Abu Dhabi, the capital city of the UAE is also known as the richest city in the world. It boasts so many attractions and experiences which leaves all the visitors spellbound. Contrary to popular belief, not everyone who comes to the UAE goes shopping in Dubai. Abu Dhabi is also a haven for all the shopaholics.
In this blog, we will check out some of the most fascinating places to visit in Abu Dhabi to shop. Moreover, we will discuss the nearest Abu Dhabi attractions which you can explore after you shop your heart out. Lastly, don’t forget to contact the best travel agency in Dubai to incorporate these markets and souks into your Abu Dhabi city tour. Let’s dive right into it!
Best Markets and Souks of Abu Dhabi
Here is a list of places to visit in Abu Dhabi with all the buzz. Make sure you bargain properly and have a great time shopping in Abu Dhabi!
Yas Mall
This is the place to go if you desire to take pleasure in a little retail therapy. Situated on Yas Island, Yas Mall stands as the largest and the 2nd largest retail mall in Abu Dhabi and the UAE. In addition to an excellent selection of boutiques, including multinational merchants and restaurants, the light-filled 3 level mall has a 20 screen movie theatre run by VOX Cinemas.
Explore more than 370 boutiques, as well as over 60 indoor and outdoor eateries and cafés, while you stroll along broad avenues. You’ll be happy to hear that there’s a family entertainment area by Fun Works and a direct connection to Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, the world’s first theme park bearing the Ferrari title, one of the most visited Abu Dhabi attractions.
Abu Dhabi Mall
With more than 200 stores and 40,000 people per day on average visiting this mall, this location offers much more than simply shopping. There’s also a Cineplex, a fun children’s play area, and a tonne of eateries and coffee shops with cuisine to suit every taste.
Furthermore, when it comes to brands, check out well-known stores like Grand Stores, a renowned department store; Carolina Herrera, Zara, and H&M, well-known fashion brands; and Marina Home Interiors and The One, which features furniture and interior design. Jashanmal is a lifestyle brand that sells homeware and accessories.
World Trade Center Abu Dhabi
The former Central Market, which served as the centre of commerce and trade, has been revitalised in a modern manner and is now a fully connected mixed-use complex with a mall, a contemporary souk (market), offices, and residential units.
Located on the location of the former commercial sector, the Souk at World Trade Centre Abu Dhabi is spread across three levels. The souk is a modern take on a traditional Abu Dhabi market, and it’s connected to The Mall at the World Trade Centre by the Khalifa Bridge. Inside, you can find anything from jewellery to spices, traditional handicrafts to henna, Arabic fragrances to clothes and accessories. One of the nearest Abu Dhabi attractions is Qasr al Hosn.
Marina Mall
Marina Mall Abu Dhabi, one of the biggest shopping destinations in Abu Dhabi, is situated in a prominent district of the city and spans 122,000 square metres of retail space. It offers a distinctive blend of fashion, leisure, and entertainment options spread across five floors.
Reputably regarded as one of Abu Dhabi’s most notable landmarks, Marina Mall is home to over 300 retail and service establishments, encompassing high-end and designer fashion brands, beauty departments, electronics stores, home furnishings and a Mercedes-Benz car showroom, in addition to speciality shops, bank offices, a Carrefour hypermarket and an extensive array of entertainment options suitable for all age groups.
Mina Market
Abu Dhabi is an Emirate made up of hundreds of islands, therefore it has a long and rich history with the water. Thus, it should come as no surprise that fish remains a vital item in the city. Visit the Fish Souk in Mina Zayed, which is close to Abu Dhabi’s major port area, to grab some unique photos and perhaps some food. Here, fishermen unload their haul onto the quayside each morning in anticipation of a day of bartering. Finally, you can check out the Corniche which is not so far from this market.
The Al Mina Fruit and Vegetable Souk, located across the street from the Fish Souk, is a riot of colour as vendors arrange bright, fresh fruit outside of stores. Another great spot for pictures, this establishment has an incredible selection of fruits and veggies that you can purchase by the kilo.
Souk Al Zafarana
A location that embodies authentic and traditional Emirati culture is the Souk Al Zafarana. As a result, it’s a great location for souvenir shopping. In addition to henna, spices, fragrances (oud), incense, dallah (Arab coffee pots), antiques, carpets, lamps, nuts, and a wide range of other items, the store provides exquisitely embroidered traditional Arabic clothing and fabrics. Only female employees work in Mubdia Village, and only female customers are permitted inside. Here, negotiating is a given, so make an effort to haggle whenever you can.
Carpet Souk
When shopping for carpets in Abu Dhabi, the Carpet Souk is the best location to go. This area is practically overflowing with carpets, with about a hundred establishments offering exquisite upholstery products, handmade carpets, prayer rugs, silk rugs, Yemeni mattresses, and Persian and Afghani rugs. Even while the handcrafted ones might not be as great, you can simply replace them with machine made ones. However, the handcrafted ones are typically more expensive due to their superior craftsmanship.
To Sum Up
This was a sorted list of all the popular markets, souks, and places to visit in Abu Dhabi. You can either shop in malls or get the thrill of shopping from the streets at the souks. Lastly, there are a lot of places which we may have missed but don’t worry, it all depends on how much time you have during your Abu Dhabi city tour. So, contact your travel agency in Dubai and set out on this amazing shopping journey to Abu Dhabi!
