By Mohammed Rashad Hussain, Managing PartnerPublished 3 min read
What are the best places to visit in Fujairah?
Fujairah is the UAE emirate on the Gulf of Oman, on the far side of the Hajar Mountains. The sights run in a line along the coast road, so a day trip works well. Fujairah city is 120 km from Downtown Dubai, about 1 hour 30 minutes without traffic (OSRM routing on OpenStreetMap data).
| Stop | What it is | From Fujairah city |
|---|---|---|
| Fujairah Fort | 16th-century fort, restored 1997 to 2000 | 2 km |
| Al Bidya Mosque | Small stone mosque, called the UAE’s oldest | 35 km north |
| Snoopy Island, Al Aqah | Snorkelling off a rocky island | North coast |
| Wadi Wurayah | Protected mountain wadi with a waterfall | West of Khor Fakkan |
| Dibba | Border town and harbour | 71 km, 62 min |
Our Dubai to Fujairah guide covers the road in detail.
Al Bidya Mosque and the east coast watchtowers
Al Bidya Mosque is on the road to Dibba, about 35 km north of Fujairah city. Fujairah Tourism calls it the oldest mosque in the UAE, though it gives no build date. It is built of local stone and burnt clay. A single central column carries four domes, each made of three stacked domes of falling size. It was renovated and opened to visitors in March 2003.
Dress modestly and keep your voice down. The mosque is small, so visit in a short stop rather than a long one.
Fujairah Fort, Heritage Village and Bithnah Fort
Fujairah Fort stands on a rocky hill about 20 m high, 2 km from central Fujairah. Wikipedia dates it to the 16th century, records its use as a prison and its restoration between 1997 and 2000. The Fujairah Heritage Village is another stop in the area, if it is open on your day.
Bithnah Fort lies inland, in the mountains between the coasts. Hours for the forts and heritage village change, so confirm them with Fujairah Tourism before you set a fixed time.
Snoopy Island, Al Aqah and Dibba Rock
Snoopy Island is a small rocky island off Al Aqah. The reef around it draws snorkellers, divers and kayakers, and the name comes from rocks said to look like Snoopy on his back. Beach operators rent snorkel gear and run boat trips. We cannot guarantee sea conditions, so keep the swim flexible.
Dibba is about 71 km from Fujairah city. Read Dibba or Khasab if you plan a boat day to Musandam from there, and carry your passport. The Musandam day trip covers that route.
Wadi Wurayah and mountain stops on the way
Wadi Wurayah is a 12,700 hectare wadi between Masafi, Khor Fakkan and Bidiyah. It became the UAE’s first protected mountain area on 16 March 2009 and is a Ramsar site. A waterfall, the endangered Arabian tahr and a fish found only in the Hajar Mountains live there.
We have not confirmed current visitor access rules for the park. Check with the Fujairah authorities before you plan the day around it. Hatta is 73 km from Fujairah, so Hatta Dam pairs with an east coast day.
Khor Fakkan: Sharjah’s east coast town
Khor Fakkan is a Sharjah enclave on the east coast, north of Fujairah. It has a waterfront and a port. See our Dubai to Khor Fakkan guide for how to get there. For the Sharjah side, read places to visit in Sharjah.
One day on the east coast from Dubai
A sample plan with a driver:
- Leave Dubai at 7:30 and cross the mountains to the coast.
- Visit Al Bidya Mosque, then Fujairah Fort.
- Lunch on the Corniche.
- Swim or snorkel at Al Aqah.
- Drive back, about 1 hour 30 minutes to Dubai.
The Fujairah east coast tour follows this plan. To continue north, see places to visit in Ras Al Khaimah. For a one-way run, ask about intercity transfers. More ideas sit in day trips from Dubai.
Photos in this guide
Al Bidya Mosque, a small clay mosque with two domes, with a stone watchtower on the hill behindBobak Ha'Eri / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0
Fujairah Fort with its round towers and crenellated walls, flying the UAE flagMarko / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Snoopy Island, a small rocky island off Al Aqah in the Gulf of OmanFlounder Lee / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Turquoise surf on the beach at Al Aqah with Snoopy Island offshoreWongleejean / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
