Skip links

Archaeology, forts and watchtowers

Archaeological sites in the UAE range from Bronze Age tombs to stone age cave dwellings, Portuguese forts to petroglyphs.

Visit some of the many sites and learn more about the history at the Museum of Archaeology, Mleiha Archeological centre and other museums.

The Governor’s Palace, Masafi Ras Al Khaimah

A little known treasure in Masafi is the Governor's Palace not far from the fort. It lies within the Fujairah territory of Masafi and was home to Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad al Sharqi although it was...

Al Hayl Fort and Square

Nestled in the Hajar mountains, Al Hayl Fort is often missed by tourists and residents alike.

The fortified courtyard house was originally built in the time of Sheikh...

Ajman Museum and Fort

Ajman Museum is often overlooked but it is well worth a visit. The fort which is home to the museum was built in the 18th century and was the sheikh's residence for most of t...

Al Rabi Tower, Khor Fakkan

Al Rabi Tower is a great Khor Fakkan viewpoint, the starting point of the Rabi Hiking Trail, the site of a cafe where you can enjoy the view over breakfast or at any time of ...

Jazeera al Hamra, the old (and allegedly haunted) village

Jazeera al Hamra, Red Island, might seem a misnomer as the land where the village lies is a few hundred feet from the coast but it was originally a tidal island and home to a...

Khor Fakkan, Sharjah

Khor Fakkan has always been a favourite place for a nice little getaway but if you haven’t been for a while, you might be surprised at what’s new and also at parts you ju...

Kalba Mountain Conservation Centre and Bird of Prey Centre

Kalba Mountain Conservation Centre and Bird of Prey Centre are just two of the many protected areas in the emirate of Sharjah where a lot of importance is placed on conservat...

Kalba

Kalba

The area of Kalba has so much to offer the nature lover with several very di...

Al Tawyeen Heritage Village

Al Tawyeen Heritage Village in northwest Fujairah is a nice little stop on the way to or from Dibba if you're taking Shohada Rd. It has several small buildings of different o...

Rams Ras Al Khaimah

Rams lies to the north of the city of Ras al Khaimah and relied on fishing and pearling in the past. You can still see many fishing boats going out today and Al Suwaidi Pearl...

Ras Al Khaimah Fine Arts Festival at Jazeera Al Hamra

Ras al Khaimah Fine Arts Festival

Take a trip up to Jazeera Al Hamra to see the RAK Fine Arts Festival, or RAKFAF, held each spring in the fort and old village. Wha...

Wadi Al Helo

Wadi Al Helo is one of Sharjah's several enclaves. Just off the old Kalba Road, the valley lies on the old caravan trade route and has applied to be listed as a UNESCO Herita...

Awhala Fort

Awhala Fort is on a hidden plain between the Hajar mountains in Southern Fujairah. Although the main part of the fort couldn't be dated, the locals believe it has been there ...

Falaj Al Mualla Fort

Falaj Al Mualla is a quiet oasis town in the Umm Al Quwain desert. The fort is nearly 200 years old and overlooks the sand dunes where more watchtowers stand higher up and of...

Sharjah Central Region

Sharjah Central Region is great for exploring! Lots of interesting places and the weather is drier so great for the summer! Here are a few ideas below for you until I find time to update this page!...

Heart of Sharjah

The Heart of Sharjah is the oldest part of the city and such a quiet haven, you'll often forget you're even in a city. It...

Bidya Hiking Trail (Fujairah Adventures)

Bidya Hiking Trail, created by Fujairah Adventures, is nice, easy and short and you can combine it with something else you’re doing nearby. Without stops, it will take 30-45 minutes moving time b...

Manama – Red and White Forts and Museum Park

Manama, Ajman, UAE

Many people are surprised to know that Ajman has two enclaves inland. One of them is Manama which sits on the plains at the foot of the Hajar Mountains. When pearl trad...

Mleiha

Mleiha offers stunning scenery from mesmerising rock formations, rolling sand dunes, desert meeting mountain to sandy plains and lush gardens. Discover Mleiha has long been one of my favourite plac...

Umm al Quwain Museum

Umm al Quwain Museum was once Umm Al Quwain Fort and home to the ruling family and then a police station. It now houses displays that include everyday items from traditional life, weapons and archeolo...

Umm al Quwain

Umm Al Quwain has several beaches with the most popular being the one where the Kite Beach Centre is located. The centre itself has cabanas, beach tents, beach chairs, a restaurant, etc and charges...

Khatt, Ras al Khaimah

Khatt has been well-known for many years for its hot springs and a hotel and spa providing some treatments are built next to them. The pools can be accessed through the hotel for a charge of around AE...

National Museum of Ras Al Khaimah

The National Museum of Ras Al Khaimah is currently still under refurbishment so you might want to wait a few weeks. It’s still well worth a visit now though

...

50 Places to Visit in the UAE

Watch the video to see 50 places to visit in the UAE in 50 seconds Tap/click links below for more info on 50 places to visit in the UAE - Northern Emirates https://youtu.be/dntP...

Bithna Fort, Nature Trail and Hiking

Bithna Fort

Bithna Fort is an 18th-century fort which had a very strategic location on one of the main trade routes. The area was much fought over not only by local tribes but also by Omanis...

Places to visit in Al Ain

Al Ain is known as the Garden City, come and find out why by visiting the best places to visit in Al Ain. Although it had been many years since I last visited,  I found on this trip that it hasnâ€...

Al Dhaid Fort, Sharjah Central Region

Al Dhaid Fort is the latest of Sharjah's exciting heritage projects and I was very impressed with it! This is one to add to your list of places to visit in Sharjah! First constructed over two hundr...

Masfout Museum

Masfout Museum stands high up on the rocky hill overlooking the fertile plains, where Masfout Fort was well-positioned to spot any unwanted visitors coming to attack, mostly bandits. Higher still o...

Masfoot

Masfoot is one of those places I go back to again and again. Lying on plains between rugged mountains, it has beautiful views, lots of fresh, clean air and a relaxed pace of life! It has many parks...

Al Nahwa – an enclave in an exclave

Al Nahwa

If you have driven around the northern parts of the UAE, you will no doubt have noticed that you pass from one emirate into another and then suddenly back again or you may find your...

Wadi Shaam Ras al Khaimah

Wadi Shaam

Wadi Shaam is the most northerly area of the UAE and is home to lots of old settlements. Enjoy a walk through history and beautiful mountains. ...

What to do in the school holidays in the UAE?

Are you wondering what to do in the school holidays? UAE has lots to offer! Or maybe you're just looking for fun children's activities any time of the year?

There are...