Best Areas to Stay in Dubai For Shopping

Dubai is a magnet for shopaholics and for a good reason. There are many malls here with all kinds of brands and impressive discounts during some seasons. However, those looking for a more affordable shopping experience will find it here thanks to the traditional souks available.

If you’re looking for the best area to stay in Dubai for shopping, consider these neighborhoods as they have major malls or souks in them.

Downtown Dubai

It’s no surprise that the area with one of the world’s biggest malls is on the list. Downtown Dubai is home to the Dubai Mall, a 1 million sqm mall with over 1,200 retail stores, two department stores, Galeries Lafayette and Bloomingdale’s, and over 200 food and beverage outlets. The mall is anchored next to Burj Khalifa and is home to the iconic Dubai Fountain.

There are plenty of apartments for rent and sale in Downtown Dubai that will place you just minutes away from Dubai Mall. If you have the budget for it, Downtown Dubai is certainly the best area to stay in Dubai for shopping.

Al Barsha

Al Barsha is hands down one of the best places for shopping in Dubai. Not only is it home to Mall of the Emirates, it also has plenty of independent shops that cater to different budgets.

If you’re in the mood for a shopping spree, head to the Mall of the Emirates in Al Barsha 1. It has over 560 shops, a cinema, over 100 restaurants and cafes, and the impressive Ski Dubai.

Meanwhile, if you’re looking for a smaller mall just to get your essentials, then Al Barsha Mall would cut it. This cozy mall in Al Barsha 2 has a variety of shops, restaurants, government service desks, and a hypermarket.

Deira

Deira is the place to be if you’re looking for a traditional shopping experience. Head to the Gold Souk to find statement pieces or customize your own.

Next to it is the Spice Souk, where you can find myriads of spices, herbs, dates, and dried fruits to transform your dishes.

Need new perfume? Head to Deira Perfume Souk where you’ll find everything including pure perfume, essential oils, oud, and incense sticks.

If you’d rather shop at a mall, then City Centre Deira will hit the spot. It has over 370 outlets including high-street stores like H&M, Forever 21 and Aldo, as well as Vox Cinemas.

All in all, finding the best area to stay in Dubai for shopping depends on your budget and shopping preferences, but it’s safe to say that you won’t be short of options.

Downtown Dubai

4.2/5

About

Downtown is Dubai’s crown jewel: it hosts the city’s best tourist attractions, such as Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall. It also offers an array of housing, entertainment, and shopping options that never fail to impress. As the name suggests, it’s at the heart of Dubai, located along Sheikh Zayed Road next to Business Bay.
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Property types

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Apartment prices starting from

For rent : 60,000 AED/year

For sale : 880,000 AED

* Based on listing prices in last 3 months.

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Al Barsha

3.5/5

About

Al Barsha is a residential community in the west of Dubai, south of Al Sufouh. It’s bound by E11 (Sheikh Zayed Road) and E311 (Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road). The area is divided into 5 sub-communities: Al Barsha 1, 2, 3, Al Barsha South, and Barsha Heights.
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Property types

* Distribution of property types in this community.

Apartment prices starting from

For rent : 44,000 AED/year

For sale : 384,000 AED

* Based on listing prices in last 3 months.

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Deira

3.2/5

About

Deira is one of the oldest areas in Dubai, with origins dating back to the 1700s. Thus, it’s home to many historical sites and traditional markets that showcase Dubai’s heritage. Located on the Dubai Creek close to Bur Dubai, it offers a culturally rich waterfront lifestyle and serves as a testament to Dubai’s history as a trading hub in the region.
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Property types

* Distribution of property types in this community.

Apartment prices starting from

For rent : 19,000 AED/year

For sale : 990,000 AED

* Based on listing prices in last 3 months.

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Dubai Hills Estate

4.2/5

About

Dubai Hills Estate is a luxurious gated community developed by Emaar Properties, located in Mohammed bin Rashid City in Dubai, UAE.
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Property types

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Apartment prices starting from

For rent : 75,000 AED/year

For sale : 1,100,000 AED

* Based on listing prices in last 3 months.

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Business Bay

4/5

About

One of Dubai’s most iconic neighbourhoods, Business Bay is where work and play cross paths. It’s a commercial, residential, and business community consisting mainly of skyscrapers.
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Property types

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Apartment prices starting from

For rent : 50,000 AED/year

For sale : 399,999 AED

* Based on listing prices in last 3 months.

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Dubai Marina

4/5

About

It doesn’t get better than the Dubai Marina if you want to live in one of the city’s most stylish neighborhoods. It is a high-rise district home to residential and serviced apartments and hotel towers offering an array of entertainment venues and restaurants.
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Apartment prices starting from

For rent : 54,999 AED/year

For sale : 500,000 AED

* Based on listing prices in last 3 months.

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Jumeirah Lake Towers

3.9/5

About

Jumeirah Lake Towers, also known as JLT, is among the most vibrant and popular communities in Dubai. It’s characterised by man-made lakes that are surrounded by skyscrapers, enabling its residents to enjoy waterfront living.
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Property types

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Apartment prices starting from

For rent : 50,000 AED/year

For sale : 515,000 AED

* Based on listing prices in last 3 months.

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Al Barari

4.8/5

About

Al Barari is an upscale eco-friendly residential area in Dubai renowned for its lush natural gardens, serene ponds, and picturesque scenic views. It is a luxurious family-friendly community that offers an idyllic life away from the hustle of the city yet is still near major areas thanks to its location in Dubailand. One of the greenest and most sustainable communities in Dubai, Al Barari stretches over 15.3 million square feet, 60% of which are green spaces.
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Property types

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Villa prices starting from

For rent : 620,000 AED/year

For sale : 6,199,000 AED

* Based on listing prices in last 3 months.

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Arabian Ranches

4.2/5

About

Think no further if you’re looking for a suburban haven in Dubai. Arabian Ranches offers a variety of freehold villas and townhouses of two to six bedrooms, forming a complete community for families, with many amenities and facilities. With an abundance of schools in the vicinity and a skate park for the kids, the Ranches is preferred by families looking for gated community living.
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Property types

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Villa prices starting from

For rent : 160,000 AED/year

For sale : 2,950,000 AED

* Based on listing prices in last 3 months.

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The Lakes

5/5

About

The Lakes is an exclusive residential community in Dubai that offers a unique lifestyle and a range of amenities to residents and visitors. Set amongst a picturesque landscape between two world-class golf courses, Montgomerie Golf Club and the Emirates Golf Course, The Lakes is home to luxury villas and townhouses with stunning views, as well as an exciting blend of leisure and entertainment options.
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Property types

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Villa prices starting from

For rent : 209,000 AED/year

For sale : 5,000,000 AED

* Based on listing prices in last 3 months.

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FAQ

Dubai is excellent for shopping because it’s filled with luxurious malls featuring famous brands and designer labels. But that’s not all there is to the shopping scene here. You will also find many local shops, affordable wholesale stores, traditional markets, and handicrafts.

Shopping in Dubai is extremely convenient thanks to its highly developed infrastructure. The Dubai Metro goes to most major shopping malls, which are filled with international brands. Moreover, Dubai is known for hosting massive seasonal sales such as the Dubai Shopping Festival and Dubai Summer Surprises which attract people looking for discounted goods. On top of that, Dubai has many luxury brands that may not be available in other countries.

  • Malls: the best malls in Dubai are Dubai Mall, The Mall of the Emirates, Dubai Festival City Mall, and Ibn Battuta Mall.​ 
  • Shopping districts: Dubai is home to shopping districts where you can enjoy scenic walks while being surrounded by shops, restaurants, and entertainment options. City Walk, JBR, Souk Madinat Jumeirah, and Souk Al Bahar are all great shopping districts in Dubai.
  • Traditional Markets: The traditional markets here are known as souks and offer a wide range of goods. The most popular souks in Dubai are the Gold Souk, Spice Souk, Perfume Souk, and Textile Souk.