The Dubai Mall

The Dubai Mall is far more than a shopping centre, it's one of the most-visited places on Earth and effectively a self-contained entertainment district. Beyond hundreds of shops it holds a vast aquarium with a walk-through tunnel, an Olympic-size ice rink, a multi-storey indoor waterfall, a dinosaur skeleton, and direct access to the Burj Khalifa and the Dubai Fountain on the lake outside. You could spend a full day here without shopping at all.

For visitors, the mall is best treated as the hub of Downtown Dubai: ascend the Burj Khalifa from inside it, watch the fountain show from its waterfront promenade, cool off from the desert heat, and graze the enormous food offering. It's overwhelming by design, go with a plan or accept that you'll get pleasantly lost.

Don't miss

• The Dubai Aquarium's walk-through tunnel, visible free from the mall floor
• The indoor ice rink and the multi-storey waterfall feature
• Direct access to the Burj Khalifa 'At the Top' entrance
• The Dubai Fountain show on the lake just outside
• An enormous range of dining along the waterfront promenade

Tickets & tours

Ways to visit The Dubai Mall

Cheapest way inBig Bus Dubai Hop-On, Hop-Off Sightseeing Tour by Open-Top Bus4.4★ · 2,802 travelers~2 hoursFree cancellationFrom$48 per personSee dates →Most bookedCity Sightseeing Dubai Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour + Sunset Tour4★ · 722 travelers1–2 hoursFree cancellationFrom$55 per personSee dates →Private & flexibleDubai Top 15 Must-See Attractions with Burj Khalifa and Souks5★ · 12 travelers4–8 hoursFree cancellationFrom$99 per personSee dates →

Good for

How travelers rate it

Know before you go

• Use it as the hub for Downtown Dubai, Burj Khalifa and the fountain are both accessed from here.
• You can see a large part of the aquarium for free from the mall floor; the walk-through tunnel is the paid upgrade.
• It's vast, note where you entered and check the directory, or you'll lose hours navigating.
• Evenings are busiest; mornings are calmer if shopping is your focus.

A bit of history

Opened in 2008 as part of the Downtown Dubai megaproject around the Burj Khalifa, the Dubai Mall was conceived as one of the largest shopping and entertainment complexes in the world. It has consistently ranked among the most-visited destinations globally.