Shopping Up a Storm in Abu Dhabi

Just try not to get lost in a shopping-fuelled haze.

With temperatures sometimes reaching the early 40s, Abu Dhabi can quite literally be a hot destination to visit. Apart from indulging in the refreshing waters of the Persian Gulf or frolicking at a water park, making a trip to the local shopping centre is a great way to beat the heat.

Abu Dhabi is a shopper’s paradise, with shopping centres and markets in abundance. Let’s not forget that Abu Dhabi’s shopping centres are not like any old, regular shopping centre. From family fun centres to first-class restaurants and from cultural events to fountain displays, you can really experience it all. There's more to these shopping centres than the chance to lighten your bank balance!

Without further ado, here are some of the places where you can shop up a storm in Abu Dhabi:

Marina Mall

One of the biggest and most popular shopping centres in the city, the Marina Mall boasts not only a wide range of shops, but also a large-scale ice rink, a 30-storey high observation tower complete with revolving restaurant, cinemas and musical fountains. Lovers of Mercedes-Benz will no doubt be delighted with the showroom in the centre too.

Since opening in 2001, the Marina Mall has been attracting many international brands, including Louis Vuitton, Hugo Boss, Gucci, Chanel and Burberry. With over 400 retail and service shops, you’ll no doubt find everything that you could want here. On your marks, get set…go!

Abu Dhabi Mall

Ready for round two? The Abu Dhabi Mall is another shopping centre set to amaze you with its size and variety. It’s here where you’ll find a restaurant on every single level, not to mention a Cineplex, a children’s entertainment area and over 200 shops!  You can easily spend an entire day here; just try not to get lost in a shopping-fuelled haze.

Al Wahda Mall

You can’t visit Abu Dhabi and shop up a storm without making a stop at the award winning Al Wahda Mall, located in the heart of the city. Opened in 2007, the shopping centre now has over 152 brands, including international heavyweights Calvin Klein, Gap, Victoria’s Secret and MAC cosmetics. For entertainment, head to the shopping centre’s cinema, which has nine state-of-the-art screens or get playful at Wanasa Land, home to bowling, indoor paintball, bumper cars, face painting, indoor rock climbing and video games, just to name a few. Phew!

Khalidiyah Mall

Your shopping centre marathon is almost over but there’s one more stop! Not far from the Al Wahda Mall is the Khalidiyah Mall, just another example of why Abu Dhabi is considered to be a first-class shopping destination. Nestled in charming old-world Islamic architecture is a wide variety of shops, selling products such as jewellery, lingerie, clothes, stationery, toys and bags. If you don’t have time to see a movie, head to Sparky’s, a family fun centre that will leave everyone feeling satisfied.

Souks

One of the best things about Abu Dhabi is the fact that you don’t have to be a wealthy tycoon or movie star to get your shopping fix. In fact, you can enjoy an authentic, Arabian experience and shop economically at the same time when you visit the city’s souks or marketplaces.

For the traditional souk wares of spices, incense, perfumes, silk and coffee pots, head to the Souk Al Zaafarana. You’ll be able to haggle your way to a bargain while also taste testing some of the foods on offer, including a wide variety of delicious dates. Embrace the sights, sounds and colours for a great, unique outing.

Breathe in the fresh air when you visit the city’s outdoor markets, Souk Al Bawadi and Souk Al Qaws, which are both located near the sprawling Bawadi Mall (worth a look in itself). The Souk Al Bawadi serves up more traditional items and souvenirs, while the Souk Al Qaws contrasts modern-day shops and banks with old-world architecture.

If you fancy seafood for dinner, head on over to the Fish Souk. Located near Abu Dhabi’s main harbour, the souk features the daily catch of the local fisherman who have been hard at work earlier in the morning. To accompany your fish, grab some healthy fresh fruit and vegetables at the Al Mina Fruit and Vegetable Souk.

Finally, if you’re on a mission to track down a magic flying carpet, it makes sense to head to Abu Dhabi’s Carpet Souk. Here you’ll find a wide variety of carpets, some of which come from countries such as China, Iran, Pakistan and Turkey. Even if your mission fails – bad luck – the Carpet Souk is a great place to take some distinctive photos.

So there you have just a few of the venues you can explore as you search for that ultimate purchase or bargain. Whether you choose to mingle with locals at the marketplaces or take advantage of the air-conditioned, world-class shopping centres, you’ll no doubt be in state of shopping heaven in Abu Dhabi. Enjoy!