With 2015 coming to an end, we think it’s the perfect time to start planning your travel bucket list for 2016! If you’re a shopaholic and if you pick the destinations you’re traveling to solely based on the fact that they’re great shopping destinations, this article is for you!
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1. Dubai
It sure is no surprise that Dubai is number 1 on our list! Named the best shopping destination for Muslims in the Muslim Travel Shopping Index (MTSI) 2015, Dubai has rapidly become one of the best travel destinations globally. Because of its numerous world-renowned attractions, the city sees millions of visitors each year. Beyond majestic sand dunes, stunning beaches and jaw-dropping sky scrapers, lie Dubai’s mega-sized shopping malls. Must-visits include;
Dubai Mall – the largest shopping, leisure and entertainment destination in the world,
Mall of the Emirates – home to an indoor ski slope,
Ibn Battuta Mall,
Mercato Mall, and
City Centre Mirdif. While visiting at least a couple of these world-class malls is a must, one cannot go to Dubai and not visit one of its atmospheric souks. Filled with colorful sights and wonderful scents, souks worthy of a visit include; the
Gold Souk, the
Spice Souk, the
Textile Souk and
Souk Al Bahar. An added bonus for Muslims visiting Dubai is that, with the UAE being a Muslim country, Halal food and prayer facilities in Dubai are aplenty!
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2. Kuala Lumpur
Coming in second on our list of the Best 10 shopping destinations for 2016, is Kuala Lumpur, or KL! Also one of the top destinations in the MTSI 2015, the Malaysian city has long been attracting tourists from around the world. Home to the stunning Petronas Towers and the spectacular Menara KL Tower, and a blend of cultures and religions, KL is the ideal destination for anyone. Shop till you drop at one of the city’s gigantic shopping malls, such as
Pavilion Kuala Lumpur,
Berjaya Times Square,
Suria KLCC or
Mid Valley Megamall, and bargain to your heart's content at one of its lively street markets, namely
Petaling Street or
Central Market. Again, just like in Dubai, finding Muslim-friendly facilities in Kuala Lumpur will be super easy.
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3. Singapore
Singapore - one of the world’s hottest destinations, known for housing architectural marvels like Gardens by the Bay, and plenty of family-friendly attractions such as Sentosa and Universal Studios, also features some of the best shopping you could ask for. From large, indoor malls to lively outdoor markets, Singapore can rightfully be called a shopping paradise! The many malls along
Orchard Road are all must-sees, along with the
Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, and shoppers are sure to find everything under the sun at
VivoCity; which is the largest mall in Singapore. Also be sure to check out
HarbourFront Centre,
Raffles City,
Suntec City and
Millenia Walk!
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4. London
Next up, London! From popular attractions such Big Ben, to fascinating history, iconic dishes like fish & chips, and a multicultural population, London has it all. The city also offers some of the best shopping in the world. World-famous department stores, up-scale designer shops, quirky boutiques and bustling markets are all part of London’s renowned shopping scene.
Oxford Street - Europe's busiest shopping street is sure to have something for everyone, while a trip to London is in complete without a visit to
Harrods.
Hamleys - said to be one of the oldest toy stores in the world, is one of the city’s top sites, and is known to attract kids and adults alike. Other must-visits for shopaholics include
Borough Market,
Westfield,
Covent Garden,
Regent Street,
Bond Street and
Mayfair,
Notting Hill and
Knightsbridge. While the city is not pre-dominantly Muslim, locating Muslim-friendly facilities in London will not be too difficult.
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5. Istanbul
Istanbul, where East and West meet, is a city with layers of history, fascinating culture, stunning architecture, and of course, great shopping! Make it a point to get lost in the labyrinth of stores at the beautiful
Grand Bazaar, be sure to take in the sights and aromas of the
Spice Bazaar, and haggle
over traditional Turkish items at
Arasta Bazaar. The city
caters to the needs of all, by also offering a fantastic selection of shopping centres and modern boutiques.
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6. Paris
Paris is one of the most fashion-savvy cities in the world. Home to world-famous fashion brands like Givenchy, Chanel and Hermès, the city is a fashionista’s dream come true. Apart from the many high-end fashion stores found here, Paris also features plenty of large department stores, trendy boutiques, and quirky markets. Most renowned labels can be found in the
8th arrondissement, while
Le Marais is known to house shops selling an assortment of trendy, casual wear. Other must-visit include the Neighborhood of
Louvre – Tuileries,
St-Germain-des-Prés,
Boulevard Haussmann and last but not the least,
Rue de Rivoli.
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7. Bangkok
Known for offering one of the best cultural experiences, Bangkok is a destination that is sure to be on every individual’s travel bucket list, no matter what their age. Home to attractions to suit every taste and budget, Bangkok is the ideal destination for a fun family getaway. While the country is mostly known for its fantastic tropical climate, mouthwatering cuisine and colorful temples, Bangkok is a great place to shop.
MBK,
Siam Paragon,
Terminal 21,
CentralWorld and
EmQuartier are some of the many huge malls in Bangkok. Tourists must however also make it a point to visit one of the many markets in Bangkok, such as
Chatuchak Weekend Market,
Pak Khlong Talat, and
Pratunam Market, for a more unique, charming experience.
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8. New York
The city that never sleeps – New York, one of the top travel destinations, ever, also happens to be a shopper’s paradise. If you’re looking for items for the entire family, head to the renowned
Bloomingdale's.
Macy's, another New York City icon, is also a favorite amongst locals and tourists alike. Catering to all tastes and budgets, is NYC’s
Fifth Avenue - an absolute must-visit.
SoHo, one of the city’s top shopping neighborhoods not only houses famous stores, but also features a selection of quirky stores and boutiques.
Lower Manhattan & the Financial District is also worth a visit, as well as
Nolita, the
East Village, the
Lower East Side,
Madison Avenue and
Chinatown for knockoffs and bargains.
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9. Barcelona
Fashion is well represented in Barcelona. Housing stores of all kinds, the city is a great spot for those looking to shop while the rest of the group relaxes and enjoys the many attractions. Shoppers will find well-known, high-end brands such as Armani, Cartier, Gucci and Chanel, and numerous others, as well as a great selection of popular, more affordable stores and local boutiques here. Some of the best shopping in Barcelona can be experienced at
Passeig de Gràcia,
Las Ramblas,
El Born Barrio and in its
Old Town area
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10. Hong Kong
Packed to the brim with stores of all kinds, featuring neon-lit signs, Hong Kong is an eclectic destination that is sure to cater to your every whim and fancy. Whether you’re on the hunt for clothing, jewelry, shoes, electronics, make-up, or antiques, Hong Kong has it all! Head to
Lane Crawford if luxury items are what you’re looking for, or to one of the city’s many malls, such as
the Landmark,
Times Square, and
Harbour City.
Tsim Sha Tsui is home to trendy local boutiques, and markets, where negotiating is a must. Shoppers must also take in the sights, sounds and scents at one of the city’s many street markets, such as the
Ladies’ Market on Tung Choi Street,
Chun Yeung Market, the
Night Market on Temple Street, or the
Cat Street market.
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Check out more of HalalTrip’s Best 10 lists of 2016 here!
