One of the world’s leading cities in innovation and creativity, Dubai is increasingly becoming one of the most sought after tourist destinations in the globe. From traditional to cosmopolitan, Dubai has something for everyone, whether visitors are searching for a cultural experience or are purely indulging in the lavish lifestyle Dubai has to offer. Known to many as the nerve centre of the Gulf, Dubai remains unchallenged in its role as regional entrepot. Renowned for nurturing creativity, Dubai is home to unprecedented imagination and originality, and one look at the Dubai skyline is substantial proof that Dubai is on track to being in a league of its own.

One of the things that make Dubai a great place to go shopping is the fact that it is a duty-free port that low or mostly no duties or tariffs imposed on foreign products. For the bargain hunter it is a field teeming with game so thick that even taking aim is superfluous.

It does not matter how big the brand name or the nature of the products it has to offer. If it can be sold then it will on display somewhere among the numerous shopping centers in Dubai. What is more it will typically be cheaper in Dubai than in the country of its origin.

While the opening time for all shopping centers in Dubai can be different, it usually happens that they will be open from 8:00am to 1:00pm, take a 3-hour break then reopen at 4:00pm and lure shoppers until 9:00pm.

Though most shops are open on Friday, they will close for prayers between 11:30am and 1:30pm.
Some of the major shopping centers in Dubai are located along Al Faheidi Road, Al Rigga Road, Al Karama, Al Satwa's, Al Dhiyafah Road, and Beniyas Square.

It is rather easy to identify these shopping centers because the modernly constructed malls are spread throughout the city and contrast sharply with the traditional souqs (open air markets). Bargaining is expected in the souqs and even in the modernized shops in the malls it is not a breach of manners to ask for the "best price" for any product.

Some popular shopping centers in Dubai are listed below.

• Al Dhiyafah Road, Al Satwa
  Exclusive fashion boutiques line the street on this road. Fabric stores, restaurants and cafes offer plenty of places to sit down and enjoy the scene when you get tired of carrying those shopping bags
  
  
• Al Ghurair Center
  This is one of Dubai's first shopping malls and it has hundreds of stores offering a wide range of medium to high priced wares.
  
  
• Al Karama Shopping Center
  Another popular mall offering many good deals, it includes clothing, accessories, toys, and furniture. You can also find fish and vegetable stalls, and supermarkets.
  
  
• Al Khaleej Center
  Centrally located in Dubai City this mall is know for its design, prestige, and a shopping and business experience guaranteeing satisfaction.

City Center Dubai


This shopping center in Dubai is located opposite the Creek Golf and Yacht Club on Beniyas Road. It is open from 10am to midnight on weekdays and 2pm to midnight on Friday. Despite the longer hours in comparison to other shopping centers in Dubai, the Deira City Center is still crowded on every day of the week. The main attraction here is the Carrefour (formerly known as the Continent). This is the Deira City Center's hypermarket and IKEA, the furniture store. Thanks to the ever present 10 Dhs craziness that is attached by vendors to fast moving consumer goods it is hard to visit the Carrfour without witnessing a couple of people rushing around with loaded shopping carts. The mall also features leading names in fashion. It consists of two shopping floors that sit over a covered parking space that can accommodate 2000 cars. There are many stores and they stock a wide variety of goods, including furniture, furnishings, clothing, perfumes, cosmetics, shoes, etc. There are also specialty stores that offer mobile phones, watches, sports gear, and gift items. As if all this were not enough the mall also has a huge entertainment complex including the latest video games, mini golf, and a train ride. Finally, after all that hustling over two floors (well, three if you parked the car yourself) there are the countless nooks offering all sorts of international cuisine along the food courts.

Burjuman Center


Located in the heart of Dubai, the BurJuman Centre is a distinctive landmark which comprises more than three hundred thousand square feet of retail space. The centre's atrium courtyards flooded with sunlight, comfortable seating and abundant foliage creates a relaxed yet vibrant shopping environment.

The mall has now surpassed leading fashion destinations such as Sloane Street, Bond Street, Ave Montaigne and Rodeo Drive in terms of concentration of brands. Some of the mall's exclusive tenants include Saks Fifth Avenue, Louis Vuitton, Hermes, Loewe, Emanuel Ungaro, Valentino, Moschino, Tods, Gianfranco Ferre, Etro, Christian Dior, Dolce & Gabbana, Christian Lacroix and Van Cleef & Arpels. The mall also houses Prada, Versace, Salvatore Ferragamo, Just Cavalli, Kenzo, Cartier, and Chanel.