Abu Dhabi shopping
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 Posted: Fri Jan 06, 2006 2:58 pm Post subject: ABU DHABI SHOPPING: Go Shopping in Abu Dhabi Guide UAE |
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ABU DHABI SHOPPING: Go Shopping in Abu Dhabi Guide UAE
In todays world, the word shopping is synonymous to Abu Dhabi. The city presents a variety of shopping plazas in and around the city that display some of the most modern and exclusive goods in the world. People from all over the world flock to Abu Dhabi to lighten their pockets of some valuable moolas during the Abu Dhabi Shopping Festival held every year in the month of March. During other times, one can visit the famous Old Souk, apparently an ideal place when it comes to buying precious metals such as gold, electronics goods, clothes and virtually everything. The shopping here is of the same standard as their neighbour Dubai, but you would probably get better value for you money.
Bargains & Popular Buys
Abu Dhabi is a shopper's paradise and the range of products and prices is unbeatable. Whether you choose to flex your plastic in designer boutiques or haggle in the local souks, the emirate's shopping options will not disappoint.
Gold is very competitively priced in Abu Dhabi and there are many jewellery shops around town, with the biggest concentration of outlets in the Madinat Zayed Gold Market.
Popular souvenir purchases include carpets, rugs and textiles from the region, including Iran, Pakistan, India and Afghanistan, Arabian coffee pots (the symbol of hospitality), prayer beads, shisha pipes, antique silver jewellery, khanjars (curved daggers), inlaid jewellery boxes, miniature dhows, brass items and traditional wooden furniture.
Shopping Malls
The emirate's malls, in both Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, are spacious, modern and imaginatively designed. Besides their fine array of shops and boutiques, including many famous international retail names, they have a good selection of food outlets and children's play areas. Sales and promotions run throughout the year and raffles are popular. The larger malls also house cinemas and offer plenty of free parking.
The two biggest shopping malls in the capital are Marina Mall on the Breakwater and Abu Dhabi Mall near the Beach Rotana Hotel. Other malls include Madinat Zayed Shopping & Gold Centre, Liwa Centre, Al Hana Shopping Centre, Al Muhairy Centre, Fatouh Al Khair, Hamdan Centre, Khalifa Centre, Rotana Mall, Abu Dhabi Co-operative Society and Lamcy Plaza. Al Ain also has some excellent shopping facilities, notably Al Ain Mall and Al Jimi Mall.
Liwa Centre
6320344
6340061
Madinat Zayed Shopping Centre and Gold Centre
6318555
6318553
mzsc@emirates.net.ae
Marina Mall
6818300
6818668
info@marinamall.ae
Abu Dhabi Mall
6454858
6457737
customerservice@abudhabi-mall.com
Ftooh Al Khair Centre
6211133
6211134
Hamed Centre
6675550
6655592
Hamdan Centre
6328555
6349994
Al Muhairi Centre
6322228
6334493
management@almuhairycentre.com
Carrefour
6817100
6814266
COrcet@mafgroup.ae
Carrefour
4494300
4494368
pbelkowski@mafgroup.ae
Traditional Souk
Souk is the Arabic word for market and Abu Dhabi has several. They are a definite must-do for visitors. They offer a chance to soak up the atmosphere as well as purchase a few bargains.
Traditionally souks were a maze of shady alleyways. Today they more closely resemble a collection of small shops, but they still have the same buzz as their ancestors. The Iranian Souk is one of the most authentic souks in Abu Dhabi and well worth a visit, as is the Al Ain Souk, which has retained a charming if somewhat ramshackle appeal. Al Meena Souk is a must for visitors looking for carpets.
Bargaining
Bargaining is a time-honoured tradition throughout the souks of the Arab world and visitors can get quoted prices almost halved with some serious haggling. The experience should be treated as fun and vendors appreciate a smile. However, once a price has been verbally agreed upon the customer is expected to buy. Vendors have even been known to chase people down the street to finally succumb to their offered price so walking away can be part of the bargaining process |
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