<strong>Shopper's paradise: </strong>With dozens of malls across the city, Dubai is heaven for those who enjoy a bit of retail therapy. It is home to the world's largest shopping center by total area, Dubai Mall — which is about to get a $408 million expansion, as pictured in this render. <strong>Look through the gallery to see the city's other top shopping spots.</strong>
Shopper's paradise: With dozens of malls across the city, Dubai is heaven for those who enjoy a bit of retail therapy. It is home to the world's largest shopping center by total area, Dubai Mall — which is about to get a $408 million expansion, as pictured in this render. Look through the gallery to see the city's other top shopping spots.
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<strong>Dubai Mall:</strong> Opened in 2008, Dubai Mall has 1,200 shops and a retail floor area of over 5.4 million square feet. It also has luxury brands aplenty, including Burberry, Dior, Prada and Gucci, as well as its own dedicated gold souk. There's also a multiplex cinema, restaurants and Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo.
Dubai Mall: Opened in 2008, Dubai Mall has 1,200 shops and a retail floor area of over 5.4 million square feet. It also has luxury brands aplenty, including Burberry, Dior, Prada and Gucci, as well as its own dedicated gold souk. There's also a multiplex cinema, restaurants and Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo.
Rebecca Cairns/CNN
<strong>Mall of the Emirates: </strong>With space for over 600 shops, Mall of the Emirates opened in 2005. Arguably its most famous attraction is Ski Dubai, the first indoor ski slope in the Middle East. The mall also contains a luxury hotel and the Dubai Community Theatre and Arts Centre.
Mall of the Emirates: With space for over 600 shops, Mall of the Emirates opened in 2005. Arguably its most famous attraction is Ski Dubai, the first indoor ski slope in the Middle East. The mall also contains a luxury hotel and the Dubai Community Theatre and Arts Centre.
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<strong>Souk Madinat Jumeirah:</strong> Close to Jumeirah Beach, this souk is a modern take on the city's traditional markets. Touting antiques and artisanal products, it's a good place to pick up souvenirs, while remaining in touching distance of entertainment venues and eateries.
Souk Madinat Jumeirah: Close to Jumeirah Beach, this souk is a modern take on the city's traditional markets. Touting antiques and artisanal products, it's a good place to pick up souvenirs, while remaining in touching distance of entertainment venues and eateries.
Rebecca Cairns/CNN
<strong>Ibn Battuta Mall: </strong>The unmistakable Ibn Battuta Mall takes its interior design seriously. Its themed zones are based on the journeys of 14th century Moroccan traveler Ibn Battuta, and includes areas dedicated to Persia (pictured), Egypt, Tunisia, India, China and Andalusia. There's 275 retailers and space for a scale replica of a Chinese junk too.
Ibn Battuta Mall: The unmistakable Ibn Battuta Mall takes its interior design seriously. Its themed zones are based on the journeys of 14th century Moroccan traveler Ibn Battuta, and includes areas dedicated to Persia (pictured), Egypt, Tunisia, India, China and Andalusia. There's 275 retailers and space for a scale replica of a Chinese junk too.
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<strong>Bur Dubai Souk:</strong> Situated on Dubai Creek opposite Deira (also home to a number of souks), this is among the oldest in the city. It's been refurbished in recent years, and shoppers will find a bevvy of textiles including dishdashas and pashminas.
Bur Dubai Souk: Situated on Dubai Creek opposite Deira (also home to a number of souks), this is among the oldest in the city. It's been refurbished in recent years, and shoppers will find a bevvy of textiles including dishdashas and pashminas.
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<strong>Gold Souk: </strong>Perhaps the most famous souk in Dubai, this is why the place is known as "the city of gold." An extraordinary amount of gold jewelry is on display, and shoppers, who come from all over the world for its wares, are encouraged to haggle. <br />
Gold Souk: Perhaps the most famous souk in Dubai, this is why the place is known as "the city of gold." An extraordinary amount of gold jewelry is on display, and shoppers, who come from all over the world for its wares, are encouraged to haggle.
Warren Little/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
<strong>Dragon Mart: </strong>Dragon Mart touts itself as "the largest trading hub for Chinese products outside mainland China" with 5,000 retail, food and entertainment spaces spread across two huge malls.
Dragon Mart: Dragon Mart touts itself as "the largest trading hub for Chinese products outside mainland China" with 5,000 retail, food and entertainment spaces spread across two huge malls.
Dragon Mart
<strong>Alserkal Avenue:</strong> Looking for something more boutique? This renovated industrial zone housing a 500,000-square-foot creative hub of contemporary art galleries and indie design stores is the perfect place to find unusual but very aesthetic products.
Alserkal Avenue: Looking for something more boutique? This renovated industrial zone housing a 500,000-square-foot creative hub of contemporary art galleries and indie design stores is the perfect place to find unusual but very aesthetic products.
Rebecca Cairns/CNN
<strong>Box Park: </strong>Built with brightly colored old shipping containers, this shopping complex is filled with trendy lifestyle stores, boutique gyms, and Roxy Cinema, which boasts large vintage-style movie chairs for extra comfort.
Box Park: Built with brightly colored old shipping containers, this shopping complex is filled with trendy lifestyle stores, boutique gyms, and Roxy Cinema, which boasts large vintage-style movie chairs for extra comfort.
Rebecca Cairns/CNN
<strong>City Walk:</strong> A split indoor-outdoor complex with extensive shopping and dining options, including several licensed venues, City Walk has become a go-to destination day and night.
City Walk: A split indoor-outdoor complex with extensive shopping and dining options, including several licensed venues, City Walk has become a go-to destination day and night.
Rebecca Cairns/CNN
<strong>Dubai Square:</strong> You can't shop here quite yet, but the latest mega-mall planned for the city is Dubai Square, which promises to be its biggest and boldest yet. It will cost an estimated $2 billion and have over 8 million square feet of retail space -- twice the amount of Dubai Mall.
Dubai Square: You can't shop here quite yet, but the latest mega-mall planned for the city is Dubai Square, which promises to be its biggest and boldest yet. It will cost an estimated $2 billion and have over 8 million square feet of retail space -- twice the amount of Dubai Mall.
Emaar Properties