OthEr WELCOME EMiratEs
renowned artists, portraying stunning landscapes, cityscapes, portraits and graphic displays painted in oil, water colours and acrylics cultivate the beholder’s imagination. The Museum also has a Fine Art Library consisting of over 4,000 titles in Arabic, English and other languages. The facility also provides a reading room, a children’s corner and a search corner.
BluE souk Built in 1979, the Blue Souk is resplendent with Arabic Islamic architecture and design work. A superb stop for buying exquisite carpets, shawls, curios, antiques, gems, jewellery and gold, it houses over 600 shops spread across two wings which are connected by two footbridges.
al QasBa Al Qasba is the new heart of Sharjah. Set amidst a picturesque waterfront setting, Al Qasba is a cultural and entertainment hub that represents the best of the Arab world. Its multiple attractions make it a must see for tourists and favourite weekend spot for residents. Al Qasba offers abra rides along the Sharjah coast that affords a scenic view of the city; the Qasba Music Fountain where water cannons, pyrotechnics and lights combine to create a brilliant effect; the Etisalat Eye of the Emirates – at a height of 60 metres, this is the largest observation wheel in the region; the Maraya Art Centre which hosts a panorama of the region’s finest art compositions and Multaqa Al Qasba, a premier meetings and conference facility with state of the art technology. A fun Kids Zone and host of fine dining restaurant make Al Qasba a spectacular experience.
al maJaz WatErfront
literally lies in the lap of nature. Sky scraping majestic mountains, the serene Musandam Peninsula, calm blue seas, 40 kms of unspoiled beaches, dramatic desert dunes, cultural legacies and Arabian warmth – all meld harmoniously in Ras Al Khaimah. Apart from being a holiday haven, the emirate is also a historian’s delight with excavations revealing the presence of an advanced trading community as early as 5000 BC. The emirate’s most intriguing site is a ruined fort believed to be the palace of the legendary Queen of Sheba, known as ‘Balqis’ in the Arab world.
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musandam pEninsula Featuring mangroves, sea-level sabkha (salt flats), gravel plains and deserts, stunning mountain scenery and the famous Fjords of Arabia – where the mountains plunge steeply into the clear waters of the Strait of Hormuz, Musandam is a nature lover’s dream come true. The Khasab Fort and Khor Najd Beach are also worth a visit.
ras al kHaimaH national musEum Situated in the Al Hisn Fort, the National Museum is a superb example of traditional Arab architecture. Initially used as the residence of the Royal family, the building has now been converted to a museum. It has several exhibits that are divided into three sections – archaeology, ethnography and natural history. The archaeology section exhibits artefacts and objects excavated in the emirate; ethnography presents items pertaining to pearling and fishing. The Natural History room exhibits local sea shells and fossils.
umm al QuWain Deriving its name from the Arabic phrase Umm Al Quwatain, which means “Mother of two powers”, this emirate is strewn with lush green coastal mangroves as well as rolling sand dunes. The city itself has been built on a narrow peninsula called Khor Al Bidiyah helping the emirate develop a strong eco and water tourism base.
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Situated along the coast, Al Dur is an important archaeological site with the remains of a 2,000 year old town. Excavations at this fascinating site have unearthed impressive tombs, stone houses, large storage jars and glassware from Egypt and Syria.
al siniyyaH island A haven for nature lovers, Siniyyah is a natural bird and marine sanctuary. Its shallow tidal lagoons and mudflats create the perfect feeding, nesting and resting habitat for several species of heron and plover, Greater Flamingo, gulls and terns. Huge colonies of Socotra cormorants, other seabirds, gazelle and al qaram trees, and dugong (sea cows) and turtles can also be seen in the shallow waters surrounding the island.
drEamland One of the largest water parks in the region, Dreamland is located near the coast and is a perfect venue for a family day out. The park also invites visitors to camp overnight in its premises.
umm al QuWain musEum The history of Umm Al Quwain Museum goes back to 1768 when it was established as the residence for the Emiri family. In 2000 it was converted into a museum. Located in the old fort of Umm Al Quwain, it houses artefacts discovered at important local sites such as Al Dur.
tHE aQuarium A part of the Marine Research Centre, the Aquarium features a large variety of fish and sea life found in the emirate’s waters including stingrays, snakes and corals.
Dreamland, Umm Al Quwain
dHoW Building
With an amazing lagoon-side setting, wonderful indoor and outdoor play areas for children of all ages, a stunning laser show and many al fresco restaurants, this new development is a popular hangout for both residents and tourists.
The emirate’s rich tradition of dhow building still endures into the 21st century. The dhow building station located along the coast offers visitors a chance to witness the skilled carving of a traditional dhow. Several old dhows lie abandoned near the building giving the impression of a sea battlefield.
ras al kHaimaH
icE land WatEr park
Nestled between the Hajar Mountains on the east and the Arabian Gulf on the west, Ras Al Khaimah
Spread across 120 acres of land close to the Arabian Sea, Ice Land Water Park is a unique attraction with extensive
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themes of snow and ice, offering a mix of traditional water park attractions as well as novel water rides. The park can accommodate 15,000 people a day and some of its facilities are unique and the largest in the world. One unique ride is Acqua Soccer and Wet Football, where football players enjoy the feel of heavy rain during matches. At Coral Isles, Knuckling Pool visitors can see and swim with fish. At the world’s largest rain dance pool 6,000 people can dance at a time. The park also houses the world’s largest man-made waterfall: standing at 120 feet tall and 540 feet wide, 100,000 gallons of water cascade down its contour each minute from the sea water distillery.
Tourism Manual 2013