Things To Do at the Dubai Mall: Attractions at Dubai Mall
Now Go See It is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Enjoy all the things to do at the Dubai Mall, the world’s second largest shopping complex. This guide will help you build a perfect Dubai Mall itinerary to make sure you see all the best Dubai Mall attractions.
Dubai is home to the second-largest mall in the world, The Dubai Mall. The massive mall is more than just shopping (although there is plenty of that too). Inside the air-conditioned mall, which can best be described as an indoor city, you will find enough activities to fill an entire vacation. Here we list a few ideas to get you started.
We used the wonderful Go City Pass to save loads of money on attractions across Dubai and in the Dubai Mall. Check it out by clicking this affiliate link: Go City - Dubai
Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo
A central feature of the mall is the huge glass wall that allows you to peer inside the giant aquarium. The view is completely free and is almost always filled with a crowd of onlookers.
For an up-charge, you can pay to walk through the sea tunnel for a closer and less crowded look into the tank that is home to sharks, rays, and other wonders of the sea. The ticket also allows you to walk through the small, but enjoyable Underwater Zoo. The underwater zoo is home to a small collection of animals including giant crocodiles and sea otters.
The Dubai Mall Waterfall
Another spectacle of the mall is the waterfall. The man-made cascading water feature traverses the entire four levels of the mall. It is a true work of art adorned with sculpted divers.
It is also free to visit. It’s a great place to relax for a few minutes between shopping trips or other activities. The sound of the constant flow of water is an instant relaxer.
Dubai Ice Rink
If you were to tell someone that you went ice skating in Dubai, they would likely be quite confused. The desert city is known for daily temperatures well over the 100 degrees Fahrenheit mark.
For a fee, you can get a ticket to skate for 90 minutes on the Olympic-sized ice rink. Skates and thick socks are included in the admission fee.
The Souk at the Dubai Mall
A fun corner of the mall to explore is The Souk. It's the part of the mall that feels the most like you're still in the middle east. The corridor of shops is themed to resemble a traditional market like the ones you could find across town in Old Dubai.
The shops are mostly filled with jewelry and perfumes.
Go-Karts on the roof of the Dubai Mall
These aren’t your Disneyland Autopia ride vehicles. These are fully powered, bad-ass, tiny cars with engines and loads of power. At Ekart Zabeel you will race other drivers on the roof of the ninth floor of the Dubai Mall.
Before you ride you get dressed in the provided overalls and watch an extensive safety video. Then it’s helmets on and up to the roof.
We made the wise choice to do this activity right at dusk. The lights were twinkling and the desert sun was setting over the tall buildings.
For the record, I drove like my grandmother on her way to church while teenagers with death wishes drove past me crashing into each other and the barricades. It was fun for all ages.
Go to the Top of the World’s Tallest Building
Also located in the mall is the entrance to the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building. The aptly named “At the Top” viewing platform is reached via a series of elevators starting inside the mall.
The shockingly tall building is even more impressive when you’re at the top viewing other tall buildings from above. All of Dubai is on display from the impressively high vantage point. The view is not to be missed.
The Dubai Mall Fountain Show
After spending some of your day visiting the top of the Burj Khalifa, the best way to cap off your visit to the mall is by attending the fountain show. The show happens every 30 minutes nightly between 6-11 pm. It’s best to get yourself a good viewing spot a few minutes early.
The fountain show happens in a giant man-made lake outside of the mall near the base of the Burj Khalifa. The fountain show is a light and sound spectacular with projection mapping on the Burj Khalifa. It’s a heck of a thing to see!
How to get to The Dubai Mall
If you’re riding the subway system in Dubai getting to the mall is quite easy. There is a subway station called The Dubai Mall. Once you exit the station you will enter a series of elevated pedestrian walkways. After 10-15 mins of walking, you will enter the mall. The walk from the subway station to the mall entrance is much longer than you might expect, so plan accordingly.
The mall has plenty of available parking. The fastest way to the mall is via taxi or rideshare. Your driver will be able to let you off on the doorstep of the mall.
How much time to spend at The Dubai Mall
We would suggest the minimum time to spend at the mall is a half day. Depending on what you want to see, you could spend as many as two days here, especially if you like to shop.
It is a good idea to buy tickets in advance to the attractions as there is often a long line for tickets. We used the Go City Pass which included many of the attractions in the mall and even included dinner at a very nice restaurant in the mall.
Check out some other suggestions for your trip to Dubai on our list of 10 Things to See in Dubai.
