Fujairah holds a unique position in the UAE. It is the only emirate that lies on the eastern side of the UAE, along the Gulf of Oman, while other six emirates are along the Arabian Gulf. The Emirate derives its name from a spring of water located beneath one of the mountains. The Hajar mountain range that divides the UAE in two, from Ras Al Khaimah to Al Ain has kept Fujairah separated from the rest of the country. The historical importance of Fujairah dates back to the period before the birth of Christ. It was known in the old ages as the land of sea giants. The main cities and villages in Fujairah are Dibba, Murbeh, Qidfa, Al Bidiyah, Masafi and Al-Siji. Fujairah is a land endowed with remarkable beauty.
Sun-kissed beaches, majestic mountain ranges and convivial weather conditions conspire to present Fujairah as an exotic land, ripe for discovery by tourists and business persons alike. Numerous water sports like swimming, yachting, water surfing and deep sea fishing take place all year round and attracts enthusiasts and sportsmen from all over the world. Fujairah is rightly known as the jewel of Middle East. Its unique location offers free access to the major shipping routes of the world, making it the pick of ports for entrepreneurs around the world.
Fujairah Museum a local history museum located near Fujairah Fort opened in 1991. It has an excellent collection of artifacts, dating from the early Bronze Age, that were unearthed during archaeological digs at Qidfa and Bithnah. Exhibits include Bronze and Iron Age weaponry, painted pottery, carved soapstone vessels, and pre-Islamic silver coins. One of the museum's prized pieces, discovered at Qidfa, is a bowl made from ostrich egg dating back 2,200 years. There is also a good ethnography section, with displays of traditional Emirati daily life and craft work.
Fujairah's modern Sheikh Zayed Mosque covers a site the size of three football pitches and boasts six minarets 100 meters high. The mammoth prayer hall has space for 32,000 worshipers. Its white facade has made it one of the city's major landmarks, and it ranks as the second biggest mosque in the United Arab Emirates after the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque of Abu Dhabi. Fujairah is already home to more than 290 mosques, but it is the oldest and the newest that have earned them a special place in the story of the UAE.
Built in 1670, Fujairah Fort was badly damaged by a British attack in the early 20th century. Considered the oldest fort in the United Arab Emirates, it has served previously as both a defensive building and a home for the ruling family. And for many centuries, it was the only stone building along the Fujairah coast. The fort has three major sections, several halls, one square tower, and two round towers. In recent years, it has been fully restored to its former glory. The area surrounding the fort is now part of a Heritage Village set up by Fujairah's Department of Archaeology and Heritage. Here, you can see restored old houses, exhibits about traditional life, and a display of the Al Yazrah irrigation system that Emirati farmers used in their fields.
About 45 kilometers north of Fujairah City, Al Aqah beach, dominated by the rocky outcrop of "Snoopy Island" just offshore, is the emirate of Fujairah's top beach resort. This slither of coast, sitting on the Gulf of Oman, offers the United Arab Emirate's best opportunities for scuba diving and snorkeling and is a must-do for underwater enthusiasts. The scatter of hotels that line the shore are all set up for water activities, with diving operators and plenty of other water sports on offer, but don't worry if you just want to laze on the beach, this strip of sand has everything you want for an easygoing day of sunbathing.
Outside Fujairah city, 13 kilometers away along the main highway, Bithna Fort once stood watch over the strategic routes crossing the Hajar Mountains through Wadi Ham. Built in 1735, the fort was considered of vital importance to the defense of the United Arab Emirates' eastern region. The fort's bulky frame of thick golden-stoned walls, edged by a chunky circular watch tower, makes it particularly photogenic, while the views from the ramparts over the countryside of palm groves and jagged mountains behind are spectacular.
The Hajar Mountains separate the western coast of the United Arab Emirates from Fujairah, making this emirate an excellent base for further exploration of the rocky and arid terrain. This area of the mountains is well known for its wadis (a wadi is essentially a dry riverbed that can contain water after a heavy rain but can also refer to any valley oasis), and wadi-bashing (four-wheel-driving or hiking through the wadis) is one of Fujairah's major things to do for visitors. Among the most beautiful wadis in the area are Wadi Siji, Wadi Saham, and Wadi Maidaq. Wadi Ham is the longest valley, and Wadi Al Taiwan is fun to visit just as much for the stunning mountainous route it takes to reach it.
About 35 kilometers north of Fujairah city, the mud-brick Al-Bidyah Mosque is the oldest in the United Arab Emirates and was named after the town that once surrounded it. The engineering features are a major accomplishment for the period of construction. The mosque consists of a prayer hall, decorated with arches and featuring ventilation openings and a mihrab (prayer niche pointing to Mecca). A central pillar divides the internal space into four squares of similar dimensions, covered by domed ceilings. The site surrounding the mosque has been excavated to reveal that it has been inhabited for 4,000 years. A large Islamic graveyard just to the north contains a massive tomb dating back to the Iron Age, which when unearthed revealed fragments of pottery, metal arrowheads, and other artifacts dating back to at least 1000 BC.
Built around 1830, this small, well-preserved fort is tucked deep into the jagged Hajar Mountains near the village of Al Hayl, about 13km southwest of Fujairah. Constructed from mud-brick and plaster, it's a good example of traditional architecture. There's not much inside, but the surrounding views of the palm-speckled valley backed by mountains – best seen when the sun is low – make it worth a visit. There’s usually a caretaker to show you around. It was once used as the headquarters for Fujairah's ruling family. It has played an important role in the area's defense, used as a base for surveillance and patrolling to guard Fujairah from attack.
Bull fighting was introduced to the UAE by colonizers from Portugal. In Fujairah, bull fighting takes place every Friday during the cooler months (August - March) and is a popular family event. The day begins with 20 bulls battling each other, and numbers slowly dwindle as winners move on to the next round. The prize for the winning bull is to have his value increased. For tourists, the contest has an extra frisson of danger, as even though bulls are tied up and handled by attendants, they sometimes break free and have been known to charge spectators.
Experience the feeling of a traditional Arabian souq (market) at Fujairah's Friday market. Set among mountains and valleys, with an open market setting, the iconic Friday Market attracts visitors from all over the region. It also helps to draw tourists to the city of Masafi. It has been able to retain the atmosphere and aura of an ancient souq. Located between the Hajar Mountains, the market is famous for its variety of goods sold, from vegetables, fruits and plants, to toys, carpets and pots. The Friday Market or Souq al Juma'a is especially known for its fresh and locally grown produce, due to Masafi's unique climate with unusually high rainfall. It is also recognized as an important symbol of the region's culture and heritage. Although the market is called the Friday market, it is open daily, not just on Fridays and public holidays.
The park is recognised as an ideal picnic and barbeque spot among tourists and a number of families. The park also has an open playground for children and access to a beach, but this is not ideal for swimming. The neat and well-maintained park also provides public restrooms and easily available parking spaces. Nearby, one can find accessible grocery shops, cafeterias and restaurants.