Fujairah

Fujairah is the only emirate of the UAE with no coastline on the Persian Gulf: the city sits on the Gulf of Oman, on the far side of the Hajar Mountains. Because of that, the water here is noticeably clearer than on the west coast, and the city itself is far quieter and more provincial than Dubai — low-rise buildings, fishing boats in the harbour, and mountains visible from almost anywhere in town.

For travellers, Fujairah is above all a beach and diving destination: coral reefs and shipwrecks just offshore are popular with snorkellers and divers. The city also has an old fort and one of the UAE's oldest mosques, Al Badiyah, believed to be around 500 years old.

What to see

Fujairah Fort and the neighbouring Heritage Village sit on a hill above the old town, with views over the harbour and the gulf. Al Badiyah Mosque and its watchtowers are about half an hour's drive from the centre. Along the coast, Sandy Beach and Umbrella Beach are calmer than Dubai's beaches, with dive centres offering trips out to the reefs and wrecks.

Best time to visit

The season lines up with the rest of the UAE — October to April, with comfortable daytime temperatures of +25…+32°C, and the sea is warm enough for swimming and diving year-round. Peak season runs December to February. In summer, from June to September, the heat and humidity are just as intense as on the west coast.

How to get there

Fujairah International (FJR) is the emirate's own airport, though it has far fewer direct international flights than Dubai or Abu Dhabi. Most visitors reach Fujairah by car or transfer from Dubai (about 1.5-2 hours), either over the mountain pass or along the coastal road.

Visa requirements depend on your nationality — check the official ICP UAE website for the current rules before you travel.

Getting around the city

There's no metro in Fujairah and public transport is limited — mostly taxis. For getting along the coast and to dive centres, renting a car is the easiest option: distances between beaches and sights across the emirate are noticeably longer than in compact Dubai.