18 of the world's most outrageous shopping destinations
Next level retail therapy

Whether hunting for unique local products, designer bargains or just bringing back the odd souvenir, most of us will indulge in some retail therapy while on holiday. However, these jaw-dropping malls are destinations in themselves, offering everything from indoor beaches to replicas of Mediterranean villages.
Click through this gallery to see the 18 spots around the globe that take shopping to the next level...
Mall of America, Minnesota, USA

This entertainment complex is the largest shopping mall in North America. With over 520 retail stores and restaurants, the nation's biggest indoor family theme park with 27 rides, an aquarium, a 4D immersive flight adventure, the USA’s longest indoor zipline and an 18-hole mini golf course, it’s safe to say you won’t be bored at Minnesota’s gargantuan Mall of America.
Mall of America, Minnesota, USA

There’s also no sales tax on clothing or shoes in Minnesota, so you’ll be able to snap up some bargains in the mall’s enormous 5.6 million square feet (520,527sqm) of space. While there are some seriously pricey designers like Chanel, you'll also find American favourites including Abercrombie & Fitch, Kate Spade and Lucky Brand.
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Iran Mall, Tehran, Iran

Iran is the last place on Earth one would expect to find one of the largest shopping centres in the world, but the Iran Mall on the western outskirts of Tehran certainly fits the bill. It has a floor area of over 18.2 million square feet (1.7m sqm) and offers 700 retail outlets, an amusement park, an ice rink, 12 IMAX theatres and a hotel, as well as cycling and hiking routes and rooftop tennis courts.
Iran Mall, Tehran, Iran

The mall also contains plenty of traditional Iranian and Persian features. There’s a traditional bazaar modelled on the ancient markets of Tabriz, Isfahan and Shiraz, a garden with palm trees and fountains inspired by the traditional brick architecture of Central Iran and a Book Garden featuring a library with over 67,000 titles. A real highlight is the breathtaking Mirror Hall (pictured), made up of over 38 million pieces of mirror.
More incredible libraries around the world that you can visit
The Dubai Mall, Dubai, UAE

In the heart of downtown Dubai is the world’s largest and most-visited retail and entertainment destination: The Dubai Mall. Welcoming more than 100 million visitors a year, the mall is enormous with an internal floor area of 5.9 million square feet (548,128 sqm), 1,200 retail outlets, and over 200 food and beverage outlets to choose from. Jewellery is the biggest bargain here with brands including Cartier, Tiffany & Co and Harry Winston all tax-free.
The Dubai Mall, Dubai, UAE

Ala Moana Center, Hawaii, USA

Ala Moana Center, Hawaii, USA

Khan Shatyr Entertainment Center, Astana, Kazakhstan

Khan Shatyr Entertainment Center, Astana, Kazakhstan

Berjaya Times Square, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Berjaya Times Square, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

The all-encompassing complex features a full-suite hotel, service apartments, office space, the largest indoor theme park within Kuala Lumpur and a 2.7 million square foot (250,838sqm) shopping mall. There's also a bowling alley and a food court dedicated to Asian cuisine.
Canal City Hakata, Fukuoka, Japan

Canal City Hakata, Fukuoka, Japan

Villaggio Mall, Doha, Qatar

Villaggio Mall, Doha, Qatar

Istanbul Cevahir, Istanbul, Turkey

Istanbul Cevahir, Istanbul, Turkey

The Grand Canal Shoppes, Las Vegas, USA

Opened in 1999, The Grand Canal Shoppes is one of the most famous attractions in Las Vegas. More than 160 outlets in this shopping centre are connected via indoor waterways so you can just jump from gondola to gondola as you browse through the upmarket boutique stores and one-off retailers.
The Grand Canal Shoppes, Las Vegas, USA

Adjacent to the famous Venetian Hotel and Casino and The Palazzo, the Venetian-style shopping centre receives more than 25 million visitors a year and has six art galleries and a dozen world-class restaurants, including CUT by celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck.
Mall of the Emirates, Dubai, UAE

Mall of the Emirates, Dubai, UAE

Morocco Mall, Casablanca, Morocco

Morocco Mall, Casablanca, Morocco

New Century Global Center, Chengdu, China

New Century Global Center, Chengdu, China

Siam Paragon, Bangkok, Thailand

Siam Paragon, Bangkok, Thailand

SM Mall of Asia, Manila, the Philippines

SM Mall of Asia, Manila, the Philippines

Tokyo Midtown, Tokyo, Japan
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This $3 billion (£2.4bn) development in the heart of Tokyo includes an haute-couture shopping centre, office and residential spaces, a hotel and the new quarters of the Suntory Museum of Art.
Tokyo Midtown, Tokyo, Japan

Wafi Mall, Dubai, UAE

Wafi Mall, Dubai, UAE

West Edmonton Mall, Alberta, Canada

West Edmonton Mall, Alberta, Canada

At 5.3 million square feet (492,386sqm), the mall is the size of a small city, and welcomes in nearly 31 million shoppers a year. It’s also home to the world’s largest indoor amusement park, Galaxyland. The park's famous 37-year-old triple-loop roller coaster Mindbender has been closed since 2020 and will make space for new developments.
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