Best Places to Shop in Dubai
This is a city bursting with designer goodies and even a few bargains.
By:
Lucy Taylor
The Dubai Mall
![Dubai Mall Dubai Mall](http://travel.home.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/travel/fullset/2014/08/22/ea/best-places-to-shop-dubai-mall.rend.hgtvcom.616.347.suffix/1491585037937.jpeg)
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There’s also plenty of family fun to be had at the Dubai Aquarium, the SEGA Republic indoor theme park, edutainment zone KidZania and the ice rink. Energy can be replenished at the food court, which is vast and caters to all tastes.
Mall of the Emirates
![Mall of the Emirates Mall of the Emirates](http://travel.home.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/travel/fullset/2014/08/22/73/best-places-to-shop-dubai-mall-emirates.rend.hgtvcom.616.347.suffix/1491585037958.jpeg)
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The other big draw is SkiDubai, the world-renowned indoor ski slope. This bizarre snowy wonderland features an 85-meter-high mountain with 5 runs, a Snow Park for kids (even big kids) and the Snow Bullet zipline. There’s even a resident troupe of penguins who live in their own icy enclosure, emerging for special Penguin Encounters with the public.
WAFI Mall
![WAFI Mall WAFI Mall](http://travel.home.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/travel/fullset/2014/08/22/c8/best-places-to-shop-dubai-wafi-mall.rend.hgtvcom.616.347.suffix/1491585037883.jpeg)
ArabianEye / Getty Images
September will see the return of the mall’s popular Taste of WAFI festival, where stalls spring up selling gourmet goodies. And if food’s your thing, check out the Pyramids area adjacent to the mall, where restaurants serve everything from seafood to tapas. If you’re visiting in the cooler months, head to WAFI Rooftop on Sunday evenings, when there are free open-air movie screenings.
The Souks
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The gold and spice souks lie together on the Deira side of the creek. Upon arrival, you’ll be hit by a fragrant cloud of scent, as cinnamon, ginger, cloves and other spices jostle with clouds of frankincense. Next comes the noise, as enthusiastic shop owners extoll the virtues of their goods.
Wind your way through the alleys and you’ll reach the Gold Souk, centered around a pedestrian street lined by shops, all showcasing shiny golden wares in their windows, with unset stones and weighing scales inside ready for bespoke orders. Haggling is de rigueur here, so remember the first price given is simply a starting point for negotiations.
The Textiles Souk is on the other side of the creek -- a 2-minute journey on an abra, a small wooden boat that ferries passengers from bank to bank. Take your time strolling through the white-washed buildings and small stalls, where you’ll find tailors running up local outfits -- kandoras for men and abayas for ladies -- as well as reams of fabric and stacks of scarves and pashminas.
Jumeirah Beach Road
At the stylish Sunset Mall, Rivaage Boutique combines ready-to-wear lines from international brands with quirky Middle Eastern designs, while West LA Boutique brings together trendy pieces from hot new international labels.
For a mid-spree snack, head to The Village Mall, where you can enjoy a light bite at the fancifully feminine Shakespeare & Co Café, or grab a sugar-fix to go from the supremely good cupcake store, Hey Sugar.
Dubai Outlet Mall
![Dubai Outlet Mall Dubai Outlet Mall](http://travel.home.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/travel/fullset/2014/08/25/8f/best-places-to-shop-dubai-outlet-mall.rend.hgtvcom.616.347.suffix/1491585033912.jpeg)
Dubai Outlet Mall
Global Village
It may be missing some of the bells and whistles of Dubai’s modern attractions, but Global Village is full of family fun, with rides and stalls in the central funfair and performances by international entertainers.
The “Global” element refers to its 38 pavilions, each representing a different country. Venture into one and you’ll find fashion, food, crafts and cultural displays that typify that nation. Particularly good for shoppers seeking quality are the Persian carpets in the Iran pavilion, gold jewelry in India and cotton items in Egypt.
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