Dubai Mall: The Ultimate Guide to the World's Largest Shopping Mall

Dubai Mall is the world's largest and most popular shopping mall, attracting over 80 million visitors every year. But it is much more than a shopping destination, it is a place where you can experience the best of Dubai's culture, entertainment, leisure and luxury. Whether you are looking for fashion, food, fun or adventure, Dubai Mall has something for everyone.

But how can you make the most of your visit to this amazing place? Read on to find out everything you need to know about Dubai Mall, from how to get there, when to go, what to do, where to eat and more. This is the ultimate guide to the world's largest shopping mall.

Photo of Dubai Mall 1/1 by — (C) Visit Dubai

How to Reach Dubai Mall

Dubai Mall is located in the heart of Downtown Dubai, next to the iconic Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building. It is easily accessible from various locations in UAE and abroad, by different modes of transport such as flight, train, bus, car, taxi or metro.

- By flight: Dubai Mall is about 15 km away from Dubai International Airport, which is the main airport in Dubai and one of the busiest airports in the world. You can take a taxi, a bus or a metro from the airport to Dubai Mall. The taxi fare is around AED 50-60, the bus fare is AED 5-10 and the metro fare is AED 4-6. The travel time is about 20-30 minutes, depending on the traffic and the mode of transport.

- By train: Dubai Mall is about 10 km away from Dubai World Trade Centre, which is the main train station in Dubai and one of the largest exhibition and convention centres in the Middle East. You can take a taxi, a bus or a metro from the train station to Dubai Mall. The taxi fare is around AED 30-40, the bus fare is AED 5-10 and the metro fare is AED 4-6. The travel time is about 15-20 minutes, depending on the traffic and the mode of transport.

- By bus: Dubai Mall is well-connected by bus routes from various parts of the city. You can take bus number 27, 29, 81, 88 or F13 from different bus stops and get off at Dubai Mall bus stop, which is right outside the mall entrance. The bus fare is AED 5-10 and the travel time is about 30-45 minutes, depending on the traffic and the bus route.

- By car: Dubai Mall has a huge parking space that can accommodate over 14,000 vehicles. You can drive your own car or rent a car from various car rental companies in Dubai and park your car at the mall. The parking fee is AED 10-20 per hour, depending on the parking zone and the time of the day. The parking zones are color-coded and signposted for your convenience. You can also use the valet parking service for AED 50-100 per hour, depending on the service level and the location.

- By taxi: Dubai Mall is easily reachable by taxi from anywhere in the city. You can hail a taxi on the street, call a taxi service or use a mobile app such as Uber or Careem to book a taxi. The taxi fare is based on the meter and the distance, and it usually ranges from AED 20-100, depending on the traffic and the location. The travel time is about 10-30 minutes, depending on the traffic and the location.

- By metro: Dubai Mall is directly connected by metro from various stations in the city. You can take the red line metro and get off at Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall metro station, which is the closest station to the mall. The metro fare is AED 4-6 and the travel time is about 10-15 minutes, depending on the metro station. From the metro station, you can take a free shuttle bus or walk through an air-conditioned walkway to reach the mall entrance.

Best Time to Visit Dubai Mall

Dubai Mall is open throughout the year, from 10 am to 12 am on weekdays and from 10 am to 1 am on weekends. However, the best time to visit Dubai Mall depends on the weather and the events that take place in Dubai and Dubai Mall.

- Weather: Dubai has a hot and humid climate, with temperatures ranging from 20°C to 45°C throughout the year. The best time to visit Dubai Mall is from November to March, when the weather is cooler and more pleasant, and you can enjoy the outdoor attractions and activities in the mall. The worst time to visit Dubai Mall is from June to August, when the weather is extremely hot and humid, and you may feel uncomfortable and dehydrated in the mall.

- Events: Dubai and Dubai Mall host various events and festivals throughout the year, which attract millions of visitors and offer exciting deals and discounts. The best time to visit Dubai Mall is during these events and festivals, such as Dubai Shopping Festival, Dubai Summer Surprises, Eid, National Day etc. However, you should also be prepared for the crowds and the queues that may occur during these events and festivals. The worst time to visit Dubai Mall is during Ramadan, when the mall is less crowded but also less lively, and some of the attractions and facilities may have reduced hours or be closed.

Things to Do in Dubai Mall

Dubai Mall is a place where you can experience the best of Dubai's culture, entertainment, leisure and luxury. Whether you are looking for fashion, food, fun or adventure, Dubai Mall has something for everyone. Here are some of the best and most enjoyable activities that you can do in Dubai Mall:

- Shopping: Dubai Mall is the ultimate destination for shopping, with over 1200 shops offering a wide range of products and brands, from local to international, from budget to luxury. You can find everything from clothing, accessories, electronics, cosmetics, books, toys, souvenirs and more. You can also enjoy the special offers and discounts that are available during the events and festivals. Some of the most popular shops in Dubai Mall are Bloomingdale's, Galeries Lafayette, Hamleys, Apple, Sephora, Chanel, Gucci, Zara and more.

- Dining: Dubai Mall is the ultimate destination for dining, with over 200 restaurants and cafes offering a variety of cuisines and types, from fast food to fine dining, from Arabic to Asian, from vegetarian to vegan. You can find everything from burgers, pizzas, sandwiches, salads, sushi, noodles, curries, kebabs, desserts and more. You can also enjoy the views and the ambiance of the different restaurants and cafes, such as the ones overlooking the fountain, the aquarium, the waterfall or the Burj Khalifa. Some of the most popular restaurants and cafes in Dubai Mall are Cheesecake Factory, Shake Shack, Magnolia Bakery, Starbucks, P.F. Chang's, Nando's, Wagamama and more.

- Entertainment: Dubai Mall is the ultimate destination for entertainment, with over 22 cinemas, an aquarium, a ski slope, a waterfall, a fountain and more. You can find everything from movies, shows, games, simulations, performances, exhibitions and more. You can also enjoy the thrill and excitement of the different entertainment options, such as the ones that are interactive, immersive, educational or adventurous. Some of the most popular entertainment options in Dubai Mall are Reel Cinemas, Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo, Ski Dubai, The Waterfall, The Dubai Fountain and more.

- Leisure: Dubai Mall is the ultimate destination for leisure, with a spa, a fitness centre, a kids' zone, a library, a lounge and more. You can find everything from relaxation, wellness, fitness, fun, learning, socializing and more. You can also enjoy the comfort and convenience of the different leisure options, such as the ones that are relaxing, rejuvenating, energizing, entertaining, informative or cozy. Some of the most popular leisure options in Dubai Mall are The Spa at The Address, Fitness First, KidZania, The Bookshop, The Lounge and more.

Where to Eat in Dubai Mall

Dubai Mall is the ultimate destination for dining, with over 200 restaurants and cafes offering a variety of cuisines and types, from fast food to fine dining, from Arabic to Asian, from vegetarian to vegan. You can find everything from burgers, pizzas, sandwiches, salads, sushi, noodles, curries, kebabs, desserts and more. You can also enjoy the views and the ambiance of the different restaurants and cafes, such as the ones overlooking the fountain, the aquarium, the waterfall or the Burj Khalifa. Here are some of the best and most delicious places to eat in Dubai Mall:

- Cheesecake Factory: Cheesecake Factory is a popular American restaurant and cafe that offers a wide range of dishes and desserts, from salads, soups, sandwiches, burgers, pizzas, pastas, steaks, seafood, chicken, to cheesecakes, cakes, pies, cookies, ice creams and more. You can enjoy the generous portions, the fresh ingredients, the friendly service and the cozy atmosphere of Cheesecake Factory. You can also enjoy the view of the fountain and the Burj Khalifa from the outdoor seating area. Cheesecake Factory is located on the ground floor of Dubai Mall, near the fountain.

- Shake Shack: Shake Shack is a popular American fast food chain that offers delicious burgers, fries, shakes, hot dogs, salads and more. You can enjoy the fresh and quality ingredients, the tasty and juicy burgers, the crispy and cheesy fries, the creamy and rich shakes and the fast and friendly service of Shake Shack. You can also enjoy the view of the aquarium and the waterfall from the indoor seating area. Shake Shack is located on the ground floor of Dubai Mall, near the aquarium.

- Magnolia Bakery: Magnolia Bakery is a famous American bakery and cafe that offers mouthwatering cakes, cupcakes, pies, cookies, brownies, cheesecakes and more. You can enjoy the soft and moist cakes, the fluffy and frosting cupcakes, the sweet and tangy pies, the chewy and chocolatey cookies, the decadent and smooth cheesecakes and the warm and aromatic coffee of Magnolia Bakery. You can also enjoy the cute and cozy atmosphere and the lovely and helpful staff of Magnolia Bakery. Magnolia Bakery is located on the first floor of Dubai Mall, near the waterfall.

- Starbucks: Starbucks is a well-known American coffee chain that offers a variety of coffee, tea, frappuccino, latte, espresso, cappuccino, macchiato and more. You can enjoy the strong and flavorful coffee, the refreshing and soothing tea, the cold and blended frappuccino, the hot and milky latte, the bold and intense espresso, the frothy and velvety cappuccino, the sweet and nutty macchiato and the delicious and healthy snacks of Starbucks. You can also enjoy the modern and comfortable seating and the free and fast wifi of Starbucks. Starbucks is located on the second floor of Dubai Mall, near the cinema.

Tips for Visiting Dubai Mall

Dubai Mall is a place where you can have a wonderful and memorable time, but you also need to be prepared and aware of some tips and tricks that can make your visit easier and more enjoyable. Here are some of the useful and practical tips for visiting Dubai Mall:

- Dress code: Dubai Mall is a public place that respects the local culture and traditions, so you need to dress modestly and appropriately. You should avoid wearing anything that is too short, tight, transparent or revealing, such as shorts, skirts, tank tops, crop tops, etc. You should also cover your shoulders and knees, and avoid showing any tattoos or piercings. You can wear casual and comfortable clothes and shoes, such as jeans, t-shirts, sneakers, etc. You can also bring a jacket or a sweater, as the mall can be cold due to the air conditioning.

- Baggage allowance: Dubai Mall has a strict security policy that limits the size and weight of the bags that you can bring inside the mall. You can only bring one bag per person, and it should not exceed 56 cm x 36 cm x 23 cm in size or 8 kg in weight. You can also not bring any prohibited items, such as weapons, explosives, drugs, alcohol, etc. You can check your bags at the baggage counter near the mall entrance, or use the lockers that are available at various locations in the mall. The baggage fee is AED 10-20 per bag, depending on the size and the duration.

- Food choices: Dubai Mall has a wide range of food options that cater to different tastes and preferences, from fast food to fine dining, from Arabic to Asian, from vegetarian to vegan. You can find everything from burgers, pizzas, sandwiches, salads, sushi, noodles, curries, kebabs, desserts and more. However, you should also be aware of some rules and restrictions that apply to food and drinks in the mall. You should not eat or drink in the public areas, such as the corridors, the escalators, the elevators, etc. You should only eat or drink in the designated areas, such as the restaurants, the cafes, the food courts, etc. You should also not bring any outside food or drinks into the mall, as they may be confiscated by the security staff. You should also respect the local customs and traditions, such as not eating or drinking during Ramadan, or not consuming any pork or alcohol products.

- Activities: Dubai Mall has a variety of activities that offer thrill and excitement, such as skydiving, water sports, desert safaris, etc. You can enjoy these activities and have a lot of fun, but you also need to be careful and responsible. You should follow the safety instructions and guidelines that are provided by the staff and the signs. You should also wear the appropriate gear and equipment that are provided or required. You should also check the age, height and weight restrictions that apply to some of the activities, such as skydiving, skiing, etc. You should also book your tickets or tours in advance, as they may sell out quickly or have limited availability. You should also check the opening and closing hours of the activities, as they may vary depending on the day and the season.

Conclusion

Dubai Mall is the world's largest and most popular shopping mall, and a place where you can experience the best of Dubai's culture, entertainment, leisure and luxury. Whether you are looking for fashion, food, fun or adventure, Dubai Mall has something for everyone.

By following this ultimate guide, you can plan your visit to Dubai Mall and make the most of your time and money.

Dubai Mall Reviews

Fay Elmi

98 Followers

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Dubai has become an almost imperative city to visit in any ambitious travellers' "must-see" catalogue and certainly a one-stop shop for wanderers alike. It doesn't help that the Emirates Airline covers most of the world and uses its home country as a transit point, so at one time or another, almost everyone everywhere will stop in Dubai, and ultimately get allured in by the luxurious gold and futuristic ambiance of the city. It's the very hub of business and pleasure for the world and links the East with West seamlessly. For 72 hours, On the 19th November, 5 friends and I stopped over in Dubai on our way to Thailand and it was the first time I'd been back since 2012 - although then it was only a 15-hour transit with family. Does that even count? I tend to travel for pleasure whenever I can, which admittedly isn't often due to workload and demand (that's changing this year :D), but I was in Dubai to enjoy what the city had to offer and grab a few things for family and friends. We stayed at the 4* Carlton Downtown on Sheikh Zayed Road, Deira in their twin Deluxe Room. I think they upgraded us in all honesty, the room was way too good to be just a Deluxe. Built in 2013, the hotel is home to 357 rooms and suites and whole bunch of extra amenities, including dining and lifestyle venues, spa, fitness centre, tennis court, swimming pool and 23 fully equipped meeting rooms for conferences and events. Preeeeetty cool. Carlton offers a range of entertainment options including Jimmy Wickets Sports Bar & Lounge and Zephyr, the highest AL fresco rooftop lounge in Dubai. We opted for Breakfast included in our stay of course, because honestly, who wants to be looking for places to get decent breakfast first thing when you wake up in the morning. Room 2112 is pretty high up, on the 27 th floor. The room had the most amazing views of the city's skyline and faced onto Sheikh Zayed road. It towers way above the building's opposite, so we got views of the Arabian Gulf in the distance. The room is slap bang in the middle of the suns path throughout the day and meant our rooms were constantly bathed with direct heat from the sun. We, unapologetically and totally unmatched to the rooms below, got to soak up the breath-taking full views of sunrise and sunsets and crystal-clear azure blue skies. The views were fantastic. I'd booked it through a friend who like the Hyatt, had given us dirt cheap discounts on the room and had told them we were VIP, so the room was probably one of the best they had and rightly so, we were. You'd think it would get pretty loud with the longest highway in Dubai so close, but being so high up with triple glazed, solar controlled windows means it's virtually sound proof from the outside world. You don't hear much overhead noise, or horns, or the rush of the constant lengthy traffic that seems to be the cities norm. Check-in was smooth in the grand foyer; the receptionist was this mid height Arab/Iraqi/Moroccan young man, maybe mid 20's but honestly- and I mean this in a total good way - looking like he'd just hit puberty... a very youthful and welcoming smile. He got us checked in swiftly, and Joseph - the Filipino bell boy (or rather, man), greeted us to take our bags up. If you visit, just ask for Joseph really. Like, I'll keep it that simple for you. His knowledge of the city, best places to avoid and the "cool kids' hangout" areas saved us a lot of time, and quite frankly we needed it. He was open, relatable and pretty prompt come to think of it. And he was never too far when we needed him. My room didn't have an iron or ironing board, nor did the shower tap turn when I got in. Called Joseph and in no time, he was tugging away... I could've done it in all honesty, but I wanted to see him work his arm muscles real good. They bulged. A girl can dream ???? Our room was ready by 11. No lie, the most spacious hotel rooms I've ever been in. hands down. We were given a whole 42 sqm of land to live on, and as if that wasn't enough, we had a work desk and wardrobes, with at least 5/6 small cabinets dotted around for storage and off-loading, and even a couch. We had enough room in there to fit at least 10 adults with luggage comfortably sleeping on the floor, or if you had a little class, perhaps a solid 5 people comfortably in the space for 2 they'd given us. It was amazing. The interiors combine sleek, modern décor with everyday functionality, highlighted by airy finishes and humongous landscape windows. You know them royal houses you see in movies, where even Peter Crouch couldn't touch the ceilings if he stepped on the bed, this room was the same. The windows are very nearly floor to ceiling, except for a knee-high window seat that overlooks the city. We made good use of this, often spending every waking minute in the rooms perched on here. Whether we were watching the city whizzing beneath us, or having karaoke sessions screaming to our hearts content at the skies or watching the world in silence as night fades into darkness, it served more than its purpose for us.

Prakshi Saxena

37 Followers

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I went to Dubai in September last year. It was another amazing trip of my life. It was 3 day long which was definitely not enough. We weren't lucky enough to cover all the places , but who knows , may be next time🥰🥰 Dubai , as we all know is an expensive place but If you plan well before hand , you can definitely save much. We booked package through mmt. Here is my experience of one of the finest places in this world💝💝 An amazing and a must visit place!! ☑️Zabeel Palace 🏰 is the Dubai residence and the administrative headquarters of the Ruling Royal family of Dubai.👑It Can be seen from outside only.🚷🚷It Can be covered in less than an hour.⏲️⏱️ It's Good for clicking pictures.📸📸 ☑️Burj Al Arab is a luxurious hotel very close to the Jumeirah beach.Standing at 321m , it is the third tallest hotel in the world and one of the most expensive (7.8 billion dollars) ☑️Dubai desert safari 🏜️🌵is a thrilling experience!! It provides about 20 minutes ⏲️of exciting sand dunes bashing along with electrifying camp journey where you can enjoy quad biking , camel ride🐪🐪and sand skiing.There is a belly dance performance and fire act for entertainment purpose. ☑️Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is located in Abu Dhabi , the capital of UAE.It's the largest mosque in the country and the 8th largest in the world.It has massive architectural work of art.Covering head is mandatory for women.Abayas are provided by them. ☑️Ferrari World is a mostly indoor amusement park on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi.It's the first Ferrari branded theme park.I have been lucky enough to have experienced the ride of Formula Rossa, the world's fastest roller coaster which goes from 0 to 150mph in just 4.9 seconds!!!🤯🤪😍😍 You can also drive a ferrari on the Dubai roads if you have an international license.The rides are huge !!! And very thrilling!!You can see Ferrari everywhere, from the first model to the latest one! It's heaven for everyone😍😍Visitors can visit an operating Ferrari factory and wander through a gallery of 70 years of Ferrari models. ☑️Burj Khalifa ,aside from holding the world record for being the tallest building in the world,it holds six other world records. The tip of the sphere of the Burj Khalifa can be seen from up to 95 kilometers away. A public observation deck, called “At the Top,” is located on the 124th floor. ☑️ Dubai Aquarium and underwater zoo is one of the most amazing attractions in Dubai 💝 It's located at the Dubai Mall, the largest mall in the world 🛒🛍️ It's a memorable journey into the ocean life 💞💞 ☑️Dubai fountain performances occur daily on the 30 - acre Burj Khalifa lake!!It's a magical experience 😍😍Dubai Mall is the largest mall in the world!!

remote imprints

23 Followers

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UNITED ARAB EMIRATES HI EVERYONE,THIS BLOG WAS TOTALLY ABOUT MY STAY AT DUBAI FOR A PERIOD OF 70 DAYS ,QUITE AFTER MY MARRIAGE,HENCE ITS CALLED AS SWEET MEMORIES...HAHA TAKING YOU ALL THROUGH TIME TRAVEL TO THE YEAR 2011, WHEN I WAS AT DUBAI,ABUDHABI,AL AIN,FUJAIRAH,SHARJAH..WHERE THE CURRENCY RATE WAS RS.17 INDIAN RATE TO 1 DHIRAM,NOW ITS AROUND RS 19 -20 I GUESS...LETS BEGIN WITH THE INTRO.. UAE-Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Ajman, Fujairah, Ras al Khaimah, Sharjah and Umm al Quwain - the seven emirates that make up the UAE.Its a gulf country ,also a Muslim country ruling by king Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. my start from❤ India: I started from Kochi/Cochin international airport by late evening through jet airways,it was my first international trip ,i had a great fear of crossing the borders,the immigration check ,the air conditioning frequently made my bladder full ,at immigration counter they inquired few questions regarding my travel.,after finishing up ,i entered my gate and relaxed for an hr followed by flight entry.its was a 4 hrs journey and reached Sharjah ,where the same procedure starts with immigration,retina scanning,baggage , reached by 1.30am ,Sharjah is a 30 minutes drive from Dubai and met my husband finally after 6 months our stay and my first shopping: we took a small flat at Bur Dubai next to my husbands work place and also its was very easy to access supermarkets,bus stations,creek,malls at a walk able distance.The very next day,as a Indian wife,everybody knew the importance of home cooking,so we rushed to the nearby hypermarket called carrefour,where you get all the provisions,home appliances,electronic goods,meat,fish,chicken etc...its like a mini international store where you can buy wide range of products based on your nationality and taste buds. That's how my first shopping ended our weekend's(Friday) :we planned our sight seeing only on weekends and we used to have daily walk at creek ,munch some snacks and watched movies at nearby theater's ,once we watched movie at Hyath regency,Galleria mall,its a big mall with all brand showrooms and eye catching too, Places to see at Dubai: 1.The main attraction is worlds tallest building called Burj Khalifa attached with biggest mall called Dubai mall with dancing fountain surrounded by sky scrapers,never miss it, also should go wafi mall to see sound and light show which has specific timing,should check that and enjoy

Neha Shah

24 Followers

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We were excited for day two as we were goin to visit a must watch plce in Dubai .. Burj Khalifa. We wer provided with breakfast and dinner at our hotel itself which was included in our package The guide picked us up at 9 and we started our day with Dubai tour... We saw many different attractions of Dubai... Ultra modern architecture , beautifully constructed hotels and buildings. One of the eye catcher was Hotel Atlantis and Burj Al Arab situated at the edge of marina beach. We were thn dropped at Dubai Mall to spend our evening there. One of the huge mall with lots of luxury shopping and attractions and food. It also has acquarium inside the mall. Then v headed towards Burj khalifa ,163 floors building, largest building in the world . V had a panoramic view at 124th and 125th floor of Dubai. It has a fantastic view and no words can describe it. (Tips- 1)if u want a cheaper travelling ... Go by metro .. Get down at Dubai Mall/ Burj Khalifa a rapid transit station on red line 2) if ur not worried of ur pocket thn visit Burj khalifa in the evening as thy have different rates for prime and non prime hours) The evening fountain show is a cherry on cake The foutain patterns are so well matched with the music. You canspendur whole day at this lovely plce

Bharatiya Traveller @Gazzy

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Planned for Dubai City Tour along with Bhurj Khalifa in evening. This was already included in our package so we did city tour like DUBAI frame - Architectural landmark in Zabeel park and biggest picture frame on the planet. 150 meter tall and 93 meter wide hollow gold plated tower as shown in 1 pic. You can pay 50 AED to closely watch from inside, we enjoyed view from both sides. It's pleasure watching frame from inside.. Jumeirah Beach and Mosque- Good place to have some pictures with flags and beach blue water typ🤗 Saga Mall- Good view to have metro along with few attractive buildings especially structure of buildings are really attractive 😍 Dubai Mall- Amazing place, where we spent rest of our day by getting into few activities like underwater zoo and diving etc. Which cost us separately for each tickets like from 100-500 AED per person. It depends on your choices which would cost you like 250+ AED for 4 types of activities for underwater zoo.