Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Best places to shop in Abu Dhabi
5 markets, malls and shopping districts in Abu Dhabi — what to buy, when to go, and the tourist traps to avoid at each one.
Last updated 2026-08-09
1. The Galleria Al Maryah Island
Photo: Tetraeder · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
The emirate's luxury address — international houses, fine dining and a waterfront promenade.
Where: LuxuryMap: Open in Maps Best time: Daily 10:00–22:00Cost: Luxury
2. Yas Mall
Photo: Martin Lewison from Forest Hills, NY, U.S.A. · CC BY-SA 2.0 · source
Abu Dhabi's largest mall, beside Ferrari World on Yas Island — 370 shops, a cinema and a large food hall.
Where: MallMap: Open in Maps Best time: Daily 10:00–22:00Cost: Mid-range
3. Madinat Zayed Gold Centre
Photo: Jenis Christopher · Pexels License · source
The city's gold souk — jewellers arranged around a modern hall, sold by weight at the daily rate plus workmanship.
Where: SoukMap: Open in Maps Best time: Saturday to Thursday 09:30–22:00Cost: Mid–LuxuryTip: Quieter and often slightly cheaper on making charges than Dubai's Deira souk, with the same weight-and-rate pricing.
4. Mina Zayed Fish, Fruit and Carpet Markets
Photo: Alina Autumn · Pexels License · source
The port markets — the fish market with restaurants that cook your purchase, the produce market, and the Iranian carpet souk alongside.
Where: MarketMap: Open in Maps Best time: Daily 08:00–21:00; fish market best early morningCost: Budget–MidWatch out Carpet sellers describe machine-made pieces as hand-knotted. Turn a rug over — hand-knotted backs show individual knots and slight irregularity; machine backs are perfectly uniform with a glued or overlocked edge.
5. Souk Qaryat Al Beri and World Trade Centre Souk
Photo: Pavlo Luchkovski · Pexels License · source
Two modern souks styled on the traditional model — craft, textiles, perfume and dates in air-conditioned lanes.
Where: SoukMap: Open in Maps Best time: Daily 10:00–22:00Cost: Mid-range
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