Dubai Mall is the world’s largest shopping and entertainment destination, and it appears on our list of must-see places for first-time visitors. It opened on 4 November 2008 and has a total area of about 1.1 million square metres (12.1 million square feet), which is why a day plan helps. This guide covers the shops, restaurants, attractions and landmarks worth your time.
Shopping: Stores and Boutiques Worth Knowing
Dubai Mall has over 1,200 retail stores, from high-end luxury brands to popular high street labels. Some stores worth knowing:
- Fashion Avenue: Home to luxury brands like Gucci, Chanel, and Louis Vuitton.
- The Souk: Offers traditional Arabic jewelry, accessories, and crafts.
- Level Shoes: A large store dedicated entirely to footwear, with over 200 brands.
For the latest fashion, start on Fashion Avenue. For souvenirs, try the Souk.
Dining: Where to Eat
Dubai Mall has over 200 food and beverage outlets. Some top dining spots include:
- Eataly: An Italian marketplace offering a variety of Italian foods and beverages.
- The Cheesecake Factory: Known for its extensive menu and its cheesecakes.
- Din Tai Fung: A Taiwanese restaurant known for its dumplings.
Dubai Mall spans casual eateries to fine dining.
Entertainment: Activities and Attractions
The entertainment options cover visitors of all ages:
- Dubai Mall Aquarium: One of the largest suspended aquariums in the world, home to thousands of aquatic animals. Its largest tank holds 10 million litres.
- Dubai Mall Fountain: The world’s largest choreographed fountain system, with daily performances set to music. Evening shows have run every 30 minutes from 6pm to 11pm, so check the current schedule.
- VR Park: An indoor virtual reality theme park, part of a wider scene covered in our guide to Dubai's best theme parks.
These attractions make the Dubai Mall Dubai an entertainment hub as well as a shopping destination.
Sights: Landmarks and Cultural Attractions
Beyond shopping and dining, Dubai Mall has several landmarks and cultural attractions:
- The Dubai Mall Waterfall: An indoor waterfall with statues of divers, set in two cylindrical structures 24 metres tall.
- Dubai Dino: A 155-million-year-old dinosaur skeleton displayed in the mall’s Grand Atrium.
- Fashion Catwalk Atrium: Hosts regular fashion shows and events.
These sights give the Dubai Mall Dubai more to offer than retail.
Planning Your Visit: Tips and Tricks
To make the most of your visit to Dubai Mall, consider the following tips:
- Visit during weekdays to avoid the weekend crowds.
- Use the mall’s app for easy navigation and to stay updated on events and promotions.
- Wear comfortable shoes as you will be walking a lot.
- Check the showtimes for the Dubai Mall Fountain to catch a performance. Afternoon shows have run at 1pm and 1.30pm from Saturday to Thursday, and at 2pm and 2.30pm on Fridays.
FAQs
Why is The Dubai Mall famous?
Dubai Mall is famous for being the largest mall in the world, with shopping, dining and entertainment under one roof.
What is special in Dubai Mall?
The special features of Dubai Mall include the Dubai Mall Aquarium, Dubai Mall Fountain, Fashion Avenue, and a vast array of dining and entertainment options.
What is free in Dubai Mall?
Visitors can enjoy free attractions like the Dubai Mall Fountain shows, the Dubai Mall Waterfall, and the Dubai Dino exhibit.
The bottom line
Dubai Mall is more than a shopping centre. Its 1,200 stores, 200 food outlets, attractions and landmarks give residents and tourists a full day, and the Fountain, Waterfall and Dino cost nothing to see. For those considering putting down roots nearby, Imperial Avenue in Downtown Dubai sits just minutes away.
