HAtta Heritage village

Hatta Heritage Village is a recreation of a traditional mountain village set in an oasis. Constructed around old settlement, you can explore the narrow alleyways and discover traditional life in the mud and barasti houses. There’s a large central fort and further up the hill, past the coffee grinding spot, the South tower overlooks the village. Beyond the children’s playground is a falaj, a tranquil oasis of running water and shaded seating areas. Opposite the entry to the village, a house displays traditional products and handicrafts.

Al Ain

Al Ain is the second most important city in the Abu Dhabi Emirate. It lies on the border with Oman and shares the Buraimi Oasis with the Sultanate. The shady oasis is pleasant stretch of greenery amidst the hostile surroundings, and the palm plantations have plenty of modern examples of the ancient “falaj” irrigation system. Al Ain has a variety of sights to interest visitors, including its museum, fort, livestock and camel souks. Outside the central city, visits to Jebel Hafeet and Hili Fun city and archaeological site are also worthwhile.

Ajman Museum

The museum is housed in a former residence of the ruler of Ajman – a fortress dating back to around 1775. In 1970, it became the main police station and then in the early 1980’s it finally became the museum. It has a variety of displays, including reconstruction of rooms from a traditional home, a street in a souk, weapons, pearling, crafts, manuscripts and archaeological finds.

Al hisn fort / heritage museum sharjah

This historic, double story fort was built in 1820 and was originally the home of the Sharjah’s ruling family, the Al Quassimi. Renovated in 1996/7, it displays a range of information and various artifacts from the region, with an introductory video covering Sharjah history. One of the most interesting displays is the collection of old photographs demonstrating just how Sharjah has changed over the years.

Sharjah archeological museum

Opened in May 1997, this modern and hi-tech museum offers a lively and interesting display of artifacts and antiques from this part of the world. Linked to a conference centre and used as an educational venue for local schoolchildren, the museum has installed computers in each display hall to provide in-depth information on the archaeological pieces displayed. The halls are containing artifacts dating back 5000 – 3000 BC, 3000 – 1300 BC and 1300 – 300 BC. For archaeology and history lovers, it’s well worth a visit.

Sharjah islamic museum

Housed in a renovated, 200 year old building, the Sharjah Islamic Museum displays an unrivalled collection of rare Islamic masterpieces and manuscripts, representing the cultural lifestyle of Muslims over 1400 years. In addition to the coverage of the Ka’aba Stone at Mecca also the museum host a unique, one of the first maps in the world drawn by Sharif Al Idrisi about 1200 years ago.

Badiyah

Roughly located half way down the East coast is Badiyah, which best known as the site of the oldest mosque in the U.A.E. The mosque is officially called Al Masjid Al Othamani and is thought to date back 1400 years, having been built in the year 20 Hijra in the Islamic calendar, or 640 AD in the Roman calendar. The small-whitewashed building, which is still used for prayer, so non-Muslim visitors will satisfy themselves with a photo from the outside. 

BIthna

Set in the mountains about 12 km from Fujairah, the village of Bithna is notable chiefly for its fort and archaeological site. The fort once controlled the main pass through the mountains from east to west and is still impressive, probably more so than the fort at Fujairah. It can be reached from the Fujairah – Sharjah road where village of Bithna is signposted. The archaeological site is known as the Long Chambered Tomb or the T-shaped Tomb, and was probably once a communal burial site. It was excavated in 1988 and its main period of use is thought to date from between 1350 and 300 BC, although the tomb itself is older.

khor kalba nature reserve

South of the village of Kalba is Khor Kalba Nature Reserve set in a beautiful tidal estuary (khor means creek in English). This is the most northerly mangrove forest in the world, the oldest in Arabia and is a “biological treasure”, home to a variety of plant, marine of bird life not found anywhere else in the U.A.E. If you are bird watcher or nature lover, try to spend a few days in this surprising and beautiful region of Arabia.

Grand Tour of Arabia
Egypt, Dubai & Jordan a la Indiana Jones

12 days in Egypt , Dubai and Jordan, Including Petra

Coming soon : Tour of the Sultanate of Oman & Dubai

Honeymoon in Dubai

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