Interesting Places to Visit in Fujairah (Part – I)

Fujairah is an industrious, modern city which for many locals and tourists is a great relief after the hustle and bustle of Dubai. For the Emirati locals, it is a favorite weekend escape. With plenty of tourist places to visit in the city, Fujairah should be featuring on your travel itinerary for the UAE. Here’s a list of the most interesting ones.

Al-Bidyah Mosque

This mud-brick structure located north of Fujairah city is the oldest mosque in the United Arab Emirates. Deriving its name from the town once surrounding it, the Al-Bidyah Mosque features a prayer hall embellished with arches and a mihrab or a prayer niche that points to Mecca. A central pillar separates the internal area into four similar dimensional squares, each covered by a domed ceiling.

Immediately to the north of Al-Bidyah Mosque is an expansive Islamic graveyard containing a massive tomb that dates back to the Iron Age. When unearthed, it revealed fragments of metal arrowheads, pottery and other ancient artifacts.

Al-Hayl Castle

Among the most famous castles in Fujairah, the Al-Hayl Castle once used to be the headquarters for the ruling family. Constructed about 250 years ago, the castle played a vital role in the area’s defense. It served as a great base for patrolling and surveillance.

The pretty quaint Al-Hayl Castle is just a short drive from Fujairah city and is blessed with a beautiful location surrounded by date palm farms and mountains. This is by no means a huge structure but you can still have a nice time climbing through it to explore the entire thing. Situated atop the hill above the Al-Hayl Castle is a wind tower which you can climb to get to the top of it and take in some delightful views of the city.

Fujairah Fort

Established in 1670, the Fujairah Fort is regarded as the oldest fort in the United Arab Emirates. It previously served as both the home for Fujairah’s ruling family as well as a good defensive building. And for centuries, the fort was the only stone structure to be found along the Fujairah coast.

The Fujairah Fort consists of three main sections, two round towers, one square tower and several hills. The area that surrounds the fort is now a part of the Heritage Village. Here, you get to see the restored old houses, displays about the city’s traditional life and an exhibition of the Al-Yazrah irrigation system used by Emirati farmers in their fields.

Fujairah Museum

Located just south of the Fujairah Fort, the Fujairah Museum houses an excellent collection of artifacts. These artifacts date back to the early Bronze Age which were excavated during the archeological digs at Bithnah and Qidfa. Exhibits include painted pottery, pre-Islamic silver coins, carved soapstone vessels along with Iron and Bronze Age weaponry.

One of the most prized pieces of Fujairah Museum was discovered at Qidfa. It is a bowl made from a 2,200 year old ostrich egg. The museum also has a nice ethnography section which you can visit to experience a flavor of the traditional Emirati life.

Just a 2-hour drive from Dubai, you’ll find lots to explore in Fujairah. Don’t forget to visit all of the above mentioned tourist places whenever you arrive in the city. Till then, watch out for our next update.