Dubai is famous for its large buildings and skyscrapers. Some popular hotels are the Atlantis Palm which includes an indoor theme park called Aquaventure Waterpark where guests can enjoy water activities, beach etc. Dubai is not just a sightseeing destination but it has become known as a shopper’s paradise with tax-free shopping. Dubai is also famous for its shopping centers and as a result has become a magnet for local and international shoppers alike.

From gold to electronics, designer labels and luxury items, huge shopping malls line up alongside older souks where small shop owners sell spices and clothing and carpets and rugs as well as gold items; goods come from around the world: Turkey, Iran, India, China. Dubai is a must for shoppers.

Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF)

Another popular event is the Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF), which draws shoppers from around the world each year in January for a month-long celebration of shopping, concerts, events, fashion shows, outdoor sports and international cuisines. You can find an incredible array of merchandise here, most without sales tax. And with discounts on big brands like Gucci, Prada, Armani and more, you will be hard-pressed not to join the festivities.

Apart from this festival, local people, tourists can also enjoy shopping year round in its famous malls, shopping centers, souks etc. Here is the list of few renowned shopping malls, souks which people can visit anytime in a year.

The Dubai Mall

One of their most favorite malls for shopping lovers is a world’s largest mall Dubai Mall in Financial Centre Road near Burj Khalifa which has more than 1200 luxury and premium brand stores, cafes and restaurants, cinema screens, an Underwater Zoo, Dubai Aquarium, Ice rink, Theme park, Dubai fountains. And chocolate and candy fans can indulge at the Hershey’s Chocolate World and Candylicious store that offer all Hershey’s products and different kinds of candies. It is packed with people throughout the year.

Mall of the Emirates

The Mall of the Emirates is located on Sheikh Zayed Road and features numerous high-end fashion, lifestyle, sports, electronics, home décor, kids play zone, and multiplex cinema stores, as well as Ski Dubai, a world-famous indoor ski slope that offers an 85 meter-high mountain with 5 runs, a Snow Park for children (and big children), the Snow Bullet zipline, and even resident penguins who live in their own enclosure and make special appearances for Penguin Encounters with the public. If you have never seen or touched snow then this is a must

In addition to the above mentioned shopping malls, there are several others that have gained fame on their own right: WAFI Mall with its pyramid-shaped façade structure housing a collection of artwork and an Egyptian theme throughout the area; Ibn Battuta Mall, situated along Sheikh Zayed Road, designed in honor of the Arabian explorer Ibn Battuta, has over 270 stores and keeps visitors engaged by the vibrant atmosphere; If you prefer to shop on streets then visit Meena Bazar, Dubai is a local market place in Bur Dubai, near Al Bastakiya. It sells jewelry and wedding jewelry, watches, textiles, furniture and accessories, and spices from India.

Souks in Dubai

The souks (a name given to the traditional markets of the city) of Dubai are one of the most renowned markets of the city. The most famous of the souks are the gold souk, spice souk, textile souk and the perfume souk. Needless to say, they are flooded with choices and allow you the biggest advantage of bargaining.

Gold Souk

The Dubai Gold Souk, located in Deira, on the edge of Dubai creek is one of the most popular souk in Dubai and worth a visit even if you are not planning to buy. Lined with hundreds of shops selling gold (everything from gold jewelry to gold bars), it displays shiny golden wares in its windows and has unset stones and weighing scales inside ready to deal with customers. The best bargains in the world can be found here, so you should plan for a free day when visiting these souks as you will need to hop from shop to shop to see the variety available and get the cheapest rates. An ancient gold souk interspersed with gold shops is next door to a new souk in a more modern 2-storey building.

Spice Souk

Another section filled with shops selling a variety of spices and herbs such as saffron, turmeric, cloves, pepper, cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, coriander and sumac can be found near to Gold Souk. The air is rich with the scent of these spices, as well as basmati rice, dry fruits, nuts, hookah masala and flavored tobacco, and if you’re interested in Dubai cuisine, perhaps you will want to take some home to prepare dishes for yourself. In addition to its scenic beaches, charming desert safaris, theme park and art, monuments, the other main attraction of Dubai is shopping — from ultramodern mega malls to traditional souks to local street outlets, so a quick glance at the list of best shopping places in Dubai before you plan your trip makes sense.