A parent’s guide to Dubai Mallathon: The best malls for walks, naps and coffee
I dislike malls. This may seem strange for someone who is no stranger to crowds − I have covered festivals and sporting events attended by hundreds of thousands of people without feeling troubled − but put me inside a busy shopping centre and panic can set in. However, fatherhood has made some of my long-held grudges seem less important. My nine-month-old son wakes at 5.30am, an hour he considers…
The Dubai Mallathon has become a blessing for fathers like the reporter, who previously disliked malls due to their crowded nature. With a young son who wakes at 5.30am, the mallathon provides a solution by opening participating malls at 6am, allowing for walks, new surroundings, and time with his father before work.
The Dubai Mall is the most popular mallathon course, with a 1.5km lap passing through Fashion Avenue and The District. The route is bustling, with running clubs in matching colors creating a sense of accomplishment upon completion. Coffee can be found at open cafes on the P4 level after the mallathon.
Dubai Hills Mall offers a 2.5km lap, ideal for fitness enthusiasts. The grid-like course allows for easy hydration breaks, and the bright surroundings keep children engaged. Luxurious baby-changing rooms add to the appeal.
Mall of the Emirates presents a 1km lap, allowing for a personalized route. The spacious mall offers options beyond the official track, such as exploring food courts and fashion strips. Free coffee at Parker's on the first floor is a bonus.
City Centre Mirdif, with a 1km lap, is highly family-orientated and easy to navigate with a pram. The mall's calm atmosphere can be beneficial for a sleeping baby. However, it may feel too quiet, which can be uncomfortable for a tired child.
City Centre Deira, also with a 1km lap, offers a community atmosphere with locals and recognizable faces. The route makes little sense, resembling a series of roundabouts, but the fitness instructor-led stretches and motivational calls keep energy levels high.
Dubai Festival City Mall, the reporter's local favorite, features a 1km square course through repeated loops. Wide corridors and minimal music make it ideal for a meditative walk. However, some sections feel dark, dampening the mood.
Ibn Battuta Mall, while not officially part of the mallathon, offers an early morning walking opportunity until August 1. The mall's layout allows for a peaceful stroll, though parts feel underlit.
Written by urgent.news from The National Business's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — it may contain errors, so check the original before relying on it.
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