Dubai Mall is the most visited shopping destination in the world, with a reported 111 million visitors in 2024, and it houses more than 1,200 shops next to the Burj Khalifa in Downtown Dubai. It is no longer the largest mall by floor area: it ranks about 20th by gross leasable area, at 350,000 square metres.
| Fact | Figure |
|---|---|
| Opened | 4 November 2008 |
| Shops | More than 1,200 |
| Visitors 2022 | 88 million |
| Visitors 2023 | 105 million (record at the time) |
| Visitors 2024 | 111 million, reported by Emaar’s founder |
| Expansion | AED 1.5 billion (about $408 million), announced June 2024, adding 240 stores and restaurants |
| Gross leasable area | About 350,000 m2 |
Why Dubai Mall is called the most luxurious mall
It combines luxury retail with entertainment, a place for business meetings and a multicultural crowd. Its shops include top brands such as Dolce & Gabbana and Alexander McQueen, among more than 1,200 outlets. Our earlier write-up said it cost about 20 billion dollars to build, which we could not verify, so treat that figure as an unconfirmed estimate.
The mall also has 22 cinema screens, 120 restaurants and cafes, and more than 14,000 parking spaces across three car parks.
Visitor numbers
The mall opened on 4 November 2008 with about 1,000 retailers. It received about 37 million visitors in 2009, more than 65 million in 2012 (the year our earlier version compared with New York’s visitor total), 88 million in 2022 and 105 million in 2023. In 2024 the figure reached 111 million, according to Emaar’s founder. We found no official 2025 figure.
The Dubai Aquarium sold 61,000 tickets in the first five days after opening, and Emaar has been adding more space, with a AED 1.5 billion expansion adding 240 new stores and restaurants announced in June 2024.
“To make it work, you need to have a tremendous amount of people that are on the job 24 hours a day,” says David Macadam, CEO of the Middle East Council of Shopping Centers.
Mohamed Alabbar, chairman of Emaar, claims that “it’s a city within a city”, including an Olympic sized ice skating rink and an aquarium.
Attractions beyond shopping
The Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo holds more than 300 species of marine animals, including sharks and rays. It has one of the world’s largest acrylic panels, 32.88 metres wide and 8.3 metres high.
Our earlier version praised SEGA Republic. That attraction closed on 1 June 2017 when its licence expired. The space reopened in February 2018 as VR Park Dubai, which was renamed Play DXB in 2022.
The fountains outside give a free show. Read about the most expensive fountain in the world, the Dubai Fountain, and watch this Flow Motion time-lapse virtual tour of Dubai.
How to plan a visit
Allow a full day. Go early on weekdays to avoid the crowds, and see the fountain show in the evening. We did not verify opening hours, so check the mall’s site before you go.
FAQ
Is Dubai Mall the largest mall in the world?
No. It is the most visited, with a reported 111 million visitors in 2024, but it ranks about 20th by gross leasable area at 350,000 square metres.
How many shops are in Dubai Mall?
More than 1,200.
When did Dubai Mall open?
On 4 November 2008, with about 1,000 retailers.
How many people visit Dubai Mall each year?
About 105 million visited in 2023 and a reported 111 million in 2024.
Is Dubai Mall being expanded?
Yes. Emaar announced a AED 1.5 billion (about $408 million) expansion in June 2024, adding 240 new stores and restaurants.
Last updated: October 2026.
