Interesting cultural highlights: from mosques to castles and forts

You might think an emirate as small as Fujairah may not have much in the way of cultural attractions to entice you, but you'd be terribly wrong! If you want to make culture a focal point of your holiday to Fujairah or you want to get at least a little glimpse of it there are many places to visit.
The most striking and ancient of all monuments is the Al-Bidyah Mosque, the oldest in all of the U.A.E named after the town in which it once stood. The area surrounding it was excavated to reveal it had been inhabited for over 4,000 years! There's also an Islamic graveyard close by, containing a massive tomb that dates back all the way to the Iron Age with artefacts that go all the way back to at least 1000BC– certainly impressive!
In stark contrast to this stands the ultra-modern Sheikh Zayed Mosque – a true work of contemporary art in-keeping with tradition – don't skip it! To admire local architecture in the way of other mosques and fortresses don't miss a visit to the 17th century Fujairah Fort with its surrounding Heritage Village and check out the Bithnah Fort and Al-Hayl Castle.
For a further immersion in culture explore the Fujairah Museum found to the south of the Fujairah Fort.
 

Outstanding natural attractions: beaches, hot springs and mountains

Of course the reason most people come to Fujairah is to bask on its glorious beaches and indulge in the comfort of ultra luxurious resorts, and with the quality they boast we certainly wouldn't blame you.
But beyond the luring beaches, Fujairah offers plenty other perfectly preserved natural attractions, like the Ain al-Madhab Hot Springs just outside the city, in the foothills of the Hajar Mountains. You can bathe in its naturally warm mineral waters with separate bathing areas for males and females.
It's popular among locals and visitors alike so avoid visiting it on weekends! If you fancy a bit more exploration then visiting the village of Masafi on the edge of the Hajar mountain range will prove most rewarding. It's famous for its excellent local market and yet more natural springs. The ideal place to bargain for antiques, carpets and handicrafts.
Finally if you seek natural beauty in its most splendid form, the area surrounding Fujairah is famous for its many paradisiacal wadis. These valley oases are breathtaking to take in and some of the most stunning include the Wadi Saham, Wadi Siji and Wadi Mai, with Wadi Ham being the longest and Wadi Al Tawain being the most engaging and adventurous for the mountainous route it takes to reach it. To find waterfalls, Wadi al-Wuraya is another popular tourist attraction.
 

When is the best time to visit Fujairah?

Fujairah's climate

Blissfully blue skies are the norm in Fujairah all year round with an average annual temperature of 27 degrees Celsius - perfect for a beach holiday. It's also the ideal winter destination for those who like to escape to the sunny side when the UK is at its chilliest. In fact, Fujairah is rarely too cold, though it can get too hot. In high summer, temperatures can climb above 40 degrees Celsius making outdoor activities difficult.
The emirate has a typically hot dry desert climate but it gets slightly more rainfall than the rest of the UAE owing to its mostly mountainous terrain. Moisture is trapped by the high Hajar mountains resulting in more precipitation and greener, more fertile valleys in Fujairah. Even so, the emirate only averages around 100mm of rainfall per year.

The best time to visit Fujairah

Either side of summer between autumn and spring are the most pleasant times of year to visit Fujairah, when temperatures are hot but not scorching. You can spend long days luxuriating in the balmy climate at the beach and explore some of the region's natural and cultural attractions such as its renowned scenic wadis, mountain springs, castles and mosques. The climate is mildest between December and March when the thermometer tends to hover in the mid-twenties, but at this time of year temperatures drop steeply at sunset. If you are out in the desert or on the coast after dark, you will probably need an extra layer.