Inside world's biggest shopping centre in VERY surprising location with 12 cinemas & theme park covering 21MILLION sqft

Scottish Sun

08-05-2025

If you were to spend just five minutes in each store it would take nearly three days to visit every one
TILL YOU DROP Inside world's biggest shopping centre in VERY surprising location with 12 cinemas & theme park covering 21MILLION sqft
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THE world's biggest shopping centre takes up a whopping 395 acres and has a sprawling cinema complex, a theme park and even a giant library.
The shopper's paradise has everything from gourmet food stalls to the fanciest shops around - despite being in a very surprising location.
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The Iran Mall takes up a whopping 395 acres of land in the capital Tehran
Credit: Anakarnia / Wikimedia
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Jondishapour Library boasts more than 45,000 books, manuscripts, and documents
Credit: Google maps
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There are over 700 stores to shop in at Iran Mall
Credit: Google maps
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Shopping centres are often the showpiece of most major cities and even smaller towns from the Dubai Mall to the Mall of America.
But the one that has been crowned as the biggest on planet proudly sits in the Middle East.
The Iran Mall is officially the largest shopping complex to be built as it encompasses hundreds of shops, restaurants, amusements and even a hotel across its seven floors.
The sheer size of the entire mega mall complex takes up the same size as 246 football pitches as it stretches across 21 million sqft.
It is located near to Lake Chitgar in the capital city of Tehran.
The centre was opened in 2018 after 25,000 workers spent four years on construction.
It has been designed to showcase the best modern interpretation of Iranian Islamic architecture.
This has been done through crafted dome roofs, technical arches and hundreds of traditional Iranian ornaments.
Along with the cultural highlights, the mall also creates a lively and bright atmosphere through its large windows and glass ceilings.
But the incredible look and design of the mall is just a small part of why it is such a beloved tourist hotspot and local wonder.
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Living up to its name of the world's biggest shopping centre, the Iran Mall is littered with over 700 popular stores.
This means that if shoppers were to spend just five minutes in each store it would take nearly three days to visit every one, according to Eavar.
Shoppers can grab new clothes, home decor, food and even the latest gadgets in the plethora of local and international shops which take up multiple floors.
It also boasts Iran's most advanced cinema complex made up of 12 IMAX screens.
A modern concert hall with 2,000 seats, an on-site museum and several art galleries can also be found.
Inside the Iran Mall
THE Iran Mall is one of the most remarkable, busy and packed out shopping complex's ever constructed.
Location: Tehran, Iran
First opened: 2018
Size: 21 million sqft
Floors: Seven
Shops: Over 700
Key features: Jondishapour Library, musical fountain and state-of-the-art cinema complex
Sports are also available in abundance from tennis courts, an ice hockey rink and a huge sports centre and gym all on site.
A swimming pool and spa is also being worked on.
Two of the most exciting and unique features of the Iran Mall is the world's most sophisticated musical fountain and a massive library.
Jondishapour Library boasts more than 45,000 books, manuscripts, and documents.
And the fountain stretches all the way from the east to the west of the mall and is visible from any floor.
On another floor, shoppers can try to find their cars among the seemingly unlimited parking spaces.
And play a game of bowling in the full-sized alley.
While parents shop or entertain themselves in the plethora of activities, youngsters can spend hours in the theme park.
It features an indoor roller coaster, space laser room, an arcade and even a children's theatre.
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The world's most sophisticated musical fountain is one of the complex's centrepieces
Credit: Google maps
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The mall also creates a lively and bright atmosphere through its large windows and glass ceilings
Credit: Google maps
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It even has a full sized bowling alley
Credit: Google maps
For the locals and travelling Muslims the mosque within the grounds is one of the holiest experiences in Iran.
It features magnificent architecture and intricate turquoise, azure and white tile and plaster decorations all inspired by the design of the Grand Bazaar.
The different dome designs inside also take inspiration from the Hafeziyeh Shiraz dome.
Another key room beloved by visitors is the mirror hall which is made up of a staggering 38 million pieces of glass.
It is inspired by the renowned mirror hall of the National Assembly and dazzles during the day.
The construction of a luxury hotel and an international congress centre is also still ongoing.
The Iran Mall has even set a second Guinness record for the world's longest continuous pouring of concrete.
Workers spent six days pouring a constant flow to help build part of the mall.
During the Covid pandemic the area even served as a makeshift hospital with 3,000 beds.
It was also used as the largest vaccination centre in Iran in the months after the pandemic first hit.
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The hockey rink is a huge family favourite in the mall
Credit: Google maps
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The grand library is over two floors
Credit: Google maps