Welcome to an architectural marvel that actually defies the definition of a shopping mall: The Dubai Mall. It’s not just a shopping hub, it is a giant city within itself, filled with high-fashion luxury alongside world-class entertainment and unforgettable family draws. At just feet away from the world’s tallest structure, and 100 million visitors a year suffice to say it’s an impressive building, but also one of the most visited in the world.
From the spectacular runway collections found on the Fashion Avenue -fashion with its collection of 150 ultra luxury stores to the captivating Universe marine life at the Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo, there is always something for everyone. Time your trip to make the most of this world capital of shopping and fun. This definitive guide is your complete cookbook to the grandeur of the hottest event in sports and more; you won’t miss a single feature.
The Global Epicenter of Luxury Shopping: Fashion Avenue
The Fashion Avenue of the Dubai Mall is not just a wing of that mall; it’s a destination on any luxury lover’s pilgrimage to Dubai. This perfectly manicured art-laden district showcases the top flagship boutiques of the finest designers like Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Dior and Chanel. The experience is more than just shopping: It’s a men-only lifestyle destination.
Guests are treated like VIP’s – with complimentary personal shopping, chauffeur service and direct to mall access or unique lounges and truly purchasing luxury goods, a memorable experience. Rich architectural and interior elements add detail to the venue that also features a mall environment inspired by fashion with chic interiors, further fuelling Fashion Avenue as an aspirational new destination for the region’s most luxury-driven and savvy shoppers.
Diving into the Depths: Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo
You will find one of the coolest aquatic showcases in the world there, but right across from it, inside the mall, is some real magic: The Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo. Home to more than 33,000 marine creatures comprising over 140 species, the latter’s colossal 10-million-litre tank is a magnificent spectacle that can even be seen from the mall’s public zones.
Central to the spectacle is a 48-meter-long, 270-degree walk-through tunnel that offers up close nose-to-fin views of sharks, rays and dozens of colorful fish in an amazing experience you won’t soon forget. In addition to the main tank, the Underwater Zoo is home to organisms from a host of different habitats, including Humboldt Penguins and Caiman Crocodiles, which swirl around in their new lagoon tube; as well as menacing-toothed Piranha, which can be found in freshwater streams of the Amazon.
Olympic-Sized Thrills on Ice: The Dubai Ice Rink
Amongst the desert temperatures, an unlikely crowd-pleaser is the Dubai Ice Rink. The cool, refreshing ice will take you away from the Arabian heat on this Olympic-sized ice arena. But it’s more than a recreational area; the space accommodates all skill levels, from timid beginners to experienced skaters.
The ice rink also has themed sessions on offer throughout the week, including ‘Disco on Ice’, and is home to thrilling Emirates Ice Hockey League games too. Whether it’s a treat for your employees or clients, or something special to bring the relatives on an icy winter day, we’ve got you covered for a great time.
The Spectacular Choreography of the Dubai Fountain
Just outside the grand mall on sprawling 30 acres of the Burj Lake is one of the world’s biggest choreographed fountain systems, known as the Dubai Fountain. This magical combination of water, light and music is definitely a must-see offering one of the greatest free things to do in Dubai.
Water jet reaches 150 meters high, and it dances in perfect rhythm with music played on these high-tech fountains- popular pop tunes or classical Arabic sayings as you choose. Shows are put on every half hour until evening dawns; thousands gather on the seafront promenades in attendance. If you prefer another view of the fountain, an Abra boat trip around the lake will give you one. And walking down to the Dubai Fountain Boardwalk puts spectators just inches away from a spectacular show that is really tempting for any part of you to miss.
A World of Adventure: VR Park and Edutainment
The mall is a center for next-gen fun, from the VR Park, the biggest indoor virtual reality amusement park in the Middle East, to other object-based experiences. It provides an exciting, sensory-overloaded journey into alternative worlds with experiences created to delight visitors of all ages. From thrilling simulations that invite you to hurtle down the Burj Khalifa to multiplayer games that take friends into fantastical worlds.
VR Park is a testament to the mall’s commitment to state-of-the-art entertainment. KidZania, an interactive “edutainment” city that allows children to pretend they are grown-ups by performing more than 70 jobs, also means this mall offers a good deal of both educational and entertainment value for its younger customers.
The Ultimate Guide to The Dubai Mall: 15 Must-Do Activities, Attractions, and Sights
- For the best vantage of the city, visit the observation deck at The Top, Burj Khalifa (enter from the mall).
- Catch a nighttime performance of the Dubai Fountain.
- Uncover the diversity of life in Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo (walk-through tunnel).
- Check out high-end Vogue on the exclusive Fashion Avenue.
- Go ice skating on the Olympic-size rink at Dubai Ice Rink.
- Challenge your senses with some games at the VR Park indoors.
- Get your little ones working from a young age; sort of.
- Marvel over the 155-million-year-old skeleton of the Dubai Dino.
- Snapshots of the stunning three-story indoor waterfall wth iconic diving sculptures.
- Roam the culturally rich, neon-lit streets of Chinatown.
- For the person with a sweet tooth, nobody should leave Dubai without visiting Candylicious, which is also the largest candy shop in the Middle East.
- Pullman The Mall of the Emirates is operated by Pullman, a chain known for its eco-friendly initiatives.
- Cross the Souk Al Bahar bridge for traditional architecture and stunning fountain views.
- Race around EKart Zabeel in the electric go-karts.
- Have a meal at one of the more than 200 international restaurants, from fast food to gourmet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have to pay to enter The Dubai Mall?
Yes, entrance to the mall proper is free until you enter any of the major internal attractions.
Where can I see the best view of the Dubai Fountain?
There are great views from the Waterfront Promenade, Souk Al Bahar bridge or the paid Dubai Fountain Boardwalk.
How many stores are in The Dubai Mall?
The mall has more than 1,200 shopping outlets and over 200 restaurants.
Conclusion
Dubai Mall: More than a shopping mall, Dubai Mall is an entire world of lifestyle, entertainment and cultural attraction that pushes the boundaries of reality on every front. It’s a glitz-and-glam sequence of designer boutiques, homeware shops and attraction-heavy civil engineering wonder courtesy of the record-breaking Burj Khalifa (the world’s tallest building) as well as the world’s biggest mall, Dubai Mall.
The sheer volume and diversity of things to do, from the quiet underwater world of the Aquarium to the stage-managed theater of the Dubai Fountain, means it’s possible to joyfully wile away a whole day within its confines. With Dubai still growing and expanding, I feel this is a centerpiece of the current Dubai, creating an unforgettable experience of commerce, culture and fun.
