Abu Dhabi Mall

The basics

The Abu Dhabi Mall has been a favorite shopping haunt with locals and visitors since opening in 2001, thanks to the sheer number and variety of its stores. Check out fashions and designer wear at Mango, DKNY, Calvin Klein,and many more; scour toy, jewelry, interiors, and cosmetic emporiums; and dine at a vast array of eateries, including chains like Wagamama and Vapiano. Other draws include an amusement center, multiplex cinema, and hypermarket.

Travelers typically visit independently, but the mall also features on many guided Abu Dhabi tours, departing either from the city or from Dubai. Most offer brief visits to the complex during sightseeing circuits of city landmarks like the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Louvre Abu Dhabi, and Ferrari World. Hop-on hop-off buses stop at the mall, as do some multi-day tours that cover both Abu Dhabi and Dubai highlights.

Things to know before you go

• The Abu Dhabi Mall is great for families, with plenty to entertain kids.

• The food court is on Level 3.

• The mall is accessible for both wheelchairs and strollers.

• On-site amenities include ATMs, interactive maps, restrooms, parking, and prayer rooms.

How to get there

Situated in Abu Dhabi’s Al Zahiyah district, the mall sits between 10th Street and the waterfront overlooking Al Maryah. If driving, follow Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Street (E10) and turn onto Al Reem Street and left onto 10th Street, where you’ll find the mall and payable parking. Alternatively, numerous bus lines run to the nearby Al Maiyana Street stops (including routes 8, 9, 44, 55, and 56). The neighboring Beach Rotana hotel has a footway into the mall.

When to get there

The Abu Dhabi Mall and its shops and restaurants are generally open daily from morning to the evening, with later closing—typically midnight for food outlets—on Fridays and Saturdays. The quietest times are weekdays until early afternoon. The mall is at its busiest come the evenings, particularly on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

Family attractions at Abu Dhabi Mall

The Abu Dhabi Mall has plenty for families looking for entertainment in an air-conditioned setting. Take the gang to Fun City, an indoor amusement center with rides, video games, and toddler play areas, or test your wits at Prison Island, an escape-room adventure. Alternatively, catch a movie at the multiscreen Vox Cinema on Level 3.