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Dubai is famous as a shopping city: huge malls, gold and spice souks and seasonal sale festivals. Here's where to go and how to plan your shopping without wearing yourself out.
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Many people travel to Dubai not just for the sea but for the shopping. The city is designed so that shopping is part of the holiday: malls have aquariums, ice rinks, fountains and restaurants, while in the old souks you can haggle and sample spices. The key is to pace yourself and not spend your whole holiday queuing at the tills.
Dubai’s major malls are entire cities under one roof. They have hundreds of shops, from high-street brands to luxury boutiques, plus entertainment for children and adults. The best known are in Downtown near the Burj Khalifa and in Al Barsha. Malls stay cool even in summer, so shopping is a good plan for the hottest hours of the day.
Tip: pick one or two malls per day and study the map on the website or app in advance. Without a plan it’s easy to spend half a day looking for the shop you want.
Deira, on the other side of the Creek, is a completely different Dubai. Here you’ll find:
Haggling is the norm in the souks, done politely and without rushing. Getting there across the Creek on a traditional abra boat is part of the fun.
The price of a piece of jewellery is usually made up of the value of the metal by weight at that day’s rate plus a fee for the workmanship. The workmanship is what people most often haggle over. Check the purity and ask for a receipt.
The big event for shopping fans is the winter shopping festival, which usually runs from mid-December to January. Expect discounts, raffles, concerts and fireworks. There are summer sales too. Festival dates are announced every year, so check them before you plan. For the weather month by month, see our guide on the best time to visit the UAE.
The UAE has a VAT refund scheme for tourists. At participating stores, your purchase is registered against your passport when you pay, and the refund is processed when you leave the country, usually at the airport. Arrive at the airport with time to spare and keep your purchases and receipts handy, as you may be asked to show them. Check the terms and the minimum purchase amount in the store.
Duty-free import allowances for Uzbekistan are set by customs legislation and may change. If you plan major purchases, such as electronics or jewellery, check the current rules in advance. Also keep the airline’s baggage allowance in mind: it’s better to pay for extra baggage in advance than at the airport.
A good routine: the beach in the morning, a mall during the midday heat and the souks or waterfront in the evening. For a shopping trip, choose a hotel near the metro or a large mall. More about the neighbourhoods on the Dubai page. For a ready-made trip idea, see our Dubai tour.
If you’re travelling with children, choose malls with entertainment: aquariums, play areas, ice rinks. While the children are busy, the adults can shop in peace. Plan the day so shopping alternates with breaks, or everyone will be tired by the evening.
Many people bring electronics back from Dubai. Before buying, check that the model works in Uzbekistan, whether it has an international warranty and whether the charger fits our sockets. Keep receipts and packaging: they’ll come in handy at customs and if you need a repair.
Want a trip to Dubai for shopping and relaxation? Send a request or message us on Telegram @GlobalDestination1, or call +998 99 760-82-88. Our manager will pick dates around the sales and a hotel in a convenient area.
Updated: 2026-10
The main shopping festival usually takes place in winter, roughly from mid-December to January, and there are summer sales too. The exact dates are announced by the organisers each year.
Yes, the UAE has a VAT refund scheme for tourists at participating stores. Receipts are registered at the time of purchase and the refund is processed when you leave the country; check the terms in the store.
The traditional place is the Gold Souk in Deira, and there are also jewellery shops in the major malls. The price is usually made up of the value of the metal by weight plus the workmanship.
If shopping is your main goal, set aside 2–3 days of your trip. Each large mall can easily take half a day.
A city where you can lie on the beach in the morning, browse the malls in the afternoon and go up the Burj Khalifa at night. One of the most popular winter choices for travellers from Uzbekistan.
The Emirates offer a short flight, a warm sea in winter, shopping and city entertainment. Ideal for a 5–7 day trip at any time from autumn to spring.
The Emirates never have bad weather for the beach, but there are months when walking around outside is almost impossible. Here is how to choose your dates for the beach, shopping and sightseeing.
Beach, city and desert in one trip. Good for families and for a short winter break: the flight from Tashkent takes about four hours.
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Where: Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Tel.: +998 99 760-82-88
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