertainment, and atmosphere this mall offers.

3. Dubai Mall

Dubai Mall is one of the world’s largest shopping malls and lives up to its tagline of ‘everything you desire.’ It offers an impressive and cutting-edge shopping experience that is truly unparalleled. There is a vast variety of stores to explore, where you can find the latest fashion from world-famous brands.

In addition to shopping, the mall also provides entertainment like the Dubai Aquarium, as well as delicious dining options. The Dubai Fountain is a sight to behold, located on the 30-acre Burj Khalifa Lake. It puts on a show with water jets reaching up to 500 feet during select times. For the ultimate convenience, glamorous hotels are located adjacent to the mall, where you can spend a night.

4. Perfume Souk

The Perfume Souk in Dubai is a shopping center renowned for its aromatic environment. It has a narrow passageway lined with small shops that offer a range of perfumes from local ittars to branded international perfumes. Visitors can also buy scented incense in powder, crystal, wood, and rock form; Frankincense being the most popular.

Reaching the Perfume Souk is relatively easy. One can take a bus or a cab or travel by metro. The souk is close to Al Ras Metro Station, making it an ideal option for travelers. However, it is not advisable to drive your own car, as the area is quite congested and parking can be quite a challenge.

5. Burjuman Centre

Burjuman Centre is an award-winning mall located in Dubai and one of the city’s oldest malls. It is well-known for its extensive selection of luxury brand stores, including Louis Vuitton, Versace, Christian Dior, Dolce and Gabbana, and Hermes. This mall is a popular destination for fashion enthusiasts looking for the best and latest trends. Burjuman Centre is the only mall in Dubai with a Saks Fifth Avenue outlet, making it a desirable destination for shoppers.

The mall also offers a great hangout experience with its open courtyards and pavilion gardens. These areas are home to many of the mall’s restaurants and cafes, allowing visitors to enjoy their meals while taking in the beautiful outdoor scenery.

6. Gold Souk

Gold Souk is the most popular souk in Dubai, located in Deira, adjacent to Dubai Creek. It is a great place to visit even if you don’t plan to buy anything. It consists of covered walkways filled with jewelry shops, making it one of the best places to shop in the city. In the evening, it is the perfect spot to indulge in a bit of retail therapy.

7. Bur Dubai Souk

Bur Dubai Souk, also known as “the Old Souk,” is an ideal destination for Dubai visitors seeking an immersive Middle Eastern experience. Here, the main focus is textiles and fabrics, making it a great spot to find souvenirs. Although Dubai is renowned for its luxury malls, the charm, and character of Bur Dubai cannot be matched. 

The souk is a maze of traditional markets that provide an abundance of sights, sounds, and smells. It is an experience in itself, and many items are available to purchase. Whether it be a unique trinket or some fabric, Bur Dubai Souk is sure to have something for everyone.

8. Souk Madinat Jumeirah

Souk Madinat Jumeirah is the perfect place to get an authentic souk experience without having to endure the heat and noise of a traditional market. Located within the Madinat Jumeirah Resort, the shopping spot has been designed to resemble an ancient market but with a modern touch. Visitors can find a wide range of items, from beautiful handicrafts and jewelry to unique souvenirs.

In addition, Souk Madinat Jumeirah is also one of the best places in Dubai for nightlife. Several restaurants, bars, and cafes stay open late and offer a great atmosphere. With its combination of shopping and nightlife, Souk Madinat Jumeirah is one of the best shopping spots in Dubai.

9. Karama Shopping Complex

Karama Shopping Complex was built in 1975 and has since undergone several renovations. Located in one of the earliest residential areas of Dubai, this shopping center stands apart from the more luxurious malls. It is the ideal destination for shoppers looking for great bargains.

At Karama Shopping Complex, you can find a variety of products, such as jewelry and shawls. This shopping complex is one of the best places to shop in Dubai and one of the most popular tourist attractions.

10. Dubai Flea Market

The Dubai Flea Market is a unique shopping experience in the popular Zabeel Park. Here, you can buy and sell pre-owned or second-hand products. The market offers a wide range of items, such as furniture, handicrafts, books, toys and games, ceramics, appliances, gadgets, and clothing. Prices are cheaper than most other retailers, making it an exciting and cost-effective shopping experience.

11. WAFI Mall

WAFI Shopping Centre is the ultimate destination for luxury shoppers. It offers an array of high-end brands housed in beautiful and extravagant boutique stores. It also comes with a hotel and residences, dining venues, and a nightclub, making it a one-stop solution for all your lifestyle needs. 

The shopping complex has something extra special in store in terms of atmosphere. Its beautiful Egyptian-themed architecture with stained-glass pyramids will take your breath away. After a day of browsing the deluxe products, you can even relax in the lavish spa conveniently located in the mall.

12. Dubai Outlet Mall

Dubai Outlet Mall is one of the top places to shop in Dubai and is popular among locals and tourists. It is renowned for its cheap prices on branded fashion-wear, with stocks of last-season items from brands such as Harvey Nichols, Bloomingdale’s, and Boutique 1. Shoppers can find designs from luxury brands such as Stella McCartney, Givenchy, and Adidas, as well as more casual labels like Tods and Wrangler, all on offer in the end-of-season sale. The mall also provides a decent collection of interior home decor products.

13. Dubai Marina Mall

The Dubai Marina Mall is a great shopping destination for luxury items. It is located right on the waterfront and is considered one of the smaller malls in Dubai. Additionally, the mall is a great spot to bring the kids, as it has a playground where they can play for free.

The mall consists of four floors, each dedicated to the outlets of well-known global brands. These stores sell a variety of items, such as fashion, accessories, cosmetics, and technology. Furthermore, the mall also has a cinema and a variety of restaurants for visitors to enjoy. Lastly, the mall is conveniently connected to the metro and tram network.

14. Ibn Battuta Mall

Ibn Battuta Mall is located on the prestigious Sheikh Zayed Road in downtown Dubai. It is the world’s biggest themed mall, with over 250 shops. The concept of the mall is centered around the life and travels of the 14th-century Moroccan explorer of the same name.

Shoppers have plenty of options at Ibn Battuta Mall. There are enormous outlets from world-renowned brands and smaller boutiques selling souvenir items. There is something for everyone, so you are sure to find something to splurge on.

15. Dragon Mart

Dragon Mart is an expansive 1.2-km-long shopping mall in the shape of a dragon, located on the Hatta–Al Ain highway. It has 3,950 shops providing wholesale and retail services, allowing it to act as a gateway to the Middle Eastern and North African trading markets. It is stocked with a multitude of Chinese-made products, ranging from home appliances, building materials, toys, textiles, and more.

What’s more, Dragon Mart is adjacent to 8 fully equipped warehouses, providing ample storage space for its traders. The mall is well-known for its great bargains, but shoppers should be aware that the quality of the products may not always be the highest.

16. Mercato Shopping Mall

Mercato Shopping Mall is one of the top destinations to explore in the city. It was designed in the form of a classic Italian town from the Renaissance period, taking its name from the Italian word ‘Mercato’, which means market. It offers a wide array of retail stores, making it the perfect place to go shopping with your family and friends.

The mall has a romantic charm, especially at night. The cobbled streets and sparkling streetlights create a beautiful atmosphere, perfect for a date with your partner. The classic piazzas add to the romantic ambiance of the mall.

Mercato Shopping Mall is a great place to explore and experience the best of Dubai. With its unique design, 130+ retailers, and romantic atmosphere, it is the perfect destination for a day of shopping or a romantic evening.

17. Jumeirah Emirates Shopping Boulevard

Jumeirah Emirates Shopping Boulevard, located on Sheikh Zayed Road, is one of Dubai’s most luxurious shopping malls. It is the perfect place for celebrities and high-profile shoppers to find whatever they desire. The mall even has the Dubai Executive Council located at the same address.

After shopping, visitors can relax and reflect in the beautiful gardens and public seating areas. These areas feature calm lakes and waterfalls, making them the perfect place to unwind after a long day. Jumeirah Emirates Shopping Boulevard is the perfect place to experience some of Dubai’s best shopping.

18. Ripe Night Market

Ripe Night Market is one option that makes running around on a mad dash of retail therapy much more bearable in Dubai’s frequently hot and humid climate. The regular Ripe Night Market – organized by a chain of shops selling organic fruit and vegetables directly from UAE farms – is your refuge for chilled-out souvenir browsing in the evening hours.

The location changes with the seasons, and you’ll find local vendors as well as family-friendly activities like acoustic music performances and fitness classes. If there isn’t a night market happening when you’re in town, the daytime Ripe Market also happens every weekend at the Dubai Police Academy or Times Square Center.

19. Spice Souk

Located very close to the Gold Souk in Dubai is an area filled with small shops. These shops offer a variety of spices and herbs such as saffron, turmeric, cloves, pepper, cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, coriander, and sumac. As you explore the narrow alleys, you will be surrounded by the appetizing scent of spices and other ingredients, including basmati rice, dry fruits, nuts, hookah masala, and flavored tobacco. 

If you are a fan of the flavors of Dubai cuisine, you might want to take a bag of the spices available here and attempt to create some of these recipes at home.