Dubai has long been one of the world’s shopping capitals: home to giant malls with luxury-brand boutiques, colourful Eastern souks where haggling is the norm, and outlets full of discounts. In this guide we’ll work out where to buy what, how to avoid overpaying, when the sale season is, and how to claim a tourist tax refund.
The big malls
Malls in Dubai are not just shops but entertainment too. The main addresses:
- The Dubai Mall in Downtown — one of the largest in the world, with an aquarium, an ice rink and hundreds of brands;
- Mall of the Emirates in Al Barsha — home to the Ski Dubai indoor ski resort;
- Dubai Hills Mall in Dubai Hills — modern and spacious;
- Ibn Battuta Mall near Discovery Gardens — themed in a travel style;
- Marina Mall in Dubai Marina — convenient for those staying by the sea.
Prices in the malls are fixed, but there are regular sales and almost every global brand is represented.
Markets and haggling
For atmosphere and good deals, head to the markets of Deira and the old city:
- Gold Souk — jewellery, where the price depends on the weight of the metal and the workmanship;
- Spice Souk — saffron, tea, incense, nuts, dried fruit;
- Textile Souk in Bur Dubai — fabrics and tailoring;
- Karama Market in Al Karama — souvenirs, clothing, accessories.
At the souks, haggling is part of the culture: the first price quoted is almost always inflated.
Discount outlets
If the city-wide sale hasn’t started yet but you still want discounts, head to the outlets. Dubai Outlet Mall and The Outlet Village offer brands at reduced prices all year round. It’s an option for those after specific items and willing to travel out of the centre.
What’s worth buying
To know exactly what to come for, keep this as a guide:
| Category | Where to buy | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Gold and jewellery | Gold Souk | Price by weight + workmanship, haggle |
| Perfume | Malls and souks | Arabian oil-based perfumes |
| Spices, dates | Spice Souk | Taste before you buy |
| Electronics | Malls during sales | Compare prices |
The takeaway from the table is simple: for gold and spices, go to the souks and haggle; for brands and gadgets, go to the malls during the sale season or to the outlets.
Sale season
The biggest discounts come during the Dubai Shopping Festival (in winter, the high season) and Dubai Summer Surprises (in summer). During these periods prices drop across the whole city, with promotions, prize draws and entertainment programmes. If shopping is one of the goals of your trip, it makes sense to time your dates to a festival. For how to choose the right season overall, read the article when to visit Dubai.
Tax refund (Tax Free)
Tourists in the UAE can claim a VAT refund (Tax Free): on purchases at participating stores, part of the tax can be reclaimed. To do so you need to keep your receipts and process the refund at the airport on departure, at dedicated counters or self-service terminals. The amount depends on how much you spent, so for big shopping trips it’s a noticeable saving.
Opening hours and payment
Most malls are open until late evening, and longer on weekends — evening here is the traditional time for shopping and strolling. Markets in the older districts may close for a midday break, so plan your visit for the morning or evening. You can pay by card almost everywhere, but at the souks some cash in dirhams will come in handy.
How to plan a shopping day
The big malls take time, so don’t try to cover everything at once. The best approach is to pick one large mall and one souk, to combine brands and local flavour in a single day. It’s easy to travel between spots by metro — many malls are connected to stations by covered walkways.
To choose a base district, the tips in the where to stay in Dubai guide will help, and to plan the rest of your itinerary, see interesting locations and the district map.
