From Enormous malls selling modern marvels to traditional ‘SOUKS’ brimming over with exotic treasures, Abu Dhabi’s shopping scene is the definition of variety.
The combination of Abu Dhabi’s historical position on many ancient trade routes and the mix of nationalities passing through the city today, make it a shopping destination of choice for bargain hunters, collectors, souvenirs seekers and shopaholics alike. Not only you will find a huge selection of mainstream items, authentic antiques and some unusual discoveries, all at excellent prices, but with shops open late into the evenings you can really shop at leisure.
Souks:
Carpet Souks, is currently hidden behind a mass of roadworks but it is signposted off the Meena Road, Yemeni mattresses and machine-made carpets dominate, but bargains can be found if you know what you are looking for so don’t forget to haggle. Some of the vendors will make Arabic ‘majlis’ cushions to order for a very reasonable price. This is also known as the Afghan souk and is located on Meena Road near the main port area.
Fish & Fruit, Vegetable souks, at Al Meena
Iranian Souk, near the fish market
Al Ain Souk, Zayed bin Sultan street
Al Ain Camel Market, Near Town Centre
Mwaifa Souk-Al Ain, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed street
Malls
Attractive modern shopping plazas are conveniently located throughout the city, with a wide range of shops, boutiques, supermarkets, restaurants, fast-food outlets and lot of entertainment options.
Abu Dhabi Mall: tourist Club area www.abudhabimall.com 02.6454858
Abu Dhabi Cooperative society complex: Sheikh Zayed street, 02.6440808
Marina Mall: Breakwater, 02.6818300Fotouh Al Khair Centre: Near Etisalat Building, 02.6211133 Hamdan Centre: Near Novotel Centre Hotel, 02.6328555 Khalifa Centre: Near Abu Dhabi Coop Liwa Centre: Near Novotel Centre Hotel, 02.6320344 Lulu Centre: Al Salam street, 02.6779786 Madinat Zayad Shopping centre & Golf Centre: Near main post office, 02.6318555 Multi brand, Sheikh Hamdan street, 02.6219700 Rotana Mall, Between Khaleej Al Arab St. and Sheikh Zayed street
Abu Dhabi Duty free
Abu Dhabi Duty Free opened its doors in 1984 and has grown from strength to strength ever since to become one of the worlds finest Duty Free complexes in the world, winning several prestigious awards along the way. Through the years, ADDF has witnessed refurbishments, renovations and extensions, taking the retail area from only six shops in 1994, to a retail area of over 5000 square meters today.
Brilliantly researched and designed, Abu Dhabi Duty Free pioneered the shop-in-shop concept with branded corners for various prestigious international brands displaying their corporate identities. Several top brand names in fashion, fragrance, cosmetics, confectionery and more, create a lavish look and feel to the retail area.
Shopping Hours
Abu Dhabi shopping hours are mostly from 9.00am–1.00pm and 4.00–9.00pm or later. Some boutiques in the residential areas do not open until 9.30 or 10.00am. However shopping malls are normally open from 10.00am–10.00pm.
Most supermarkets stay open until late at night seven days a week, while some remain open 24 hours. Shops close for prayers on Fridays from 11.30am–1.30pm. Shopping malls and most shops are open on Friday evenings until late.