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Dubai is known throughout the world as one of the main shopping hotspots in the world. The Emirate has certainly set the bar high when it comes to shopping, but did you know there are a number of other incredible lesser known shopping areas around the UAE?
Here is our list of some of the UAE’s best undiscovered hotspots for shoppers. Get your haggling hat on and grab a bargain in one of the Middle East’s many souks and malls.
Sharjah is the third largest Emirate, after Abu Dhabi and Dubai. At present, Sharjah doesn’t have much of a tourist presence but all that is about to change with new projects like the Al Shaab Village breathing new life into the area.
Shopping at Al Shaab Village is an absolute dream. The centre tries to find the perfect balance between being a modern mall and a traditional souk. You will find all of the usual top fashion brands here, along with local designers that are popular in around the Middle East. These boutiques sit alongside traditional stalls, which sell cultural items from Sharjah and the rest of the UAE.
The Al Shaab Village definitely takes a leaf out of Dubai’s book. The shopping centre offers much more than just over 250 designer and high street stores, in fact you can find the following facilities in Al Shaab Village:
Abu Dhabi is a lot more similar to Dubai than some of the other emirates. The capital of the UAE even has its own man made Island, Yas Island. The area is is home to the Yas Mall, an entertainment and shopping centre that features a host of recognisable brands, as well as restaurants, a cinema and a family fun zone.
Yas Island is much smaller than Palm Jumeirah but the Yas Mall is incredibly well equipped. This allows you to experience the engineering feats of a man made island without the huge crowds that Dubai’s islands often draw.
Moving away from the modern shopping malls and their entertainment centres and heading back towards the more traditional spirit of the UAE there is the World Trade Centre Souk. The WTCS is located on the site of the original commercial district in Abu Dhabi and is billed as a “contemporary interpretation of the traditional market in Abu Dhabi.”
The WTCS specialises in traditional Emirate products, such as abayas, henna, jewellery, perfumes and traditional clothing. The WTSC is a great tourist destination, as it combines the thrill of a bustling souk with the regulations of an average shopping centre, meaning there is no fear of being ripped off.
Al Hamra Mall is set in the Al Hamra Residential district outside of the main city of Ras Al Khaimah. The city itself has three malls within the city limits, but it is the suburban charm of the Al Hamra Mall that sets it apart.
There are over one hundred shops in the Al Hamra Mall, selling everything from designer clothes to electronic products, as well as a range of dining and recreational options available.
The true fun of the mall is the fact that it is inside a residential unit. This allows you to get a real glimpse into the lives of people here and how they spend their leisure time away from the bustling cities.
The first thing you notice about the Lulu Mall is just how much effort has gone into the project. Everything from the architecture and location of the building to the selection of shops, restaurants and recreational facilities has been planned with the customer in mind.
The Lulu Mall is in the heart of the city Fujairah, meaning it can be reached within ten minutes from anywhere in the moderately sized city.
The selection of businesses in the Mall was all carefully selected, instead of just being leased.
The managers have tried their best to make sure that the shops and facilities appeal to everyone. They have done this by bringing together the most popular Easter and Western brands under one roof.
Now that you’ve seen some of the amazing shopping facilities available in the Middle East, why not take a look at our Middle East holiday page?
