10 Best Places to Go Shopping in Abu Dhabi

Marina Mall is one of the most striking shopping centres 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, cinema, and a couple of adventure parks make the mall a great day out.

Here, stores lean heavily towards 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 centres, spanning over 232,257 square metres and 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 over 5,000 square metres – it's packed with activities for the kids.

Al Wahda Mall is a sprawling shopping centre right next to the home ground of Al Wahda Football Club – hence the name. While it opened with a comparatively paltry 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 centre 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 jewellery in Abu Dhabi. The gold centre is such a prominent part of the facility that it’s part of the mall’s full name and there are plenty of gemstone outlets dotted around inside, too.

Other than glittering accessories, the Madinat Zayed Shopping Centre is anchored by a large LuLu Supermarket and hosts a range of fashion outlets. There are a few eateries, but the choice is very limited. There are also no major entertainment options. Basically, it’s all about the gold and jewels.

Abu Dhabi Mall is in the heart of the city, making it a great choice if you need something specific. With over 200 stores, it could easily be something extremely specific and you’ll probably find it here. Many of the stores are big-name fashion brands such as Zara, Calvin Klein, and Tommy Hilfiger, but there are also department stores, furniture stores, as well as banking and healthcare services.

If you’d rather make a day of your visit to Abu Dhabi Mall, you’ll find a great range of international eateries as well as some excellent entertainment options, including cinemas and activity centres. The mall even has an attached hotel with a pool and its own little beach.

The Galleria Al Maryah Island certainly ranks among the most glamourous 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 shops 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, Dolce & Gabbana, and so on. 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 romantic 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 handiworks. You can even see the craftspeople at work in the small round huts around the centre (but remember to remove your shoes before entering each).

While the selection is limited, you can be sure that your souvenir is at least 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 Hermes, Chloe, Stephane Rolland, Tom Ford, and so on. In many cases, Avenue has Abu Dhabi's only outlet for such brands.

As you might expect of such a venue, the list of dining and entertainment options at Avenue is extremely limited. However, Etihad Towers does also contain the Observation Deck at 300 – one of Abu Dhabi’s more popular attractions and eateries.

Al Mina Souk is exactly what its name suggests it is – a local market at the port. Specifically, it’s right by the place where the old-fashioned dhows dock, coming and going laden with exotic spices, raw ingredients, and local wares. The resulting market is a loud and chaotic place, but worth the visit if you’re looking for a unique experience and low-cost goods.

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