Shopping in Dubai: Which Mall for What, Outlet Prices and When the Real Sales Are
A practical Dubai shopping guide: Dubai Mall vs Mall of the Emirates vs outlets, gold and electronics, VAT refunds, sale seasons, opening hours and how to ship purchases home.
Shopping in Dubai is not one activity, it is four: malls for brands, souks for gold and spices, outlets for last season at half price, and specialist streets for electronics and fabrics. Do them in the wrong order and you will pay full price for something you would have found cheaper an hour later.
The malls, and what each is actually for
| Mall | Best for | Time needed | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dubai Mall | Everything, plus aquarium and fountain | Half a day | 1,200 shops; take a photo of your parking row |
| Mall of the Emirates | Fashion, Ski Dubai, calmer crowds | 3 h | Easier to navigate than Dubai Mall |
| Dubai Outlet Mall | Last season at 30–70% off | 3 h | Out of town, 25 min from Downtown |
| Dubai Hills Mall | Newer brands, less crowded | 2–3 h | Where residents shop |
| Ibn Battuta | Budget brands, the architecture itself | 2 h | On the metro, six themed courts |
| City Centre Deira | Everyday brands, cheap food court | 2 h | Near the souks |
Where to buy what
- Gold: the Gold Souk in Deira. Prices are the daily rate by weight plus a making charge — negotiate the making charge, never the gold price.
- Electronics: Al Fahidi Street in Bur Dubai for haggling, or the malls for warranty and VAT refunds.
- Perfume and oud: Arabian Oud, Ajmal, Abdul Samad Al Qurashi; the Perfume Souk in Deira for oils by weight.
- Fabrics and tailoring: Al Meena Bazaar and Satwa — a made-to-measure shirt in 48 hours for USD 25–50.
- Dates and sweets: Bateel for gifts, the Spice Souk for value.
When the real sales happen
- Dubai Shopping Festival (mid-December to late January): the biggest discounts of the year, plus raffles and fireworks.
- Dubai Summer Surprises (late June to early September): 50–75% off in the quiet months.
- Ramadan and Eid: late-night shopping, midnight sales and a completely different atmosphere.
- End of season: late February and late August, when stock clears before the new lines arrive.
VAT refunds, hours and shipping
- VAT is 5% and refundable to tourists on purchases over AED 250 from participating shops. Ask for the Planet tag at the till, then validate at the airport kiosk before check-in; you get about 85% of the VAT back.
- Malls open 10:00–22:00, until midnight Thursday to Saturday. Souks close 13:00–16:00 and are shut Friday mornings.
- Most shops ship internationally, and Emirates and flydubai both sell extra baggage cheaper online than at the airport.
- Keep receipts for gold and electronics — customs at home may ask.
DXB.IST
Old Dubai: Al Fahidi, Abra Crossing, Gold & Spice Souks Food Walk
Frequently asked questions
Dubai Mall for choice and the aquarium and fountain; Mall of the Emirates is calmer and easier; Dubai Outlet Mall is where the real discounts are.
DXB.IST editorial team
Travel designers and guides based in Dubai and Istanbul. We update every guide at least twice a year.
