Dubai is a very well-known destination for shopping and the Dubai Mall is one of the biggest shopping centers in the world. However, there’s a lot more to this mega structure apart from shopping and eating. Hence, we have created this amazing, detailed list of things to do in Dubai Mall apart from shopping.
We spent a week in Dubai and had we not designed our elaborate 7 day Dubai itinerary, we might have spent the entire 7 days without stepping out of the Dubai Mall! That’s how long the list of things to do in Dubai Mall goes.
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Answering some FAQs
Before delving into the must have experiences in the Dubai Mall, here are some quick facts about this integral part of Downtown Dubai.
Is Dubai Mall Biggest in the World?
Dubai Mall used to be the biggest mall in the world when it opened in 2008. However, it still ranks in the top 10 biggest malls in the world.
How big is the Dubai Mall?
With a total internal area of 5.9 million sq. ft., 1300 retail stores, 2 anchor department stores and more than 200 food and beverage outlets make the Dubai Mall a mall like no other.
How Much Does It Cost to go to the Dubai Mall?
Entry to the Dubai Mall is absolutely free. Covered parking is also free!
What is the best time to visit Dubai Mall?
If you wish to explore the mall without the crowds, visit during the opening time of 10 AM. However, the mall becomes pretty happening by evening as it is so much more than just a shopping experience. Hence, a trip in the evening during the week is the best time visit the Dubai Mall.
How To Reach the Dubai Mall?
The best and most economical way to reach the Dubai Mall is via metro. Drop down at the Dubai Mall/ Burj Khalifa metro station and the follow the path ways to reach the Dubai Mall. Of course, if you follow our guide to the best area to stay in Dubai, you shall opt to stay in downtown Dubai itself and save yourself the commute!
Timings:
The Dubai Mall is open on all days and the timings are as follows:
Sunday to Thursday: 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Friday and Saturday: 10:00 AM to 12:00 AM (midnight)
COVID Safety Guidelines:
- All physical ticket counters have been closed and tickets need to be bought online through official ticketing partners only. We have included links for the tickets to all the attractions in this blog post for your convenience.
- All visitors must undergo thermal screening before entering
- All visitors, including kids, must wear face masks.
- They have changed the seating in common areas in the mall in order to adhere to social distancing norms.
Now that we have the basics covered, let’s explore all the must have experiences of the Dubai Mall!
Things to do in Dubai Mall: Visit the Burj Khalifa
Though technically not inside the mall, the world’s tallest building – The Burj Khalifa is right beside the Dubai Mall. Before COVID you were supposed to buy the tickets from the office inside the mall.
However, now online ticket purchases are the only options. You can buy a regular ticket here and visit the 128th floor in the world’s fastest elevator or this ticket to the observation deck on the 148th floor!
We also recommend this highly rated breakfast/tea in the clouds experience for a breakfast or high tea on the 155th floor!
Things to do in Dubai Mall: Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo
The Dubai Mall hosts the largest suspended water tank in the world holding 10 million liters of water! This tank contains 33,000 aquatic creatures representing 140 different marine species!
The tank can be viewed from the mall itself for free. However, the underwater zoo and the 48-meter-long, 270-degree glass tunnel is what makes this place special.
Buy the entry tickets here as the ticket counters have been closed due to COVID and online tickets tend to sell out pretty quickly.
A very popular option to save time and money is to buy a combined ticket to the Aquarium and the Burj Khalifa like this one.
Things to do in Dubai Mall: Dubai Fountain
This is one of the many free things to do in Dubai. This attraction starts at 6:00 PM and takes place at an interval of every 30 minutes. The fountain show takes place in the Burj lake and is accurately synchronized the Arabic, Western and sometimes, Indian music.
The Best place to experience this fountain is from the iconic bridge over the Burj lake, an Abra ride in the lake or from the 128th floor of the Burj Khalifa. Time your trip on time.
Things to do in Dubai Mall: Dubai Ice Rink
This experience was something that surprised us the most on our trip to the Dubai Mall!
They have managed to maintain a fully functional, glazing ice rink, regardless of the temperature outside!
Lace up a pair of skates and hit the rink, forgetting all about the blistering heat outside the mall. If you don’t know how to skate, this is the perfect place to try it for the first time. They have some pretty unique skating aids available for kids as well as adults! If you’re traveling to Dubai with kids, they’ll absolutely love this activity. Check out all other child friendly activities in our detailed guide on things to do in Dubai with kids!
Buy your tickets in advance over here as entry is limited to adhere to COVID protocols.
Things to do in Dubai Mall: Dubai Dino
Another one of absolutely free things to do in Dubai is to marvel at this majestic remnant of the pre-historic era.
The Dubai Dino is an original fossil of a real dinosaur, displayed at the Grand Atrium of the mall standing 7 meters tall and 25 meters long! Check it out to satisfy that curious paleontologist inside you and get a glimpse of the Jurassic era.
Things to do in Dubai Mall: Human Waterfall
This beautiful spectacle in the middle of the Dubai Mall is a representation of Dubai’s once-flourishing yet dangerous pearl farming profession. The cylindrical waterfall spans throughout the entire height of the mall and features sculptures of pearl divers in action.
It’s a great spot to sit down for a coffee and people watch inside the mall.
Things to do in Dubai Mall: Infinity De Lumieres
One of the newer attractions in the Dubai Mall, Infinity de Lumieres brings to life classic and exquisite art works with the use of technology. Sit in a corner and take in this spectacle of light and sound around you.
They have a number of themes like the Van Gogh Exhibit, Dreamed Japan, Verse and Destination Cosmos.
The Exhibit is located on level two of the Dubai Mall and you need to buy the tickets in advance here. Entry is limited to adhere to COVID protocols.
Things to do in Dubai Mall: VR Park
The Dubai mall has one of the most advanced VR parks in the world. It was easily one of our favorite attractions because of its sheer variety of experiences.
Select from a range of activities like the Dubai Drop, Dune Bash, Dubai Drone and The Raft! There are more than 30 other rides for an epic experience in the virtual and augmented reality space.
Buy your tickets online here as entry is limited due to COVID restrictions.
Things to do in Dubai Mall: Ekart Zabeel
Head to Ekart Zabil for a one of its kind, indoor electric Go-Kart experience. Race with your friends and family on a professional grade track that Dubai and Abu Dhabi are famous for.
These Go-karts are the most advanced electric karts and the ride experience is entirely different from the more common fuel powered go-karts.
You can race with your family with the Burj Khalifa as the back drop, compare lap times and also share them online.
You can check the requirements like age, height, weight and prices here.
Things to do in Dubai Mall: Candylicious
If you’re traveling to Dubai with kids or are a kid-at-heart, you are going to love this place. This is the biggest candy store in the Middle East. Hence, you can find all the classic and exquisite brands of chocolates you can imagine.
As you enter, you shall see a huge chocolate tree whose trunk, barks and leaves are all made of Chocolate. Moreover, these branches are adorned with chocolates and lollipops of all your favorite brands.
You can also enroll your kids in their amazing activities like Bake-a-licious, Pick and Mix or get your photo imprinted on a candy or chocolate!
Things to do in Dubai Mall: Kidzania
Another, absolutely must-do activities for kids in Dubai is Kidzania.
Here your child can role-play their favorite job in a real life replica model of the world. Not only this, they will earn rewards for their achievements in the form of Kidzos (Kidzania’s own currency). They can perform a surgery, walk the ramp, bake a cake or pilot an airplane while you shop around.
Tickets can be bought here online only as the counters have been closed to adhere to COVID protocols.
Conclusion
These were our favourite things to do in the Dubai Mall and we hope that you enjoy them as well as we did.
Along with all these amazing experiences and shopping, the mall has some of the best restaurants in the Food and Beverages world to satiate any hunger pangs you might have while explore this gigantic, megamall to your heart’s content.
Let us know in the comments if you find our blogs helpful or reach out to us on our Instagram handle @worldwidewander_org for further suggestions.
