Spacious, modern, and air-conditioned, Abu Dhabi's malls are a welcome escape from the summer heat and a world of choice when it comes to shopping. In Abu Dhabi, malls are a place to catch up with friends or for a family outing - and the fun can go on until late at night.
With their imaginative designs and wide range of outlets, shopping malls are perennially popular. The bigger malls buzz with activity as people meet, eat, pose, and parade. During festive occasions such as Eid or Ramadan, malls serve as venues for special events, including dance and cultural shows, often featuring international acts. They also hold numerous raffles, often with huge prizes such as luxury cars or cash. Here is a bunch of the most famous malls in Abu Dhabi.
Located at Tourist Club Area, Abu Dhabi; connected to Beach Rotana Hotel, with over 200 shops and an average of 40,000 visitors a day, this is more than just a shopping destination. With plenty of restaurants and coffee shops, a children's play area and a Cineplex, look out for big name outlets like Paris Gallery (perfumes, cosmetics, sunglasses, handbags and jewellery), Jashanmal, Grand Stores (department stores), Carolina Herrera, Zara and H&M (fashion and style) or Marina Furniture and The One (home interior and furniture).
Tourist Club Area, Abu Dhabi; connected to Beach Rotana Hotel.
With 235,000 square metres of floor space and 10,000 car parking spaces, Yas Mall is Abu Dhabi’s biggest shopping centre and the UAE’s second largest. The mall provides a vibrant getaway shopping experience for tourists, international guests, and residents.
Mall highlights include the largest Debenhams outside the UK, the region’s first Lego Concept store and Rogo’s Rollercoaster Restaurant, the emirate’s first Brooks Brothers, 4Dx technology and biggest VOX Max screen, and more than 60 restaurants and cafes.
The mall is at the heart of the action-packed Yas Island, 20 minutes from downtown Abu Dhabi and just 10 minutes from Abu Dhabi International Airport.
Located at the Breakwater, Abu Dhabi, this mall features a 100 metre high viewing platform, an ice rink, a bowling alley, a Cineplex, musical fountains, and hundreds of big-name brands and stores. A true Abu Dhabi landmark, Marina Mall's many restaurants and coffee shops make it possible to spend a full day here.
A new addition to the mall is CityStore, which is the region’s first stand-alone store of an English Premier League team. The Manchester City FC store features a full range of Club merchandise, including a shirt printing service to create personalized items.
A few minutes away from the Corniche Beach, this mall features distinctive Islamic architecture and over 160 shops. Highlights include UK department stores Debenhams and BHS, its many cafés and restaurants, and a large food court. There is also an amusement centre with arcade games, a brand new dedicated 3D cinema and a bowling alley.
This mall has an inviting, spacious sun roofed design and a myriad of side passages to satisfy curious shoppers. It has a wide range of stores, large and small, local and international, as well as a large supermarket and plenty of dining choices.
Where: Near the Central Bus Stop and Grand Millennium Al Wahda Hotel, Abu Dhabi
This contemporary revival of a historic district within the heart of the city – the old Central Market, which was the business and trading hub - is now a fully integrated, mixed-use development with a mall, a modern souk, offices, and residences.
On the site of the original commercial district and spanning three levels, this contemporary interpretation of a traditional Abu Dhabi market is connected to the WTC Mall by Khalifa Bridge. The souk has everything from traditional artifacts, henna and spices to jewellery, Arabic perfumes, clothing and accessories.
With a fusion of classic Arabian architecture and modern design, WTC Souk also has public squares, a central atrium with a retractable roof and rooftop gardens.
Featuring the region’s first House of Fraser and several Abu Dhabi firsts – including Karen Millen, BCBG and Missoni, the mall has a wide selection of casual dining options – including Shakespeare & Co and the Asian-themed, American casual restaurant P.F. Chang, an eight-screen cinema and more than 3,000m2 of terraces and landscaped rooftop gardens.
Its two central atriums sit under a fully retractable roof. There’s ample underground parking with a valet parking service.
Al Raha houses a mixture of entertainment, leisure, and shopping (including fashion). Two cinemas show the latest movies and many cafés, restaurants, and a food court offer a choice of dining. There is also a kids' entertainment area. The mall is located at Al Raha district, Abu Dhabi.
On the Abu Dhabi Al Ain Highway, Opposite Mohammed Bin Zayed City, moments away from Maqta Bridge and Abu Dhabi International Airport, this mall is a good shopping and entertainment destination, with stores offering the latest fashion brands and entertainment facilities for all ages.
This attractive community hub is part of the Bawabat Al Sharq Project, a multi-billion Dirham mixed-use real estate development in Abu Dhabi’s Baniyas area. With expansive spaces and natural lighting, the mall is home to many world-renowned brands and features 150 stores, a Carrefour, Grand Cinemas, over 22 restaurants and cafes, and ample parking.
This bright, modern mall has over 175 stores selling everything from greeting cards to gold jewellery. Anchor stores include Grand Stores, Home Centre and Paris Gallery.
The largest mall in Al Ain, Bawadi Mall has over 400 shops, representing both international and regional brands, and a range of high street and designer names, a food court, and many casual dining outlets.
Family entertainment includes a ski village, rollercoaster, an eight-screen cinema and a bowling alley. The Heritage Village features beautiful Islamic architecture and shops selling classic souvenirs like gold, carpets, and handicrafts in a traditional souk environment. There are also two outdoor markets, Bawadi and Al Qaws.
In the heart of Al Ain’s bustling Hili district, this mall has 150+ shops and a premium selection of men’s, women’s, and children’s fashion, apparel and accessories, electronic appliances, household goods, home décor and furnishing, coffee shops, restaurants, family entertainment, and a food court. The mall is also linked to the soon-to-open five-star Hili Rayhaan by Rotana.
This is Al Ain's newest entertainment and shopping centre. From fashion to accessories, books to toys, home ware to restaurants, and a kids’ entertainment area everything is under one roof. There is also a 12 multiplex screen theatre.
This is the first mall in Mohamed Bin Zayed City. With wide open spaces and lots of natural light, it features a wide range of fashion and sports shops, toys, cosmetics, jewellery, books, home furnishing, electronics and a Lulu express hypermarket.
An expansive, three-floor retail megaplex with a mix of shopping, dining, leisure, and entertainment, Mushrif Mall offers everything from luxury fashion to electronic goods and furniture and Arabia’s biggest food court featuring the first Jimmy’s Killer Prawns brand in Abu Dhabi.
Where: Airport Road, close to Hilton Capital Grand
The centre exclusively offers home furnishings from major names such as Home Centre and Home Box stores, which sell affordable home furniture and accessory products.
Where: Hamdan Street, Abu Dhabi
This centre is one of the first shopping malls of Abu Dhabi and still popular for its old world shopping charm. The compact shopping venue offers a range of jewellery, watches, electronics, perfumes, garments and family entertainment and features a few popular restaurants.
Malls offer shopping, dining, entertainment, and cultural events all in one place.
Yas Mall, Abu Dhabi Mall, Marina Mall, Al Wahda Mall, and Reem Mall.
Yes, especially during Eid and Ramadan with shows, raffles, and promotions.
World Trade Centre Mall offers both souk-style and modern retail.
It has 400+ stores and Abu Dhabi’s first indoor snow park, Snow Abu Dhabi.
Marina Mall, located on the breakwater, is close to the Corniche.
Yes, most have kids’ zones, cinemas, and entertainment options.
Popular malls include Al Ain Mall, Al Jimi Mall, and Bawadi Mall.