[UAE] What to See or Do In and Around Dubai Mall

09:15 Travel Bunny 0 Comments

Dubai Mall is one the world's largest shopping mall which is located next to the world's tallest building, the Burj Khalifa. Opened in 2008, it features over 1,200 retailers, two major department stores and hundreds of food and beverage outlets. The Dubai Mall covers more than 1 million sqm - an area equivalent to 200 football pitches.

Getting there:

The nearest metro station is Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall station. 

You'll need to cross the Metro Link Bridge to get to the mall.

What to see / do in Dubai Mall:

1) Indoor fountain

This indoor fountain is one of the most photographed spots in the mall. It is an illusion waterfall with statues seemingly diving from the waterfall. If you stare at one, the others disappears! 

2) Dubai Dino

Dubai Dino is a genuine fossil of Diplodocus, a large and long-necked dinosaur. It is located at the Souk Dome.

The Souk.

3) Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo

The Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo houses the world's largest acrylic panel. The aquarium is also the world's largest indoor aquarium.

Ticket office of the aquarium. 

Ticket price: AED 340 (All Access Pass), AED 254 (Ultimate Experiece), AED 169 (Penguin cove & nursery experience), add on AED100 for each encounter with animals such as penguin, ray, king crocs etc.
Opening hours: 10am - 10pm (Mon - Thu), 10am - 12am (Fri - Sun)
Official Website: https://www.thedubaiaquarium.com/

3) Shop till you drop

For high fashion lovers, there is no better place to shop in Dubai than in Dubai Mall. It has more than 70 signatures stores including Galleries Lafayette and Bloomingdale's, the first in the Middle East.

The Fashion Avenue in Dubai Mall.

4) Take photo with plenty of art installation in the mall

The Light Room.

>

The Star Wars.

Red, heart-shaped balloons.

Smiley faces.

5) Enjoy the endless entertainment 

There are many other entertainments for family in the mall including an Olympic-sized ice rink on the ground floor, Reel Cinema, Kidzania, VR Park and etc.

6) Dining

You'll be spoilt for choice when it comes to dining options in the mall.

What to see/do around Dubai Mall:

1) Visit At the Top, Burj Khalifa

Go up to the observatory deck of the world's tallest building, Burj Khalifa and enjoy the unforgettable view of Dubai. Please click here to read my previous post.

2) Watch the Dubai Fountain Show

The Dubai Fountain is the world's tallest performing fountain. The fountain is situated on the 30-acre Burj Lake. The fountains come to life every 30 minutes from 6pm - 11pm daily. The most popular spot to watch the fountain show is the Waterfront Promenade outside the Dubai Mall. If you wish to view it from here, you should arrive early to ensure a spot.

This is the view of the fountain show that I enjoyed from the hotel nearby Dubai Mall.

I was celebrating my boy's birthday in the hotel room. He was so excited to see the birthday cake.

If watching the fountain is not enough, you can set sail on a traditional Abra while enjoying the show. The Lake Ride operating hours is 5.45pm - 11.30pm. The last boat departs 30 minutes before closing time. Ticket cost AED 68.25 for adult.

Alternatively, you can also walk on the floating platform called Dubai Fountain Boardwalk to get closer to the fountain. Operating hours is 5.45pm - 11.30pm. Ticket cost AED 20 for adult.

You can book both experiences online here.

3) Souk Al Bahar

Souk Al Bahar features over 200 shops and over 20 different restaurants and cafes. It is connected to the Dubai Mall via Souk Al Bahar Bridge.

4) Dubai Steel Heart

Besides the Burj Khalifa Lake, you can find the Dubai Steel Heart by sculptor Richard Hudson. It does get crowded in the evening hours when the Dubai Fountain starts. Best to come here early.

There is a "I Love Dubai" sign near the sculpture.

5) Take a stroll in Burj Park 

The Dandelions in Burj Park is another pretty photo spot around Dubai Mall. 

In the evening, the Dandelions are illuminated in different colours.

6) Wings of Mexico Statue

Wings of Mexico is created by Mexican artist, Jorge Marin. Come early in the morning if you want to avoid the crowd. It is also a good photo spot that features Burj Khalifa in the background.

The surrounding area around Dubai Mall is also nice to take a stroll.

There is plenty to see and do in Dubai Mall. During the day, you can enjoy the nearby attractions around Dubai Mall. During the evening, you can enjoy the Dubai Fountain show, have dinner and shop till you drop till midnight. 

Dubai Mall

Opening hours: 10am - 12am daily
Official Website: https://thedubaimall.com/