Fujairah

The easternmost of the United Arab Emirates, Fujairah is the only emirate not to have a coastline along the Persian Gulf. It is also the youngest of the emirates: it only became independent from Sharjah in 1952.

Understand

Get in

By plane

While Fujairah has an airport, it is closed to commercial aviation. Airborne visitors will arrive at one of the western emirates.

By train

Trains only operate in Dubai.

By car

Fujairah is roughly 2 hours by car from Dubai and the trip is on sealed roads throughout.

It is also quite easy to reach Fujairah from nearby Oman, as the border is very close. Visitors must have separate visas for Oman and UAE in order to move from one to the other by car or any other mode of travelling.

By bus

Buses run regularly between Dubai and Fujairah (around one every hour during the day and evening); the cost is 25 dirham one way (tickets to be bought from the ticket window before boarding).

The bus service is comfortable. Women, couples and families sit in the front two to three rows, and males in the remaining seats.

Buses leave from Union Square in Dubai, and from the old Plaza Cinema/HSBC in Fujairah (stopping at the bus station on the way out of town, where passengers need to disembark to buy their tickets before re-boarding).

By taxi

Taxis run from Fujairah (next to the old cinema) to Dubai and Sharjah. A shared taxi to downtown Dubai (Deira taxi stand) costs around US$7 and they go as soon as the car is full. An unshared one costs about US$28 but it depends on where you want to go in Dubai. Add another US$15 if you want to go the Marina area where all the tourist hotels are. Beware - metered taxis from Dubai to Fujairah are twice the price.

By boat

Get around

Fujairah city is not designed for pedestrians, being dominated by main roads. The fleet of Nissan Altima and Toyota Camry taxis are metered, and are plentiful. Fares start at 2 dirham during the day (2.50 at night). Visitors attempting to walk around the city will attract horn tooting from taxi drivers, who seriously cannot believe that anyone would choose to walk.

See

• Al Bidya Mosque - is the oldest existing mosque in the UAE, built in 1450 of mud and brick. It is on the way from Fujairah city to Dibba and after crossing the city of Khorfakhan. It is at the foot of a small hill with an ancient watchtower. An interesting site for those who like to experience the past world. It is a favourite place for foreign and domestic tourists. It is possible for non-Muslims to go inside this Mosque. Women (also men in shorts) must dress up to enter. The staff provides you with appropriate clothing and headscarves. The two ancient watch towers are also worth climbing up for a view.

• Fujairah Fort - in the central of the city, overseeing the whole city of Fujairah and 3 km away from the coast, built in around 1500 - 1550 AD and originally constructed to defend and to repeal invaders, an immaculately kept relic from centuries ago, preserved without embellishment so you can really get a sense of what it was like all those years ago, as well as leaving plenty of towers and turrets open for you to explore of your own accord. Staff on site giving out guidebooks for free.

• Fujairah Museum - next to the Fujairah Fort. Hosts many relics on show from the archaeological excavations, which have taken place in and around the area. The permanent exhibition includes coins, farm instruments, weapons and pottery. Entry is 5 dirham.

• Sheikh Zayed Mosque - A smaller version of Abu Dhabi's Grand Sheikh Zayed Mosque, following similar structure and construction.

Do

The Blue Diamond Alsalam Resort offers a plethora of water activities and is in the middle of Fujairah's coast.

Fujairah Corniche - Fujairah beach and costs, good for walking and cruising around hosts many restaurants and activities such as bike renting, horse riding and mini football fields for rent and sand activities.

Umberalla Beach - under development hosts small numbers of food trucks and a place for picnic - free.

Fujairah can also be used as a base from which to go on excursions to the surrounding areas, such as Khorfakkan and Kalba. The city is growing in stature as a business destination, particularly where oil is concerned.

While the Indian Ocean is enticingly close, some parts of the beach would not seem to be a good option to swim at certain seasons. However, Dibba Al-Fujairah which is 30 km from Fujairah city would be a good choice, where you can enjoy the sunny beaches and you can practice any sea activity you like. One more interesting thing to do is that you can make a boat trip to one of many islands that lie in the Gulf of Oman, a good place for strolling and fishing.

Learn

Fujairah Aviation Academy is a flight school in Fujairah's airport.

Buy

• Friday Market - amidst the scenic mountains of Fujairah midway between Dubai and Fujaira, near Masafi. It is the tourists' favorite. It is an all-week market, despite the name, that sells variety of items including and not limited to clay pots, furniture, carpets, local produce fresh fruits and vegetable, toys here. There is no fixed price, your haggling ability decides it. The prices are extremely reasonable but don’t forget to bargain as local tenders try to outwit tourists. Locals tend to enjoy the corn on the cobs and fresh coconuts.
• City Center Fujairah - shopping mall opened in April 2012, and has 34,000 m² (370,000 ft²) of retail space and includes 105 mid-market brands, 85% of which are new to Fujairah and includes VOX cinema.
• Lulu Mall
• Century Mall
• Fujairah Mall

Eat

Budget

• Gulf Flower Bakery sells good falafel sandwiches and other bits and pieces.

Mid-range

• The al-Meshwar restaurant is in the centre of the city in a whimsical-looking building and features a ground-floor "cafe" serving the regional staples (shawarma, felafel etc.) and shishas. Above that is the main restaurant, which serves good-quality Lebanese fare.

• Sadaf - Persian Restaurant is also to be found in the city. The decor is rather startling (including a waterfall in the middle of the dining room), but the food is of a good standard.

• Asmak Smakmak Restaurant offers a wide range of seafood that is freshly caught from the local ocean, in front of the Fujairah's fish market.

Splurge

Drink

There are no local specialties as far as drink goes, which means that the usual collection of water, juices, tea, coffee and softdrinks are readily available.

Alcohol is mostly only available within top-quality hotels. Cheaper alternatives include the Fujairah Marine Club on the corniche and Fujairah Beach Motel, which also has a retail "hole-in-the-wall." You'll have to ask as it's hidden away a bit.

The best value drinks in town are to be had in the pub at the Tennis and Country Club (go on a Tuesday and you get karaoke too).

Sleep

Budget

• YHA backpackers hostel with rooms for around 75 dirham. The owner is not very friendly and doesn't speak very good English but rooms are clean and comfortable with private bathrooms.

• Novotel Fuajirah

Mid-range

• The Al Diar Siji Hotel (part of Abu Dhabi-based Al Diar Hotels) is generally designed for business travellers. Staff are attentive and the rooms are pleasant. There are also a number of clubs attached to the hotel, including a 10-pin bowling alley.

• Emirates Spring Hotel Apartments

Splurge

• Nour Arjan by Rotana

• Blue Diamond Alsalam Resort

• Radisson Blue Resort Hotel Fujairah

• Concord Fujairah

• Royal M Fujairah

Stay safe

The customary cautions regarding drivers in the UAE apply in Fujairah as well. Road rules are understood to exist, but drivers will tend to take risks which would seem borderline-suicidal to many visitors. Most roads are multi-lane in each direction in the city, which may well mean that a taxi or one's own car is the best bet here. Where the taxi meter is either not present or "not working", agree on the fare before starting the trip.

Cope

Go next

A trip to nearby Khor Fakkan (an enclave of Sharjah) is highly recommended, as the beach is regarded as one of the best in the region.

A drive through the Hajar Mountains (which extend over the border into Oman) may also be enjoyable, however this will require some planning as regards the standard of car to be driven.