Situated on the coast of the Arabian Gulf in northern UAE between the emirates of Sharjah and Umm Al Quwain, Ajman is an unexplored territory as compared to its big brothers, Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
However, this little-known emirate is blessed with abundant natural beauty such as palm-lined sandy beaches, mangrove forests, majestic mountains and enchanting valleys proving to be a delight for its tourists. In fact, for adventure lovers, the desert offers excursions along with hiking and cycling along the trails of Masfout Mountains. And for those who wish to learn about the culture of the place, the Ajman Museum should definitely be part of your itinerary. Here, the 18th-century fort houses archaeological gems with an astounding collection of artefacts and archaeological finds (which include old manuscript, weaponry and pottery).
The city is also renowned as one of the largest dhow building centres in the region. While modern boats mainly emerge from the yards these days, travellers may catch sight of a traditionally built wooden boat sailing straight out of the harbour.
So, whether you wish to simply take a stroll along the shoreline; hike your way up to the mountain; camp under the desert stars; take a tour of the souk; shop your heart out or kayak on lagoons – Ajman will not disappoint you.
If you wish to experience true Emirati hospitality, check into any of the five-star hotels or beachfront accommodations and soak in the vibe of the place.
Here, are the top picks you should not ignore if you are looking to book yourself on the next flight to Ajman:
Stay it right!
Beachside hotels are justifiably popular and boast rooms with a view over the breathtaking Arabian Gulf. The Ramada Beach Hotel offers unobstructed views of its private beach, while luxurious options can be found further along the coast, where the Kempinski Hotel Ajman, The Ajman Palace, Ajman Saray and Fairmont Ajman offer five-star accommodation along with relaxing spa and dining options. Recently opened The Oberoi Beach Resort Al Zorah, is surrounded by lush mangrove forests of Al Zorah nature reserve. Apart from over 70 sea-facing rooms, the highlights are an adjacent 18-hole Nicklaus golf course, and its spa services such as Turkish hammam rituals and Ayurveda treatments. We recommend you to visit the Vinesse, a stylish venue for all-day dining, with an outdoor terrace, and open kitchen.
Shopper’s paradise
For a fascinating cultural experience, Ajman is home to an impressive collection of city centre souks. So, head to the traditional Souk Saleh for some unique Moroccan-influenced dresses and tunics. Jewellery lovers should visit Gold Souk for gorgeous gold and silver pieces. Walk around Ajman’s famous food markets to buy some fresh produce. Soak in this lively atmosphere and admire the fishing boats moored nearby. Must-pick is their local fish called the safi. There are also facilities on-site where you can have your fish filleted, spiced and grilled. One should not skip the daily fish auction starting from 6 pm. For some family time, Ajman is dotted with some fancy malls as well. Popular ones are Ajman City Centre, China Mall, Centrepoint and NK Mall among others.
Grab a bite
At the popular corniche area, one can relish some yummy cuisines. For an authentic Turkish experience, visit the Sultan Saray restaurant. The well-known Haritna eatery is perfect for a tasty traditional lunch of Middle Eastern mezze, barbecued meat, delicious shawarma and pastries. Our favourite from the many seafood restaurants here is the Themar Al Bahar that is popular with visitors and locals alike. So, enjoy the ultimate-taste of seafood dining here where diners get to select a seafood of their choice, which include shrimp, lobster, crab, squid, and oysters among others.
A desert racetrack
One of the main reasons to visit Ajman is to discover Ajman’s sporting attractions with one being the Camel Racing. It is advisable to reach the Al Tallah Camel Racecourse early in the morning for a vantage seat to see the camels in action. This particular sport is deeply rooted in the culture of the UAE and it remains a popular pastime for members of the Royal Family and locals.
Growing Tourism
According to the Ajman Tourism Development Department (ATDD), Ajman’s total revenue from the tourism and hospitality sector amounted to AED 458 million in 2017, an 11.7% growth compared to AED 411 million registered in 2016. The Arab market remains a core category for Ajman, but it is also increasingly focussing on European, African and Asian markets. India, of course, continues to be a significantly important market for both, the UAE and Ajman in particular.
Desert Rose
From a new seaplane service to eco-friendly excursions, Nisha Shrof lists five thrilling announcements from the smallest of the seven emirates of UAE
Ajman has always been a tourist hotspot and continues to flourish under the watchful eye of its rulers. So, if you have Ajman on your travel wish list, there is a slew of new exciting avenues to explore.
Go Pearl Diving:
One can now enjoy the centuries-old Emirati tradition of pearl diving and learn all about the story of the Ajman pearls in one place. The Ajman Pearl Journey experience is a special edutainment programme, which aims to enrich people’s knowledge on the history of the pearl industry in the Arabian Gulf region. The journey begins from Al Zorah Marina with an expert. Here, travellers will have an opportunity to become treasure hunters for a period of 60 to 90 minutes by sailing on the wooden diving boat.
Take a Seaplane
Offering impressive views, the new seaplane service from Ajman to Dubai provides tourists with a unique sightseeing opportunity. The nine-seater Cessna Caravan amphibian seaplane will have daily flights from Ajman to Dubai Creek at 8.30 am. This service also adds to Ajman’s growing portfolio of high quality tourist excursions.
Great Escape
Ajman continues to boast a number of hotels, including the recently opened five-star Oberoi Al Zorah Beach Resort, that provide guests with a number of luxurious facilities including pools, private beaches, and a wide variety of restaurants. The destination also saw another exciting opening last October, the Radisson Blu Hotel Ajman, which is the first five-star hotel to open within the city. The Wyndham Garden Ajman Corniche has also opened its doors, this year.
Eco-friendly Excursions
Visitors can now enjoy eco-tourism excursions in Al Zorah Nature Reserve. Courtesy of Quest for Adventure, who run kayak tours that take travel buffs around one of the region’s most prized natural mangroves in Al Zorah, an area declared a “Wetland of International Importance” by the Ramsar Convention. Spanning an area of over one million square metres, the mangroves of Al Zorah are home to over 100 species of native and migratory birds including pink flamingoes that can be spotted throughout the year.
Family Time
A leisure destination — Marina 1 in Al Zorah has also officially opened. It houses a large variety of restaurants and cafes in addition to recreational activities and attractions for children. Some dining options include Operation Falafel, La Villa, Kaakunada, Colorato, Sweetcorn, AquaBrown Coffee, among others. Marina 1 also welcomes The Groovy Park, a family-friendly park featuring food trucks, an outdoor cinema and an amusement attraction.
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