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Bucket list experience:

Last updated: 30 May, 2023
Expert travel writer: Nicola Chilton

With one of the world’s most connected airports, serviced by one of the world’s biggest airlines, Dubai has become an epicentre of global travel. Probably no wonder then that it has also emerged as one of the world’s leading shopping destinations.

Extraordinary shopping malls – vast in scale and scope – are dotted all over the city. The big malls are destinations in themselves, mini-cities within the city, home to entertainment zones and hundreds of restaurants.

The most atmospheric places to shop though are the traditional souks (bazaars) in Deira and Bur Dubai on either side of Dubai Creek, (although the vendors can be extremely persistent at times).

You’ll also find concept stores in various locations, particularly around the Jumeirah neighbourhood, stocking products from local and regional designers, floaty kaftans, homeware and accessories.

What to buy

Must-buy souvenirs include carpets, Arabian attars (perfumes), sheesha pipes, bronze coffee pots, Aladdin slippers, Bedouin jewellery, antique khanjar daggers, Gulf-style incense burners, dates, and fluffy toy camels for kids.

sign for dubai shopping festival
Experience

Dubai Shopping Festival

Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE)

More than just a shopping festival – though the festival does bring huge discounts at all the malls – there’s also plenty of entertainment and events, including traditional heritage activities, happening all over the city.

Best for ages: 13+ | Free | 6 weeks

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Dubai’s extraordinary shopping mega-malls

Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Dubai’s extraordinary malls are a shopper’s heaven but so much more. They’re entertainment hubs, with cinema complexes, ski slopes, ice rinks, giant aquariums and regular live events.

Best for ages: 4+ | Free

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Gold on the famous "Golden souk" in Dubai Deira market. Deira is an old commercial center of Dubai with the biggest street market.
Experience

Gold Souk

Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE)

An atmospheric bazaar where dazzling chains, earrings, headdresses and more drip from the shop windows, and good deals can be had if you know what you’re looking for. It’s regulated by the Dubai government to ensure authenticity.

Best for ages: 13+ | Free

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Madinat Jumeirah
Experience

Madinat Jumeirah

Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE)

A staggering replica of an Arabian walled citadel from medieval times, complete with towering sand-coloured buildings topped by wind towers, a touristy-but-fun covered souk, some great restaurants and bars, and a maze of meandering canals and lagoons plied by abras.

Best for ages: 10+ | Free

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Price: Free
Minimum age: Any
Age suitable: 13+
When: All year around
Duration: -

Recommended itineraries by our writers that include this experience

Our writer’s picks of the best places to stay near this experience, closest first

Hotel Dubrovnik Palace

Dubrovnik, Dalamatia, Croatia[0.5 miles]

A stylish beachfront hotel that offers the perfect escape from the busy city, with a private beach, four restaurants and glorious sea views.

Official star rating:

Hotel Bellevue Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik, Dalmatia, Croatia[0.5 miles]

A luxury hotel overlooking a magnificent cove with its own a pebble beach, a fine dining restaurant and excellent spa, an easy 15-minute walk from Dubrovnik’s old town. 

Official star rating:

Bokun Guesthouse

Dubrovnik, Dalmatia, Croatia[0.9 miles]

Homely B&B, in a peaceful walled garden (with a pool) where breakfast is served, near Dubrovnik’s Gruž port.

Official star rating:

Hilton Imperial Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik, Dalmatia, Croatia[0.9 miles]

Dignified 19th-century hotel, next to the old town’s main entrance, with a garden restaurant and spa with indoor pool.

Official star rating:

Destination guides including or relevant to this experience

Dubai

United Arab Emirates (UAE)

A desert city playground with a unique combination of Arabian culture, mega-malls and audacious architecture in a setting of year-round sun, sand and sea. Great family hotels and a ridiculous number of family attractions too.

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Our writer’s recommendations of other bucket list experiences our writer says you must do in this destination, closest first

Walk Dubrovnik’s City Walls

Dubrovnik, Dalmatia, Croatia[1.4 miles]

A 2km walk along these 13th-century walls is a feast of dazzling views over Dubrovnik’s old town rooftops and the Adriatic.

Best for ages: 6+ | Free | 1 hour

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Other worthwhile experiences near this experience if you have time or interest..

Dubai’s best beaches

Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE)[0 miles]

Escape the sweltering heat and spend some time at Dubai’s beautiful golden beaches. Choose from hip beach clubs or family-friendly public stretches of sand.

Best for ages: 4+ | Free

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Lovrijenac Fort guards the northern harbour entrance. Dubrovnik. UNESCO World Heritage Site
Experience

Fort Lovrijenac

Dubrovnik, Dalmatia, Croatia[1.1 miles]

Often referred to as Dubrovnik’s ‘Gibraltar’, the St Lawrence Fortress sits on an outcrop of rock just outside the City Walls, and took 600 years to complete. Originally built to protect against the Venetian fleet, its walls are between 4 and 12 metres thick.

Best for ages: 13+ | £6

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Aerial panoramic view of the old town of Dubrovnik with famous Cable Car on Srd mountain on a sunny day with blue sky and clouds in summer, Dalmatia, Croatia
Experience

Cable car to Mount Srd

Dubrovnik, Dalmatia, Croatia[1.1 miles]

Rising 415m above the city, topped with a historic fortress and accessible by cable car, Mount Srd offers spectacular views across Dubrovnik and beyond – on a clear day, the vista stretches for up to 60kms. The lower station is just ‘above’ the Old Town on Ulica Petra Kresimira IV, and it’s 3 and a half minutes to the top.

Best for ages: 4+ | £17 | 3.5 minutes

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