Best Shopping Tours in Abu Dhabi

What You Should Know More About Shopping in Abu Dhabi

• Q. What are the best places to shop in Abu Dhabi?

  Marina Mall
  
  Shopping in Abu Dhabi means nothing unless you visit the city’s leading shopping destination, the Marina Mall. Spread over 5 floors and 1 lakh sq.m, the mall is home to 400 plus outlets, including designer showrooms, beauty centres, interior decor stores and electronics stores. There’s also a suave Mercedes-Benz Showroom, a bowling alley, and a cinema hall. The latest addition is an amusement arcade with a trampoline, slides, slacklines, zip lines and a free-fall experience, that makes this mall truly delightful!
  
  Location: Corniche Road,Al Marina, Abu Dhabi
  
  Abu Dhabi Mall
  
  Abu Dhabi Mall provides more than 200 outlets including top brands like Zara and Pandora, among others. There are plenty of gastronomic restaurants, a childrens’ play area and a cineplex along with extravagant brands that include not just clothing but home interior, jewellery, and departmental stores like Jashanmal and Grand Stores.
  
  Location: Street # 2, Tourist Club, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
  
  Al Raha Mall
  
  A blend of entertainment, fine dining, and shopping is what you can expect here. There are two movie theatres, a kids’ play area, and numerous cafes and restaurants lined up to quench your thirst and tantalise your tastebuds. 
  
  Location: Al Raha district, Abu Dhabi
  
  Al Wahda Mall
  
  Situated right next to Abu Dhabi’s football stadium that goes by the same name, Al Wahda offers over 350 retail brands and is spread across 3.3 million square feet. Shops include deluxe brands like Armani and Gap, among other prominent names.
  
  Location: Al Wahda - Hazza Bin Zayed St - Old Airport Rd - Abu Dhabi - United Arab Emirates
  
  Gold Souk Abu Dhabi
  
  If you haven’t seen Gold Souk in Abu Dhabi, you’ve seen nothing yet! The plethora of options will leave you spoilt for choice, while the bright gold jewellery will leave you dazzled with its beauty. There are over 100 shops selling gold, diamonds and pearls in both, traditional and trendy styles. Gold is apparently sold at the best prices in the UAE and you can often bargain at smaller shops, especially on the making charges. Be it bangles, earrings, necklaces or rings, you’re sure to find it at the most frequented Gold Souk. 
  
  Location: Between Airport Road and Murour Road, off Sheikh Zayed the 1st Road, Abu Dhabi
  
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• Q. Which malls are best for shopping in Abu Dhabi?

  Yas Mall
  
  The ultimate mall for shopping in Abu Dhabi, Yas Mall offers entertainment, shopping, and dining, all under one roof. The sprawling 2.5 million square feet mall has over 370 stores and boasts of international brands like Lacoste and Calvin Klein to name a few. There are over 60 restaurants and cafes where you can drop after you shop!
  
  Location: Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates 
  
  Dalma Mall
  
  This spacious mall in Abu Dhabi has a cinema, a kids’ play area, and an adventure sports centre for those who seek some thrill. There are over 450 stores, including luxury brands, food courts, cafes, and fine-dine restaurants too. 
  
  Location: 19th St - Abu Dhabi - United Arab Emirates
  
  Serta - Al Seef Village
  
  The Serta offers a unique shopping and dining experience. The indoor mall provides entertainment options and a horde of stores where luxury shoppers can indulge. Just behind the mall is a Mexican inspired outdoor street market, where you’ll find an extensive selection of products, at reasonable prices!
  
  Location: Al Salaam Street, Abu Dhabi
  
  Khalidiyah Mall
  
  One of the older places to shop in Abu Dhabi, Khalidiyah Mall is designed in traditional Arabic architecture but the modern high-street brands it houses, paint an interesting picture. There’s a supermarket, a departmental store, a theatre, a kids’ entertainment area and a bowling arcade for the seniors to experience a fun time too.
  
  Location: Khalidiyah - Mubarak Bin Mohammed St - Abu Dhabi - United Arab Emirates
  
  Bawabat al Sharq Mall
  
  This expansive mall features over 150 stores and over 20 restaurants. There are renowned brands to shop from, including the Arab favourite, Carrefour, and delectable food to eat!
  
  Location: Baniyas City, near Mohammed bin Zayed, Abu Dhabi - United Arab Emirates
  
  Mushrif Mall
  
  Being one of the older shopping malls in the vicinity, Mushrif Mall may not be as huge as the modern ones, but it does have some popular brands and caters well to entertainment needs with a kids’ zone and a theatre. 
  
  Location: Airport Road - Abu Dhabi - United Arab Emirates
  
  Mazyad Mall
  
  Mazyad Mall is centrally located and offers some great options for leisure and shopping in Abu Dhabi. There’s abundant natural light entering through the dome which makes for unique architecture. The stores offer unique products too, with innumerable options ranging from fashion to furnishings and toys to electronics, among a host of others. 
  
  Location: 28th Street, Near Mussaffah - Abu Dhabi - United Arab Emirates
  
  Madinat Zayed Shopping Centre
  
  If you’re into exclusive products, Madinat Zayed is the place to be! The mall offers an assortment of high-end products including perfumes, groceries, homeware, electronics and more. There are over 70 jewellery stores alone within the premises, with Abu Dhabi’s only Gold Centre shining among the others!
  
  Location: Sultan Bin Zayed the First St - Abu Dhabi - United Arab Emirates
  
  The Galleria
  
  This vast, modernly designed space on Al Maryah Island features luxury stores like Jimmy Choo and D&C, along with restaurants offering global cuisines. The Galleria promises to be a shopping paradise, even if you’re the most selective shopper out there. 
  
  Location: Al Falah St - Abu Dhabi - United Arab Emirates
  
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• Q. Which markets in Abu Dhabi are best for shopping?

  Abu Dhabi Dates Market
  
  Known to be one of the best markets for date shopping in Abu Dhabi, you’ll find a huge range of the rich fruit here and you’ll also get the best prices at this market. The best time to buy these are during August to December when they are in season. Try the assortment before making a choice.
  
  Location: Zayed Port, Near Mina Market, Mina Zayed - Abu Dhabi - United Arab Emirates
  
  Khalifa City A Market
  
  Situated in one of the posh localities of Abu Dhabi, Khalifa City A Market comprises several large supermarket chains, including the prominent, Spar. The road is lined with grocery shops, salons and more that have bright pink exteriors, which are local favourites. You’ll also find major malls here like the Etihad Plaza and the Boutik Mall if you want to explore some of the finer brands. 
  
  Location: SW-2 - Abu Dhabi - United Arab Emirates
  
  Abu Dhabi Farmers' Market
  
  Just like many other farmers markets, UAE too has a market where local farms sell their fresh produce at reasonable prices. The fruits and vegetables here are better than those in supermarkets and the low prices make the purchase absolutely worth it.
  
  Location: Suhayb Al Roumi St
  
  Souk Al Zafarana
  
  A gem among the places to shop in Abu Dhabi is Souk Al Zafrana known for its rich spices, local coffee and coffee pots, incense, and handicrafts that keep up the traditional culture of Abu Dhabi. There is a unique section for women, catered to by women as well. 
  
  Location: Al Jimi,Al Ain - Abu Dhabi - United Arab Emirates
  
  Al Ain Souk
  
  Known as the Old Marketplace, Al Ain Souk is the perfect place to test your bargaining skills. Here you’ll find farm fresh produce, an aromatic spice shop, dates, pickles, honey, fresh seafood, and the Arabic speciality, Omani Halwa. From fragrances to fashion accessories, and clothing to curries, you’re sure to find everything here! Even smoking pipes! 
  
  Heritage Village
  
  Shop here for artefacts, pottery and artistically woven fabrics. There’s metal work, spinning, weaving and more, with craftsmen sharing insights and allowing visitors to try their hands at the craft. There’s also a small shop that sells spices and soaps, which make for great souvenirs
  
  Location: Near Marina Mall - Abu Dhabi Theatre Rd, Corniche - Breakwater Rd - Abu Dhabi - United Arab Emirates
  
  Carpet Souk
  
  One of the most beautiful markets in the capital city, Carpet Souk, as the name suggests, offers an exemplary range of handwoven carpets. Some of the most unique ones are those which have the maximum knots per inch, or are woven in silk. Along with carpets, you’ll also find intricately designed mats and cushion covers here. 
  
  Location: 437 Al Meena St - Abu Dhabi - United Arab Emirates
  
  The Mall World Trade Centre
  
  Housed amongst the highest skyscrapers of Abu Dhabi, The Mall is a one-stop shop for all your shopping needs, especially if you’re into antique products like wood carvings and traditional items that explore Arab heritage. This spot is known for its clothing and souvenirs too. 
  
  Location: Garden Tower, Abu Dhabi
  
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• Q. What should I take as a souvenir from Abu Dhabi?

  Date Chocolates
  
  There are over 200 varieties of rich dates in Abu Dhabi, some of the most popular ones being those dipped and coated in flavoured chocolate. It’s like giving the gift of health to your loved ones.
  
  Louvre Gift Shop
  
  The Louvre Abu Dhabi maybe a striking sight, but what stands out is the gift shop here. It is a hub for coffee table books, bookmarks, stationery and vases with replicas of the Louvre, Paris artworks, that make for unique souvenirs, especially for art lovers. 
  
  Arabic Coffee
  
  Arabic Coffee is strong and not everyone’s ‘cup of tea’. It usually involves ground spices and is very bitter, but goes well with sweet dishes that neutralise the aftertaste. Shopping in Abu Dhabi isn’t complete without this.
  
  Pearl Jewellery
  
  If you’re looking for some high-end gifts for your loved ones, pearl jewellery is one of the best options. Pearls are rare finds searched out by expert divers and make for some truly opulent jewellery.
  
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• Q. What is famous in Abu Dhabi for shopping?

  Gold Jewellery: Shopping in Abu Dhabi for gold is an exciting experience because of the extensive array they offer. There’s opulent wedding jewellery as well as gold coins that you can purchase as an investment.
  
  Carpets: The mesmerising range of carpets originating from Afghanistan, Turkey, China and Central Asia will leave you ‘floor’ed! The finest and most expensive being the handwoven silk ones. Make sure you understand carpet quality and bargain well before going ahead with your purchase. 
  
  Arabic Perfume: Arabic perfumes are unique in the sense that they are sold as blocks or chips, derived from the resin of the Agar Wood Tree. These perfumes have a variety of distinctive scents and are accompanied by a special burner. Make sure to pick up an elaborate perfume bottle to store it all in. 
  
  Dates, Chocolates and Sweets: Iranian Caviar that’s reasonable and delicious, Camel’s milk chocolate, and of course, Arabic Dates are some of the best buys! Dates are even dipped in various flavours or sold as jams and preserves. 
  
  Sougha: An initiative that uplifts local Arabic craftsmen, sougha provides a range of cushion covers, notebooks, wallets, bags, containers and more, all painstakingly handmade by women artisans who earn a living by showcasing their skills. The products are made from natural eco-friendly materials, as well as traditional textiles.

• Q. Is Abu Dhabi expensive for shopping?

  Shopping in Abu Dhabi can prove to be a great experience if you possess strong bargaining skills. A lot of the products are tax-free, especially in the malls, but unfortunately, you cannot bargain here.
  
  Other places to shop in Abu Dhabi are independent stores, where you can bargain as well. Prices range from cheap to high, depending on the product you want to buy, but sales at malls are usually held in December and July, so you could plan your trip during these months.
  
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