Dubai shopping 2026: malls, outlets, souks and where it's cheapest

In short

Dubai is essentially duty-free. VAT is just 5 % and tourists can claim it back. Two big sale seasons a year, every world brand, and three lanes to choose: malls, outlets, traditional souks. Below — where it actually pays off and what to watch for.

Big malls

• Dubai Mall — world's largest, 1,200+ stores, aquarium, Burj Khalifa fountains. Metro Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall + travelator. Zara to Chanel, food court for 200
• Mall of the Emirates — Ski Dubai, Magic Planet, more compact, half a day. Metro Mall of the Emirates
• City Walk — open-air mall with European feel, boutiques and restaurants
• Ibn Battuta Mall — themed halls (Tunisia, Andalusia, Persia) — worth seeing for the design, prices below Dubai Mall
• Mercato in Jumeirah — Italian Renaissance style, mid-tier

Outlets

This is where the real discounts live: 30–80 % off last-season global brands.

• Dubai Outlet Mall — 240 stores, further from centre, taxi from Marina ~70 AED
• The Outlet Village in Jebel Ali — premium: Burberry, Coach, Michael Kors, Versace at outlet prices

Traditional souks

• Gold Souk in Deira — dozens of shops, 18–24K gold, price = market rate + workmanship (~10–20 % over). Bargain — that's expected. Always ask for the certificate and hallmark
• Spice Souk next door — saffron, sumac, hibiscus tea, nuts. Sold by weight, 50–200 AED per pack
• Textile Souk in Bur Dubai — Indian silks, pashminas, custom tailoring overnight
• Perfume Souk — Arabic oil perfumes (oud, attar), try, bargain
• Souk Madinat Jumeirah — souk-styled for tourists: cleaner, pricier, but photogenic

Tax refund

Since Jan 1, 2018 the UAE runs VAT refund for tourists. 5 % on purchases above 250 AED is reclaimable at the airport.

1. At the till ask for a Tax-Free receipt — staff will scan your passport
2. At the airport find the Planet Tax Free desk before bag drop
3. Show receipts (and goods, if asked)
4. Refund to card or cash (with commission)

Minus a 1 % service fee. On a 1,000 AED purchase you get back about 40 AED.

Sale seasons

• Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) — late December to late January, discounts up to 90 %, raffles, shows
• Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS) — July 1 to September 2, summer sales + family entertainment
• White Friday — last weekend of November, the local Black Friday
• Ramadan and Eid — special offers in major malls

What's actually worth bringing back

• Dates Bateel and Al Foah — premium, perfect gift
• Saffron — Iranian, 30–40 % cheaper than European prices at the spice souk
• Arabic oil perfumes — original oud and rose
• Gold — if you need it, often beats Western per-gram pricing on workmanship
• Camel milk and chocolate Al Nassma — local exotica
• Electronics — iPhone, MacBook, Bose, typically 5–15 % below European prices

Tips

• Get Talabat and Careem — delivery from malls and merchants
• Malls have free prayer rooms — useful as quick break spots
• In the Gold Souk never accept the first price — real discount sits at 15–25 %
• Compare Sharaf DG vs Jumbo Electronics — sometimes 10 % gap

Want a one-day driver-led tour of the right malls/souks? Tell us what you're after and we'll plan the route.