Shopping is a big part of the trip to Dubai for many - and the shopping is absolutely world-class. Not always cheap, but the range is truly enormous.

Dubai has more large and luxurious shopping malls than anywhere else in the world. A look at Wikipedia shows that the emirate has over 70 malls - and more are on the way. Here are some of the best, the ones you shouldn't miss as a visitor to Dubai.

Dubai Mall - the biggest shopping destination

The world's largest shopping mall! The Dubai Mall has a floor area larger than 50 football pitches and contains 1200 shops. It also features the spectacular Dubai Aquarium and Under Water Zoo, with a huge aquarium wall (see photo above) facing the shopping streets, an ice skating rink, the SEGA Republic games park and a 22-screen cinema. The Dubai Mall now also houses the skeleton of a dinosaur (!), which the mall's owners bought last year.

Dubai Mall is next door Burj Khalifa and the mall is where you buy tickets to the viewing platform of the world's tallest building - if you haven't already ordered the tickets online.
" www.thedubaimall.com

Mall of the Emirates - shopping and skiing

Perhaps Dubai's most talked-about mall, at least before the Dubai Mall opened, houses 450 shops, 75 restaurants, an amusement park - and the famous indoor ski slope Ski Dubai. Holiday shoppers need never leave the Mall of the Emirates, as the complex is also home to the five-star Kempinski hotel.
" www.malloftheemirates.com

Burjuman Center

Called "the world's most luxurious shopping destination", it has a wide range of designer brands, including Saks 5th Avenue, DKNY, Fendi, Dior and Hermes - as well as a Virgin Megastore. A total of 300 shops and plenty of restaurants and cafés. Originally one of Dubai's first malls, it has been renovated and expanded in stages. Most recently in 2011.
" www.burjuman.com

Wafi City

One of the most elegant malls in Dubai, which is saying something. The Egypt-inspired complex houses over 200 shops plus restaurants. There's a walkway inside to the newly built Raffles Hotel.
" www.wafi.com

Deira City Centre

Was the pioneer among Dubai's malls when it opened in 1995, and is still very popular with residents. In addition to hundreds of shops, there is a cinema with eleven lounges and a food market with a wide variety of tastes. Perfect for those who want good fast food, but avoid McDonalds and KFC.
" www.deiracitycentre.com

Mercato

Located near the beach along Jumeirah Beach Road, this small but exclusive mall is said to be inspired by both the Renaissance and Italian marketplaces. More than 90 shops, a cinema and a playground for children.
" www.mercatoshoppingmall.com

Ibn Battuta Shopping Mall

Gigantic gallery with the Arab explorer Ibn Battuta's travels through China, India, Persia and Egypt as the theme for the interior. It houses the region's first IMAX cinema and the world's largest mirror maze.
" www.ibnbattutamall.com

Dubai Outlet Mall - shopping at bargain prices

The Middle East's only "outlet" has 240 stores and 800 brands. Depending on supply, timing and luck, you can find brand-name clothes 30 to 90 percent cheaper than the regular price.
" www.dubaioutletmall.com

Map of Dubai shopping malls

• A list of all shopping malls in Dubai can be found here.

Film about shopping in Dubai

This clip from Visit Dubai gives you a taste of what shopping in Dubai is like, but remember that it doesn't always have to be as ultra-luxurious as the clip shows. There are more shops and brands than just the world's most expensive designers.

(Page updated 2015-09-03.)