Do you think the UAE is all about architectural grandeur? Here are some of the hidden gems in UAE to give you a second thought.
UAE is appreciated as a destination of man-made wonders, a country of marvel-making capacity; however, behind the architectural prominence, many hidden gems of the UAE lose their notability.
The Burj Khalifa is inbuilt with the power to enthral the viewer with its tall stature. The museum of the future is a paragon of any of its kind; There are many on the list of UAE’s marvels, but just because these structures demonstrate their opulence well doesn’t mean UAE is short of other attractions. The UAE is home to many natural spectacles. Here’s a list of 7 hidden gems of UAE that you probably didn’t know existed.
From lush green mangroves to adventurous mountain trails, UAE has many spots to surprise you. These are some hidden places in the UAE that deserve a place on your bucket lists.
1. Al Ain Oasis
2. Al Suhub rest house(The Cloudy Lounge)
3. Umm al Quwain mangrove beach
4. Snoopy island
5. Wadi Shawka
6. Rasal Khor Sanctuary
7. Mleiha
8. Mazaraa Farm
1.Al-Ain Oasis- Hidden Gems In UAE
The Al Ain oasis can be your ultimate escapade from the bustle of city life. The tranquil ambience spread throughout the place is the oasis’ beauty. It is the perfect place to chill out if you are in dire need of tranquillity. What’s more interesting there, you ask? It’s the ancient Falaj irrigation system that is being used to feed water to hundreds of varieties of date palms and fruit trees.
The Al Ain oasis is more than 4000 years old, and it is the UAE’s first UNESCO recognized World Heritage Site. The place is free to enter. However, rental bicycles are available for 35 dirhams per hour touring the site. This oasis is one of the best places in the UAE for a calm and worry-free time. The Al Ain Oasis can be best enjoyed during the day as it restricts entry after sunset.
2.Al Suhub Rest House
Khorfakkan never fails to attract people to its side. While we all love Khorfakkan for its white and sandy beaches, how about enjoying a panoramic view of the city? There is a new attraction to admire the city lights from the mountains- the Shuhub Rest House, a Cloudy lounge.
Reaching here will take you 15 minutes from Khorfakkan city. A little mountainous drive later, you can park your car at a rest stop to hop on a free bus ride to reach atop. The Suhub rest house hosts the highest viewpoint in Khorfakkan at an altitude of 580m above sea level. The view will astonish you with its scenic beauty. Make sure you reach the area by evening to experience the ultimate night view. Mimicking the outlook of a spacecraft, the lounge is family-friendly with prayer halls, cafes, and many other facilities.
3.Umm Al Quwain Mangrove Beach
You might have heard about the mangrove park in Abu Dhabi. But did you know there is another stunning natural mangrove beach located in Umm Al Quwain?
Tucked away near Khor Al Yifrah, this pet-friendly mangrove beach of UAQ was opened to the public in 2020. This is one of the best places in UAE where you can spot rare species of birds and fishes. A utopia of nature, this place should not be missed if you have a love for exploring nature. Water sports are a great attraction there. The UAQ marine club offers a range of water sports activities to the public. Also, you can enjoy paid kayak tours while exploring the mangrove forest. If you are not into sports, some barbecuing and bird spotting will keep you covered. Entry of every car is charged a fee of 25dhs.
4.Snoopy Island, Fujairah
If there’s a place in UAE to set off the marine adventurer in you, it must be the snoopy island. Named after the cartoon dog Snoopy, this rocky island sits near the sandy beach resort in Fujairah.
One easy way to reach the island is to get a day pass for 135 dirhams from the resort and access the beach to swim across the tides. It is important to note that walking on the island is prohibited as a measure to preserve the coral reefs. If you are a good swimmer, the beach will inspire you to snorkel, where you can face a diverse range of fishes and even turtles. For good pictures, this place will need no filters!
5.Wadi Shawka
For off-roaders and beginner-hikers, Wadi Shawka is a hidden gem of UAE that is worth the hype. Wadi Shawka, located near the iconic Shawka Dam of RAK, is undoubtedly a must to visit hidden gem. Wadi Shawka is one of the family-friendly hiking spots in the UAE, where you have toilet facilities and a children’s play area. Apart from the most famous Jabal Jais in Ras Al Khaimah, Wadi Shawka is capable of giving you a worthy dose of adventure.
Wadi Shawka is a perfect spot to meet fellow hikers and make new friends. Wadi Shawka is most loved for its natural pools between the terrains. Although located on the outskirts, this place is easy to reach from Ras Al Khaimah. There are multiple hiking trails around the valley with rest stops along the way. If you find hiking to be challenging but want to summit, you may use the stairways to climb up.
6.Ras al Khor Sanctuary- Hidden Gems In UAE
Facing Dubai downtown to the opposite, the Sanctuary flaunts a rich decor of both flora and flora. This sanctuary hosts resting spots for various birds, mammals, reptiles, and more. Spotting beautiful flamingos and Ethiopian hedgehogs is most enjoyed by the visitors who come here.
The Ras al Khor sanctuary can be enjoyed free of cost.
7.Mleiha Archeological Center
Located in the Mleiha town of Sharjah, this archaeological centre is home to ancient archaeological remnants dating back to the neolithic period. The archaeological findings exhibited at the centre give insights into how the Arabian ancestors started their settlements in the desert. There could not be a better place than here to explore the human history that dates back to 2.5 million years. Besides exploring human history, the centre offers many recreational activities in packages. For fee information, look on their website.
Another interesting fact about the mleiha archaeological centre is that new things are always coming up as the excavation is ongoing.
8. Mazaraa Farm, Abudhabi
Last but not least comes a green beauty from Abu Dhabi. This luxuriant farm has captivating veg produce and all the domestic animals you can know of. If you look forward to spending your time on organic farming, head right over to this farm.
From sunkissed sunflowers to colourful fruits, everything awaits a fresh harvest. The farm shop has a line-up of tempting varieties of honey, oils, fruits, and vegetables for buying. Why not tag your kids along when they can enter for free(if they are under 4)? In addition to that, child visitors will enjoy petting the goats, rabbits, and whatnot! If you ever get tired after admiring the vegetation, an aesthetically pleasing outdoor café welcomes visitors to enjoy relishing a coffee or snack. For entry into the farm, an adult is charged a fee of 25 AED, and a child over four is charged 15 AED dirhams.
9. Salt Lake Abudhabi- Hidden Gems In UAE
Instagram was stormed with dreamy pictures of a lake filled with snowy salt pads leaving us wondering where heaven this place was? I have got you the details.
The pictures of emerald green waters that you came across on Instagram feeds came right from Abu Dhabi. Can’t believe it? Take a trip to the Al Wathba Salt lake to enjoy the spectacular natural mushroom-shaped salt formations.
10. Ras al Khaimah’s Pink lake
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Had enough of the natural wonders of UAE? To end the list, here comes the mysterious discovery in the land of Ras al Khaimah. The pink lake was put into head-scratching analysis to find the reason behind its colour. And the culprit was found to be the red algae. This place is a must-visit gem in the UAE if you wish to witness a unique and interesting natural phenomenon. Pink lake is located on Saraya Islands near the Rams shoreline.
As all the hidden gems of UAE have been revealed, all that’s left to do is visit each place and leave a comment if you loved it.
