Fujairah offers two distinct perspectives for a culturally focused stay: the fort overlooks the city and evokes its defensive history, while the Heritage Village draws attention to traditional house models and objects from earlier times.

Fujairah Fort above the city

Fujairah Fort is one of the emirate’s most important and largest fortifications. It is said to be 360 years old. It stands on a slight rise at the edge of date palm groves. In Fujairah’s old town area, it sits on a high hill and overlooks the city. Its age, location and views connect the fort to both history and landscape: it can be understood as a fortification and in terms of its position above the city.

The Heritage Village in Madabb

The Heritage Village was established in 1996 and is located in the Madabb district of Fujairah. On display are models of traditional houses, as well as handheld everyday objects, tools, household appliances and vessels from earlier times in the lives of Fujairah’s people. The house models draw attention to traditional forms of housing; tools and household items add a perspective on objects used in daily life. This gives the Village a different focus from the fort: rather than a single fortification, it presents a collection that reveals different aspects of cultural heritage.

In the wider Fujairah travel region

There are also different cultural points of interest beyond the city. In the wider Fujairah travel region, Fujairah Fort was used for defensive purposes. Al Hayl Fort overlooks several routes leading to the city. The Fujairah Museum in the emirate of Fujairah presents the history and cultural heritage of past generations through archaeological finds. The emirate’s Sheikh Zayed Mosque is designed after its namesake in Abu Dhabi. Together, these places and themes offer different ways to explore history and cultural heritage through fortifications, archaeological finds and architecture.

For a connection to the landscape, Wadi Wurayah lies in the Al-Hajar Mountains. In 2009, Decree No. 2 declared the area the first Mountain Protected Area in the United Arab Emirates. Wadi Wurayah covers 192 square kilometres; its boundaries may vary depending on the designation. A report from 2015–2016 highlights the area’s importance for preserving the environment and culture. Visitors are asked to leave Wadi Al Wurayah as they found it. The landscape and visitor conduct provide a different focus from the historic buildings.

In Dibba, in the wider Fujairah travel region, visitors can take day trips and overnight trips aboard a traditional Arab dhow. The two options differ in the time they require: a day trip and an overnight voyage call for different time commitments. If you plan this activity, check dates and availability in advance.

Discover more destinations: Qurayya, Dadna, Dibba

Go to the wider travel guide: Fujairah.