There’s nothing quite like a trip to Fujairah to bring you back to nature. Rugged mountains cascade into the gulf’s crystal waters, making Fujairah a popular destination for nature-lovers and adventurers. There are loads of excellent things to do in Fujairah.
But it’s not just stand-in-amazement vistas and look-at-that diving that make the emirate so attractive. In fact, there are loads of unexpected things to do in Fujairah. If you’re seeking an escape from the city and find yourself in the second-smallest emirate, you’re in luck.
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Looking to get familiar with the east coast emirate? It’s the ultimate destination if you find yourself in the UAE during the holidays. (Looking for things to do for Eid 2022? We’ve got you covered there, too.)
In the meantime, we’ve pulled together a list of the very best things to do in Fujairah. Pack the car with floaties and camping chairs; it’s time to have an adventure.
Dine on British and European cuisine at The Orangery
Hungry in Fujairah? Looking for something a little more elegant that won’t blow the budget? The Orangery serves British and European fusion cuisine to knock your socks off. Eating out is certainly one of the best things to do in Fujairah.
Daily 8am-midnight. Fujairah Tower, theorangery.ae (09 222 2787).
Dive under da sea at Dibba Rock
Love to go diving in the UAE? Dibba Rock is a breathtaking (there’s not much air down there, you know) site to plumb if you’re at home on the ocean’s bed. Dives go as deep as 30 metres, but with 10 metres visibility on a good day. Dibba Rock is a site to behold once you’ve hit the bottom, making it one of the best things to do in Fujairah. Swaying corals wave hello to open water divers while sting rays, green turtles and colourful scales can all be spied floating above a small shipwreck.
nemodivingcenter.com.
Eat dinner at The Restaurant at Address
Looking to explore a stunning new hotel in Fujairah? The Address Beach Resort Fujairah recently opened in the emirate. Whether you’re checking in or just looking for a bite to eat, we hear The Restaurant is a top place to eat in Fujairah. There are international dishes to try with a view of the hotel’s cascading pools. Sounds like one of the best things to do in Fujairah.
To learn more about the new hotel in the Hajar Mountains, click here.
Open 6.30am-midnight. Address Beach Resort Fujairah, addresshotels.com (09 204 7777).
Explore Fujairah Fort
The UAE’s old forts are iconic and exploring them is one of the best things to do in Fujairah. Nowadays they serve as back drops and pit stops for hikers who love a bit of a history lesson while pacing Fujairah’s rugged terrain. Fujairah Fort is no different and is set 20 metres above sea level three kilometres inland. The rather irregular design – three circular towers plus a fourth square iteration setting it apart – make it a must-see for design buffs, too.
Open daily 8am-5pm. fujairahtourism.ae (09 223 9201).
Go glamping at The Retreat
Love the great outdoors? But not enough to spend the weekend covered in dirt? We’re with you. Experience Mother Nature’s warm embrace without compromising on comfort with a stay at The Retreat in Al Bidya. This ecologically friendly glamping spot is wall-to-wall natural. There are solar heaters, an organic menu and locally sourced building materials underscoring the site’s green credentials.
The camp’s en suite tents mean you’ll not be caught in the cold when nature calls. The camp sleeps two adults in either singles or a king-size bed or there are four and five-bed options for families. On-site activities include kayaking and mountain hiking, yoga and guided walks. Sign us up some of the best things to do in Fujairah.
From Dhs1,140. theretreat.ae.
Grab a bite at McGettigan’s Fujairah
The Irish chain casts its net far and wide and Fujairah is not without its own slice of the Emerald Isle. Expect to find all the usual suspects on the menu, including the famed McGettigan’s breakfast and fish and chips. Hungry yet?
Open Sat-Wed noon-1am, Thu & Fri noon-2am. Tennis & Country Club, mcgettigans.com/fujairah (09 224 4880).
Have a history lesson at Fujairah Heritage Village
The UAE’s rich heritage is placed front and centre at this namesake village. There’s a wealth of displays and exhibitions to peruse. The open air ‘living’ museum showcases the rich tapestry of Bedouin life, demonstrating to guests the art of fishing boat-building, cooking, dance and song. Sounds like there’s loads of cool things to do in Fujairah.
Fujairah City, near Madhab Palace, fujairahtourism.ae (09 222 9085).
Hike through the Hajar Mountains wadis
We said Fujairah was one for the kids of Mother Nature, and it doesn’t get much better than a hike in the Hajar Mountains. Slap on some sunscreen and get ready to explore one of the best things to do in Fujairah.
The most famous range in the country is shared by a number of the seven emirates. Fujairah’s slice has views of the Gulf of Oman, which is hard to beat. Three valleys to stick on your hit list next time you’re in Fujairah are Wadi Al Waruyah, Wadi Al Hayl and Wadi Siji, which are noted for their distinctive flora and fauna and those postcard views.
Looking for more UAE hikes? Click here for the UAE’s best beauty spots.
Pinch a bite at The Copper Lobster
Looking for another top restaurant in Fujairah? Named for the Omani rock lobster commonly found in this region’s waters, The Copper Lobster offers the best fruits of the sea. A bite of buttery lobster is certainly one of the best things to do in Fujairah.
Daily 7pm-11pm. Fairmont Fujairah Beach Resort, fairmont.com (09 204 1080).
Shop ’til you drop at City Centre Fujairah Mall
It wouldn’t be a vacation without a trip to the mall. The emirate’s flagship shopping mall has loads to find for savvy shoppers. More than 100 high-street stores, an impressive food court, 11-screen cinema and Magic Planet entertainment centre make for a cool mid-adventure pitstop. If you love to shop, this is one of the best things to do in Fujairah.
City Centre Fujairah, citycentrefujairah.com (09 201 2310).
Snorkel at Snoopy Island
Parrot fish, turtles, live coral – catch it all at Snoopy Island. This is one of the most revered snorkelling spots in the UAE, making it one of the most excellent things to do in Fujairah. The protruding land mass just off the coast is reachable via a short swim (though we’d recommend bringing a floatie or life jacket) from the shores of Sandy Beach.
For water babies it needs no introduction, but for those who have yet to dip their toe in the crystal clear H2O, stick it on your Fujairah to-do list, pronto. The shallows of the 20-metre tall rock provide welcome retreat for all manner of marine life, including blacktip reef sharks. When visibility is at its sparkling best, the scenes are very cool. Bring a GoPro.
Open all day every day. Sandy Beach, Al Aqah.
Sunbathe at Umbrella Beach
Looking to unwind during your trip to Fujairah? Umbrella Beach is located on the Fujairah Corniche with beautiful sparkly waters and plenty of other things to do in Fujairah nearby. Grab your beach towel, floaties and loads of SPF and get ready to take in the zen. Afterwards? There are plenty of cafés and a walk along the Corniche waiting.
umbrella-beach.com.
Take a tour of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
This looks an awful lot like its Abu Dhabi namesake, right? The second-largest mosque in the UAE is styled on the original in Abu Dhabi. Fujairah’s Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque has enough space to serve 28,000 worshippers. It’s one of the best cultural things to do in Fujairah; tours run every day of the week except for Fridays.
Sat-Thu 9am-noon. fujairahtourism.ae (09 297 7777).
Witness raw power at the bull-butting
In a region where camel and horseracing are revered sporting events, Fujairah’s famed bull-butting offers something a little different. The non-blood sport is watched by hundreds of spectators each Friday on the Fujairah Corniche. Think of it as bull sumo: it’s one of the more unique things to do in Fujairah. Drive to the Oman end of the Corniche and turn right. Crowds start to appear at 5pm.
Looking for other top picks from across the emirates? Click here for all the best things to do in Ras Al Khaimah.
