Discover the Biggest and Most Beautiful Malls in South Africa and Beyond in 2025
South Africa is a retail haven, boasting some of the largest and most stunning shopping malls in Africa. From sprawling complexes in Gauteng to iconic destinations across the country, these malls offer world-class shopping, dining, and entertainment.
Whether you’re searching for the top 10 biggest malls in South Africa, the most beautiful malls, or curious about the largest mall in Africa or the world, this guide has you covered. Let’s dive into the ultimate list of South Africa’s retail giants, with a special focus on Fourways Mall and other key shopping destinations.
Top 3 Biggest Malls in South Africa
Here are the top 3 biggest malls in South Africa based on gross leasable area (GLA) as of 2025:
- Fourways Mall (Johannesburg, Gauteng)
- GLA: 178,202 sqm
- Located in Sandton, Johannesburg, Fourways Mall is the biggest mall in South Africa following its 2019 expansion. With over 400 stores, a two-level food court, and an expansive entertainment area, it’s a shopper’s paradise. Despite some vacancy challenges (120 vacant stores reported in 2024), it remains a landmark destination.
- Menlyn Park Shopping Centre (Pretoria, Gauteng)
- GLA: 177,000 sqm
- The second biggest mall in South Africa, Menlyn Park in Tshwane offers over 500 stores and 8,250 parking bays. Known for its award-winning design, it features an IMAX theatre, go-karts, and a rooftop drive-in.
- Gateway Theatre of Shopping (Durban, KwaZulu-Natal)
- GLA: 176,400 sqm
- Located in Umhlanga, Gateway is a global contender, ranking among the top 100 largest malls worldwide. It houses 460 stores, 70 eateries, and unique attractions like an IMAX cinema and indoor skydiving.
Top 5 Biggest Malls in South Africa
Expanding on the top 3, here are the top 5 biggest malls in South Africa:
- Canal Walk (Cape Town, Western Cape)
- GLA: 141,000 sqm
- Situated in Century City, Canal Walk is Cape Town’s largest mall, with over 400 stores and 8,000 parking bays. Its Venetian-inspired design and diverse dining options make it a must-visit.
- Sandton City (Sandton, Gauteng)
- GLA: 146,803 sqm
- A luxury shopping hub in Johannesburg, Sandton City boasts over 300 high-end local and international stores. Its 2024 redevelopment solidified its status as a premier destination.
Top 10 Biggest Malls in South Africa
Here’s a comprehensive list of the top 10 biggest malls in South Africa by GLA:
- Mall of Africa (Midrand, Gauteng)
- GLA: 131,000 sqm
- The largest single-phase mall in Africa, Mall of Africa, is a luxury retail hub with over 300 stores. It’s the busiest mall in South Africa by vehicle visits.
- The Pavilion (Westville, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal)
- GLA: 122,768 sqm
- Known for its European architectural charm, The Pavilion offers 200 stores and a relaxed coastal vibe.
- Eastgate Shopping Centre (Johannesburg, Gauteng)
- GLA: 118,732 sqm
- Located in Johannesburg’s eastern suburbs, Eastgate features over 300 stores and convenient Call & Collect services.
- Centurion Mall (Centurion, Gauteng)
- GLA: 112,800 sqm
- An open-air mall with over 200 stores, Centurion Mall is a popular spot for shopping and socializing.
- Westgate Shopping Centre (Roodepoort, Gauteng)
- GLA: 109,000 sqm
- Managed by Pareto Limited, Westgate offers 184 stores and a simple, navigable design.
Top 10 Biggest Malls in Gauteng
Gauteng, South Africa’s economic powerhouse, dominates the retail scene. Here are the top 10 biggest malls in Gauteng:
- Fourways Mall (178,202 sqm)
- Menlyn Park Shopping Centre (177,000 sqm)
- Sandton City (146,803 sqm)
- Mall of Africa (131,000 sqm)
- Eastgate Shopping Centre (118,732 sqm)
- Centurion Mall (112,800 sqm)
- Westgate Shopping Centre (109,000 sqm)
- Cresta Shopping Centre (Randburg, 104,342 sqm)
- Clearwater Mall (Roodepoort, ~90,000 sqm)
- Brooklyn Mall (Pretoria, ~80,000 sqm)
Gauteng’s malls are known for their luxury brands, diverse dining, and entertainment options like cinemas and adventure parks.
Top 10 Biggest Malls in Africa
While South Africa dominates the African retail landscape, other countries also boast impressive malls. Here are the top 10 biggest malls in Africa:
- Morocco Mall (Casablanca, Morocco)
- GLA: 250,000 sqm
- The biggest mall in Africa, Morocco Mall, features a 1,000,000-litre aquarium and over 350 stores.
- Fourways Mall (Johannesburg, South Africa) – 178,202 sqm
- Menlyn Park Shopping Centre (Pretoria, South Africa) – 177,000 sqm
- Gateway Theatre of Shopping (Durban, South Africa) – 176,400 sqm
- Canal Walk (Cape Town, South Africa) – 141,000 sqm
- Mall of Africa (Midrand, South Africa) – 131,000 sqm
- Sandton City (Sandton, South Africa) – 128,000 sqm
- Two Rivers Mall (Nairobi, Kenya) – ~65,000 sqm
- Mall of Arabia (Cairo, Egypt) – ~60,000 sqm
- The Palms Shopping Mall (Lagos, Nigeria) – ~20,500 sqm
South Africa claims seven of the top ten spots, highlighting its retail dominance.
Top 10 Most Beautiful Malls in South Africa
Beyond size, aesthetics play a big role. Here are the top 10 most beautiful malls in South Africa, blending design and experience:
- Canal Walk (Cape Town) – Venetian-inspired architecture with scenic waterways.
- The Pavilion (Durban) – European elegance with coastal charm.
- Sandton City (Sandton) – Sleek, modern design with luxury appeal.
- Mall of Africa (Midrand) – Inspired by Africa’s natural landscapes with indoor gardens.
- Fourways Mall (Johannesburg) – Modern and open-air with vibrant exhibition spaces.
- Menlyn Park (Pretoria) – Award-winning design with a rooftop drive-in.
- Rosebank Mall (Johannesburg) – Vibrant, artsy atmosphere with the African Craft Market.
- Cresta Shopping Centre (Randburg) – Airy and well-ventilated with a modern layout.
- Clearwater Mall (Roodepoort) – Beautiful outdoor spaces and lakeside dining.
- Brooklyn Mall (Pretoria) – Chic boutiques and a relaxed, European vibe.
Biggest Mall in the World
The biggest mall in the world is the New South China Mall in Dongguan, China, with a gross leasable area of 557,419 sqm. However, it’s often called a “ghost mall” due to over 90% vacancy rates. The SM Mall of Asia in Metro Manila, Philippines, is the largest fully operational mall, with a GLA of around 432,000 sqm and over 800 stores.
Focus on Fourways Mall
Fourways Mall in Johannesburg is the largest mall in South Africa with a GLA of 178,202 sqm. Opened in 1994 and expanded in 2019, it features:
- Over 400 stores, including international brands like Zara and local chains like Checkers.
- A two-level food court and multiple restaurants.
- Entertainment options like a massive open-air exhibition arena and arcades.
- Over 2,500 parking bays.
Despite its size, Fourways faced challenges in 2024 with a 25% vacancy rate (120 empty stores). However, its prime location in Sandton ensures strong foot traffic and economic impact, contributing R1 billion annually to Johannesburg’s economy.
Top 20 and Top 50 Biggest Malls in South Africa
While the top 20 biggest malls in South Africa include the above-mentioned malls, others like Mall of the North (Polokwane, 77,788 sqm), Greenstone Shopping Centre (Edenvale), and Baywest Mall (Port Elizabeth) also rank high, offering diverse retail and entertainment. Compiling a top 50 list is challenging due to limited data on smaller malls, but South Africa’s ~2,000 shopping centres cover over 24 million sqm, with Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, and the Western Cape leading. For a detailed list, check sources like Briefly.co.za or Tuko.co.ke.
Why Visit South Africa’s Malls?
South Africa’s malls are more than shopping destinations—they’re cultural and economic hubs. With features like IMAX cinemas, indoor skydiving, and luxury brands, they cater to families, tourists, and professionals. Despite challenges like inflation and a 66% surge in online retail (2020–2023), malls like Gateway and Mall of Africa maintain strong foot traffic, with the latter seeing 17,000 daily vehicles.
Conclusion
From the colossal Fourways Mall to the luxurious Sandton City, South Africa’s malls offer unmatched shopping and entertainment experiences. Whether you’re exploring the top 10 biggest malls in South Africa, seeking the most beautiful malls, or curious about the largest mall in Africa (Morocco Mall), these retail giants are worth a visit. Plan your shopping spree and immerse yourself in South Africa’s vibrant retail scene!
Sources: Briefly.co.za, Tuko.co.ke, SouthAfricanThings.co.za, FurtherAfrica.com, SApeople.com, Tripadvisor
