The Dubai Mall: What to See and How to Plan a Visit

Set in Downtown Dubai on Financial Centre Road, The Dubai Mall is a large shopping and entertainment destination developed by Emaar Properties PJSC. Its official overview lists more than 1,200 retail outlets and more than 200 international dining experiences, so it helps to choose a few priorities before you arrive rather than trying to cover everything in one visit.

The mix extends beyond shops and restaurants. The mall’s attractions include Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo, KidZania, Reel Cinemas, Dubai Ice Rink and PlayDXB. The Dubai Fountain is also among its listed attractions, just outside beside Burj Lake.

For a quieter change of setting nearby, Souk Al Bahar sits alongside the mall. It has more than 100 shops and 22 restaurants, cafés and lounges, with views of Burj Khalifa and the fountain.

Fashion Avenue is the mall’s luxury shopping and dining area, with more than 150 experiences. If it is on your list, include it as one of your main stops and plan the rest of your visit around the attractions you want to see.

Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo is on Level 2. The mall describes it as home to more than 140 marine species, with a 270-degree walk-through tunnel. Its published hours are 10:00 AM–10:00 PM daily.

For other family-friendly or entertainment stops, KidZania is on Level 2 and lists hours of 10:00 AM–10:00 PM every day; PlayDXB is also on Level 2 and lists hours of 10:00 AM–10:00 PM Monday through Thursday and 10:00 AM–12:00 AM Friday through Sunday.

Dubai Ice Rink is on the Ground Floor, with published hours of 10:00 AM–10:00 PM Sunday through Thursday and 10:00 AM–12:00 AM Friday and Saturday.

These attractions have different locations and schedules, so pick the ones that suit your plans and check their current details before setting out. The hours above are the published regular schedules.

Roda Al Murooj Residences is about a 14-minute walk from The Dubai Mall. You can also reach the Burj Khalifa / Dubai Mall station in about 17 minutes on foot or about 11 minutes by car from the hotel.

The mall’s Level 2 link bridge, near Fashion Catwalk, connects directly to Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall Metro Station. RTA buses serve the Zabeel Tourist Bus Pick-Up area, which has ticket vending machines onsite. If you take a taxi, the designated RTA pick-up point is at the Zabeel Parking P3 exit.

For ride-hailing, the mall lists pick-up points at Lower Ground near DU, P3 Cinema Parking outside The Village, the P4 Fashion Lobby in the Fashion Avenue Expansion, and the P3 Zabeel Parking Taxi Stand.

Listed drop-off points are P1 Fashion Parking Main Lobby, Chinatown Main Entrance and the P3 Zabeel Parking Taxi Stand. Check the relevant pick-up or drop-off point in your app before arranging a ride.

Retailers are listed as open daily from 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM Monday through Thursday, and from 10:00 AM to 12:00 AM Friday through Sunday.

Restaurants and food courts are listed as open daily from 10:00 AM to 12:00 AM Monday through Thursday, and from 10:00 AM to 1:00 AM Friday through Sunday. These are regular weekly hours; check the official Dubai Mall site before you go, especially if you plan to visit on a holiday.

If you drive, Grand, Cinema and Fashion parking have four free hours Monday through Thursday and six free hours Friday through Sunday. Zabeel and Fountain Views are listed as free parking zones.

Paid parking in the Grand, Cinema and Fashion zones requires an activated Salik tag and account, with fees deducted from the Salik account. The mall’s parking terms state that applicable paid zones have no parking-fee exemption on public holidays.

Concierge desks offer wheelchair and baby-stroller loans. The stated refundable retainer is AED 1,000 for either item, and a valid ID or cash deposit is required. An in-mall chauffeur buggy service is complimentary and can be booked at a Concierge Desk.

Burj Khalifa is a natural pairing with a mall visit, and the Dubai Fountain is beside the mall on Burj Lake. The fountain’s listed afternoon shows are at 1:00 PM and 1:30 PM Saturday through Thursday, and at 2:00 PM and 2:30 PM Friday.

Evening shows run daily every 30 minutes from 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM. Check the official Dubai Mall site before you go for current show information.

For a broader route through the area, use this one-day Downtown Dubai sightseeing plan to organize nearby stops. If you want to go up the tower, see the guide to Burj Khalifa tickets, views and getting there. Dubai Opera and Souk Al Bahar are also identified as nearby Downtown Dubai landmarks.

Dubai Mall Zabeel is an extension linked to the main mall by an air-conditioned bridge. It opened in 2019 and added 3,000 parking spaces, giving you another part of the wider mall complex to factor into your plans.