The city of Dubai is an open port with low import duties and no taxation, and as such offers unbeatable value to the bargain hunter. Even major brand name products, widely available in the city, are often less expensive in Dubai than in their country of origin. Opening hours vary but shops are generally open from 08.00 to 13.00 and from 16.00 to 21.00. Although most shops are open on Friday evenings they close for prayers between 11.30 and 13.30.

The major shopping areas of the city are Al Faheidi Road, Al Rigga Road, Al Karama, Al Satwa’s Al Dhiyafah Road and Beniyas Square. The modern shopping malls, located throughout the city, contrast with the sights, sounds and smells of the traditional souks.

Bargaining is the norm in the souks and even in shops it is wise to ask for ‘the best price’, particularly if paying by cash.

Mall of the Emirates Mall of the Emirates, the ultimate leisure, entertainment and shopping resort. it is the largest shopping centre .Strategically located in the heart of Dubai, this 223,000 square metre centre offers a full range of shopping, leisure, and entertainment. There are more than 400 retailers in Mall of the Emirates and also features a complete range of entertainment options including Ski Dubai, the first indoor ski destination in the Middle East, a two-level Magic Planet, the largest indoor family entertainment centre in the country.Contact details: P.O. Box 20107,Sheikh Zayed road, Dubai, U.A.E. Tel: +971 4 3403392, Email: info@malloftheemirates.com Mall Hours: Sat-Thurs - 10am-1am.

Al Bustan Centre houses over 80 shops selling clothes, jewelry, perfumes, watches, cosmetics, foot-ware, toys and kids-wear and a super market catering to the needs of in-house guests. In addition to the wide retailing spectrum of the complex, the mall houses a Textile Market offering a variety of first class textile materials from the most famous international brands, be it casual, everyday or formal, evening and bridal wear. The Shopping Centre incorporates an all- encompassing food court that offers an intriguing array of international dishes. The food variety served from Italian, Chinese, Oriental, Indian and Mongolian restaurants to fast food chains such as McDonald's and Subway, gratifies all tastes and meets all demands of savoring the best - at one location.Contact details: P.O. Box 20107, Dubai, U.A.E. Tel: +971 4 2630000 Fax: +971 4 2630005 Email: albustan@emirates.net.ae Mall Hours: Sat-Thurs - 10am-10pm and Fri - 4pm-10pm

Al Ghurair Centre was the first purpose-built shopping mall in Dubai. The mall has over 250 shops on two levels and sells reasonably priced goods when compared to other speciality and designer clothes stores in other malls. It is conveniently located at Riqqa Road in Deira. Coming soon! Al Ghurair City: will be a harmonious blend of enclosed and exciting streetscapes, the best of entertainment, food, upscale residences and state of the art office space. It will house the latest international brands and strong local and regional brands. The merchandising mix will attempt to differentiate the project and will offer new retail experiences in the city and the region. In terms of design it will marry the most modern architecture with traditional icons. It will create a new metaphor - "Modern Arabic" and will become a unique place to visit in addition to being a bustling shopping destination. This new architectural style enhanced with exciting streetscapes, will make Al Ghurair City a tourist must-see in Dubai. Contact details: P.O. Box 6999 Dubai, U.A.E. Tel: +971 4 2232333 Fax: +971 4 2285356 Email: info@agc.co.ae Mall Hours: Sat-Thurs - 10am-10pm and Fri - 4pm-10pm

Al Khaleej Centre, located in Bur Dubai (opposite the Ramada Hotel) offers a wide variety of goods of interest to both men as well as women. There are plenty of jeans stores - from fashionable jeans to designer jeans. Contact details: P.O. Box 170, Dubai, U.A.E. Tel: +971 4 3555550 Fax: +971 4 3558635 Email: khaleejc@emirates.net.ae Mall Hours: Sat-Fri - 10am-10pm

Al Maydan Shopping Centre: Al Maydan Shopping Centre is situated in the centre of Dubai's trade area, Nasser Square"Baniyas Square". Built only 2 years ago by the prestigious company Nasser bin Abdullatif Al Serkal Establishment, this is a unique building, both on the outside and on the inside. The Omani-style architecture gives this building its uniqueness among other more modern-style buildings in the area. On the inside, you will find a beautiful example of Arabic interior, with details that are well worth taking a closer look at or even taking pictures of! Furthermore, you will find a selection of different shops, offering a complete shopping spree for the real shoppers! Fur, leather, jewellery, shoes, clothes, handbags, cosmetics, lingerie, beauty salon and barber, carpets, electronics and mobile phone shops is a selection of what you will find in Al Maydan Shopping Centre. On ground floor, you will also have a chance to rest your feet in the comfy coffeeshop. So don't waste your time thinking where you should go first, Al Maydan Shopping Centre is the place to be if you love shopping!

Al Mulla Plaza, located on the Dubai - Sharjah highway is generally patronised by the locals and Arabs. The mall recently underwent extensive internal renovations, which included changing the existing window displays, floor tiles etc. The mall also features a new fountain that goes along the spirit of the 21st century. Contact details: P.O. Box: 59, Dubai, U.A.E. Tel: +971 4 2988999 Fax: +971 4 2988438 Email: mulaplza@emirates.net.ae Mall Hours: Sat-Thurs - 10am-1pm, 4.30pm-10.30pm, Fri - 4.30pm-11pm

Burjuman Centre, located in Bur Dubai, is a large and modern mall. Many of Dubai's haute couture outlets are found here as also popular American and European brands such as Bally, Calvin Klein, Escada, Guess, Mexx, Rivoli, Tiffany & Co etc. The mall has unique fountains spaced several metres apart that shoot precise jets of water at each other.BurJuman has 180 prestigious stores including designer fashions such as Donna Karan, DKNY, Calvin Klein, Cartier, Rodeo Drive, Bally, Stuart Weitzman, Polo Ralph Lauren, Escada, Christian Lacroix, Louis Vuitton, Ines de la Fressange, Aigner, MaxMara, as well as popular ready-to-wear apparel from NEXT, Agnes B, JC Penney, Guess and Morgan. Contact details: P.O. Box 945, Dubai, U.A.E. Tel: +971 4 3527755 Fax: +971 4 3526375 Email: info@burjuman.co.ae Mall Hours: Sat-Thurs - 10am-10pm, Fri - 2pm-10pm

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