Abu Dhabi’s malls are less compact than Dubai’s, and each one has a clear personality: Yas Mall is the entertainment-and-shopping day out, The Galleria is the luxury address, Marina Mall sits on the waterfront, and Dalma Mall serves the suburbs with sheer size. This guide compares the main malls in Abu Dhabi by shopper type, then adds opening hours, transport and a few planning tips so you can choose a short list instead of crossing the city for every name.
Which Abu Dhabi Mall Should You Choose?
Short answer: choose Yas Mall if you are already on Yas Island or want a family day, The Galleria Al Maryah Island for luxury brands and dining, Marina Mall for a central waterfront mall with a large supermarket, Abu Dhabi Mall or Al Wahda Mall for mainstream high-street shopping, and Dalma Mall if you are in the Mussafah area. If you are visiting from Dubai, one anchor mall plus a sight such as the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is enough for a day.
Abu Dhabi Malls at a Glance
| Yas Mall | Yas Island. Entertainment, big brands, cinema. Near Ferrari World and Yas Waterworld. |
| The Galleria Al Maryah Island | Al Maryah Island. Luxury shopping, waterfront dining. |
| Marina Mall | Al Marina, on the Corniche. Opened in 2001; large supermarket and cinema. |
| Abu Dhabi Mall | Al Zahiyah. One of the older city-center malls with a big food court. |
| Al Wahda Mall | Hazza Bin Zayed Street. High-street brands and a family-friendly layout. |
| Dalma Mall | Mussafah. One of the biggest malls, with a hypermarket and cinema. |
Hours vary by mall and week. As a rule of thumb, malls open around 10:00 AM and close between 10:00 PM and midnight, with later closing on Thursday to Saturday. Confirm on the mall’s own channels before you go.
Yas Mall
Yas Mall is one of the largest malls in the capital at roughly 2.5 million square feet, with several hundred stores, a large multiplex, family entertainment venues and plenty of parking. Its main advantage is location: it sits among Yas Island’s other attractions, and a free Yas Express shuttle has linked the mall to the island’s parks and hotels. It works well after a day at Yas Waterworld or an evening at Yas Marina Circuit. It is also close to Abu Dhabi International Airport, which makes it handy at the start or end of a trip.
The Galleria Al Maryah Island
The Galleria is Abu Dhabi’s luxury mall, with premium fashion houses, jewelry and watch boutiques, a large dining program and waterside views. It opened in 2013 and has grown since, and it is part of the Al Maryah Island district, which is also home to hotels and offices. It is the best choice for high-end shopping and dining, and less suited to a budget family outing.
Marina Mall
Marina Mall opened in 2001 and remains a popular central destination beside the Corniche. It has a cinema, restaurants, a large supermarket, big parking areas and a bus stop nearby, and the Abu Dhabi Eye ferris wheel and the marina waterfront are close by. It is the easiest mall to combine with a seaside walk.
Abu Dhabi Mall
Abu Dhabi Mall in Al Zahiyah is one of the longest-established city-center malls. It has a multi-level shopping layout, a supermarket, a large food court and a mix of local and international stores, and it is easy to reach from many downtown hotels.
Al Wahda Mall
Al Wahda Mall, near the stadium of the same name, is a large downtown mall with international high-street brands, a food court, a cinema and a family entertainment area. It is a practical middle option between the luxury and budget ends of the market.
Dalma Mall
Dalma Mall, opened in 2010 near Mussafah, is one of the largest malls in Abu Dhabi and serves the surrounding suburbs with a hypermarket, high-street fashion, electronics, a cinema and a large food court. It is far from the tourist areas, so visit it if you are staying nearby or want a local-feeling mall.
Other Malls Worth Knowing
- Avenue at Etihad Towers: a small, very high-end boutique mall near the Corniche, suited to luxury shoppers.
- Khalidiyah Mall: a long-running neighborhood mall with a large hypermarket and convenient parking; good for everyday shopping and local snacks and sweets.
- Deerfields Mall: at the Abu Dhabi entrance from Dubai in Al Bahia, with a hypermarket, fashion shops and a gym.
- Al Raha Mall and Mazyad Mall: community malls on the outskirts; Mazyad has a LuLu store and prices pitched at residents rather than tourists.
Al Jimi Mall in Al Ain
If you are visiting Al Ain, Al Jimi Mall is a major local mall with a hypermarket, a department store, fashion and beauty stores, cafes and an outdoor retail park. It is a practical stop for residents and for visitors to the city’s heritage sites.
Which Mall for Which Plan?
- Family day out: Yas Mall, with Yas Island attractions nearby.
- Luxury shopping: The Galleria Al Maryah Island or Avenue at Etihad Towers.
- Waterfront stroll plus shopping: Marina Mall.
- Everyday and budget shopping: Abu Dhabi Mall, Al Wahda Mall, Khalidiyah Mall or Dalma Mall.
- Stopping on the way from Dubai: Deerfields Mall or Yas Mall.
Getting Around Abu Dhabi’s Malls
Abu Dhabi is spread out, so taxis and ride-hailing are the simplest way to move between malls. City buses serve the main downtown malls, but routes and payment systems change, so check the transport authority’s app. Some malls, such as Yas Mall, are better reached by car or taxi than public transport. If you are coming from Dubai, expect about 1 to 1.5 hours by road to Yas Mall and a little more to central Abu Dhabi, depending on traffic.
Tips for Shopping in Abu Dhabi
- Weekday afternoons are quiet; Thursday and Friday evenings are busy.
- Dress modestly, with shoulders and knees covered. See our UAE travel rules guide for etiquette.
- Prices in malls are fixed, so bargaining is for souks only.
- Ask about tourist VAT refunds at registered shops, and keep receipts and passport details.
- Combine a mall with a sight: the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque or the Louvre Abu Dhabi fit well into a day with Marina Mall or The Galleria.
Check Current Conditions
Regional events in 2026 disrupted air travel in the Gulf, though Abu Dhabi malls were operating at the time of writing. Check your government’s travel advice and the summary in our Dubai city guide before booking, and confirm mall hours the day you travel.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the biggest mall in Abu Dhabi?
Several are very large, including Yas Mall and Dalma Mall; official size figures vary between sources.
What is the best mall in Abu Dhabi for tourists?
Yas Mall for entertainment, The Galleria for luxury and Marina Mall for a waterfront setting.
How do I get to Yas Mall from Dubai?
Drive, take a taxi or use an intercity bus, then a taxi; allow about 1 to 1.5 hours each way.
Are Abu Dhabi malls open on Fridays?
Yes, with adjusted hours; some stores open later in the day.
Where should I stay to be near the malls?
Al Maryah Island for The Galleria, the Corniche area for Marina Mall and Yas Island for Yas Mall. See our Abu Dhabi city guide and the wider shopping centers in the UAE comparison for more help.
Is there an outlet mall near Abu Dhabi?
The best-known outlet-style mall in the UAE is in Dubai; see our Dubai Outlet Mall guide.
