12 Fun Things To Do at Dubai Mall in 2024
Chances are you’re planning to visit the sprawling Dubai Mall during your trip to the city. But with 12 million square feet of space, 1,200 stores, 200+ food and drink outlets, and so many things to do at Dubai Mall, chances are you have no idea where to start.
If you want to tick off all of the must-visit Dubai Mall attractions during your visit, here’s a little guide to help you out. From seeing sharks swimming in a massive aquarium to walking through a real-life Candy Land inside the mall to seeing the many attractions right outside the mall, this list can easily keep you busy for hours on end – or even an entire day!
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12 Things to Do at Dubai Mall
1. Eat Your Way Through Chinatown
Unveiled in 2023, Chinatown is easily one of the most unique Dubai Mall attractions. Not only are there Instaworthy sights around every corner but there are tons of authentic Chinese eateries to choose from – so come hungry!
You’ll find Chinatown on the first floor of the mall, right across from the Dubai Ice Rink. From the second you walk in, you’ll be transported to Asia with a postcard-worthy hallway of neon signs on your right and another filled with Chinese lanterns on your left. And don’t forget to seek out the massive panda for an obligatory selfie!
As someone who used to live in Beijing, the culinary offerings here are very exciting, especially if you love authentic Chinese food. You’ll find more formal sit-down restaurants in Chinatown but I personally love eating in the food court, where you can get everything from steamed dumplings to Lanzhou beef noodles, dan dan noodles, dim sum, bao buns, and more.
Stroll around, and you’ll also find plenty of shops hawking Chinese brands, as well as a spa, perfect for a little pampering.
2. Go Ice Skating at the Dubai Ice Rink
Located just outside of Chinatown, spending some time at the Dubai Ice Rink is one of the most fun Dubai Mall activities, especially if you’re traveling with little ones.
At this indoor rink, you can choose from four different skating experiences: Public, Snowfall, DJ, and Disco Night (which is the most popular option, as it features a DJ and snowfall). Visiting the Dubai Ice Rink is also a fun option if you’re looking for ways to beat the heat in the summer.
3. Be Awed at the Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo
The Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo is another one of the most popular Dubai Mall attractions. Pay it a visit, and you’ll have the chance to marvel at thousands of sea creatures, including 300+ sharks and rays, as they glide through the waters of the 10-million-liter tank.
Walk through the 48-meter walk-through tunnel and you’ll have the chance to get up close and personal with all manner of fish, sharks, and rays. You can even take a glass-bottom boat ride or test your limits with the Shark Encounter or Shark Dive experience!
But if you’re looking for free things to do at Dubai Mall, you can see all the sea creatures swimming in the tank from outside of the entrance at no cost!
4. Get Sweet Treats at Candylicious
If you’re visiting Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo, then you have to pay a visit to the whimsical Candylicious store, which is right across the way. This is the largest candy store in the Middle East and it’s a feast for the eyes and taste buds.
From retro candies to unique flavors to chocolate, sweets, and gummies galore, you’ll find all sorts of surprises here. You can even watch candy being made by the candy makers!
5. See the Dubai Fountain Show
The famous Dubai Fountain Show is another one of the best (and free!) things to do at Dubai Mall and a must on any Dubai bucket list. This is the “tallest performing fountain in the world” with spouts shooting as high as 140 meters into the air over the 30-acre Burj Lake, which is located right outside of the mall.
The show runs every 30 minutes from 6 pm to 11 pm every day. This is a very popular attraction so the area around the fountain show and the nearby entrance to the mall gets packed around show times.
Insider tip: To experience fewer crowds, make your way toward the Dubai Opera building, where you can still see the show, but you’ll have fewer crowds to contend with. But if you want to see the spectacle with the Burj Khalifa in the background, I suggest claiming your spot on Burj Lake right when one show ends and waiting for the next show to begin.
For a very unique experience, you can also snag tickets for the Dubai Fountain Lake Ride, which gives you the chance to ride a traditional abra around Burj Lake during the show. Alternatively, you can get tickets to frolic around the floating Dubai Fountain Boardwalk, which puts you just nine meters from the fountains! Plus, this experience is a steal for just Dhs20!
6. Photograph the Dubai Waterfall
Checking out the Dubai Waterfall is yet another one of the coolest free things to do at Dubai Mall. This four-story art installation flows from the 3rd Floor down to the Ground Level, making it pretty tough to miss. You’ll know you’ve made it to the right place when you hear the sound of rushing water and see the human figures appear to be diving into the pool of water below!
You can get front-row views of the Dubai Waterfall from any level, so I suggest taking some time to view it from all four vantage points, especially if you’re looking to take photos. There is an escalator nearby which can whisk you between floors.
Things To Do Near Dubai Mall
If you’ve made the journey to Dubai Mall, you might as well check out the many Dubai attractions that are located right outside of the mall, including the famous Burj Khalifa!
7. Go to the Top of the Burj Khalifa
The towering Burj Khalifa is Dubai’s most famous attraction and taking in the unreal views from the top is one of the most popular things to do in the city.
The world’s tallest building features more than 160 stories, and with the “At the Top” tickets, you’ll get the chance to enjoy the view from the “world’s highest observation deck with an outdoor terrace” on Level 148 which is located at 555 meters! Tickets also get you access to the observation decks on Levels 124 and 125.
For something extra special, you can also book tickets to enjoy afternoon tea or canapes and champagne at The Lounge on Levels 152-154.
8. Stroll Around Souk Al Bahar
Before or after seeing the Dubai Fountain Show, take some time to wander around the adjacent Souk Al Bahar. An architectural gem, this place was designed in a traditional Arabic style, harkening back to the souks of old and offering photo ops around every corner.
You’ll find 100+ shops peppered around Souk Al Bahar selling everything from traditional perfumes to handwoven rubs, unique antiques, and gold jewelry. This is also a great place to relax at one of the waterfront restaurants, some of which offer excellent views of the Dubai Fountain Show!
9. Grab Dinner and Drinks at The Tap House
Speaking of waterfront restaurants in Souk Al Bahar, one of the coolest options is The Tap House. Here you can drink and dine on the floating deck (be sure to make reservations for it!) and enjoy unreal views of the Burj Khalifa and the Dubai Fountain Show.
You can choose from a huge range of international brews and creative cocktails, as well as European and Asian-inspired dishes – all with the best view in town!
10. Or… Wine and Dine in Time Out Market
Also located in Souk Al Bahar, Time Out Market is my go-to place for dinner and drinks whenever I’m in Downtown Dubai. Step inside and you’ll find a buzzing food hall with 17 different options.
This place is home to a bunch of local favorites including the “bespoke” burgers at Pickl, the “not quite Neapolitan, not quite New York” pizzas at Pitfire, and the “Eastern” dishes at BB Social Dining, to name a few of the market’s eateries.
This is also a very popular place to grab drinks, with the Fountain Bar and the outdoor terrace offering excellent views of the Fountain Show and the Burj Khalifa.
11. See a Performance at the Dubai Opera
When it comes to things to do near Dubai Mall, it’s well worth taking the short and scenic walk along Burj Lake to the Dubai Opera building. I highly suggest taking a stroll at night when the Dubai Opera is all lit up!
It’s well worth visiting just to see this architectural gem from the outside, but I also think this is an excellent venue when it comes to seeing performances in Dubai. With a capacity of 2,000, Dubai Opera is surprisingly intimate for being in the city which is known for being home to the world’s biggest everything!
From rock concerts to orchestral performances, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the shows I’ve seen here.
12. Take a Selfie With the ‘Wings of Mexico’
If you’re ticking off all of Dubai’s most Instagrammable spots, you’ll want to make a stop at the “Wings of Mexico” statue (click here for the exact location). Although there will likely be a line of some sort, it’s well worth waiting to have your photo taken with the wings and the Burj Khalifa perfectly framed in the background!
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