Holidays in the United Arab Emirates can be not only beach. The country has many historical places and simply interesting objects that you can visit during the tour. Most of them are located in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. But in the photographs of tourists and independent travelers, you can see the sights of Fujairah, the most remote emirate in the country.
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Fujairah fort and village
The picturesque complex of buildings was built in 1670 and for a long time was the only brick building on this coast of the Gulf of Oman. The original purpose of the Fujairah fort was defense, as well as the residence of the ruling dynasty. The building was built of clay bricks. It consists of three main buildings, halls. Of the external features of the architecture, one square and two round towers can be distinguished.
The caretaker, who is the first to greet guests at the sights of Fujairah, opens the teak doors. Surrounding the fort is the Heritage Village. Here are the classic lifestyle of the locals. Tourists can take photos of kitchen utensils and agricultural tools. Although according to guest reviews, this part of the excursion program is the most boring. Information can be found on the official website.
The Fort Museum was opened in 1996 by the Department of Archeology and Heritage of Fujairah. A feature of the complex is an irrigation system in which water was pumped with the help of bulls. The total tour time is 2-3 hours, admission is free.
Tip: It is recommended to bring drinks with you before the trip. There is a small shop on the territory of the fort and the village, but the prices are high.
Snoopy Island
The island got its name from a rock that looks like the cartoon character Snoopy. He seems to be lying on his back and resting. Water sports such as swimming, snorkeling and diving are popular here. The landmark of Fujairah is surrounded by beautiful reefs. Here, guests of the island can see representatives of marine flora and fauna, including turtles and small sharks. Music festivals and entertainment events are often held on the territory.
The island has a beach where you can sunbathe and swim in the sea. Diving is also offered. This is a course that takes 4 days. The PADI program will help you master the skills of scuba diving and hunting. Participants are provided with all equipment.
Sandy hotel complex beach Resort. Breakfast is included in the price. Other sightseeing tours of Fujairah can be arranged.
Mosque, Al – Bidyah Moscow
This is the oldest mosque in the UAE, located around the eponymous city of Al Badia. Now it is a large archaeological complex, which includes other monuments. Visitors to this attraction in Fujairah can see the remains of residential and public buildings, get acquainted with the life of local residents. The first preserved the remains of writing, drawings. The architectural complex of the mosque Al – Bidyah consists of 4 towers, which served as watchtowers. The whole complex was surrounded by a stone wall up to 6 meters high.
A feature of the Al-Bidiya Mosque is the classical architecture of the prayer hall. Holes for natural aeration are made in its walls. In the center there is a large red carpet with a classic Arabic pattern. You can see the mihrab – a prayer room that indicates the direction of Mecca. Lighting is natural, from small windows located near the ceiling.
Visitors can go inside the Al-Bidiya Mosque, but subject to dress requirements. The religious complex is active; prayers are held here. Before entering, you need to take off your shoes, women are required to wear a cape on their hair. At the entrance there is a description of the architectural monument in Arabic and English.
Additionally, you can visit an ancient burial site dating back to the Iron Age. This is one of the oldest archaeological finds in the emirate of Fujairah. Some of the items date back to 1000 BC. admission is free, but non-Muslim tourist groups are not allowed into the mosque during prayer times.
Kalba Corniche Park
To relax from the beach and the sea, you can visit the public park Kalba (Kalba Corniche Park). It is located in Suhail, Fujairah. You can get to it by taxi, bus or your own (rented) car. Stop – Corniche Road. This landmark of Fujairah is located on the territory of the city; it can be reached in 10-15 minutes from anywhere in the capital of the resort.
The infrastructure of the park includes the following facilities:
- Places for barbecues, picnics.
- Children’s playgrounds.
- Alleys with comfortable benches.
- There are gazebos for relaxing in the shade.
- Made access to the beach.
But according to tourists, visiting the latter is not recommended. In the photo from Al Fujairah, you can see that the beach area is small, and there are always a lot of vacationers. It is better to organize recreation in the park, which is convenient for family tourists and independent travelers.
Ain Al-Madhab Hot Spring
This is a unique natural attraction located near the Al-Madhab Fort. Underground sources are sulfur-enriched water, which flows through separate gutters into 2 bathing areas – for women and men. For a good rest on the territory of hot springs, a park for recreation and entertainment has been made, which is included in the mandatory list for visiting the attractions of Fujairah in the UAE.
Things to do in Ain Al-Madhab Hot Spring:
- Ablutions. Water with saturated sulfur has a beneficial effect on the condition of the skin, promotes a peaceful rest.
- Visit to the open air theatre. Local bands often give performances here.
- Organization of barbecues and picnics.
- A large playground has been built for children.
The entire territory of the park with large green spaces. Here you can always find shade even on the hottest day. Convenient walking and cycling paths have been created for guests. There are several large car parks nearby.
Sheikh Zayed Mosque
It is the second largest functioning mosque in the UAE. It is located in Fujairah and is the main religious attraction. The large architectural complex can accommodate up to 28 thousand people, and the total area is 39 thousand m². The Sheikh Zayed Mosque is a minaret up to 600 meters high, 64 domes and places for visitors to relax in the fresh air. Important: it is open for visits only to Muslims who come to pray. Tourists and independent travelers can look at it only from the outside.
When designing, the architects were inspired by the Ahmed Mosque (Istanbul). They managed to combine modern, classic Arabic and Ottoman styles. The construction took 200 million dirhams and 700 days. This landmark of Fujairah is located on the outskirts; bus routes lead to it. An alternative is to order a taxi. For tourists, several viewing platforms have been made outside the walls of the Zayed Mosque. The building got its name in honor of the founder of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.
Al-Hayl Castle
It is located at the foot of Mount Hajar. Among the historical sights of Fujairah, this is the most well-preserved. Al-Kheil Castle was built about 250 years ago. Its main function is the protection of the coastal region, the organization of patrols. The official date of construction is 180. The name is derived from the village of Al-Hayl, which is located near the structure.
The peculiarity is that there are many palm groves around, good views of the mountains open up. Therefore, this place has become popular for photo tourists. but reviews often indicate that it makes no sense to stay here for a long time. Inside the castle is not allowed, and photographing the surroundings can take no more than 1 hour. An exception is to climb the wind tower, which offers the most beautiful views of the surroundings.
When visiting, it is recommended to give a small amount to the caretaker. For this, he will conduct a short tour. At sunset, the photos are especially good. Therefore, you need to plan a trip in the late afternoon.
Fujairah Museum
Here you can see the unique sights of Fujairah – household items of local tribes, dioramas and panoramas describing the life of the Arabs on the coast. The museum is located at the fort, in the city of El Fujairah. The oldest exhibits date back to 2500 BC. and belong to the Bronze Age. You can see the results of excavations in Kidfe and Bitna.
For the convenience of guests, 3 halls have been made, each representing a certain time period of the UAE:
- Features of the region – trade, fishing, agriculture. You can see items of pottery and weaving.
- Samples of weapons are presented. Including the first gunshot. The peculiarity of the hall is that you can see an ancient palm house, which is an exact copy of the first residential buildings on the coast of the UAE.
- Antiques. These include cookware made from soapstone, chlorite, or copper. There is a bowl made from an ostrich egg. Here are the household items of ordinary residents of the emirate.
The time for a full visit to the Fujairah Museum is 1.5-2 hours. It is recommended to buy a brochure or book a guide. All literature and program in English and Arabic.