Holidays in Umm Al Quwain. Open left menu Umm al-Quwain. Guides in Umm Al Quwain
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City Umm Al Quwain(Umm al-Quwain) is the capital of the Arab emirate of the same name and is located on a small peninsula in the waters of the Persian Gulf, surrounded by tiny islands. For a long time it was known as a fishing center in the region and now remains true to this reputation. Umm al-Quwain stretches along the coast for several kilometers, so it is almost impossible to get lost here. The main landmark here is always the embankment, the outlines of which are clearly visible from anywhere in the city. Especially. that local floating vessels “dhows”, daily plying the expanses of the Persian Gulf, act as a kind of beacons, signaling lost tourists to choose the right direction
On the territory of the capital there is a Marine Research Center made of coral stones, a government building where the supreme council of the emirate meets, several banks, as well as a number of commercial and educational institutions. The seaport is the main transport hub of the region. Not only do loaded ships depart from here, but numerous snow-white yachts and boats set off on trips to neighboring shores.
Located at some distance from the major populated areas of the UAE, the emirate of Umm al-Quwain is a somewhat isolated territory with its own internal way of life and traditional Arab culture, which has not yet been imprinted with the traces of European civilization, so characteristic of regions such as Dubai or Abu Dhabi . When entering the capital of the emirate, the first thing that catches your eye is the watchtowers, symbolizing the greatness of the Middle Ages, when the local shores were regularly attacked by pirates. Among the residential buildings, stone medieval buildings are still preserved, bearing traces of exquisite decoration, in the form of pink stone or stucco. Restaurants located on the embankment have a rich and varied menu, which consists of 80% seafood, which is not at all surprising, given the “fishing” image of the city. There are practically no historical and cultural attractions in the capital, except for the building of the Marine Research Center and the watchtowers of the fortress wall. But in the areas adjacent to the city there are a lot of places worthy of attention.
One of them is the island of Sinyyah, separated from the city of Umm al-Quwain by a narrow strip of sea strait. Not long ago, archaeologists found traces of ancient Islamic settlements there. Now there is a nature reserve here, home to exotic birds that fly to these places from all over the world. A short distance from the capital of the emirate, 40 kilometers from Dubai, is the magnificent Dreamland water park. Diverse, breathtaking water attractions, developed infrastructure offering entertainment for every taste, traditional Arabic cuisine, modern communications and other related attributes attract a huge number of both children and adults. The main attraction of the water park is the original model of a volcano, simulating an eruption of hot lava and complemented by lighting effects. A variety of fruit juices and ice cream are sold here for children. Special rescue services monitor the safety of vacationers. Considering the low entrance fee for the UAE (around 12-15 US dollars), this park is considered an ideal holiday destination for the whole family. The only entry restrictions are Fridays and some national holidays, when only Arab families can visit the park.
One of the most exciting excursions in the Emirate of Umm Al Quwain is a yacht trip along the coast of the Persian Gulf. From the water, one can admire the amazing landscapes that this region is endowed with in abundance, and the fresh sea breeze does not allow travelers to feel all the hardships of the thirty-five degree heat, acting as a well-functioning air conditioner. During a boat trip, guests of the yacht are invited to swim in the azure waters of the bay or enjoy the fishing process with the help of all the accompanying elements.
As a popular sports resort in the UAE, the emirate of Umm Al Quwain offers tourists a variety of active activities, including horse riding, windsurfing, water skiing or diving. For those who like to ride the waves, we can rent a sailboat and other watercraft. Wonderful sandy beaches perfectly complement the appearance of the resort, and comfortable modern hotels welcome guests of the emirate all year round.
Another popular entertainment in Umm al-Quwain is camel racing. Not far from the capital city limits, in the Falaj al Moalla area, there is one of the best camel tracks in the country. Major competitions are held there annually, which are attended not only by local residents and Arab sheikhs, but also by rare foreign tourists who show interest in this original Arab sport.
Climatic conditions in the emirate are the same as throughout the country. In summer, the air temperature can reach +50, although on average it stays at around +33 to +40. In winter it is cooler, from +22 to +26. It is quite dry throughout the year. It rains here only on holidays. The best time to vacation in Umm al-Quwain is from October to April, when the region does not turn into a crematorium and the water temperature is just over +20 degrees. At the same time, a light sea breeze actively contributes to improving mood and good spirits.
Our family was placed in a building located on the first line and located in the letter “P” towards the sea. Depending on the location, your room will have either a side or central sea view. Usually in other hotels you have to pay extra for a sea view, but here everything is automatically free. On one side of the hotel there is a seaport, which by the way did not bother me at all, and on the other there is a construction site plus an abandoned pier with decommissioned ships, but they also did not create any tension at all.
What really bothered me was that there is a mosque next to the hotel and if you are a light sleeper, then get ready to wake up every morning at five o’clock to the muezzin’s call to prayer. Outside the hotel there is absolutely nothing to see or do - there is an industrial zone and areas where poor Indians and Pakistanis live. There is really nowhere to walk there; if you want, you need to call a taxi and go there.
The territory in general is not large, but here we must take into account that the hotel itself is not big at all. However, there is enough space for all vacationers; no one bumps their foreheads against each other. The area is very well-groomed and green, plus they always trim and water things there, in general they take care of it, as they say. It also has a swimming pool, then a children's pool, a barbecue area, a small children's area, a gathering area, several cozy gazebos and, in addition, there are several tables around the territory where you can surf the Internet in the evenings and drink rum-cola. Wi-Fi is free throughout the entire territory, good reception in the reception area, but on the beach and in the rooms as it happens. However, it was quite enough for messages.
Our room was large and there was nothing to complain about at all. Apart from perhaps the lighting in the room, there is one light bulb, which is very dim and looks more like a night light. So it’s impossible to read before bed. Well, I’ll also note as a significant minus - a common walk-through balcony, because of which I had to keep the curtains curtained all the time.
The room had a kettle with all tea accessories, two bottles of water were added daily. There is a minibar in the refrigerator, but it is paid, there was beer and soda. On TV you could watch either two or three Russian channels. In our room there were two separate beds and some had one large shared bed. We didn't have a safe, although it was present in other rooms. But since we didn’t have any special need for it, we weren’t particularly indignant.
Shampoos with all sorts of soaps and gels were added to us every day; we had no special comments regarding cleaning. From time to time we left tips of about 100 rubles in our money. By the way, the centralized air conditioning in the room is very powerful but at the same time completely silent. At first, the kettle in the room did not work and there was no TV remote control. We went to the reception and they immediately replaced the kettle and brought us the remote control. Then they asked for an iron and they brought it right away along with an ironing board. And immediately upon check-in at the reception, we were given an electrical adapter for our plugs. One Russian administrator is on duty there periodically, but in his absence we used Yandex translator.
If we talk about food, this place definitely had the best menu of all the three and four-star hotels in which we have ever stayed. Of course, such a wide variety of different dishes as in the Turkish fives is not here, but the quality of the food is very decent.
I was pleased with the constant presence of meat dishes and chicken. There were normal juices on tap from bags and not the same as they pour in other hotels. There were fresh vegetables all the time, and fruits included melons, watermelons, canned pineapples, peaches and fruit slices. There weren't many desserts, but you could always choose a couple. We paid for breakfast and dinner, and in this situation we could always easily change dinner for lunch if necessary.
On the beach there is sand mixed with small pebbles and shells. The length of the beach is approximately 70 to 80 meters. And if in steps (I measured it on purpose), then from the fence to the pier there are 147 steps. But in principle, this is enough for all the vacationers of the first line to fit on it. And what’s great is that it’s not like in Egypt or Turkey - you come and all the sunbeds up to the fourth row are occupied. But here, in fact, there is not even a second row and there are always free sunbeds even on the first row.
It’s also very nice that there is no loud music all day and no one walks along the beach and doesn’t get on your nerves by pushing excursions. You can just lie quietly, sunbathe and read books, which is what I actually did. There were a lot of fish in the sea and they didn’t bite at all. We saw starfish and cuttlefish, then it was very interesting to sit on the pier and watch how needle fish hunted fry. Of the minuses, I can note a noticeably strong current. It was really possible to walk to a wild beach in about 20 minutes; there was no current at all and the water was a little warmer.
I don’t recommend changing money at the reception desk - the most unfavorable rate is best done at exchange offices. For example, you can pay in dollars in a store and they will give you change in dirhams at a good rate. But if you pay in rubles or euros, there will be no such benefit. We went on two free excursions from the hotel - I highly recommend it.
You can go to Dubai on a free transfer to do some shopping. Overall, we were very pleased with our calm and measured holiday. If you want parties and vibrant nightlife, this is not the place for you. Two-thirds of the hotel is filled with tourists from Russia, but on Fridays the local aborigines usually come for the weekend. Have a good holiday everyone!
Umm Al Quwain. UAE.
A quiet and slightly provincial emirate 34 km north of Ajman, located on a very picturesque coastline, indented by lagoons and bays. In the old part of the city, many valuable architectural monuments have been preserved, and in the new one (built on the coast 10 km from the old one) there are residential areas, villas and government buildings. The special attractiveness of Umm al-Quwain is its relative territorial isolation, which allowed the emirate to preserve its traditions and way of life unchanged.
In addition, this sleepy fishing port provides tourists with a rare opportunity to see a "slice" of real Emirati life - not only the skyscrapers and luxury of Dubai, but also the quiet backwater of one of the country's most decorated emirates. The name Umm al-Quwain, which translates as the name "Mother of the Two Powers", comes from the power of the emirates both at sea and on land. The city itself is located on a small sandy peninsula north of the road connecting Sharjah with Ras al-Khaimah.
The old town and business center are located in the northern part of the peninsula, along King Faisal Rd (aka Muroor Rd). Banks can be found there, in the King Faisal Rd area, Internet access is available at the Palma Beach Hotel for Dhs10 per hour.
From November to March, the weather in the emirate reaches +26 °C during the day and 15 °C at night. In summer, the thermometer’s thermometer persistently hangs at +40 °C. Rains are rare, but the midday heat is pleasantly diluted by the fresh sea breeze that constantly blows on the coast.
Umm Al Quwain Hotels
The emirate's hotels can be counted on the fingers of one hand. Among the recommended ones are Flamingo Beach Resort next to the old fort, Palma Beach next to a good nautical club and Barracuda Beach Resort, from where it is a stone's throw to the Dreamland water park.
Transport
There are no public buses in Umm Al Quwain. People mostly use taxis: in the central part from 2 to 3 dirhams, in the commercial part (near Lulu) - from 5 dirhams.
Entertainment, excursions and attractions in Umm Al Quwain
In terms of “seeing and taking photos,” the emirate’s three tall watchtowers and a fort, the Historical Museum, a riding school, and the old market area with wind towers are interesting. You can take a tour of the huge Falaj al-Muala date garden, as well as a trip to Al Sharyah Island, home to many birds.
The best camel racing tracks in the country, a shooting club where you can shoot with all kinds of weapons, and the Marine Club, where they practice windsurfing, water skiing and sailing. Also, the largest water park in the Middle East, Dreamland, which, in addition to many water activities, houses an 18-meter-high artificial volcano. Entrance tickets for adults cost 100 DHS, for children - 70 DHS.
An alternative to a water park, the Aquarium is the main attraction of the new port, part of the Marine Research Center, which is open to visitors every day. Here you can get acquainted with a variety of marine life, including corals, sea snakes and rare fish. Group excursions are available from the Barracuda Beach Resort.
Finally, you can head to the nearby islands of Umm Al Quwain, which lie east of the main peninsula. There is not only a unique coastline, luxurious sandy beaches, but also picturesque mangrove forests and secluded bays. The largest of the islands is Al Sinniyah, followed by Jazirat Al Ghallah and Al Keabe, all of which are visible from the old city. Much smaller, but no less colorful, are the small islands of Al Sow, Al Qaram, Al Humaidi, Al Chewria and Al Harmala. Between them is the Madaar Strait, an important fishing route for the emirate. Barracuda Beach Resort can book group excursions to the islands.
Historical Museum
The Umm al-Quwain Historical Museum is located in a restored ancient fort, the entrance to which must be found from the old city. Most of the museum's exhibits were found in the neighboring village of Al Dour (or Al-Dur) and belong to various historical eras of the country. Al-Dur was formed on the coast in 200 AD. e., archaeological excavations can also be visited; they are located along and to the right of the Sharjah-Ras al-Khaimah highway, not far from the exit from the city.
At the fort itself, restoration work continues to restore the wall that was erected by the first local settlers (this does not interfere with visitors at all).
Umm Al Quwain Aero Club
The first flying club in the United Arab Emirates, located near the Dreamland water park, was created in this Emirate with the support of Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Mualla. There are exhibits such as the Antonov-2 biplane and the Ilyushin-76 cargo plane, as well as a large coffee shop for those who want to take a break.
The club is famous for its skydiving and parachuting championships, including the Asiana Championship 2005, Boogie 2005, 2006 and 2007. In addition, the Umm Al Quwain Air Club is the only place in the UAE where you can go skydiving, paragliding or even ride on an inflatable ball. Coaching and lessons are provided by friendly and experienced certified pilots. You can also take a couple of lessons to fly microlights, gliders, Cessnas or aerial acrobatics aircraft
And of course and. Reviews from tourists about the weather and holidays in Um Al Quwain.
Um Al Quwain is a small emirate in the UAE, occupying 1% of the country's total territory. It lies 34 kilometers from Ajman. It is distinguished from other Arab emirates by its picturesque coastline, strongly indented by bays and lagoons. Um Al Quwain is the largest supplier of seafood in the country. It is also famous for its riding academy, where the best horses are kept in the UAE. The emirate honors and preserves the way of life and traditions thanks to its territorial isolation - it is a fairly quiet provincial place.
Um Al Quwain lies in the UTC+4 time zone, which means that the time here completely coincides with Moscow. The clocks here do not change for summer time.
How to get to Um Al Quwain?
Um Al Quwain does not have its own airport, and intercity buses do not run to it either - only the route to Ajman, located 34 kilometers from here.
The nearest international airport is in Dubai, so, as an option, you can get there by minibus, but passengers here are dropped off right on the highway, and then you will have to get to the city on your own. Tourists prefer to travel by taxi from the nearest emirates; the cost of the trip will be 30-60 dirhams.
Climate
Average monthly temperature in Um Al Quwain
Attractions of Um Al Quwain
In the emirate you can see the fort, high watchtowers or wind towers near the old market, visit the riding school or the Historical Museum. Some tourists go to Falaj al-Muala, a large Phoenician garden, or on a walk to the island of Al Sharyah, where you can see the huge number of birds that live here. In general, all the islands closest to the shore are quite picturesque; groups of vacationers go there on excursions to admire the beauty of the local areas. Nature lovers will love the Siniya Nature Reserve.
The historical museum, housed in an ancient fort, contains exhibits found in the nearby village, which has existed since the 200s. You can also visit the archaeological excavations themselves - they are located just outside the city.
Things to do in Um Al Quwain
The emirate has the best camel racing tracks in the entire UAE, and there is a marine club for lovers of water skiing, sailing and windsurfing. The shooting range provides an opportunity to shoot from a variety of weapons presented there to visitors.
Um Al Quwain has the largest water park in the entire Middle East, with not only many water slides and pools, but also an eighteen-meter artificial volcano. The new port has a large aquarium open to visitors, containing a variety of marine life, including rare species of fish, sea snakes and corals.
Not far from the water park there is a flying club, where you can see with your own eyes exhibits such as the Antonov-2 biplane and the Ilyushin-76 cargo plane. For those wishing to relax, a large coffee shop is open on site. The club hosts championships in parachuting and skydiving, and here you can even learn to pilot, try your hand at paragliding, skydiving or ride a hot air balloon. You will be trained by qualified pilots with extensive experience and certification.
Vacationers will find the best beaches with bays on the coastline of the nearest islands.
One of the smallest emirates has its own unique characteristics. Umm Al Quwain is the emirate with the smallest population in the country. A little more than 72 thousand people live here. That is why lovers of silence tend to come here on vacation. Here you are unlikely to encounter noisy crowds of vacationers. The Emirate lives its calm, measured life.
This is a special emirate, distinguished by unique beaches and an abundance of picturesque lagoons. The entire coastline of the emirate is rugged and presents an amazing sight. It is for the magnificent beaches that most tourists come here. Umm Al Quwain is located relatively far from other emirates. This is probably why he managed to preserve his primitive uniqueness. This is one of the few places in the country where you can get acquainted with the customs and traditions of the local population and learn about the way of life of ordinary people. A walk through the old part of the city will give you a lot of bright and unforgettable impressions.
Best time to go on holiday in 2018
The quiet life of the emirate of Umm Al Quwain attracts tourists all year round. There is no high or low season here. At any time of the year, tourists can expect snow-white beaches, gentle seas, and friendly locals. If you select the most favorable time for a trip in terms of weather conditions, then it is best from October to April. However, in the winter months the water becomes quite cool. Its temperature drops to +17 degrees, so the swimming season is temporarily suspended in winter.
How to get to Umm al Quwain from Moscow
Umm Al Quwain is perhaps the most inaccessible emirate in the country. But this is where its uniqueness and originality lie. To get to Umm al Quwain, you must first fly to or, and from there get to the desired emirate (You can find cheap air tickets). You can get to Umm al Quwain by bus, taxi, or rented car. The drive is quite far, so you will have to spend at least 1.5 hours on the road. In general, the trip from Moscow to your destination will take about 8 hours.
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The main attractions of Umm al Quwain
Despite its small size, Umm al Quwain can offer tourists a lot of interesting excursion sites. There are unique historical attractions, amazing religious sites, and modern entertainment centers.
Dreamland Waterpark
Dreamland Water Park is the best place for families with children in Umm Alb Quwain One of the main attractions of the emirate is the largest water park in the region, Dreamland. Absolutely all travelers vacationing in this emirate come here at least once. Visitors are offered several large swimming pools, water slides of various heights, and a lot of other water activities. The water park can be divided into two zones: adults and children. Adults can slide down the biggest slide, enjoy water sports, and simply swim in the pool. There is also a huge selection of entertainment for children. In addition, there is a cafe on the territory of the water park where you can have a snack or just drink a cold drink.
Umm Al Quwain Historical Museum
Umm Al Quwain Museum is the main historical attraction of the emirate The fort museum is considered one of the most visited historical attractions. The historical museum is housed in a restored fortification structure, which at one time was the residence of the local emir. Most of the museum's exhibits are ancient objects found in the village of Al Dar, the foundation of which dates back to the 3rd century AD.
Dow boat sculpture
Another interesting attraction of the resort is the Doe sculpture. The dhow is an ancient sailing boat that the Arabs used to go to sea. Currently, such boats are built only in the emirate of Ajman. The Doe sculpture is located near the hospital. It is looked after very carefully and is coated with special paint every year to prevent it from rotting.