Al Miqsar Village Najd Al Miqsar Khorfakkan UAE

Al Miqsar Village (Najd Al Miqsar) – From Abandoned Village to Heritage Hotel in Khor Fakkan

ByAlison Watt

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Al Miqsar Village

When I first wrote about Najd Al Miqsar in 2019, it was an abandoned mountain village above Khor Fakkan, weathered by time and rich in stories. Just a short drive from the town and within walking distance of the popular Al Rafisah Dam, it was then one of those quiet, tucked-away places that felt lost in time.

Today, it’s been carefully restored and transformed into something just as special -a heritage-style adults-only retreat under Sharjah Collection by Shurooq (Sharjah Investment and Development Authority).

  • Najd Al Miqsar heritage ruins (December 2019): Weathered stone steps lead up a rocky hillside scattered with traditional stone huts topped with palm-frond roofs, and an old circular watchtower sits near the summit under a cloudy sky.
  • Restored Najd Al Miqsar village (September 2024): A modern restoration of Najd Al Miqsar village with clean stone pathways, railings, and multiple renovated stone buildings climbing up the hillside, all under a bright blue sky.

The village of Najd Al Miqsar dates back around 300 years and is perched on a small mountain in Wadi Shie. At the highest point is Wadi Shie Castle, a small fort built for defence, with narrow rifle slits that also served for ventilation. The strategic location offered sweeping views of the valley and coast, which are still part of its charm today.

Round stone watchtower of Wadi Shie Fort stands amid rocky terrain at the base of a rugged mountain range in Khor Fakkan, with scattered boulders and a partly cloudy sky adding depth to the scene.

The fort was part of a wider defence network around the town of Khor Fakkan and the local inhabitants warned those in other areas by firing gun shots. The network included Al Rabi Tower, on another mountain near the coast and Al Adwani Tower on ground level near the sea.

Now a Boutique Retreat

Najd Al Miqsar Retreat opened its doors in 2024 after restoration was complete along with some redevelopment. The rooms are set in the old stone houses and stores, carefully refurbished and furnished in traditional style, but all with an en suite and sweeping views over Wadi Shie to Khor Fakkan and out to the Indian Ocean.

Wide-angle view of Wadi Shie in Khor Fakkan, featuring a rugged mountainous landscape, terraced farmland, scattered homes, and winding roads, with dramatic cloud cover and a distant glimpse of the sea and city skyline.

Sustainability and Heritage in Practice

Repurposing these buildings is part of Shurooq’s wider commitment to sustainable tourism, restoring heritage architecture instead of replacing it.

Across the Emirate of Sharjah, similar projects have turned abandoned or underused sites into boutique hotels, museums and cafés, preserving the past while giving it a meaningful new purpose.

This allows visitors and residents alike the chance to enjoy a heritage experience without giving up their need for comfort.

Restored stone village of Najd Al Miqsar perched on a rocky mountain slope in Khor Fakkan, with multiple traditional-style buildings and a circular watchtower at the summit, set against a backdrop of rugged peaks under a clear blue sky.

Other sustainable aspects of the project include creating local employment, buying fresh produce from local farmers and supporting small businesses, such as tour guides, adventure activity companies and food businesses.

(Sharjah Art Foundation also does an excellent job of repurpose old buildings into art spaces across the emirate.)

Wishi – A Café with a View

Even if you’re not staying overnight, you can still enjoy the location by visiting Wishi Café and Restaurant, which offers the same great views over Wadi Shie. With both indoor and outdoor seating, it’s an ideal spot to stop for coffee or a meal any time of year.

  • A wooden dining table set for four with a traditional Middle Eastern breakfast spread, including pita bread, olives, dips, and tea, with large windows overlooking a scenic, mountainous valley.
  • Outdoor café terrace featuring wooden tables and chairs, bordered by stone railing and flowering plants, with a panoramic view of hazy mountain peaks in the background.

Then and Now

I’ve included a mix of photos from my earlier visits in 2019 and 2020, along with recent images to show how the site has evolved. Much has changed in terms of comfort and facilities, but Najd Al Miqsar still retains its quiet, atmospheric feel, especially in the early mornings and evenings.

See more photos of the village before the redevelopment further down.

Elevated view of Najd Al Miqsar heritage village in Khor Fakkan, with stone houses and a restored watchtower built along a steep rocky ridge, surrounded by towering barren mountains and a few pockets of palm trees at the base.
May 2022, still under development

Planning a Stay?

If you’ve ever dreamed of sleeping in a mountain village under the stars but with all the comforts of a boutique hotel, this might be just the place. Najd Al Miqsar is peaceful, beautifully restored, and designed for adults looking to unwind while immersed in heritage.

With an ‘Exceptional’ rating on Booking and also on Agoda, it’s quickly becoming one of the most unique and sought after and places to stay in the UAE.

Final Thoughts on Najd Al Miqsar

Najd Al Miqsar is more than just a scenic place to stay. It’s part of a wider story about preserving the past while offering something new for today’s travellers.

If you’re planning an overnight stay or just dropping in to the café to enjoy the view, Al Miqsar offers a unique way to experience the heritage and natural beauty of the Khor Fakkan mountains. It’s also a reminder that sustainability can include creating new experiences from old foundations.

✅ Book a stay at Najd Al Miqsar here

For more of Shurooq’s retreats in repurposed buildings, see:

More Old Photos of Najd Al Miqsar

The mihrab of the old mosque was built into a large rock at the back. The mihrab faces inland towards the mountains.

  • Front view of the old mosque at Miqsar Village in Khor Fakkan, showing a rectangular stone structure with a central doorway and three small square ventilation openings, framed by trees and set against a partly cloudy sky.
  • Rear view of old mosque at Najd Al Miqsar. Circular stone rear wall of the mosque surrounded by greenery and rocky terrain, with visible natural rock slabs built into the structure beneath the trees.
  • Exterior of old mosque at Najd Al Miqsar: A modest stone structure built around a large boulder, partially hidden by trees, with a small rectangular window in the wall and natural rock incorporated into the foundation.
  • Interior of old mosque at Najd Al Miqsar: Simple stone-walled room with a doorway, small windows, a dirt floor, and a traditional roof made of palm trunks and reed mats.

Wadi Shie Castle and an old stone building with a thatched roof. Notice how thick the walls are.

  • View of Wadi Shie Fort through trees: Fort tower perched on a hilltop is visible through the trunks and foliage of nearby trees.
  • Small stone hut with thatched roof: Low, wide stone hut topped with a neatly arranged palm-thatch roof, positioned below a historic watchtower and rocky hillside.
  • View from inside through doorway: Looking out from a very thick dark stone doorway of an old house, revealing a panoramic view of the surrounding rocky mountains and distant village.

There were different types of structures. Some would have been stores.

  • Palm-frond roof hut exterior: Small stone hut with an A-frame roof made of dried palm fronds, partially open at the front and set against mountainous terrain.
  • Rectangular stone building on hillside: Isolated, flat-roofed stone building with a single doorway stands on a steep slope overlooking the rugged Hajar Mountains.
  • Interior stone corner of old house: Rough stone wall inside an old house with irregular stones and earthen plaster, capped by a palm-frond ceiling and a dirt floor.

Sea shells and shards of pottery near Shie Castle on the mountain.

Close-up of sea shells and pottery shards scattered among dry leaves and stones at the base of a rocky slope near Wadi Shie Castle in Khor Fakkan, with small green plants growing between the rocks.

This post was first published in December 2019 and rewritten in May 2025.

To get to Al Miqsar Village, take the signposted exit on the Khorfakkan Road. Or walk through the underpass under the Khorfakkan Rd by taking The Walk on the dry side of Al Rafisa Dam.

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