10 Best Places to Go Shopping in Abu Dhabi

Marina Mall is one of the most striking shopping malls in Abu Dhabi, with more than 400 retail outlets under its roof. Poking out of that roof is a 30-storey observation tower with a revolving restaurant, which offers some spectacular views across the city and the Arabian Gulf. This, along with a bowling alley, movie theatre and a couple of adventure parks, make the mall a great day out.

Here, stores lean heavily toward the luxury end of the spectrum, which includes the likes of Tiffany & Co, Prada, Yves Saint Laurent, Gucci and Hugo Boss. Dining options at Marina Mall are more diverse, with a good range of cafes, fast-food outlets and casual eateries.

Yas Mall is among the country’s largest shopping malls, containing 370 stores, 68 eateries and several other distractions. It’s right at the hub of the lively Yas Island area, with neighbours including Ferrari World, Warner Bros World Abu Dhabi and Yas Waterworld.

The selection of stores in Yas Mall covers a good range of international brands from Adidas to Zara, generally mid-range and upmarket fashion labels. There are also quite a few unique local stores to explore. Families should be sure to check out the scaled replica of Abu Dhabi that spans almost half a hectare; the mall is packed with activities for kids.

Al Wahda Mall is a sprawling shopping mall right next to the home ground of Al Wahda Football Club from which it gets the name. While it opened with a comparatively small offering of just 150 stores in 2007, it has since grown to a total of 350, making it one of Abu Dhabi’s bigger malls.

The range of stores within includes the likes of Gap, Victoria’s Secret, Armani Exchange and Tommy Hilfiger. The dining scene is impressively international, including Chinese, Spanish, Japanese and Indian flavours alongside local restaurants and American fast food.

World Trade Center Mall Abu Dhabi (or WTCAD) is a beautiful shopping mall with a striking design that combines traditional and modern touches. The same could be said of the inside, where you can find a traditional-style souk alongside a reasonable range of noteworthy international brands.

WTCAD offers a full-day experience as it has a good choice of eateries and even nightlife options in the Hub. True to the mall’s name, the dining scene is as representative as the store selection, with offerings from around the world.

Madinat Zayed Shopping Centre is the place to go if you’re specifically looking for jewelry in Abu Dhabi. The gold centre is such a prominent part of the facility that it’s even part of the mall’s official name. There are plenty of gemstone outlets dotted around inside, too, to help you complete your vision.

The mall is anchored by a large LuLu Grocery store and hosts a range of fashion outlets. You’ll also find a few eateries where you can stop and recharge. The main focus, however, is all that glitters so whether you’re looking for a unique gift or a personal piece, you’ll find it here.

Abu Dhabi Mall holds over 200 stores, from big-name international fashion brands such as Zara and Tommy Hilfiger, to department and furniture stores, as well as banking and healthcare services.

You could easily spend all day here with the whole family. You’ll find a great range of eateries as well as some excellent entertainment options, including movie theatres, escape rooms and a children’s music school. The mall even has an attached hotel with a pool and its own little beach.

The Galleria Al Maryah Island ranks among the most glamorous and luxurious of Abu Dhabi's shopping malls, which is really saying something. Everything from the Arabic-styled exterior and glittering glass roof to the extraordinary range of stores and restaurants inside makes shopping here a special experience.

As you might expect of such an introduction, the brands you’ll find in The Galleria include the likes of Dior, BVLGARI, Cartier and Dolce & Gabbana. There are some more mid-range labels, too, including Zara and H&M. The restaurants are certainly not an afterthought: check out 99 Sushi Bar, Zuma, Nusr-Et and Signature by Sanjeev Kapoor. Add the waterfront location and you have a genuinely memorable shopping mall experience.

The Women’s Handicraft Centre is a showcase of local arts and crafts run by the Abu Dhabi Women’s Association. It combines a museum with a small store, helping you learn about and bring home local handicrafts. You can even see the craftspeople at work in the small round huts surrounding the centre, but remember to remove your shoes before entering.

The selection is carefully curated so you can be sure that your souvenir is unique. Options include distinctive Arabian oils, incense, local dresses and silver thread work, among others. You can also get henna designs drawn on your hands here.

Avenue at Etihad Towers is one of the smallest malls in Abu Dhabi in terms of the number of stores. However, while it only covers 2 floors of the landmark structure, the stores available are all very exclusive. Think Stefano Ricci, Tom Ford and the handmade suits of Kiton. In many cases, Avenue has Abu Dhabi’s only outlet for such brands.

As you might expect of such a venue, dining is not the focus here, though you will find some very good coffee. For more robust refreshment we recommend you head up to the Observation Deck at 300, where you’ll find not only a full sit-down cafe but also the highest vantage point in Abu Dhabi.

Souq Al Mina is exactly what its name suggests, a local market at the port. Specifically, it’s by the harbour where traditional dhow boats arrive laden with spices, raw ingredients and handmade wares. The market is loud and chaotic, but worth the visit if you’re looking for a unique experience and low-cost goods.

There are actually several markets at Souq Al Mina, including a flower bazaar, fish market, dates market and homewares in the Iranian Market. Just around the corner is the Carpet Souq, where you can find fine rugs at far better prices than in the big Abu Dhabi malls. Note that the stallholders might not be as fluent in English as your average mall shop assistant.