Sightseeing in Fujairah - what to see. Complete travel guide

Fujairah is the youngest of the seven emirates that make up the country. It is located in the central part of the Al Hajar Mountains and is situated on the coast of the Gulf of Oman. The capital of the emirate is the city of Fujairah, which strikes visitors with the beauty of its broad and spacious streets decorated with modern architectural buildings. The emirate is located on the coast, making it the most beautiful and unique one in the UAE.

The city is really rich in beautiful sculptures and fountains. This place is not overloaded with massive skyscrapers, making it even more comfortable for high quality rest. Despite the small age of the emirate, here have remained really many historical monuments. The ancient fort is surely the most famous of them. Local museums exhibit a collection of artifacts discovered by archaeologists during excavations in such areas as Bithnah and Qidfa. Fujairah attracts tourists with its magnificent nature, beaches and absolutely stunning mineral springs.

There are three main tourist areas in Fujairah. These are Ain al-Gamura, Ain Al Madhab, and Al Wurrayah protected areas. The beaches of the emirate are perfect for water sports and diving. Every year thousands of tourists come here to admire the beauty of the local underwater world. It is also possible to participate in a desert safari on jeeps and take part in mountain excursion routes. Shoppers should certainly visit numerous shopping arcades and shops, as well as the famous "Friday" market located on the border with Sharjah. In addition to traditional forms of entertainment tourists can also attend bull-fights or watch energetic and unpredictable marine racing. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Al-Bidiya Mosque is really worth mentioning among other historical sights. It is the oldest mosque in the United Arab Emirates and one of the oldest in the world. Though the explicit data about the time of its construction do not exist, the very first written records of the mosque were found more than 500 years ago. Al-Bidiya Mosque is accessible for adherents of any faith. It is a unique architectural monument. It may seem that the mosque is manually made of sand at first sight. The external cladding is rather rough. The interior design, however, is distinguished by elegance and luxury. Many original elements of decoration have survived there.

Some unique nature reserves including Wadi Vuraiya Park are also presented on the territory of the sheikdom. Wadi Vuraiya Park covers about 127 sq. km. Sources of fresh water so rare for the state are located there. The main part of the park is occupied by rocky mountains. They include numerous lakes, rivers, and streams. About 300 species of plants and more than a hundred animal species live there.

The ancient El Heil fort is a bright monument of colonial times. It was built by the Portuguese in 1670. Initially, the fortress stood upon a small hill. From different perspectives, it seems to be hovering in the air. The old fort is one of the few fortifications in the country, that has been kept in pristine condition. Today, almost the entire territory of the fort is open for public visits. The atmosphere of the previous years has been restored in its halls as closely as possible. A small factory that manufactures date molasses occupies its ground floor.

Those who prefer to stay away from crowded places, should visit the miniature coastal town of Dibba. Some important archaeological areas are found there, where traces of the Iron Age settlements have been discovered. Historical monuments of different epochs have been preserved on the territory of the town. This area is also famous for its marvelous seascapes.