Fujairah Mini Guide
Fujairah is the only one of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) not to have a coastline with the Persian Gulf but there is still plenty to see and do in this state including bathing in the waters of the Indian Ocean.
It is furthermore a good base from which to visit the other Emirates such as Sharjah. If you do go to Sharjah the Khor Fakkan beach is recommended as one of the best in the region.
Fujairah is about a two hour drive from Dubai and it is also possible to travel there by car from neighbouring Oman. Car hire is very necessary as there is no system of trains and taxis can be expensive. No one walks in Fujairah and accordingly the city is not adapted to pedestrians.
When driving though take care as some of the locals can behave erratically and most of the roads are multi-lane in either direction.
Most people come to Fujairah on business as it is a vibrant commercial centre and although some Emiratis take their holidays there, attractions are relatively limited.
Not all of the Indian Ocean beaches are an advisable option for swimming but if you take the 30 kilometre drive to Diba beach you will not be disappointed by the combination of good weather and every conceivable type of water sport on offer.
If you hope to buy gifts and souvenirs there is a local souk in Fujairah selling Arab goods such as spices and crafts. This is cheaper option than using the hotel gift shops, which are pricier despite having a considerable range of souvenirs.
If you want to try traditional Middle Eastern cuisine like falafel and shishas without breaking your budget head to the Al-Meshwar restaurant which can be found in the centre of the city. It has a ground floor café while the upstairs restaurant does good Lebanese food.
Although alcohol is not widely sold in the UAE you can buy booze in the Fujairah Marine Club and Fujairah Beach Motel, which also has a ‘hole-in-the-wall’ operating as an off licence. You may need to ask a resident to find out how to get there as it is tucked away.
There are plenty of good hotels in Fujairah including the Hilton, the Al Diar Siji Hotel Fujairah and Le Meridien Al Aqah Beach Resort. The Al Diar is specially designed for business travellers but it also has excellent entertainments such as a ten pin bowling alley.