There are shopping centers and then there are destinations. Al Wahda Mall, in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, definitely falls under the second category. This award-winning retail icon has changed the way people experience a day out in the UAE’s capital since its doors first opened in 2007. Al Wahda Mall offers it all to locals making their weekly shopping trip, tourists enjoying the lifestyle scene and families seeking a day of fun, all in one place.
While Al Wahda Mall is certainly one of the largest malls in the UAE in terms of size, what sets it apart from the dozens of other malls that pepper the UAE is its richness of experience. This mall is no shyness at all, as it has internationally known fashion brands, a food court that’s bustling with activity, a multiplex cinema and a children’s entertainment section.
Al Wahda Mall – History of the Brand from 152 Brands to a City Icon
Al Wahda Mall has embarked on a journey of purposeful and steady growth. On 5 June 2007 when it opened the mall was already an important and pivotal addition to the retail landscape of Abu Dhabi, featuring 152 brands on a well-curated retail floor. The vision for the mall was not only to sell products, but to be a place for people to come together and enjoy being part of a community, owned by Al Wahda Sports Club and managed by the Lulu Group International.
At the end of September 2012, the mall was already too big for itself. A major extension opened, bringing more than 200 new stores and securing over 90% retail Lettable Space in its extension shortly after. The extension is a separate building which can be seen from the road, joined to the original building with an elegant sky bridge that creates a unique identity of the two buildings in the mall.
Today, Al Wahda Mall is a massive 3.3 million square feet, about 57 football fields with more than 480 brand outlets and attracts more than 20 million visits per year. A fire was found on the mall premises about 4:00 PM in April 2025. Teams from both Abu Dhabi Police and the Civil Defence Authority responded promptly, allowing them to contain the situation without any injury reports.
Location & How to Get to Al Wahda Mall
📍Address: Al Wahda Mall, Hazza Bin Zayed The First Street, Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Al Wahda Mall is located in the most convenient area of Abu Dhabi, along Old Airport Road (Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Street), near Hazza’ Bin Zayed The First Street. It is conveniently located for residents of Al Nahyan and Al Wahda but can be reached from almost every part of the city.
Getting There
- By Car: The most popular option. There are several access points for people to enter and exit, which allows for easy movement throughout the site even during busy times.
- By Taxi / Ride-Hailing: Uber and Careem also operate in the area, and it is easy to find the main entrance of the mall on GPS.
- Accessible for the Public Bus: There are several bus routes that pass through the area with Public Bus.
- Parking at Al Wahda Mall is free.
- 4,000 vehicle parking capacity (both multi-level underground and open-air parking)
- Facilities for the people with determination (Individuals with Disabilities)
- First three hours of parking are complimentary
- After 3 hours: Price from AED 10 to AED 150
- Valet parking is available at certain entrances
💡 Tip: On busy weekends, record where you park (level and section) before entering the mall – this simple trick can save lots of stress as the mall is large enough.
Mall Layout & Key Statistics at a Glance
| Feature | Detail |
| Total Area | 3.3 million sq. ft. (307,000 sq. m.) |
| Number of Stores | 480+ |
| Annual Visitors | 20+ million |
| Parking Capacity | 4,000 vehicles |
| Structure | Two buildings connected by sky bridge |
| Managed By | Lulu Group International |
| Opened | June 5, 2007 |
| Opening Hours (Sun–Wed) | 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM |
| Opening Hours (Thu–Sat) | 10:00 AM – 11:00 PM |
Thorough Guide to Shopping at Al Wahda Mall, Covering all Categories
The Big Names at Anchor Stores
- Lulu Hypermarket: One of the biggest hypermarkets in Abu Dhabi, selling groceries, electronics, home improvement and organic foods – and a kids’ play area.
- H&M: Popular fast fashion of men, women and kids in all parts of the world, at affordable prices.
- Max Fashion: Fashion for the entire family, chic, affordable and supported by the trusted group Landmark.
- Gold’s Gym: Full service gym in the mall offering top of the line equipment and professional trainers.
Fashion & Apparel — From High Street to Heritage
- International High Street: Zara, Mango, Bershka, Pull & Bear, American Eagle Outfitters, GANT, Victoria’s Secret, LC Waikiki, Springfield and Bench.
- Premium & Luxury Labels: Armani Exchange, DKNY, Ted Baker, Beverly Hills Polo Club and Timberland.
- The Nishat Linen, Junaid Jamshed and Pesaro Italy is a popular South Asian Heritage Fashion among the large South Asian expat community in Abu Dhabi.
- Babyshop is one of the largest outlets of Kids & Family Fashion, which is home to baby essentials, nursery furniture, toys, and kids’ clothes.
Electronics & Tech
- Sharaf DG & Emax: Top two UAE electronics stores for the latest smartphones, laptops, smart home gadgets, gaming consoles and accessories.
- Telecom Kiosks: There are Telecom Kiosks at Etisalat (e&) and du in the mall.
Home Decor & Furniture
- Home Center, Pottery Barn & THE One: Curated collections of furniture, soft furnishings, kitchenware and home accessories.
Beauty, Wellness & Optical
- Several outlets of cosmetic and skin care companies on the mall’s floors
- Optical stores that prescribe eyeglasses, test your vision and offer designer sunglasses
- Pharmacies and health supplement shops for total wellness desires
Eating at Al Wahda Mall: A World of Flavors
The Al Wahda Mall is not only a place to shop, but it is also a place to eat as there are more than 50 food and beverage outlets. There’s a huge, well-organised food court and standalone restaurants dotted around the mall offer everything from wallet-friendly to high-end fare.
Popular Dining Spots
- The fast-food options here are led by the stalwarts, McDonald’s, KFC, Hardee’s and Pizza Hut.
- Cafés: Starbucks, Costa Coffee and Cafe de la Paix are popular meeting places for residents and mall-walkers.
- Full-service dine-in restaurants such as Chili’s, The Noodle House, Olive Garden and Red Lobster are available for families and groups.
- Cravings for desserts can be satisfied at a number of local outlets as well as Sweet Treats: Baskin Robbins, Cinnabon.
- South Asian & Middle Eastern Cuisine: There’s a number of venues offering biryani, shawarma and the traditional Arabic sweet.
Dining Tips
- The weekday lunchtime is crowded (12pm – 2pm)
- There’s plenty of space in the food court and it’s a very festive area
- There are several outlets with dedicated seating areas for families that have high chairs provided
At Al Wahda Mall, Entertainment for all Ages
Al Wahda Cinema
Al Wahda Cinema is one of the most popular attractions in the mall which plays a variety of movies – Hollywood movies, Bollywood, Arabic and South Indian movies. With the multiplex format, several movies are currently playing at once, and it is a popular choice among moviegoers throughout Abu Dhabi weekend.
Wanasa Land — Children’s Entertainment Centre is the largest art gallery that is entirely dedicated to children’s art in South Africa.
The mall has the well-loved Wanasa Land, where children head straight for as soon as entering the mall. The entertainment centre has:
- Rides for all ages that are sure to give you a thrill
- Interactive games and arcade games that use a screen or video.
- Separate party rooms for parties and birthdays
- An Italian café for parents to enjoy (on site) while children play!
Additional Family Entertainment
- Kiddy Zone: Carries a variety of popular toy lines which are an attraction to younger visitors.
- Board & Card Game Stores: European and North American specialty tabletop games that are beloved by families and gaming communities.
- Seasonal Events: Seasonal community events such as Ramadan events, UAE National Day, Eid Celebrations and back to school campaigns year round.
The Grand Millennium Hotel: A 5 Star Connection
Al Wahda Mall’s most unique feature is its direct link to the Grand Millennium Al Wahda, a premium 5-star hotel. The hotel is also the only one where you can walk straight into the mall without even setting foot outside — an unprecedented feature particularly during Abu Dhabi’s sweltering summer.
The integration has a positive impact on the hotel guests as well as on the entire mall, who come to unwind, have a cup of coffee or a night out to enjoy their stay, and who are typically business travelers, tourists or long-stay visitors. It’s a synergy that makes both properties better together.
Awards & Recognition: A Track Record of Excellence
- “Best Shopping Mall in Abu Dhabi” — Winner for three consecutive years (2010, 2011, and 2012)
- MECSC Award for Marketing Excellence — First mall in Abu Dhabi to receive this award, which came as a result of the “Operation Smile” CSR campaign.
- No Smoking Campaign Award – Awarded as the first smoke-free mall in the region
- In 2007 and 2009, it was honored with the National Day Tourism Awards for its contribution to the tourism and retail scene in Abu Dhabi.
Practical Visitor Tips
- Time of day: Weekday mornings (10 AM – 12 PM) are the quietest, perfect for families with young children or those wanting a more leisurely visit.
- Busiest Periods: Thursday evenings, Friday afternoons and the first week of any major sale season are the busiest periods.
- Dress Code: It is appreciated if they are modestly dressed, especially in public food areas and prayer facilities.
- Prayer Facilities: Prayer rooms for men and women can be found throughout both buildings.
- Accessibility: 100% wheelchair accessible, including elevators, ramps and parking bays for people of determination.
- Money & Payments: Most credit and debit cards are accepted; there are several UAE bank branches and ATMs inside.
- Temperature: The mall is very air conditioned, so if you don’t like the cold indoors, bring a light jacket.
- Family Facilities: Baby changing facilities and nursing areas are provided for parents with babies.
- Navigation: Take advantage of the official mall directory boards at major intersections or use the mall’s app to navigate on a store-by-store level.
All-in-One Lifestyle Destination of Abu Dhabi
Al Wahda Mall is no longer just a mall; it is a place where the daily life of Abu Dhabi happens. The mall’s vibrant atmosphere reflects the city’s hustle and bustle, from the early morning walkers at Starbucks to the lunch breakers at the food court and the late night cinema lovers on Friday evenings with their families.
It brings to the UAE one of the most well-rounded retail destinations in the entire country, in terms of its size, the range of brands it hosts, the amount of entertainment it offers, award-winning management and seamless hotel integration. Al Wahda Mall is a place everyone can enjoy, from a first-time visit to joining them on their long-term stay.
Make a plan, explore its two interconnected buildings and discover for yourself why millions of people opt for Al Wahda Mall every year as their destination for shopping, dining and everything in between.
FAQ’s
Q1. Al Wahda Mall is located where?
Al Wahda Mall is situated on Old Airport Road (Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Street) of Al Nahyan, near Hazza’ Bin Zayed The First Street in Abu Dhabi, UAE.
Q2. What are Al Wahda Mall’s opening hours?
The mall is open Sunday-Wednesday 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM and Thursday-Saturday 10:00 AM – 11:00 PM.
Q3. Does Al Wahda Mall offer parking free of charge?
Yes, the first three hours of parking are free. Following that, there are charges between AED 10 to AED 150 based on the time of your stay. Valet parking is available as well.
Q4. How many shops does Al Wahda mall have?
With 480+ brand stores across 2 connected buildings covering a total of 3.3 million square feet, Al Wahda Mall is one of the largest malls in Dubai.
Q5. Does Al Wahda Mall have a movie theater?
Yes, Al Wahda Cinema is one of the key entertainment attractions of the shopping mall and regularly shows Hollywood, Bollywood, Arabic and South Indian movies.
Q6. Which restaurant is the most popular in Al Wahda Mall?
There are plenty of popular choices such as Chili’s, The Noodle House, Olive Garden, Red Lobster, Starbucks, Costa Coffee, McDonald’s, KFC and Baskin Robbins, to mention just a few.
Q7. Does Al Wahda Mall have a hotel?
Yes — A 5-star hotel, the Grand Millennium Al Wahda, is directly connected to the mall with an internal walkway, which makes it seamless for the hotel guests to access the mall.
Q8. Which of the following does Al Wahda mall offer for children?
Children will be able to play at the entertainment centre, Wanasa Land, with rides, arcade games and party rooms, and Kiddy Zone and toy stores all over the mall.
Q9. In Al Wahda Mall, what stores have anchors?
They feature key anchor stores such as Lulu Hypermarket, H&M, Max Fashion, Gold’s Gym and Al Wahda Cinema, in addition to a variety of supporting retail brands.
Q10. What is the public transportation to Al Wahda Mall?
The mall can be reached by public transport, with several bus routes in Abu Dhabi that go through Old Airport Road. From anywhere in the city one can also depend on taxis, Uber, and Careem.
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