The biggest malls in the world go far beyond the usual shopping experience. They transport you to a world of opportunity packed with adventure, excitement, and thrills. Spread across the globe, they cover a lot of ground, reach high into the sky, and sometimes spread out over water.
The world’s biggest malls hold a unique combination of boundless retail space, cultural attractions, and entertainment venues. They’re not only impressive, but they’re also awe-inspiring. Corner after corner, floor after floor, you never know what to expect.
From libraries to luxury hotels, ice rinks to ice cream, and amusement parks to aquariums, there’s certain to be something to pique your interest and hold your attention. One day is never enough to enjoy all they have to offer, leaving you with a sense of curiosity that won’t go away.
This list of the 11 biggest malls in the world takes you on a whirlwind tour through monstrous destinations that pack shopping, tourism, leisure, and entertainment under one roof.
11. Iran Mall: Tehran, Iran – 3.23 million sq ft (300,000 m2)
As the birthplace of the bazaar, Iran knows a thing or two about creating massive public markets. And in 2018, the modern Iran Mall joined the exclusive list as one of the world’s largest malls.
Based on its gross floor area during the first phase of construction, the Iran Mall is already the biggest mall in the world with a whopping 14.5 million sq ft (1.35 million m2). As a multi-use space with gardens, cultural collections, and a giant library, its gross leasable area is slightly less impressive at an estimated 3.23 million sq ft (300,000 m2).
| Location: | Tehran, Iran |
| Opened in: | 2018 |
| Gross Leasable Area (GLA): | 3.23 million sq ft (300,000 m2) |
| Gross floor area: | 21 million sq ft (1.95 million m2) when construction finishes |
10. Berjaya Times Square: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – 3.44 million sq ft (320,000 m2)
Housed inside two 48-story towers, the Berjaya Times Square doesn’t follow the usual appearance of the largest malls in the world. But step inside, and you’ll see that it undeniably hits the mark.
This massive shopping mall has nearly 3.5 million sq ft of leasable area, more than 1,000 retail shops, 65 dining options, and Malaysia’s first IMAX theater. It also houses Cosmo’s World Theme Park and two luxury hotels.
| Location: | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia |
| Opened in: | 2003 |
| Gross Leasable Area (GLA): | 3.44 million sq ft (320,000 m2) |
| Gross floor area: | 7.5 million sq ft (700,000 m2) |
9. Istanbul Cevahir: Istanbul, Turkey – 3.47 million sq ft (322,000 m2)
Often reported as the largest shopping mall in Europe, the Istanbul Cevahir joins food, shopping, events, and activities under one massive roof with 5 million sq ft of floor area.
You can catch a show on one of 12 cinema screens, enjoy an indoor roller coaster ride, or shop ‘til you drop at six floors of retail space. And once you’ve worked up an appetite, there’s a plethora of fast food and exclusive restaurants ready to dish out mouthwatering food.
| Location: | Istanbul, Turkey |
| Opened in: | 2005 |
| Gross Leasable Area (GLA): | 3.47 million sq ft (322,000 m2) |
| Gross floor area: | 5 million sq ft (465,000 m2) |
8. West Edmonton Mall: Edmonton, Canada – 3.77 million sq ft (350,000 m2)
This list of the largest malls in the world is packed to the brim with modern marvels in highly-populated dense cities. Yet this underdog has what it takes to compete on the world’s stage.
Built in 1981, the West Edmonton Mall houses a massive indoor amusement park and waterpark, plus a mini-golf course and bowling alley. Although the Mall of America in Minnesota is the biggest mall in America, this is the actual champion on the continent.
| Location: | Edmonton, Canada |
| Opened in: | 1981 |
| Gross Leasable Area (GLA): | 3.77 million sq ft (350,00 m2) |
| Gross floor area: | 5.3 million sq ft (493,000 m2) |
7. Dubai Mall: Dubai, United Arab Emirates – 4.3 million sq ft (399.500 m2)
Widely known for its extravagance, seeing Dubai on the list of the biggest malls in the world is hardly surprising. And with 12 million sq ft (1.1 million m2) of floor area, it’s undeniably one of the largest sprawls of merchants and consumers anywhere on the globe.
More than 1,200 shops are housed within, as well as a gargantuan aquarium, an Olympic-sized ice-skating rink, a virtual reality park, an indoor theme park, and the world’s largest candy store.
One of the world’s most visited malls, the Dubai Mall has won many major awards for its design, future-forward planning, and use of lighting. And it’s connected to the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building.
| Location: | Dubai, United Arab Emirates |
| Opened in: | 2008 |
| Gross Leasable Area (GLA): | 4.3 million sq ft (399,500 m2) |
| Gross floor area: | 12 million sq ft (1.1 million m2) |
6. CentralWorld: Bangkok, Thailand – 4.62 million sq ft (430,000 m2)
Bangkok is the perfect fast-paced, high-density city to build the largest malls in the world. And this long-standing example goes far beyond shopping with an enormous cooking school, karaoke center, and over a hundred restaurants and cafes.
CentralWorld also serves as a cultural hub by hosting fashion shows, concerts, and festivals in addition to its consistent retail offerings. If you want to stay close to the action, there’s a hotel and office tower on site.
| Location: | Bangkok, Thailand |
| Opened in: | 1990 |
| Gross Leasable Area (GLA): | 4.62 million sq ft (430,000 m2) |
| Gross floor area: | 8.9 million sq ft (830,000 m2) |
5. SM Mall of Asia: Pasay, Philippines – 4.66 million sq ft (433,000 m2)
The battle for the biggest shopping mall in the Philippines is intense. And due to the recent addition of Ikea joining this giant retail space, the SM Mall of Asia takes the top in terms of floor space, but not leasable area.
The Mall of Asia’s waterfront promenade is an unexpected treat from one of the world’s largest malls, offering stunning views overlooking Manila Bay. You’ll also find an ice skating rink, IMAX theater, indoor amusement park, and aquarium on the property.
| Location: | Pasay, Philippines |
| Opened in: | 2006 |
| Gross Leasable Area (GLA): | 4.66 million sq ft (433,000 m2) |
| Gross floor area: | 6.35 million sq ft (590,000 m2) |
4. SM Megamall: Mandaluyong, Philippines – 5.1 million sq ft (474,000 m2)
800,000 people walk through the halls of the SM Megamall daily, browsing over 5 million sq ft (474,000 m2) of retail space. As one of the biggest malls in the world, the shops are spread primarily across two buildings, appropriately named Mega A and Mega B.
Over 200 restaurants and food stalls serve local and international cuisine, while 14 cinema screens, including an IMAX theater, provide an endless stream of entertainment. There’s also a bowling alley, skating rink, and arcade for more fun than you can soak up in a single visit.
| Location: | Mandaluyong, Philippines |
| Opened in: | 1991 |
| Gross Leasable Area (GLA): | 5.1 million sq ft (474,000 m2) |
| Gross floor area: | 5.5 million sq ft (511,000 m2) |
3. ICONSIAM: Bangkok, Thailand – 5.65 million sq ft (525,000 m2)
Although the CentralWorld mall is slightly larger based on floor area, the ICONSIAM offers more leasable area. It hits the highest rank for Bangkok’s mentions on our list of the biggest malls in the world.
Located on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, ICONSIAM combines the retail store experience with a unique indoor floating market, a river museum, and an entire 260,000 sq ft (25,000 m2) luxury wing called ICONLUXE.
| Location: | Bangkok, Thailand |
| Opened in: | 2018 |
| Gross Leasable Area (GLA): | 5.65 million sq ft (525,000 m2) |
| Gross floor area: | 8.1 million sq ft (750,000 m2) |
2. Golden Resources Mall: Beijing, China – 6.0 million sq ft (560,000 m2)
Located outside the heart of Beijing near the Fourth Ring Road, the Golden Resources Mall caters to high-end luxury brands, with an abundant supply of premium clothing, jewelry, electronics, and home decor locations spread across six floors.
The Golden Resources Mall cost an estimated $3.8 billion to construct. It once held the title of the largest mall in the world from 2004 to 2005 before the new world’s largest mall sprung up in another part of China.
| Location: | Beijing, China |
| Opened in: | 2004 |
| Gross Leasable Area (GLA): | 6.0 million sq ft (560,000 m2) |
| Gross floor area: | 7.3 million sq ft (680,000 m2) |
1. New South China Mall: Dongguan, China – 6.46 million sq ft (600,000 m2)
The biggest mall in the world based on gross leasable area is the New South China Mall, hosting nearly 6.5 million sq ft (600,000 m2) of retail space. That’s enough for more than 2,300 stores, all under the same roof.
Although the world’s largest mall has held that title since its completion in 2005, it encountered some years with unbelievably low occupancy, making way for its one-time nickname of the ghost mall of the world.
But occupancy has rebounded and it now hosts an indoor karting track and IMAX movie theater in addition to its sprawling shopping options.
| Location: | Dongguan, China |
| Opened in: | 2005 |
| Gross Leasable Area (GLA): | 6.46 million sq ft (600,000 m2) |
| Gross floor area: | 9.6 million sq ft (892,000 m2) |
Methodology and sources: How we rank the biggest malls in the world
We rank the biggest malls based on the gross leasable area (GLA), the space a tenant can rent. We prefer this metric because it conveys what the actual mall experience offers. A higher GLA typically results in more shops, restaurants, and entertainment options.
On the other hand, the gross floor area includes every inch between the exterior walls, including utility areas, storage rooms, and elevator shafts.
You can find many conflicting rankings for the biggest malls in the world, many of which erroneously report the gross floor area as the GLA. Separating the truth from the exaggerations is a challenge. But we’ve compared information from the malls, the builders, local reports, international outlets, and even satellite and street view maps to present this list with as much confidence as possible.
Conclusion: The biggest malls in the world
The world’s biggest malls are more than your basic shopping centers. They combine a bottomless supply of shopping with unique entertainment twists like floating markets, thrilling roller coasters, and IMAX movie theaters. No matter what you desire, they’re there to fill the void.
- New South China Mall: Dongguan, China – 6.46 million sq ft (600,000 m2)
- Golden Resources Mall: Beijing, China – 6.0 million sq ft (560,000 m2)
- ICONSIAM: Bangkok, Thailand – 5.65 million sq ft (525,000 m2)
- SM Megamall: Mandaluyong, Philippines – 5.1 million sq ft (474,000 m2)
- SM Mall of Asia: Pasay, Philippines – 4.66 million sq ft (433,000 m2)
- CentralWorld: Bangkok, Thailand – 4.62 million sq ft (430,000 m2)
- Dubai Mall: Dubai, United Arab Emirates – 4.3 million sq ft (399,500 m2)
- West Edmonton Mall: Edmonton, Canada – 3.77 million sq ft (350,000 m2)
- Istanbul Cevahir: Istanbul, Turkey – 3.47 million sq ft (322,000 m2)
- Berjaya Times Square: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – 3.44 million sq ft (320,000 m2)
- Iran Mall: Tehran, Iran – 3.23 million sq ft (300,000 m2)
Frequently asked questions about the largest malls
The 10 biggest malls in the world by gross leasable area are 1. New South China Mall, 2. Golden Resources Mall, 3. ICONSIAM, 4. SM Megamall, 5. SM Mall of Asia, 6. CentralWorld, 7. Dubai Mall, 8. West Edmonton Mall, 9. Istanbul Cevahir, and 10. Berjaya Times Square. The vast majority of the biggest malls are located in Asia.
The no 1 biggest shopping mall in the world based on leasable area is the New South China Mall in Dongguan, China at 6.46 million sq ft (600,000 m2). The Iran Mall in Tehran, Iran is the biggest mall based on floor area, at 21 million sq ft (1.95 million m2).
The Dubai Mall was once the largest in the world in floor area at an impressive 12 million sq ft (1.1 million m2). But the Iran Mall in Tehran, Iran with a projected 21 million sq ft (1.95 million m2) of floor area has already surpassed the Dubai Mall.
The largest mall in the UAE is the Dubai Mall, with a massive 12 million sq ft (1.1 million m2) of gross floor area and 4.3 million sq ft (399,500 m2) of gross leasable area. The Dubai Mall was once the largest mall in the world based on floor area, but the Iran Mall is now larger.
