Situated on the east coast of the United Arab Emirates, the Emirates of Fujairah is one of the most alluring and tantalising emirates in the country. With major attractions that range from paradise-like beaches, and ancient forts holding onto the history of the emirate to beautiful rugged mountains and exquisite mosques, Fujairah offers everything a visitor can wish for.
The United Arab Emirates is currently open for tourism and the restrictions for visitors are almost zero to none. Etihad, Sri Lankan Airlines, Oman Air and Air Arabia are some of the major airlines which offer regular flights to the UAE.
Explore the Fujairah Fort in Fujairah City
You cannot miss out on visiting and exploring the old yet magnificent Fujairah Fort on your visit to Fujairah City. Dating back to around 1670, and having served, previously, as the defensive building and a home for the ruling family, the Fujairah Fort is deemed to be the United Arab Emirates’ oldest fort.
The Fujairah Fort also stood as the only stone building along the Fujairah Coast for several years. Despite being poorly damaged by a British attack in the early 20th century, the Fujairah Fort has been reinstated to its former glory, in recent years.
As a cherry on top, Fujairah’s Department of Archaeology and Heritage has also set up a small Heritage Village, a part of which surrounds the Fujairah Fort. Make sure to visit this village on your journey to the Fujairah Fort, and enjoy the sight of it featuring restored old houses, exhibits about traditional life, and an Al Yazrah irrigation system that Emirati farmers used to irrigate their fields.
Attempt diving and snorkelling at the Al Aqah Beach
Diving and snorkelling at the Al Aqah beach have to be on your to-do list when visiting Fujairah. Being the centre of the UAE’s scuba diving scene, the Al Aqah beach also houses the rocky outcrop of Snoopy Island which is a renowned snorkelling spot in the UAE.
Even though the beach is comparatively less developed and not on par with the UAE’s famous Red Sea, it still has enough marine life to be discovered by visitors. Moreover, the calm and quiet nature of the Al Aqah beach makes it serve as an escape from the crowded and chaotic beaches in Dubai.
Try staying at one of the beach-facing Fujairah hotels. The hotels not only pamper visitors with comfortable rooms, they also typically provide guides and amenities for diving, snorkelling, and paddleboarding.
Trek through the Hajar Mountain Wadis
Want to experience those captivating postcard-like sceneries? Make sure to take a hike through the Hajar Mountain Wadis in Fujairah. The three most exquisite wadis, Wadi Siji, Wadi al-Wurayah, and Wadi Maidaq, are a treat to the eyes.
Most importantly, despite being closed to the public by the authorities in order to preserve its sensitive and unique ecology, Wadi al-Wurayah, towards the North of Fujairah, continues to be the UAE’s most well-known wadi, besides being a UNESCO biosphere reserve.
So get your sunscreen on and trek through the most stunning tourist spots, the Hajar Mountain Wadis, in the city of Fujairah.
Be an eyewitness to Fujairah’s bull butting splendour!
Being one of the few places in the UAE, where horseracing and camels are more prevalent, Fujairah presents the most remarkable bull-butting event, with 20 bulls battling each other head-to-head.
This popular family event is usually attended by hundreds of people and is held at the Fujairah Corniche every Friday evening during the winter season. Make sure to arrive at the spot before 5 PM as crowds start filling up the place after that.
Visit Fujairah’s modern Sheikh Zayed Mosque
The second largest mosque in the UAE, the Sheikh Zayed Mosque is one of the most significant landmarks in the country. With a capacity to accommodate over 30,000 worshippers in the mammoth prayer hall, the Sheikh Zayed Mosque of Fujairah also holds six 100-metre-high minarets, making it a true wonder in the Emirate.
Non-muslim visitors can also take a tour of the Sheikh Zayed Mosque and appreciate the enticing beauty of the interior world of the mosque.
Please make sure to dress appropriately, and female visitors must bring a head scarf with them when visiting the mosque.
