Discover Umm Al Quwain is the best to take a look at how they were before the petrol boom in the United Arab Emirates. The city is calm and the surroundings and landscape even calmer. All is set up in Umm Al Quwain for a relaxing vacation if you choose this emirate as your destination. Moreover, taking a look at Umm Al-Quwain from Dubai in a day visit can give you a new, different and vintage perspective of the United Arab Emirates.
What to expect from Umm Al Quwain
The city of Umm Al Quwain is on the narrow peninsula of Khor Al Bidiyah. Umm Al Quwain is the second smallest and the least populated emirate and it is in between Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah, in the United Arab Emirates. Economically, Umm Al Quwain is an important exporter of fish, seafood and poultry.
In tourist terms, it has rich coastal mangroves perfect for water sports and birdwatching and some islands good for snorkeling. Umm Al Quwain provides facilities for many recreational activities, such diving, sailing or skydiving. Traditional activities such as dhow building, falconry and camel racing are also popular assets in the emirate.
What to do in Umm Al Quwain
Umm Al Quwain Fort
Actually, this is the museum of Umm Al Quwain. The ancient fort of Umm Al Quwain kept in the past the town safe by overseeing the sea and the creek. The government renovated the façade and its two rounded towers. Inside, the exhibits focus primarily on local archaeological sites, including pieces from the Al-Dur archaeological site. There are also ethnographic exhibits presenting local life and traditional Emirati traditions, art and crafts like jewelry, textiles, metalwork and a display of weaponry dating back over 200 years. The Museum is a must-do in town and the ticket won’t bankrupt you.
Seneyah Island
Al Seniah, is home to Arabian gazelles, falcons and turtles. The series of islands off the coast of the city of Umm Al-Quwain are surrounded by mangrove forests and are an important area for migratory birds. In Seneyah Island you can find Al Qaram trees which origin is the United Arab Emirates. Seneyah is a favorite day trip for those interested in the natural environment of the Gulf. It is easy to arrive from Dubai and to spend the day on the island before coming back home on the same day. It is possible to spot many birds on the island, including flamingos, herons, terns and plovers.
Archaeological site of Al-Dur
This is a famous archaeological site, interesting for tourists , students and even scientists. It dates back 2000 years and the ruins were a very important city. Items discovered at Al-Dur include tombs, stone houses, large storage vessels, and glassware from Egypt. Some of the uncovered pottery is a beautiful orange with a black painted design which has become known as a typical Al-Dur decorative practice. This sprawling site is all over a large area, with many single-room dwellings and large room structures.
As public spaces, in Al-Dur you can find the small fort square, with round corner towers, and small temple square. There are thousands of graves, and in some cases the largest graves contained the remains of more than one individual, perhaps a family. Items found in the tombs include drinking games, Roman glass, weaponry, pottery, jewelry, and ivory. A large number of coins have also been discovered here, including foreign coins and hundreds of locally minted coins bearing Abi’el’s name. At the Umm Al-Quwain Museum you can admire most of the finds excavated in Al-Dur.
Dreamland Aqua Park
Dreamland Aqua Park is the UAE’s largest water park. The resort attracts several visitors and is extremely popular with families. This huge entertainment complex has more than 25 attractions, such as water-themed rides, wading pools, tornadoes, a crazy and kamikaze river, and a giant wave pool. Especially in summer, their shady palm gardens are very much appreciated.
Where to stay in Umm Al Quwain
- Barracuda Beach Resort: Perfect for a trip with kids and planning to visit Dreamland Aqua Park, since it’s right next door, with a large pool and ocean views.
- Vida Beach Resort Umm Al Quwain: Five star hotel with a very nice outdoor pool. Perfect for couples and families looking for a relaxing vacation. All seemed professional and well managed.
How to get to Umm Al-Quwain
Car
To get to Umm Al Quwain by car it is one hour and a half from Dubai and one hour from Ras Al-Khaimah. Definitely, this is the best opcion to arrive at Umm Al Quwain.
Taxi
You can catch a Taxi to reach Umm Al Quwain. At your hotel they should be able to call one for you. Taxi fares from Dubai to Umm Al Quwain can start from 150 AED.
Bus to discover Umm Al Quwain
From Dubai you can catch the E601 at Etihad Bus Station in Deira which departs every 45 minutes. The bus stops at Union roundabout in Umm Al Quwain and the fare is 10 AED. It can take more than 3 hours to arrive at your destination.
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