Page 53 - (DK Eyewitness) Top 10 Travel Guide - Dubai & Abu Dhabi

Shopping Malls and Souks ❮❮ 51

Abu Dhabi Mall
7 TOP 10 THINGS TO BUY
Generally considered to be
Abu Dhabi’s smartest mall, this
place boasts a huge array of shops
arranged over three floors. You can
find everything from designer
fashion through to electronics and
home furnishings (see p94).
Ibn Battuta Mall
8
As soon as you see the six
themed shopping zones and food
courts within this mall, you won’t
regret your long drive out to Emirates A selection of traditional khanjars
Hills. The decor for each area is
inspired by the countries that Arabia’s 1 Gold and gems
own Marco Polo, Ibn Battuta, Gold prices in Dubai are amongst the
cheapest found anywhere in the world,
travelled to: Tunisia, Egypt, Persia, while precious stones (diamonds in
India, Andalucia and China. There is particular) are also very keenly priced.
also a 21-screen cinema (see p83).
2 Carpets
Numerous shops across the UAE sell
opulent Persian carpets at prices
significantly lower than you would pay
back home. Make sure you bargain hard.
3 Perfume
Concoct your own scent from Arabian
oils (attar) in a local perfume shop.
4 Arabian handicrafts
Collectible local handicrafts include
traditional Arabian-style coffeepots,
traditional khanjars (daggers) and
miniature carved wooden boxes.
5 Fun souvenirs
Mosque-shaped alarm clocks, cuddly
Ibn Battuta’s exotic interior camels and Burj Khalifa paperweights
all make enjoyable mementos.
The Galleria
9 6 Designer fakes
One of Abu Dhabi’s new
consumer additions, the Galleria Branded bags, watches and other
replica designer accessories are widely
houses boutique stores owned by available in Karama and Deira.
world-class luxury brands. It is set 7 Bedouin jewellery
across three floors (see p94). Chunky antique silver bangles,
necklaces and rings make unusual
The Dubai Mall
0 but affordable souvenirs.
Next to the world’s biggest
tower sits the world’s largest 8 Music
Stock up on a selection of recordings
shopping mall. This monument to of Middle Eastern music, from more
consumerism houses over 1,000 traditional Emirati singers to Egyptian
stores, not to mention an ice rink, and Lebanese pop megastars.
an aquarium, and a vast cinema and 9 Aladdin slippers
entertainment complex. The mall also Dress like Aladdin in a pair of
boasts over 150 food outlets, offering curly-toed Arabian slippers.
everything from fine dining to casual 10 Electronics
eateries. For Emiratis, the Dubai Keen competition keeps prices low
Mall is as much about socializing as for mobiles, laptops and tablets.
shopping (see p73).

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