Fujairah is the only emirate among the united Arab countries where they do not produce oil, do not build skyscrapers pillboxes of the sky, and do not break records for the Guinness Book in organizing entertainment. Its capital is the city of the same name on the shores of the Indian Ocean with spacious beaches, cozy hotels and sights that have been preserved since ancient times.
Nature reserves and national parks are another item of the "What to see in Fujairah" program. Unforgettable rock landscapes, reminiscent of aliens, are combined here with green river valleys and create an unforgettable backdrop for photo shoots and just good mood.
The emirate is also famous for its varied opportunities for active travelers. In Fujairah, you can go rafting on a mountain river, climb the mountains, scuba dive and devote a full day to a jeep safari. In short, it won't be boring!
TOP 10 attractions of Fujairah
Al-Bidiyah Mosque
Al-Bidiyah Mosque
Historians believe that the Al-Bidiya mosque in the village of the same name near Fujairah was built at least 500 years ago, and therefore it belongs to the list of the world's oldest religious Muslim buildings. In any case, it is definitely the oldest in the United Arab Emirates.
Due to its architectural features, the building bears little resemblance to modern mosques with chicly decorated walls, high carved minarets and spacious halls. The Al-Bidiyah Mosque was built in the style that was inherent in the structures of the Ottoman Empire, erected several centuries ago. Four domes rise on a massive base made of raw bricks and stones. The domes have a spiral structure: rainwater flowed down the grooves on them and collected in containers. In the center of the interior there is a pillar that supports the vault and divides the prayer hall into four equal parts.
The Al-Bidiyah Mosque seems quite small. Its area is only 53 sq. m. and at the same time only 30 people can be inside the structure. Despite this, Al-Bidiya remains active throughout its existence.
Fujairah Fortress
Fujairah Fortress
In the historical part of the capital of the emirate of Fujairah, an old citadel, like a huge fairytale castle, rises on a hill. The fortress in Fujairah is the city's most famous landmark. The impregnable fort more than once reflected the siege of enemies, including the military units of the British.
The fortress was built in 1670. Initially, the city military garrison was located in it:
- At the time of construction, the Fujairah fortress was the only stone structure on the entire coast of the Persian Gulf and the Arabian Sea.
- The area of the citadel is just over 600 sq. m.
- The project consists of three cone-shaped buildings tapering upwards and connected by a fortress wall. The upper tier of buildings is crowned with watchtowers with loopholes.
From the height of the fortress in Fujairah, you can look at the surrounding landscapes - the sea, city blocks and mountains. A museum with a small historical and archaeological exposition is open near the citadel.
Fort El Heil
Fort El Heil
Another fortress in the emirate of Fujairah has long served as the palace of the emir. The ruler of the emirates lived in the residence and, having visited this architectural landmark, tourists can look at the emir's chambers, his things, luxurious furniture, richly furnished living rooms and dining rooms. Kitchen utensils, servants' living quarters and storerooms have been preserved in the utility rooms.
However, the history of the citadel began long before the emir moved to El-Kheil. The fortress was built by the Portuguese, who came to the lands of the emirate in the middle of the 17th century. The fort was built as a defensive fortification and helped the Portuguese defend their own positions during military campaigns.
The fortress walls of solid thickness were able to withstand serious attacks, and the watchtowers made it possible to notice the appearance of the enemy even on the distant approaches to the fort. Loopholes and protective cogs made it possible to fire under cover.
Today the fort serves peaceful economic purposes. On the first level of the fortress, there is a mini-factory for the production of date syrup for confectionery needs.
Wadi Wuraya National Park
Wadi Wurayya
The reserve in Fujairah occupies a very solid territory - about 130 sq. km. The valley of the river, which has blasted its way in the rocks for centuries, looks especially picturesque after the end of the rainy season, which falls here in the winter months. Even insignificant precipitation makes the river bed more full-flowing, and the surrounding vegetation, saturated with moisture, becomes lush and brighter.
More than 100 species of mammals live in Wadi Wuraya National Park, the rarest and most protected among which are the Arabian leopard and the caracal. You will hardly be able to meet these wild cats during the excursion, but you can look at the representatives of the flora typical of Arab oases. Even orchids await you just a few kilometers from Fujairah: the park is home to some rare species of beautiful plants.
For fans of history, there are ancient petroglyphs in the reserve.
Friday market
Friday market
In any eastern country, the local market is no less interesting attraction than a museum or architectural monument. It is at the bazaar that you can buy souvenirs for gifts to friends, try real national cuisine without tourist adaptations, watch the locals, get acquainted with their customs and traditions.
Souk al-Jumaa or the Friday Market in Fujairah is the place where it is best to feel the atmosphere of an Arab city. You will find exotic fruits and painted dishes, magnificent silk scarves and carpets made of pure wool, handmade, jewelry of all sizes and styles and daggers decorated with ornamental stones on its counters. The market in Fujairah trades tanners and carpenters, weavers and cutters of stones, fishermen and watchmakers.
Don't forget to bargain! Bargaining in an oriental bazaar is not just a sure way to reduce the price, but also a guarantee of respectful attitude of the seller, which means a good mood.
Shark island
Shark island
For a restless and curious tribe of divers, head to Shark Island, a 30-minute drive from Fujairah. In its waters, you can look at the beautiful flora and fauna of the Indian Ocean and significantly enrich your collection of underwater filming with shots of dives to a local diving attraction. We are talking about an underwater cemetery of cars., Flooded several years ago off the coast of Shark Island and overgrown with corals and algae since then. The sea gradually took in foreign bodies and turned them into a part of its own bottom. Many bright fish of different sizes and colors live on "authorifs", and diving is possible to a depth of 4 to 30 m.
Ain Al Gomur Hot Springs
Ain Al Gomur Hot Springs
A volcanic eruption that happened near Fujairah several centuries ago made it possible to come to the surface of the healing thermal waters saturated with sulfur. The beneficial properties of such water are well known in modern medicine: sulfur springs can heal or significantly reduce the manifestations of skin, neurological, gynecological, pulmonary diseases and pathologies of the musculoskeletal system.
The temperature of the thermal waters coming out to the surface in Ain Al-Gomur is about 55 ° C. The optimal time for taking therapeutic baths is mid-spring or autumn, when there is no sweltering heat.
A small souvenir market is noisy near the springs.
Jugs
You can see the seven emirates that are part of the United Arab Emirates at the same time on the highway from Fujairah to Dibba near the airport. The regions of the country are symbolized by jugs, the composition of which was invented and installed by local sculptors in order to slightly diversify the landscapes surrounding the autotourist.
Fujairah is a small jug, while its wealthy neighbors - Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah - are larger containers. But the people of Fujairah look at it with humor. They believe that prosperity can only be achieved by hard work, not relying only on what you got by the grace of nature and those who distributed the treasures of its bowels at the dawn of the birth of life on Earth.
Friday bullfights
Bull fighting
If you are tired of the monotonous beach holiday, and your soul requires a spectacle, go this Friday to the block between Ocean and Corniche streets. Every week at 4 pm, a spectacular show begins, which is fully worthy of taking a place in the lists of Fujairah attractions.
Bullfights have been held in the city for many decades. The essence of the competition is to determine the most stubborn and strongest bull. He is given the right to compete with the winner of the previous competition. The duration of each bout is about eight minutes, after which the hosts separate the "athletes".
It is interesting that in the pre-competition period, the participants in the fights are on a special diet of dates, honey and milk.
Fujairah National Museum
Fujairah National Museum
The city, not too rich in museum expositions, is nevertheless ready to offer food for the mind to those who love history and are interested in local history. In the National Museum of the Emirate, you can look at archaeological relics and other antiquities found in the Fujairah region, allowing you to touch the history of the region.
The museum stands display collections of ancient coins and jewelry found during archaeological research and dated to the Bronze Age. In the halls dedicated to national customs and traditions, one can follow the changes in the national dress of the Arabs, see the works of local folk craftsmen, get acquainted with the technologies of weaving and making carpets.
The museum section dedicated to folk medicine introduces the capabilities of ancient healers. At its stands you will see medicinal plants, and from the guide you will learn about the role of spices and spices and their effect on human health and metabolism.
Despite the not very presentable appearance of the museum building, since its opening in 1991, its exposition has been a success among the guests of the emirate.
