Overview
The mall opened in 2008 at the foot of the Burj Khalifa and functions as the city’s town square: in a place where summer afternoons reach 45 degrees, the air-conditioned mall is where people walk, meet and take children. The aquarium tank holds ten million litres behind a 750-millimetre acrylic panel and can be seen from the walkway without a ticket. Shopping is only part of what happens here, and it is worth going even if you buy nothing.
Highlights
The aquarium wall, the waterfall and the fountain terrace are all free. Souk Al Bahar next door is a smaller, quieter mall with the better fountain-facing restaurants. Go on a weekday; Friday and Saturday evenings are the busiest hours in the busiest building on earth.