Where to shop in the UAE?
What to shop in the UAE?
Shoppers from all over the world arrive into the UAE to shop for a variety of items ranging from apparels, accessories and gold to electronics, carpets, spices and dry fruits. Traditional handicrafts and perfumes are widely sought after.
The UAE market is abundant with local and international brands. Wide variety, bargain deals and competitive prices make shopping a fun experience.
Shopping festivals
Shopping festivals around the year distinguish the shopping experience in the UAE. Discounts and bargains are an important feature of these festivals. The festival runs all over the emirates and almost all malls and stores participate in it by offering deals. Global Village is a venue, a destination for family entertainment. It offers shopping, dining, recreation and amusement. It is open from November to April every year.
Notable shopping festivals in the UAE are:
- Dubai Shopping Festival
- Shopping discounts and promotions as part of Dubai Summer Surprises
- Gitex Shopper
- Sharjah Summer Shopping Festival
- White Wednesday and Black Friday sales in November every year.
Night markets
Special night markets run during the holy month of Ramadan in the emirates of Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah. Check local newspapers or the events section on this portal during that time for updated information about the markets.
Duty-free shopping
You can shop duty-free at airports, online and on board. You can sign up for memberships and loyalty programmes to get the best deals and win prizes.
Duty-free shopping at airports
Duty-free shops are located at Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah airports. They offer a wide variety of luxury products ranging from perfumes and cosmetics to accessories including watches and jewellery.
Duty-free shopping online
You can shop online at Dubai Duty Free; pre-order the items, pay and collect them at the airport when you travel.
Loyalty programmes
You can become a member of the duty-free shopping clubs or sign up to receive information about deals and promotions. Members earn loyalty points on purchases, redeemable as per duty-free shops' terms and conditions. Not just that, purchases make you eligible for mega prizes.
Find out all about it:
- Earn miles - Etihad Airways
- DFS Circle - Abu Dhabi
- Shop with Emirates Skywards - Dubai Duty Free
Read about clearing the customs and paying customs duty.
Useful links:
- Shopping and lifestyle - VisitAbuDhabi.ae
- The top souks in Dubai - VisitDubai.com
- Shopping in Dubai - VisitDubai.com
- Shopping in Sharjah - Sharjah Commerce & Tourism Development Authority
Updated on:
13 Jan 2026
