Holidays in the Emirates by the sea

Holidays in the Emirates by the sea – Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah, Umm al Kuwait. The best hotels with private beaches, what to see and do during your vacation.

The United Arab Emirates is a unique state that has become a symbol of development, using resources to build civilization. Everyone knows about the ultra-modern Dubai with its fashionable architecture and shopping, the capital of the Emirates, Abu-Dhabi, with its unrivaled museums and amusement parks, and the aromas of Sharjah‘s oriental markets.

For those who appreciate the calm atmosphere of a seaside vacation and the opportunity to spend time scuba diving and relax in more relaxed and inexpensive hotels, I recommend looking towards the emirates of Ras-al-Khaimah, Fujairah and Umm-al-Queen.

Ras-al-Khaimah is the center of the emirates’ history and a place where you can engage in active recreation.
Fujairah is a real oasis of peace and relaxation on the Indian Ocean.
Umm-al-Quwain – here you can simultaneously plunge into the past and the future, accompanied by a seaside vacation and entertainment for the whole family.

Ras-al-Khaimah

The amazing emirate of Ras-al-Khaimah is located between the Hajar Mountains and the Persian Gulf coast.

The name Ras-al-Khaimah means “Top of the Tent“. Centuries ago, a fire lit at the highest point adjacent to the Hajar Mountains served as a beacon of life for sea and land caravans.

Ras Al Khaimah is the northern and oldest emirate: these lands have been inhabited since the 3rd millennium BC, as evidenced by archaeological excavations. But the emirate’s modern buildings are not inferior in importance to ancient artifacts.

What to see in Ras-al-Khaimah

The city of Ras-al-Khaimah, divided into two parts by the Bay-Al-Khor, is a real paradise and a blooming oasis, one of the most beautiful places in the Emirates.

The amazingly atmospheric Al Jazirah Al Hamra area is a major tourist attraction where it is easy to penetrate the peaceful atmosphere of the life of former pearl divers and fishermen who lived here before the oil boom in the mid-20th century.

Not far from the port there is an old mosque, near which you can see houses built of coral. A hundred years ago, coral was considered one of the most interesting materials for construction.

It is interesting to visit Fort Al-Hussein, which houses the National Museum of Ras-al-Khaimah. Here is an exhibition of handicrafts and archaeological finds, ancient manuscripts and a large collection of ancient weapons.

Be sure to visit the Museum of Pearls, which is located on the Al Qawasim Corniche waterfront. Ras-al-Khaimah used to be a major seaport, from where pearls collected at the bottom of the Persian Gulf were shipped to many Arab and European countries.

In the museum, you can see not only pearls of various bizarre shapes and colors. Audio guides will tell you interesting facts about pearl mining, and you can see old diving suits and tools for extracting pearls from shells on the stands.

Sea and family vacation in Ras-al-Khaimah

Lovers of beaches and beautiful nature will enjoy the local vacation. This is not what you might call a beautiful oasis in the middle of the desert. But in Ras-al-Khaimah you can have a comfortable vacation at any time of the year – clean, warm sea, good hotels and silence. But if you want to find yourself among skyscrapers, a taxi will come to the rescue and take you to the center of ultra-modern Dubai in an hour.

Take note of Saqr Entertainment Park – it’s perfect for a relaxing, family-friendly evening stroll when the heat of the day falls. This is a recreation area with green lawns, soft grass and bright colors of flowering plants, where you can have picnics on specially equipped barbecue areas with sun shades.

Hotels on the coast of Ras-al-Khaimah

Hilton Ras Al Khaimah Beach Resort≫ – The hotel is well maintained, with very tasty food and a wide selection of dishes. The hotel has 3 swimming pools and access to the sea, and there are no problems with sunbeds.
Rixos Bab Al Bahr≫ – is an ultra-all-inclusive hotel well suited for families. There are many swimming pools, a variety of restaurants and food, good entertainment, drinks and juices are available everywhere.
Hilton Ras Al Khaimah Beach Resort≫ – is a five-star hotel with a very beautiful green area. Great beach, lots of greenery, lots of nice pools and bars on site, very nice and picturesque location, transportation around the hotel.

Fujairah

Fujairah is a green oasis among the sands and mountains of the United Arab Emirates, where there are no skyscrapers and no city bustle. It has preserved ancient mosques and historical monuments, surrounded by the historical heritage of Portuguese architecture.

What to see in the emirate of Fujairah

Fujairah is proud to have been able to preserve the oldest mosque in the Arab Emirates, Al Badia, which looks like a building made of sand.

Visit the ancient fort of El Heil, built in the 17th century, which served as the residence of the Emir of Fujairah until the middle of the last century.

Visit the Friday bullfights – unlike Spanish bullfighting, you won’t see blood and bullfighters. The bulls rest their heads against each other, and the one who is stronger wins.

Don’t miss the Fujairah Museum, which houses a huge collection of artifacts dating back to the early Bronze Age. Among the old buildings carefully preserved for posterity, one of the main attractions of Fujairah is the iconic Sheikh Zayed Mosque, which sparkles with crystal white during the day and is illuminated by bright floodlights at night.

Sea rest in Fujairah

Despite the fact that Fujairah carefully preserves its ancient values, the emirate’s sandy beaches are lined with the most modern and comfortable hotels, where the experience is different from anything that Dubai and Sharjah hotels can offer.

It’s calm and quiet here, and the crystal clear waters of the Gulf of Oman offer the best diving of all the Emirates. Set out to explore the diverse underwater world of Fujairah’s coastal waters, rich in exotic animals, corals and many species of fish.

Fujairah is also a healing spring where you can improve your health. Al Ain Gomur hot springs are located 20 km from the capital, on the site of an extinct volcano. The water in them is rich in healing minerals that help with rheumatism and skin diseases.

Complement your treatment program with a climb to the top of the Hajar Mountains, which offers magnificent views of the ocean and the green valleys of the Fujairah Emirate.

Hotels on the coast of Fujairah

Ocean Mountain View Apartment at The Address Fujairah≫ – is a beachfront apartment hotel with beautiful, cozy apartments. The hotel overlooks the sea and the mountains between which it is located. There are private pools and a children’s playroom on site.
Palace Beach Resort Fujairah≫ – is a very beautiful modern hotel on the oceanfront with a private sandy beach and swimming pools. The hotel is located in the heart of Fujairah’s waterfront.Here you will feel in the middle of civilization and in the backdrop of nature at the same time.
Al Bahar Hotel & Resort≫ – is a new hotel with a private beach and an excellent restaurant, where you can order not only breakfast but also dinner.

Umm al-Quwain

Umm al-Queen is a compact emirate located 65 km from Dubai on a small peninsula that can be easily walked around in one day. Its beaches are distinguished from other emirates by a heavily rugged coastline surrounded by a cluster of small islands.

Thanks to rapid development, the former fishing town on the Persian Gulf coast has become a real oasis for a good rest. Hotels, entertainment complexes, parks line the shore, and convenient highways connect to typical Bedouin villages and Dubai Airport.

Nevertheless, the emirate of Umm al-Queen has managed to maintain the atmosphere of a calm Arab province. It will appeal to those who seek peace and solitude, as well as families with children and nature lovers. At the same time, the vacation will not be boring: in addition to picturesque beaches, the emirate has a huge water park, an aquarium and many opportunities for sports and excursions.

What to see in Umm-al-Quwain

The central part of Umm al-Quwain is located in the depths of the embankment that stretches along the peninsula.

The tourist center of Umm al-Quwain is located in a lagoon surrounded by greenery and clear water. It is home to the Emir’s Palace and the Marine Research Center, which contributes to the development of the country’s fishing industry.

And you can visit archaeological sites in the villages of Tel Abraka and Al-Dur. And climb the stairs of an ancient fort, which houses the Historical Museum. Include in the obligatory program walks through the old market. Overlooked by the towers of the XIX century, and a trip to the huge date garden Falaj-al-Muala.

The whole family can also visit the local aquarium, which presents a rich world of marine life – bizarre fish and colorful corals.

Fans of gambling spectacles can visit the Emirates’ best open dromedary – a track where camel races are held and can be seen with their own eyes.

Sea vacation in Umm al-Quwain

The coast of Umm al-Quwain is a series of lagoons and picturesque bays with cozy beaches covered with soft golden sand.

The beaches are perfect for a relaxing seaside vacation and water sports. Despite its small size and remoteness from civilization, the emirate of Umm al-Queen offers many opportunities for outdoor activities. The Marine Club offers windsurfing or sailing.

The largest water park in the Arab Emirates, Dreamland, with a variety of water slides, rides, pools and a giant artificial volcano, was built in Umm-al-Quwain.

It’s a good idea to go on a boat trip to the nearby islands. There the lush vegetation competes with the stunning beaches. Al-Shariah Island is home to a unique bird sanctuary, perhaps the largest on the Arabian Peninsula.

Hotels on the coast of Umm al-Quwain

Siniya Island Resorts≫ – is a cosmic glamping hotel by the sea with its own beach. The large area is very quiet and peaceful. And you can do many activities here, such as kayaking, fishing, soccer, basketball, etc.
Pearl Hotel & Spa≫ – is a very nice and clean hotel for a family vacation by the sea. A very cozy place away from the bustle of the city. The pool is heated, making it ideal for the Emirati winter. The Little Bavaria breakfast and retaurant always offers exceptional food at reasonable prices.

How to get to the Emirates

You can choose direct flights from Europe on the following airlines:

Emirates – flights to Dubai Airport from many cities in Europe, Asia and the United States.
FlyDubay – low-cost carrier flying to Dubai Airport from Europe and Asia
AirArabia – low-cost carrier flying to Sharjah Airport from Europe and Asia
Wizz Air is a low-cost airline that operates flights from European cities to Abu Dhabi Airport

You can also look for a flight with a stopover in Istanbul.

Useful articles and links:

Booking hotels and apartments – Booking.com
Car rental – I am looking for cheap options on Rentalcars.com

Emirates – where to rest near the sea, but not in Dubai