Head to Ajman on your visit to the United Arab Emirates for Expo 2020 Dubai

Dubai: Your journey to Expo 2020 doesn’t have to end there – in fact, it’s just the start. Ajman is the smallest emirate located between the hustle and bustle of Sharjah and the serenity of Umm Al Quwain, but it also has a story to tell.

Rich in culture and history, Ajman is home to magnificent fortresses that once protected delicate mountainside villages from looters. It is also bordered by gray mangroves which protect the ecosystem of the Sapphire Coast as well as the complex coastline.

Ajman is divided into three main regions:

Travel time: 1 hour 1 minute.

Travel time: 1 hour 33 minutes.

To note: Non-GCC nationals should avoid the Dubai-Hatta road (E44) when crossing the border with Oman.

Travel time: 1 hour 13 minutes.

A suburb designed with the idea of ​​a thriving waterfront community, Al Zorah is located 25 minutes from Dubai International Airport and 20 minutes from Sharjah International Airport. Sixty percent of its area has been devoted to the protection of mangroves.

Al Zorah Nature Reserve: Home to thick mangrove forests and nearly 58 species of birds, including flamingos that tiptoe around sparkling lagoons. Here you can check out the Quest for Adventure activity center, which covers:

– Nature excursion by kayak in the mangroves: A fully guided tour of the reserve, accepting passengers from the age of four.

– Mangrove tour by electric canoe: One hour tour of the nature reserve by electric canoe.

You can also find cable wakeboarding and ringo rides.

– Splash Funtastico: This is an inflatable water park for children from 2 to 12 years old. It offers bouncy castles, slides and games.

Experience the thrill of camels crossing the track as their owners follow them via 4×4 vehicles. There is no official schedule, but the racetrack is open to everyone during the camel racing season from October to March on Fridays and Saturdays. There is also the annual camel festival which takes place in February.

Perhaps what really sums up the city of Ajman is its ledge. Inundated with tourists and residents who lightly taste the salty sea breeze, the Corniche is where the city is most alive. Not only is it one of the most popular places to live in the emirate, it is full of shops, restaurants, and even health services. So, why not stop by and dine at one of the outlets?

What to eat at Ajman Corniche

Along the beach you will find cuisines ranging from Turkish cuisine to North Indian delicacies and even cafeterias. For a pair, your dining options here will cost you between Dh55 and Dh320.

Strolling through the halls of Ajman’s fish market is an experience where you stumble upon not only fresh seafood, but also hand-picked dates, local jam, and bottles of pure honey. You can cook any seafood you buy at an on-site seafood restaurant.

Overlooking a waterfront, Marsa Ajman is a new destination for shopping or dining while admiring the sunset behind the mirror waters.

What to eat in Marsa Ajman

Streetlights will light up as you eat here, where restaurants and cafes serve Middle Eastern cuisine from around Dh90 to Dh120 for two.

The Hajar Mountains cradle this tranquil village and bring with them the escape from high temperatures in summer. It can become your secret hiking spot, but also a rare historical trip as you find a fortress at the end of your expedition.

The castle was built using stone, mud and local wood in the 19th century as a form of defense against bandits. It consists of two rooms and a portal, and was restored at the end of the 1940s to regain its former power. Hiking in the Hajar Mountains is worth discovering this gem, not to mention the breathtaking view.

Nestled in the plains at the foot of the Hajar Mountains, Al Manama is Ajman’s agricultural enclave, home to Asian bees and the flowering Acacia, Ghaf and Sidr trees. You can continue your historical adventure here:

The “white fort” from the beginning of the 20th century which has been transformed into a museum. There are seven grand halls, each featuring a unique array of handcrafted weapons, Bedouin jewelry, and other relics of Ajman’s rich culture. The fort consists of a watchtower and a well, and waters its canopy of palm trees using the traditional falaj or irrigation canals, drawn from the mountains.

– The writer is an intern at Gulf News.