Dubai Mall – What Makes It Famous and Worth Visiting

Dubai attracts with its futuristic architecture and record-breaking buildings.

One such building that’s worth visiting is the Dubai Mall.

Located in Downtown Dubai, this gigantic shopping center appeals to tourists and locals alike.

Home to over 1,200 retail outlets, an immense food court, an ice skate rink, and the amazing Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo, the Dubai Mall is a must-visit attraction in the largest Emirate of the U.A.E.

In this guide, you’ll find out:

• Is Dubai Mall the biggest in the world
• Is visiting the mall free
• What is the most famous mall in Dubai
• What can you wear in Dubai Mall
• Practical information for visiting this colossal building

Put your virtual travel belts on, and let’s discover!

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Is Dubai Mall the Biggest in the World?

Dubai Mall is the world’s largest shopping center. Its location is right next to another record breaker – Burj Khalifa – which is the tallest building worldwide. With over 1,200 stores, 100+ food and beverage spots, and two gigantic department stores, Dubai Mall covers an area that’s roughly the size of 200 football pitches.

Haute couture lover? More than 70 iconic stores fight for your fashion attention, including the first Galeries Lafayette in the Middle East.

Is the Dubai Mall Free?

Yes, the entrance to Dubai Mall is free of charge. More than 1,200 retail stores will fight for your attention. These include renowned brands like Bloomingdale’s, Versace, Armani, and Burberry.

However, if you decide to visit the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo, you’ll have to purchase an entrance ticket.

What Is the Most Famous Mall in Dubai?

Dubai Mall is the most famous and the biggest shopping center in Dubai. Other large and popular malls include the Mall of the Emirates, City Centre Deira, Dubai Outlet Mall, Ibn Battuta Mall, Dubai Festival City Mall, and Dubai Gold Souk.

Each of these gigantic shopping plazas offers a wonderful mix of high-end stores, top-rated restaurants, and different entertainment options.

What Can I Wear in Dubai Mall?

To show your respect to the locals, you’ll have to dress appropriately in Dubai Mall or any other place in Dubai. While you can wear shorts and even skirts, make sure they cover your knees.

Note that many families with children visit the shopping center, so you can’t wear bikinis or swimsuits inside. If you’re just coming from the beach, make sure you’re not going shirtless.

And finally, try to cover provocative tattoos as they can offend someone.

One of the most interesting facts about Dubai is that locals prefer to wear traditional Emirati clothing. Men dress in white, while women wear black.

What Is the Best Time to Visit Dubai Mall?

Dubai Mall is open from 10 AM to 11 PM from Monday to Thursday, and from 10 AM to 12 AM – Friday to Sunday. Exploring the largest shopping center in the world is great at all times. If you’d like to wander around with fewer crowds, visit Dubai Mall in the morning.

If you decide to visit it in the evening, you’ll have a chance to marvel at the jaw-dropping lighting of nearby attractions like the Dubai Fountain and Burj Khalifa.

Depending on your shopping interests, plan at least a couple of hours for the mall itself and an hour or two for the landmarks around the center.

What Are the Best Hotels Near Dubai Mall?

The area around Dubai Mall is chock-full of glitzy accommodations. From elegant design and lavish luxury through fantastic panoramas and top-notch relaxation to spacious rooms and gastronomic adventures, the table below will show you the best hotels near Dubai Mall.

How to Get to Dubai Mall

You can easily reach Dubai Mall via public transport:

• Dubai Metro. The red line stops at the Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall station. From there, you can reach the shopping center via a glass tunnel (open until midnight), which offers heart-stopping views of Downtown Dubai. If you’re landing at Dubai International Airport (DXB), head to Terminal 1 and hop on the Red Line (direction EXPO Metro Station).

• Bus. Bus numbers 27, 28, 29, 30, 50, and 81 stop at Dubai Mall. The hop-on-hop-off bus tours are an even better option. They not only take you to the world’s largest shopping arcade. They also provide audio commentary and connect the mall with other attractions in the city.

For a detailed public transport schedule, please consult this website.

Alternatively, you can call a cab or drive to the building. Except on Friday and Saturday, parking is free for the first three hours.

Peculiar Facts About Dubai Mall

In this section, you’ll find the most interesting facts about Dubai Mall. Number five is the craziest.

1. Dubai Mall is not only the biggest mall in the U.A.E. It’s also the biggest on the planet. Its total area is 13 million sq. ft. (1,200,000 sq. m). Out of them, 5.9 million sq. ft. (550,000 sq. m) are internal floor area.
2. The mall has more than 14,000 parking spots, including valet parking services and a ticket system to locate your car.
3. Inside the huge shopping center, you can find an Olympic-sized Ice Rink, Reel Cinemas, and the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo. Don’t miss the latter by reserving your tickets in advance.
4. There’s a luxurious 5-star hotel inside. It gives you direct access to the mall’s 1,200+ stores. Book your room at the iconic Address Dubai Mall here.
5. More than 100 million people visit the spectacular shopping center every year, making it the most visited retail and lifestyle destination worldwide.

Practical Details for Visiting the Dubai Mall

In this section, you’ll discover all the practical information you have to know about visiting the Dubai Mall.

• The shopping center is open Monday to Thursday from 10 AM to 11 PM. On Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, the mall is open from 10 AM to 12 AM (midnight).
• The best time to visit the mall is around 10 AM to avoid the crowds.
• Dubai Mall is open 365 days per year.
• There’s a mediclinic, which works from 8 AM to 8 PM every day of the week.
• The waterfront promenade restaurants are open from 10 AM until 2 AM every day.
• Certain cafés and restaurants open at 9 AM for breakfast.
• The metro link bridge outlets are open from 10 in the morning until midnight.

Now You Know How and Why You Should Visit Dubai Mall

There you have it – all the practical details and reasons why you should visit the magnificent Dubai Mall.

The biggest shopping center in the world attracts millions of visitors every year.

At your disposal, you’ll have shops with the latest electronic devices, high-end fashion boutiques, top-notch jewelry brands, hundreds of dining choices, and various entertainment options. All this means you won’t get bored in Dubai Mall.

Armed with this guide, our best Dubai travel tips, and the epic list of things to do in Dubai, we bet you’ll have a wonderful time in the world’s largest shopping center.

Now, we’d like to hear from you:

Do you think the Dubai Mall is worth visiting?

In your opinion, what makes the attraction so popular?

Leave your comments below.