Open left Fujairah menu. Open left menu Fujairah Fujairah reviews from tourists
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Intercity bus service is represented by only one Fujairah-Dubai route. It is understood that tourists will travel around the emirate by taxi or rent a car.
If you want to visit Fujairah, but not stay in local hotels, you can get there by the already mentioned bus or taxi. The distance to Dubai is only 120 kilometers. In one day it is quite possible to swim in the Gulf of Oman, sunbathe on the beach and see all the significant sights of Fujairah, which we will talk about in detail later.
The bus number is E700, departs every 45 minutes or 1 hour, travel time is 2 hours, ticket price is 25. To Dubai, this bus departs from Union Square in the area. In Fujairah, its stop is at the Old Plaza Cinema/HSBC (Old Plaza Cinema).
Important advice for tourists. On buses, the first few rows are reserved for women; if you are a man traveling alone, sit directly in the back rows.
There are no direct flights from Russia to Fujairah airport and are not expected in the near future. If you bought a package tour to Fujairah, then get ready to fly to Dubai, Abu Dhabi or Sharjah airport and travel 2 to 4 hours to your hotel by bus.
There are only about three dozen hotels in Fujairah. The most famous of them is Radisson Blu Resort Fujairah 5*. Even at this expensive hotel, prices are quite reasonable - $150 per night for a room for two guests. Fujairah is one of the cheapest emirates for living and recreation.
Economy
Fujairah has no oil reserves, its economy is built on income from the seaport and subsidies from the UAE government in Abu Dhabi. Coming here is a good chance to see how life in the country would look without oil wealth.
The main source of food for local residents has always been the ocean. Fishing here still flourishes. Any tourist can look at the variety of fresh fish in local markets and visit the Friday Market (Friday market in the photo on the right). Restaurants offer a wide range of fish dishes.
The main source of finance for the emirate is the seaport. We have already written that the land route from Fujairah to Dubai is 120 kilometers, but the sea route is 3 times longer - about 350 kilometers; ships have to go around the Musandam Peninsula. Many ships prefer not to sail to Dubai, but to stop at the port of Fujairah for refueling, rest, replenishing supplies, repairs or unloading cargo.
In 2012, the Habshan-Fujairah oil pipeline was opened, leading to the port of Fujairah from Abu Dhabi, and now oil tankers are loaded here, which also no longer need to sail the extra 400 kilometers to Abu Dhabi.
The region's economy also boasts cement factories, stone processing enterprises, and the mining industry. Agriculture supplies residents with vegetables and fruits.
A free economic zone was opened in Fujairah, with the emirate's authorities planning to repeat the success of the Dubai Free Zone Authority in the port of Jabel Ali, but no serious economic boom occurred.
In Fujairah there are no skyscrapers or anything like that, there are no large shopping centers like that, there are no man-made wonders like that. Fujairah cannot be called a poor emirate; the epithet “modest” is more suitable for it. However, there is something for tourists to see here.
The western coast of the United Arab Emirates, where most of the country's resorts are located, is well explored by tourists. But the resort of Fujairah, on the eastern side of the Arabian Peninsula, is just being explored by travelers.
Meanwhile, this emirate has many differences - the sea here is different, the climate is milder, and nature is closer. The capital of the emirate, Fujairah, looks like a cozy resort town: bright, wide streets, a green embankment, new hotels along the coast and the absence of noisy entertainment. That is why the youngest emirate of the UAE is recommended for family holidays.
When to go, where to sunbathe, how to have fun, where to stay - you will read all the most important things about holidays with children in Fujairah in our article.
Fujairah on the map of the UAE
The city of Fujairah is the administrative center of the Emirate of Fujairah, a major seaport. The city is located in the east of the United Arab Emirates, on the coast of the Gulf of Oman in the Indian Ocean. The Hadjar mountain range approaches the coast from the west. The distance from Fujairah to Abu Dhabi is 255 km, to Dubai - 120 km, to Ras Al Khaimah - 113 km, to Sharjah - 108 km.
Tourists have only recently begun to discover where Fujairah is. This calm emirate will appeal to those who like to warm their sides on the soft sand and enjoy all inclusive.
Vacation with children
Traveling to Fujairah is an intriguing experience. How is it possible: a city without skyscrapers, without amusement parks, without curiosities and without pathos? Exactly. Holidays in Fujairah are a break from the hustle and bustle of the city, and for this all you need is a good hotel and a beach nearby. This is where the first difference between Fujairah and other UAE resorts appears.
Resort life is not concentrated only in the capital. There are good hotels with private beaches in Fujairah and several resort towns in the emirate.
The second difference is that the heat is slightly less than on the west coast of the country. Thanks to this, you can come to Fujairah with children as early as the end of September, and in the spring you can stay until the beginning of May. Interestingly, in winter the resort is as warm as in Sharjah or Dubai: you can come on vacation with an infant.
The third difference is the popularity of the all-inclusive system in hotels. Agree, it’s good to relax with your child without worrying about where and what to feed him. Only Fujairah and Ras al-Khaimah can boast such convenience in the UAE.
The main drawback of the resort is that there is almost no entertainment for children in Fujairah. More precisely, there is definitely not such an abundance of entertainment as in Dubai, but there are several options for interesting leisure (check out the “What to do” and “What to see” sections).
When is the best time to go?
The opening of the season in Fujairah is a gift for those who, during the first month of autumn, have become tired and miss the summer warmth. If you want to forget about the impending rains and cold weather, you need to come to this resort in October-November.
The spring season in Fujairah starts in the second half of March. Hurry up the summer and relax on the beach in March-April. By mid-spring, the water in the sea becomes so warm that you don’t want to get out of it. Meanwhile, winter is also the correct answer to the question of when is the best time to go to Fujairah. The moderate warmth of the winter months is suitable for relaxing with a baby.
Weather and climate
The east coast of the UAE is as hot as the entire Arabian Peninsula. But Fujairah's climate is a little milder, because the mountains protect the resort from the hot wind from the desert. But next to this plus there is also a minus - high air humidity, about 60-66%. This makes the air seem hotter.
The hottest period is from May to September. At this time, the air temperature reaches +40°C (and in Dubai, for comparison, it can be +50°C). At the end of September the air temperature drops to +35-36°C.
To organize the best holiday in Fujairah with children, we recommend waiting until October-November. The air temperature drops to +28-33°C, the stuffiness subsides, and the sea remains luxuriously warm.
Winter in Fujairah is also good for families with children. The air temperature stays between +24-26°C, the weather is most often sunny (it generally rains very rarely in the United Arab Emirates).
True, you will have to exclude swimming from the list of entertainment, because the sea cools down in winter. You need to take light jackets with you on your trip: in the evening the air temperature drops to +17-20°C.
In the second half of March, the beach season opens again on the east coast of the UAE. The air warms up to +26-28°C, and this is a reason to plan a vacation in Fujairah.
In April, the air temperature rises to +30°C, but the heat of summer is still far away, so this period can be chosen for traveling with a baby to Fujairah. In May, Fujairah becomes empty: the heat of up to +40°C is not suitable for a family holiday.
Sea water temperature
One of the most important advantages of the UAE is its very warm sea. And although Fujairah is located on the shores of the Gulf of Oman, and the rest of the resorts are on the shores of the Persian Gulf, the situation here is no different.
The highest water temperature in Fujairah is, of course, in the summer. From May to September, sea water has time to warm up to +30-33°C. Is it surprising that in October-November the sea maintains a temperature of +27-30°C?
In December, the sea temperature is still suitable for swimming: the water is +23-25°C even for kids. But in January-February the sea cools down to +21-22°C, and not everyone likes this. Already in March, the water temperature begins to rise: at the beginning of the month it is +22°C, and at the end of +25°C. In April the sea warms up to +28-29°C.
Transport
There is no urban public transport in Fujairah, both because the city is quite small and because of the habit of UAE residents to drive.
The most convenient way for tourists is to rent a car: this is the most convenient way to go to the best beaches and visit the attractions of the emirate. It’s pleasant to drive on good roads, and in cities there are always free parking spaces.
Offices of rental companies operate at the airports of Dubai and Fujairah, and in large hotels. You can take a taxi within the city. Traveling around Fujairah by municipal taxi costs 3 AED for each kilometer of travel, the amount is calculated by the meter. There are also private taxis in the emirate, in which you need to negotiate the fare with the driver.
Intercity transport in Fujairah consists of buses going to other emirates. Most often, about once an hour, buses go to Dubai. The timetable is only available at the bus station located next to the Plaza Cinema. Tickets for children must be purchased regardless of the child's age. The cost of travel to Dubai is about 25 AED.
Fujairah (Al-Fujairah) is one of the emirates that are part of the United Arab Emirates, and the only one of them located on the shore not of the Persian Gulf, but of the Gulf of Oman, and in fact already in the Indian Ocean. The name of this area clearly goes back to poetic creativity, since the word “Fujairah” in Arabic means “dawn”, and only a creatively gifted person could name a piece of the earth’s surface that way. The dawn here is truly beautiful, as it is born right in the waves of the bay.
But besides her, there is something to please the eye in the emirate. The whimsically curving coastline stretches for 90 kilometers, and mountains, cut by deep fertile valleys, approach almost close to the water of the bay. Mountainous capes covered with evergreen bushes protrude far into the sea. A narrow strip of flat shore is one endless sandy beach, generously flooded with sun. The climate in this place is so warm that even in February the water temperature in the bay does not drop below +23 ° C, and together with the many mineral springs in the mountain valleys and the picturesque beauty of the gorges and shallow bays, such natural conditions make Fujairah extremely attractive for tourists from all over the world.
Once upon a time, these places were ruled by Portuguese colonialists, who left behind several well-fortified forts built in the 17th century. Nowadays, however, they are in a dilapidated state, but they still represent historical value. The Portuguese were replaced by the British, who colonized these lands until the middle of the 20th century. Fujairah became a separate emirate in 1953, and before that its territory was part of neighboring Sharjah. The process of gaining independence turned out to be bloodless and completely civilized, and in general, wars and political upheavals bypassed this corner of paradise. Unlike the neighboring emirates and neighboring Oman, Fujairah does not have oil fields, but the picturesque terrain, developed agriculture and sea fishing do not allow it to be poor compared to its oil relatives and bring not very large, but solid income from the resort and tourism business.
The tourist season in Fujairah begins in the fall, in October, and ends in the spring, in April. From May to September there is one continuous summer, and it is too hot for our northern brother. The official language is Arabic, but many residents speak English. In addition, all advertising signs and even road signs are duplicated on it, although this does not bring any special dividends: traffic in the emirate is on the left, and international driver's licenses are not recognized here. The local currency is called the dirham; 3.7 dirhams equal 1 US dollar.
Current time in Fujairah:
(UTC +4)
Getting around the Emirate of Fujairah
All trips within the emirate must be made either by taxi or by rented car. Road transport here is well developed in all its modifications, fuel prices are fixed at a low level, all the emirates are connected by excellent four-lane highways, the main one, starting in Ash-Sham, runs along the entire sea coast of Fujairah, turns left and through the desert goes further to Sharjah, Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
A taxi ride around the city costs from 10 to 15 dirhams; it is better to choose cars of a state company, noticeable by the sand color of the body, since the interior of such cars has meters, air conditioning (however, it is available in absolutely any car in the UAE), and a uniformed driver must know English.
Car rental is possible if you have a driver's license, and this pleasure costs about 200 dirhams per day. The layout of Al Fujairah is so simple and convenient that it is simply impossible to go to the “wrong place”. The three main streets, named after local sheikhs, are stretched parallel to each other along the coastline, and smaller streets intersect them at right angles, so there are usually no problems with orientation. Driving in a circle has specific features: the person entering the circle must let the entire flow on the left pass and get in last, and when leaving the circle he already has the right of way. Drunk driving in Fujairah ends in jail.
The emirate's air transport is focused entirely on international transport, and this is not surprising, since Sharjah and Dubai are only three hours away by car and there is no need to use aircraft on domestic routes. Fujairah Airport, like other airports in the UAE, is very modern, well-kept and equipped by the national airline Emirates with maximum amenities for passengers, including carpeted floors, plasma panels for watching satellite TV channels in each hall, massage chairs and showers.
Water and sea transport is also well developed in Fujairah, although its own fleet is small and focused mainly on cruise tours. There is no internal water communication between the ports of the emirates, and foreign sea cargo transportation is carried out on leased ships of foreign companies. Nevertheless, the port of Fujairah has good cargo turnover and good prospects for further development, given the unstable political situation in the Gulf states.
Districts
The capital of the emirate of Fujairah bears the same name as itself - Al Fujairah. Europeans often call it Fujairah incorrectly, but, oddly enough, in this version both the emirate and its capital are better known among tour operators than in the original.
The city is small, with a little over 50 thousand inhabitants, but extremely conveniently located in a cozy bay of the Gulf of Oman, due to which the local seaport is well developed and has a good cargo turnover. There is also a modern airport that receives aircraft from many international airlines.
The city itself is very bright, with wide streets and a European building layout. There is nothing typically Islamic in its architecture: high-rise buildings, paved streets, a long boulevard along the coast full of greenery, dotted with calm and cozy seaside hotels with pleasant design and excellent service.
Numerous companies along the bay organize very high-quality diving and snorkeling, and their equipment can be the envy of many Mediterranean companies.
In winter, the slopes of the Hajar mountain range, close to Fujairah, are colored with the bright colors of flowering bushes, against which the ruins of the Portuguese fort and the dilapidated buildings of the Old City surrounding it look very exotic and colorful. This part of the capital is non-residential; it is entirely a historical monument of the 17th century, on the territory of which archaeological excavations are regularly carried out, and the exhibits found as a result take place on the stands of the capital's Museum of Antiquities.
What to see in the emirate of Fujairah
The emirate is not as rich in attractions as ancient European cities, but even here lovers of various types of outdoor activities will be able to find something to suit their taste. The main aesthetic value in Fujairah is the sea with its rich underwater flora and fauna, small cozy bays and coves, rocky capes with steep shores and underwater caves. In short, a real paradise for scuba diving lovers.
For those interested in antiquity, right in the center of the capital there are the picturesque ruins of a Portuguese fort built in 1670, and around it are the dilapidated buildings of the Old Town. 12 km to the southwest there is another fort of a later construction - El Heil, which is a real medieval castle. It was the residence of the Emir of Fujairah until the middle of the last century, so the building is perfectly preserved.
Of interest are the remains of two more ancient forts - Al Bithnah and Wadi Daftah, of which the first is the easternmost of all the Portuguese military fortifications on the peninsula, and the second is located in a very picturesque valley, surrounded by a palm grove, on the shore of a small lake.
Fans of antiquities will also find the hospitable Fujairah Museum, opened in 1991, which exhibits numerous historical finds from archaeological excavations in the Old City, as well as traditional products of local artisans from different eras. The museum's opening hours are from 7.00 to 13.00 from Saturday to Wednesday and until 12.00 on Thursday; the day off, as in all Muslim countries, is Friday, as well as the holy month of Ramadan. The entrance ticket costs 10.5 dirhams.
In the capital suburb of Madab, another interesting museum has been operating since 1996 - open-air museum, surrounded by a high fake stone wall with watchtowers. Among its exhibits are models of traditional Arab dwellings, artisans' tools and household utensils. On the territory of this museum, tourists are offered the al-Ayala folk dance and the original process of pumping out well water. The museum is open during the same hours as other government institutions, admission costs 10 dirhams.
Of the ancient architectural structures of the emirate, the only well-preserved relic remains a small, very elegant and beautiful clay mosque in Biddiya, which, unfortunately, can only be admired from a distance, since only Muslims are allowed to enter it. It was built at the very beginning of the 17th century and is considered the oldest in all of the United Emirates. Tradition says that it was built by grateful fishermen in honor of a huge pearl found in the sea. It is located 30 km from the capital to the north along the coastal highway.
If you drive along it a little further, then in the small fishing village of Dibba you can see an ancient Muslim cemetery of the 7th century AD. e., where the first Islamic warriors rest. Nearby there are two very picturesque valleys: Al Wariya Valley, with mineral springs gushing from rocky soil and beautiful waterfalls on rocky ledges, and Al Siji, whose fertile land is cultivated for agricultural land and consists of huge plantations of flowers and fruit bushes.
If you drive further along the highway towards Sharjah, then in the mountainous part of Fujairah you can get to the traditional Friday market(although it is open on ordinary days), spontaneously appearing right next to the roadway. Here you can buy a magnificent handmade carpet from local nomadic tribes or pottery crafts from local artisans, and, of course, enjoy the harsh nomadic exoticism to your heart's content.
People with various skin and musculoskeletal ailments are invariably attracted to a couple of tens of kilometers southwest of the capital. Its water has healing properties, and together with the beautiful surrounding landscape, this place gives great pleasure and a lasting impression.
Well, in the capital itself you can find a very unusual attraction that evokes an involuntary association with Spain - this Friday bullfights near the bridge at the exit from the city towards Kalba. Only, unlike Spanish bullfighting, the local bull competitions are completely bloodless and not cruel. The bulls press their horns against each other and try to forcefully bend the opponent's head to the ground to the exclamations of the spectators. The losing bull simply runs away from the “battlefield” in shame, so even children can watch the spectacle.
Where to go in the Emirate of Fujairah
Attractions
Museums and galleries
Where to eat and drink
Entertainment
Transport
Shops and markets
Private guides in the Emirate of Fujairah
Russian private guides will help you get acquainted with the Emirate of Fujairah in more detail.
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Shopping in Fujairah
Fujairah is famous primarily for its excellent beaches, high-quality hotel service and modern diving, but shopping here is not as well developed as in Dubai or Abu Dhabi. However, there are also plenty of places to shop here. First of all, these are markets where, as usual in the East, you can buy almost everything. The most famous of them is Souk Al Jumaa, or the so-called “Friday”, which is organized right next to the highway from Fujairah to Sharjah, on the border of these two emirates, in the town of Masafi. Once upon a time, a very long time ago, it may have functioned only on Fridays, but now it can be visited every day, except for religious holidays, from 8 am to 8 pm. Here they sell beautiful handmade carpets brought here from all the emirates, as well as various pottery, crafts, souvenirs and dishes made by local artisans.
For gold products, it is better to go to the Gold Market. Here you can buy gold rings, earrings, bracelets and necklaces made by local jewelers at a very attractive price - $8 per gram.
Huge Safeer shopping center Mall accommodated under its roof more than a hundred boutiques and shops, many food courts, cafes, cinemas and even 8 department stores. It is one of the main places of “pilgrimage” for foreign tourists, even with their entire families, since there is also a slot machine hall and a good family entertainment center.
Lulu Hypermarket is one of the stores of this brand, distributed throughout the Gulf region. A large mixed store where you can buy both groceries and related industrial products.
Fujairah Trade Center Shopping Center is located on the first floor of a luxury high-rise residential complex with the same name on an area of about 6.5 thousand square meters. meters. A real paradise for shopaholics, which will take at least three hours to get around completely. Everything is represented - from bananas to Malaysian video equipment.
Fujairah City Center Shopping Complex opened recently, in April 2012. Located at the intersection of the Fujairah-Sharjah highway and the Masafi road in the western part of the capital. Currently it is the largest of all shopping centers in the capital. More than 100 stores of manufacturers of the world's leading brands, including the largest Carrefour hypermarket in the entire principality. Very good family entertainment center Magic Planet and 11-screen VOX Cinemas.
Food and drink
Before you try to eat anything outside your hotel, it would be a good idea to at least get acquainted with the national Arab cuisine in general terms. Of course, like in any civilized country, there are the well-known McDonald's, but European food is not served in traditional cafes and coffee shops.
Almost everyone in the world knows that Muslims do not eat pork, so lovers of this type of meat will have to switch to beef, veal, poultry, fish and, of course, lamb. Arabs cook meat in a special way, frying it in a frying pan without fat, which makes its taste special.
Among the meat dishes, a European will probably like the already familiar “shawarma/shawarma”, fried lamb with rice and nuts “guzi” and the traditional Arabic kebab “tikka”. There are several types of kebabs here, including the famous “kebab” made from marinated beef and “shish-kebab” from lamb. The spiced lamb cutlets “custilleta”, fried meat balls “kebbe” and minced meat kebab “kofta” are quite decent in taste and filling.
Among the dishes with side dishes in Arab cuisine, the most common dishes are “makbus” meat with rice and spices, “meshui-mushakkal” roast of various types of meat with vegetables, bell peppers stuffed with young lamb and the Muslim equivalent of pizza - “rice”.
Dietary meat lovers will also not go hungry - Fujairah traditionally has a lot of chicken dishes, from steamed chicken with honey "al-mandi" to chicken kebab "tikka-dajaj". Mainly rice with the addition of vegetable salad is used as a side dish for meat.
The Arabs' soups are almost all meat, thick, with a wide variety of vegetable ingredients - from potatoes to beans. The bread used for meals is “kubbe” pies made from wholemeal wheat flour with meat or the world-famous triangular “sambusa” pies with all sorts of fillings - vegetables, meat, cheese or spinach. There is also bread in the emirates: it is called “fatoush” and is baked in clay tandoor ovens, but is served mainly with salads and vegetable dishes.
Among vegetable dishes, the well-known “dolma” is in use - an analogue of our cabbage rolls, only in grape leaves, “kurzhet” zucchini stuffed with meat and cheese and “mutabbal” eggplant caviar. Fish is traditionally good in the emirates. It is cooked over coals here, and there are more than enough dishes made from it. The Arabs even manage to make pilaf from fish. For dessert, they offer milk pudding with raisins and nuts “umm-ali”, sweet cheese pie with cream “ash-asaya”, donuts with honey “ligemat” and the well-known “sorbet”. Well, a special type of being at the table is drinking coffee. Coffee for Arabs is a traditional drink for a leisurely conversation, and brewing it correctly is an entire art, very honorable and respected in the emirates. No coffee machines are used here at all; coffee is prepared only “live” and poured from national long-nosed “dalla” coffee pots into small bowls.
- Al Meshwar Restaurant
- Restaurant Sapore
- Restaurant Swaad
- Sadaf Restaurant
- Taj Mahal Restaurant
- Saffron's Restaurant
- Kings Restaurant
- Bar Breezes Beach Bar and Terrace
- Al Ghorfa Restaurant
- Restaurant International Marine Club
Before you go looking for a suitable establishment, you need to remember that in traditional Arab restaurants and cafes there is nothing stronger than grape wine. Such drinks can only be purchased and consumed in appropriately licensed restaurants on hotel premises.
Connection
The communication system in Fujairah is modern and well-functioning. You can call any city in the world from any pay phone on the streets, not to mention telephones in hotel rooms. True, a call from a room will cost 3-5 times more than from the street, since the machines operate using plastic magnetic telephone cards with a tariff of 10 dirhams per minute. Such cards are sold in any store, post office kiosk and at any gas station. If you purchase a special prepaid card, then all calls, including calls from hotel rooms, will have a reduced rate. Calling the police or a number starting with 800 is free in any case.
Mobile communications in the emirate support the GSM 900 standard, so problems with adapting the handset usually do not arise. If you are not ready to spend a lot of money on roaming, you only need to purchase a local SIM card, which will require a copy of your passport. The card is valid for a year. When calling a mobile number, the area code is not dialed, instead the numbers 050 are dialed. If there is no money on the card, outgoing calls are not made until the account is topped up. You can top up through special machines located everywhere in crowded places, or by purchasing and activating mobile cards with a nominal value of 30 dirhams, which are sold in any store. If you call 122, you can subscribe to GPRS and get access to the mobile Internet for 10 dirhams per month.
There is only one Internet provider in all emirates - Etisalat. Wi-Fi access points are available in the airport building, in all hotel rooms without exception, and in some restaurants and cafes. For those who take a laptop with them on a trip, it’s even easier: you just need to buy a prepaid card at any post office kiosk, join the network, activate the card and enjoy online communication for 10 dirhams per hour.
Safety
Despite the fact that the resort industry is well developed in Fujairah and tourists are valued here as a potential source of income for the emirate, the government does not undertake to guarantee complete safety of being on the territory of the principality. Of course, Fujairah is not as politically unstable and unpredictable as other Arab states, and the foundations of Islam here are not as orthodox as in neighboring Saudi Arabia or Oman, but even here, due to the rather heterogeneous national composition of the inhabitants, there are plenty of various renegades and religious fanatics.
Actually, Arabs make up only 46% of the population, about 30% are the largest Indian diaspora, about 20% are Pakistani, therefore, in the event of any misunderstanding, representatives of different faiths are happy to blame each other, and representatives of the police with the same pleasure try to leave the blame the injured tourists themselves. Basically, the latter's complaints relate to the not very respectable hotel staff and rental car drivers, who are overwhelmingly represented here by representatives of diasporas.
Given the opportunity, the mentioned individuals can easily steal an item left unattended, and drivers, in addition, sometimes “forget” to return the change. However, the key to the necessary safety of the upcoming holiday is not in counteracting theft and deception, but in the necessary amount of knowledge of the religion and customs of the state whose visitor you become when you step off the plane.
Rules of conduct in the Emirate of Fujairah
The dominant religion in Fujairah is Sunni Islam, which is not as intolerant of violations of commandments as Shiite Islam. However, any European needs to know and comply with several immutable laws and rules of behavior in the emirate, directly related to the characteristics of religion.
Especially many nuances arise during the holy Muslim month of Ramadan, which is not “tied” to a specific date and begins at different times every year. During the period of Ramadan, even government institutions change their operating hours, and solemn prayers take place right in the squares with a large crowd of believers. In this case, guests of the country need to know that worshipers cannot be walked around in front, since this is a grave insult to faith. On the street during Ramadan you cannot eat, drink (including water), chew gum, smoke or sing songs, for this you can easily end up in prison. It is not recommended to take video or photographs of those praying, as well as to simply stand and stare at them.
One should refrain in the presence of Arabs from any comments regarding the appropriateness of their religion and certain rituals, as well as from questions about their wives, daughters or any other women. It is better not to talk about them with Arabs at all, just as it is better not to approach the fairer sex and, even more so, to shake their hand or kiss it. If an Arab woman wishes, she will offer her hand when meeting or leaving, but touching her without her permission is considered an insult.
A very significant element among Muslims is the handshake. The longer it is, the more friendly your counterpart is towards you. A handshake is also required when parting, and if the interlocutor is friendly towards you, he does it with both hands. But try to look at your face when doing this, since looking away to the side is regarded as bad intentions.
If an Arab invited you to his home, then refusal may be perceived as disrespect for the owner and a personal insult. It’s better to go, especially since the Arabs do not drink any alcohol when welcoming guests, and the obligatory treat includes tea, coffee, soft drinks and fruit. When entering an Arab’s home, you must take off your shoes and leave them near the threshold, but if the owner himself goes inside without taking off his shoes, you can follow his example.
In a conversation with your interlocutor, if you are both sitting face to face, you should not stretch your legs towards him - the soles of your feet pointed at the Arab’s face insult him. While at the guest table, you need to remember that you need to take food and pass it only with your right hand, since the left is considered unclean by Muslims. It is better not to ask the owner about the household members, limiting himself to only a polite question about the health of the whole family - this will be received favorably. Well, if a European guest can pronounce at least a few phrases in Arabic, respect and honor are guaranteed to him in full.
The cleanliness of the streets in Fujairah is strictly observed, so throwing garbage or a cigarette butt on the sidewalk (even if you just missed the trash can) can result in a fine of 500 dirhams and even a day in prison. The police strictly monitor this, as well as photography. Accidental exposure of government and military institutions, palaces of noble persons, police stations, or simply Arab women can also end in prison.
On the streets it is not customary to eat on the go, use foul language, drink alcoholic beverages, drink water from taps and fountains - for all this, at a minimum you will have to fork out several hundred, or even thousands of dirhams, and at a maximum you will end up behind bars. Alcohol is a joke in all emirates: here, although the prohibition law is relaxed for tourists, they can only buy and drink alcohol in the restaurants of the hotels where you live, or in your hotel room. It is highly not recommended to appear “tipsy” or with a bottle of beer in your hands in public places, including beaches. And God forbid that you end up drunk and driving - a decent prison sentence in this case is guaranteed.
It is better not to quarrel with the police in Fujairah, as throughout the world. So-called “plainclothes agents” are widespread here, and they often carry out wholesale document checks in public places. To avoid getting into an awkward position, it is recommended to make photocopies of your passport, visa and driver’s license in advance and have them with you when going out into the city.
The presumption of innocence does not always work here, but still, it is better not to get into police cars without law enforcement officers presenting official documents and announcing your guilt, which can be protested in a polite manner without being on police territory (which is considered the interior of a police car).
If you follow the above rules and listen to the advice of friends who have already been to the region as tourists, then your holiday in Fujairah will turn into a pleasant experience full of positive emotions.
Where to stay in the Emirate of Fujairah
Booking.com offers more than 30 hotels in the Emirate of Fujairah for booking. You can select a hotel using a variety of filters: hotel star rating, hotel type (hotel, apartment, villa, hostel, etc.), cost, hotel location, ratings of people who visited the hotel, Wi-Fi availability and much more. .
Fujairah is one of the most beautiful and green emirates. Its shores are washed by the Indian Ocean. There is plenty of greenery, excellent diving and stunning beaches with golden white sand. Fans of scuba diving and relaxing beach holidays go on vacation to Fujairah.
Beaches
Fujairah's coastline stretches for 90 km. The sand on the beaches is white, entry into the water is smooth. The water in the sea is very clear, there are conditions for diving and snorkeling. Most beaches belong to hotels.
Diving
Diving is one of the main features of Fujairah. This is the only emirate where there are all the conditions for a vibrant underwater trip. There are coral shoals off the coast of Fujairah, as well as several interesting dive sites with sunken ships.
In the waters of Fujairah you can see sea turtles, sharks, and bright red ripples. Most often, tourists go diving to the Snoopy Islands and Dibba. Also interesting for diving will be Shark Island, Three Rocks, Martini and the “Abyss of the World” cave.
Attractions
Among the popular attractions of Fujairah are ancient forts that have risen above the desert for hundreds of years. The most interesting are Fujairah, El Heil, El Bitna and Wadi Dafta. Also worth seeing is the Al Badiya Mosque, which is over 500 years old. You can visit the archaeological museum with interesting exhibits or the Heritage Village, where they will not only tell you how the Arabs lived a couple of centuries ago, but will also show you in interactive performances with national dances and food.
An interesting and very unexpected entertainment is bullfighting. Unlike bullfighting, this is a completely bloodless event. You can see them on Friday evenings in the Kalba area. There is also a track for camel racing in Fujairah, the schedule of which must be clarified in advance.
Lovers of outdoor activities go hiking in the Hadjar Mountains. The routes are well equipped; the observation deck offers a marvelous view of the mountains and coastline.
You can be alone with nature on Korfakan Beach (Khor Fakkan). This is one of the most deserted areas of the coast, and diving or snorkeling here is simply excellent.
Near the city, in a beautiful green valley, is the hot mineral spring of Ain Gomur. Its waters treat diseases of the skin, nervous system, and joints.
Shopping
Fujairah has several large shopping centers where tourists like to go shopping: Safeer Mall, Fujairah Tower Mall, Fujairah City Center and others. Safeer Mall is the largest, here you can find literally everything your heart desires, as well as go to the movies, an arcade or one of the many restaurants.
The Friday market (Souk al-Jumaa) is open daily. There you can buy handicrafts, handmade carpets, jewelry, food, spices and much more. Unlike shopping centers, you can and should bargain here: sellers can discount up to half the price.
