From the dining,shopping delights of The Dubai Mall to the well loved Mall of the Emirates – to the largest in the world indoor ski slope – on to Ibn Battuta – named after well-known Arabic explorer that has 6 themed shopping halls, there’s more to the retail experience in Dubai than just branded storefronts.

The Dubai Mall, opened in Nov 2008, will contain over 1,200 stores when fully operational. Nearly all stores are already open, including favourites such as Ted Baker, Guess Jeans, Gap, Manolo Blahnik and Aldo. You have to visit the Dubai Aquarium & Discovery Centre and Dubai Ice Rink, also housed in the mall.

Mall of the Emirates, features 350 shops, fantastic 400-room Kempinski hotel and incredible 400-metrelong ski slope. This indoor ski centre even features real snow – a somewhat unbelievable in the middle of a desert, but an brilliant way to spend a day after a morning’s meanderings.

The expansive Ibn Battuta mall, which locates on the outer reaches of the Dubai along Sheikh Zayed Road, has six unique shopping areas, that allows you to make a trip from Egypt to China entirely feasible in a matter of minutes!

If design brands are your thing then it has to be the fantastic BurJuman mall, a one-stop shopping destination for every mark imaginable from Dior to Louis Vuitton. The mall is also home to the ultra-fashionable Saks Fifth Avenue store, the hangout of the affluent visitor.

And if you just can’t get enough of all that luxury, then the equally stylish Jumeirah Emirates Towers Boulevard is home to yet more desirable brands from the musthave trinkets of Tiffany & Co. and Bvlgari to the inimitable chic of Armani and Jimmy Choo. There’s also Boutique 1 where you can find handpicked designs from top marks such as Missoni, Alexander McQueen and Stella McCartney.

Next brilliant destination is Wafi, a fantastic place to hang out with friends or shop with the family. Built in the shape of a pyramid, this unique mall is not only home to an eclectic mix of one-off stores and familiar brand names, but also offers an exciting menu of quality dining venues and entertainment options from Planet Hollywood to the acclaimed Asha’s Indian restaurant (owned by well-known musician, Asha Bhosle). It also houses Khan Murjan, an indoor souk based on a legendary 14th century Arabian market, with artisans and traders selling a variety of goods.

Deira City Centre meanwhile is a cornerstone of the city’s retail scene, with something for everyone. It is particularly well loved for its selection of high street brands including Debenhams, Topshop, Forever 21, Gap, Mango, Oasis and Benetton. There is also a huge Carrefour in the centre of the mall, which is the perfect place to find bargain-priced TVs, DVDs, clothing and home accessories.

Venture to New Dubai and you will find one of the few outdoor shopping precincts in the city, with fantastic beach views as well. The Walk at Jumeirah Beach Residence spans 1.7km and is spread across two levels – a plaza level and beach level. It’s a mix of high-end retail and home wares, interspersed with an array of restaurants and bustling cafes.

You may find more locations about shopping centres and find the best Dubai shopping place to go, just visit our Dubai guide!