10 Coolest Shopping Malls Around the World Worth Travelling For

Online shopping sure is cool and time-saving. But nothing beats going to a real mall, grabbing the best outfit with your bare hands, and walking along the dazzling and glamorous shops filled with branded items all over their shelves (shopaholics can relate!). What if we tell you some of the best malls in the world are waiting for you to discover them on your next holiday? From a breathtaking open-air concept mall to a shopping centre with a beautiful canal, you’ll feel like jumping into your screen as soon as you set eyes on these!

Before your shopping trip, make sure you’re ready to swipe. On your next vacation, pack the DBS Altitude Card, winner of the Best Travel Card category at the 2023 TripZilla Excellence Awards. That way, you can shop and dine in the hottest spots around the world while earning miles that will never expire.

Read on to learn more about the 10 best malls in the world you should visit at least once in your lifetime.

Also read: 12 Shopping Destinations Around the World You Have to Visit in Your Lifetime!

Best malls in the world that will leave you in awe

1. The Dubai Mall – Dubai, United Arab Emirates

The Dubai Mall in the United Arab Emirates is the definition of extra. Think of it this way: Having a mall linked to an iconic building is cool, but having one of the biggest malls in the world connected to the world’s tallest building is insane! Home to over 1,200 stores, this vast shopping mall even has its virtual reality park and a famous walk-through aquarium. 

Aside from those, The Dubai Mall houses over 14,000 parking spaces, 200 restaurants and cafes, and over 20 cinema screens altogether. Did we mention the best gaming centres and arcades that will make any gamers cry happy tears? And if you didn’t know yet, the popular, Olympic-size Dubai Ice Rink is also located within the mall! The rink is built for recreational skating and Emirates Hockey Leagues games.

Also read: 12 Gorgeous Airbnbs in Dubai for Every Kind of Traveller

2. West Edmonton Mall – Alberta, Canada

West Edmonton Mall is not your average mall. This shopping complex is one of the biggest malls in the world, housing over 800 shops that feature well-known international and local brands. Plus, the mall is famous for the splashing fun time it offers. Yup, the World Water Park within the mall allows you to ride the waves at its huge indoor pool or even take wild twists and turns with its awesome water slides.

If you’re not into water theme parks, the mall’s Galaxyland Amusement Park is for you. Think thrilling and fun rides, carnival games, and concessions! Other notable attractions include a Birds of Paradise visit that lets you paddle a majestic swan boat in the mall’s crystal blue lake. Not to forget Professor WEM’s Adventure Golf course, where you can put your golfing skills to the test with their unique 18-hole miniature golf course.

Also read: A Guide to the Best Theme Parks Around the World Worth Travelling For

3. CentralWorld – Bangkok, Thailand

CentralWorld, being one of the biggest malls in the world, offers you nothing short of an electrifying shopping experience! With over 500 stores and sprawling eight floors decorated with artistic installations, you will never get enough of this place. Expect high-end branded products and extensive dining options featuring Thai gourmet and global dishes to accompany your visit to the biggest mall in Bangkok.

On top of this luxurious mall is a five-star Centara Grand Hotel that allows you to sleep cosily in the middle of industrious Bangkok. And to top it off, you can immerse yourself in the city’s panoramic views from the Red Sky, located right on top of the hotel. 

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Another attraction that deserves your attention is The Zen World within the mall. This section offers a wide range of wellness amenities, including gyms, spas, and beauty centres. Psst, there are also three major shrines surrounding the mall — the Erawan Shrine, Ganesha Shrine, and Trimurti Shrine. So, do visit them after rounds of shopping sprees at CentralWorld.

Also read: 15 Malls and Outlet Stores to Go Shopping in Bangkok

4. Ala Moana Centre – Honolulu, Hawaii

Looking for a refreshing grand outdoor shopping experience? Ala Moana Centre in Hawaii will do you wonders! Being one of the world’s largest open-air shopping complexes, this fresh concept mall offers everyone free Hawaiian wind, music, and hula performances. There are over 350 outlets that include famous department stores and first-class boutiques and around 160 eateries that serve tasty Hawaiian cuisines and meals from around the world.

Aside from the swaying palm trees and warm sunshine that add to the Hawaiian vibes, you can also experience Hawaiian charm and culture by attending various live performances and visiting lively markets, such as the Honolulu Maker’s Market and Aloha Home Market. And while you’re there, make sure to take a stroll along their Art Walk, which features multi-million dollar art collections that showcase the beauty of Hawaiian cultural diversity. Definitely one of the best malls in the world to add to your bucket list!              

Also read: 17 Stunning Airbnbs in Hawaii for the Best Experience

5. Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II – Milan, Italy

Galleria Vittorio Emanuelle II: The name itself is already fancy, but nothing gets fancier than the moment you actually walk into the exquisite building of Italy‘s oldest shopping gallery. The gorgeous barrel-vaulted ceilings and glass domes will take your breath away; take our word for it! And these marvellous features answer why it’s one of the best malls in the world.

This glass-enclosed arcade in Milan is home to luxury Italian fashion labels worth the splurge. Some of them include Gucci, Prada, and Louis Vuitton. Another thing to look forward to is the numerous well-decorated restaurants, which the famous Cafe Biffi (established in 1857) is part of. 

Plus, you can find a unique tradition only in this splendid covered arcade: spinning on the bull of Turin for good luck. You can find the mosaic art bull under the central dome of the shopping mall. It is believed that stepping with your right foot on the bull and spinning thrice will bring you good luck. 

Also read: Paris vs. Milan: Which Fashion Capital in Europe Should You Visit First?

6. Berjaya Times Square – Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Berjaya Times Square in Kuala Lumpur is a massive shopping and entertainment complex whose design is inspired by the famous Times Square in NYC! It is listed as one of the best shopping malls in the world thanks to its impressive layout, huge size, and wide array of amenities. The mall has over 1,000 retail stores that feature a rich selection of local and international brands for you to shop ‘til you drop.

FYI, this shopping centre consists of 13 floors, and you can find its famous indoor amusement park on the fifth and seventh floors of the mall. Expect thrilling roller coaster rides and spine-chilling haunted houses to fill your time at the park. Other notable attractions include the giant musical staircase, a luxury hotel, and the largest capsule vending machine in the world!

Also read: 20 Best Malls in Kuala Lumpur & Klang Valley for Avid Shopaholics

7. Villaggio Mall – Doha, Qatar

What if we tell you there’s a mall with a 150-metre-long indoor canal in Qatar? Yup, and it’s called Villaggio Mall! This Venetian-inspired shopping centre offers a unique shopping experience that will transport visitors to the beautiful city of Venice (not literally). Expect luxury plus entertainment when you step inside this breathtaking mall.

It is one of the best malls in the world when it comes to ambience and uniqueness. That said, Villaggio’s main highlight would be its famous gondola ride. You get to sit and cruise along the blue-watered canal on a charming gondola boat — all in Gondolania Theme Park within the mall. The theme park also features action-filled activities such as go-karting, bowling, and roller gliding.

Look up at the ceiling. Here, you’ll see a vast and beautiful painting of a blue sky with patches of fluffy clouds all over. The ceiling’s lighting will change according to the time of the day: sunrise, midday, and nighttime. Awesome! Talk about once in a lifetime shopping experience you should definitely witness and feel for yourself.

8. Mall of America – Minnesota, United States

Welcoming more than 40 million global travellers annually, Mall of America is one of the best malls in the world to add to your itinerary! This mall in Bloomington, Minnesota boasts more than 520 stores and 60 restaurants in its massive building. FYI, the mall has witnessed over 8,000 couples tying the knot at The Chapel of Love since 1994. However, this attraction ceased operations in 2022. Nonetheless, the mall is here to stay with plenty of attractions for you to explore!

Its main highlights would be the family fun attractions which feature a LEGO store and giant LEGO sculptures as well as the Nickelodeon Universe. The latter consists of 27 rides and FlyOverAmerica, which lets you immerse in an exciting 4D multi-sensory tour around the United States. This seven-acre theme park also houses a 300-foot-long aquarium tunnel at the famous SEA LIFE Minnesota. Undoubtedly some of the best things to do after a long day of shopping spree!

9. Melbourne’s GPO – Melbourne, Australia

What’s cooler than shopping in a general post office turned shopping mall in Australia? Melbourne’s GPO is a historic building that dates back to 1859, the year when the post office was first erected. The mall is blessed with astonishing exteriors, such as phenomenal Corinthian columns and stunning classical archways, that have become one of its main attractions.

You can find the best retail stores across the three floors inside the mall. And expect to find exceptional event spaces along the way. High-end, branded products will be your shopping finds if you decide to splurge at this neo-renaissance-style shopping mall. 

10. The Iran Mall – Tehran, Iran

Make way for the biggest shopping mall in the world — The Iran Mall! With a total land area sprawling over 21 million square feet, you can only imagine what they have in store. From a hypermarket and fashion avenue to over 200 restaurants, those are just the tip of the iceberg for this behemoth mall. 

The top attractions you should look forward to are the Mirror Hall consisting of 38 million pieces of mirrors, and the Jondishapour Library, a book lover’s paradise that houses a collection of 45,000 volumes of books, manuscripts, and documents. 

FYI, the mall certainly has something for sports enthusiasts out there. We’re talking 15 sports grounds (for hiking, bicycling, and public activities), multiple tennis courts, an ice rink, and a swimming pool! Also, don’t forget to check out the mall’s advanced movie theatre, sophisticated musical fountains, and international convention centre.

Also read: 8 Budget Travel Ideas for Visiting the Most Expensive Cities in the World

And that concludes our list of the best malls in the world that deserve your attention. Which one of these shopping centres will be your first choice?

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