Your guide to the hidden gem of the UAE
reasons to visitTOPAjman8
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2Contents Top reasons to visit 4 Culture & Heritage 5 Nature & Wildlife 6 Outdoor Adventures 7 Where to Stay 8 Factfile Welcome
Welcome to Ajman and to our dedicated travel industry guide designed to help you sell holidays to this stunning Emirate.Although the smallest Emirate in the UAE, Ajman more than makes up for its size with a world-class line-up of exciting activities; unique, untamed landscapes; and luxurious resorts offering access to the pristine white sand beaches made by Mother Nature.
2. Great value hotels
It’s just a short taxi ride away from Dubai, but this quiet, natural and refined emirate is a world away!
With pristine shores, Ajman is widely regarded as having the prettiest beaches in the UAE. The tranquil enclave is fringed by almost a mile of soft natural sand, sep arated by the mouth of Ajman Creek. One of the UAE’s best beaches, Ajman Beach runs the length of the town centre, with watersports like windsurfing, jetskiing and kayaking. Several resorts have their own sections of sand and offer non-motorised watersports as part of the package.
1. Natural beaches
Spreading out along the fine soft sands either side of Ajman Creek, Ajman’s clutch of luxury beach hotels are smaller, quieter and offer more value for money than some of its neighbouring emirates. Well-known four- and five-star brands such as Fairmont, Marriott, Oberoi (pictured), Radisson Blu, Ramada and Wyndham all have a presence in Ajman, most with their own slice of sandy beach and offering a range of board options from room-only to all-inclusive.
Your guide to the hidden gem of the UAE
Natural beauty and authentic heritage are hallmarks of this Arabian oasis of calm. Here are some great reasons to book a trip to Ajman
Once home to the ruler’s family, it’s now the UAE’s largest heritage museum with a stellar collection of exhibits including centuriesold manuscripts, antique weaponry, and locally-excavated pottery dating back as far as 3,000BC. The courtyard showcases the ancient irrigation systems and wooden dhows the emirate was once famous for.
Housed inside an 18th-century fort, Ajman Museum forms the centrepiece of the emirate’s heritage district, which is currently being restored. The museum gives an insight into this pocket of authentic Arabia.
7. Al Zorah Nature Reserve
The majestic Masfout mountains are part of the Hajar chain, which skims the northeastern edge of the Arabian Peninsula.
A cool retreat from the Arabian heat, the area is a rugged and remote outdoor playground, perfect for hikes, mountain bike rides and wadi adventures. On on a rocky precipice, the tiny tower-shaped Masfout Castle is an invigorating goal for trekkers.
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4. Al Zorah Golf Club
The vast green coastal forests of Al Zorah Nature Reserve are perhaps the most unex pected sight in the UAE.
3. Heritage District
It also acts as a coastal nursery for count less marine creatures. Visitors can explore with guided kayaking tours through its lagoons and waterways.
6. Ajman Museum
The new Heritage District is designed to preserve, highlight and promote the rich Arabian culture and history of Ajman. Visitors can explore streets named after poets while admiring street art depicting scenes of traditional life. The mix of newly-built and traditional buildings house coffee shops and tea rooms as well as shops selling items such as old coins, stamps and perfume. The area is also home to Ajman’s tallest flagpole. Ajman Museum, one of the oldest places in the Gulf, is located nearby.
Carefully crafted by Nicklaus Design around the natural peninsula and green wetlands of Al Zorah, and run by the renowned luxury Troon Golf brand, Ajman’s new par-72 Al Zorah Golf Club has put the emirate on the golfing map.
Designated a Wetland of International Importance by the Ramsar Convention, the protected mangroves and wetlands are a haven for wildlife, providing a sanctuary for more than 60 species of bird, including flocks of pink flamingo, egret and heron.
8. Masfout mountains
A passion of Ajman’s crown prince, Arabian horses are the oldest purebreds in the world, famed for their beauty and grace with dis tinctive high tails and long necks. Founded nearly 20 years ago, the crown prince’s private stables are home to some of the fin est award-winning Arabian horses. A prime equestrian facility, Ajman Stud is built in the traditional Arabic style, surrounded by desert dunes, some 30 kilometers from the city of Ajman. Visitors can take a tour by requesting an invitation, which most hotel concierges in Ajman can arrange.
This hemmed-off enclave of Ajman can be reached via a cross-desert road trip that passes between rolling dunes before climbing into the foothills.
The 18-hole championship golf course’s manicured lawns, green fairways and dune-like bunkers are landscaped around the protected mangrove-lined lagoons of Al Zorah Nature Reserve. The course includes a large driving range, the very latest equipment and offers PGA pro golf tuition.
5. Ajman Stud
Laid-back Souq Saleh shelters dozens of colourful and aromatic shops under its palm-frond covered roof, with the nearby Gold Souq specialising in all that glitters. Every morning the bustling fish market down by the creek offers a glimpse of a trade
A peaceful pocket of authentic Arabia and offering a fascinating concentration of attractions showcasing the region’s heritage, Ajman is emerging as the UAE’s least frenzied and most cultural emirate.
Elsewhere in the emirate, the inland enclave of Masfout in the high Hajar has debuted a new local history museum.
Waterways and Fish Market
Ajman’s Equestrian Club is home to over 100 Arabian horses and has rides and classes for every level.
little-changed for centuries. In the heart of the city, the graceful white and gold Aamnah Bint Ahmad Al Ghurair Mosque is open to visitors who want to learn more about Islamic heritage.
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For a taste and smell of local life and culture don’t miss the bustling Fish Market. Head for the Al Rashidiya area near the creek and discover a huge amount of fresh seafood for sale. The catch is delivered by fishing boats twice a day directly to the market, once in the early morning and once in the late afternoon. Haggling with the fishmongers is expected – then get your fish cleaned, filleted, spiced and cooked at one of the market’s grilling stations.
AuthenticArabiaCULTURE&HERITAGEDiscoverahiddengempackedwithculturaltreasures
Once home to the ruler’s family, the fort is now the impressive centrepiece of Ajman’s heritage district. The charming, slightly crumbling Arabian-style buildings that cluster around the
castle walls are being restored and repurposed to house shops and cafes with a revamped central plaza and covered walkways leading to the waterfront corniche. As part of the project, Souq Saleh has also been extended to link up with the main square and form an extensive culture and leisure destination.
But perhaps one of the most unique ways to experience traditional Arabian culture is by horseback.
LOCAL TIP Arabian horses are known for their stunning beauty and temper. Riding these prettiest of horses along the water’s edge at sunrise is one of the best ways to start the day.
Souqs and stallions
Ajman is a great place to sample the real UAE. Ajman Dhow Yard on Ajman Creek still builds traditional wooden boats, which visitors can board to take a dhow cruise on the creek from Al Zorah marina. Alternatively, they can hop on an an Arabian abra for a tour of the waterways and mangroves.Thefascinating Ajman Museum, housed inside an 18th-century turreted sandcastle that’s stuffed with Arabian artefacts such as ancient weaponry, pottery and manuscripts, is perfect for a history and culture fix. In the courtyard models of dhows and thousand-year-old irrigation systems chart the rise of civilisation and industry on the Arabian Peninsula.
Hikers and bikers take aim at the tiny Masfout castle, teetering on the edge of a precipice with panoramic views of the region’s rugged ravines and picturesque peaks.
In fact, Ajman’s natural beauty and scenic wonders are its biggest assets – for example, its emerald mangrove forests are probably the most unexpected sight in the UAE.
An undisturbed ecosystem surrounding a natural peninsula, the protected creeks and tidal lagoons of the Al Zorah wetlands act as a nursery for marine species, sheltering juvenile fish and providing a sanctuary for more than 60 bird species including greater spotted eagles, egrets, and of course pink-plumed greater flamingos.
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LOCAL TIP
From the a verdant coastal forests of Al Zorah to the natural sandy beaches fringing Ajman’s shore and up to the hefty Hajar mountains at Masfout, the UAE’s smallest emirate has much more than its fair share of natural marvels.
Elaine Keary, Head of Marketing, Quest for Adventure
Hardy desert-dwellers such as reptiles, antelopes and desert larks can be spotted in Masfout, while a very lucky few visitors may glimpse the elusive Arabian leopard, which is said to roam the highlands.
For the best of the Arabian Peninsula’s mountainous scenery, travellers can head out on the desert highway to Ajman’s elevated Masfout enclave, a section of the high Hajar mountains.
Add to that the nearby glittering sand dunes and rich wildlife of Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve and you have the best of Arabian nature in microcosm.
Gold and green
The pale golden strand of Ajman Beach is often listed as the prettiest in the region, and as word spreads, the clutch of four-and-five star beach hotels overlooking the sand are helping to transform the emirate into one of the UAE’s premier beach holiday destinations.
Desert Adventures o ers pick-ups from Ajman for those who want to explore
NATURE & WILDLIFE
Alternatively, there’s the option to explore like a native on camel-back, visit a traditional Arabian falconry school, have dinner with Bedouins under the desert stars, or take a dawn hot air balloon ride over desert.the
Aside from its bounty of bird and marine life, Ajman’s natural shores of silken sand shelving into clear shallows are one of the UAE’s bestkept secrets.
Coastal forests, golden beaches and mighty mountains – Ajman’s natural beauty is its biggest asset
the highlights of neighbouring emirates, such as the rolling dunes of Dubai’s Desert Conservation Reserve. Here, visitors can take a safari in a fleet of classic 1950s Land Cruisers to spot endemic wildlife such as antelopes, caracal cats, Arabian hares, vultures and sand foxes.
For mid-haul winter sun, Ajman o ers great value and is just a stone’s throw from Dubai International Airport, making it very accessible.
Where the wild things are
Desert dreaming
“To join our Mangrove Kayak Nature Tours, plan in advance as tour times can vary depending on the season”
Ajman’s large new marina and the Marsa Ajman retail development sit within a cul-de-sac of the creek, offering opportunities for outdoor exploration along its waterside boardwalk.
Seasoned golf enthusiasts will be impressed by Ajman’s new par-72 course at Al Zorah Golf Club. Crafted around the edge of the Al Zorah Nature Reserve, the Jack Nicklaus-designed championship course features paspalum grass, flowing dunes and an inland mangrove reserve that is a haven for wildlife.
Visitors can explore Ajman’s wild side with guided kayak tours of the mangroves, creeks and lagoons. Quest for Adventure’s Al Zorah Mangrove Tour explores this tidal lagoon, or khor, to spot some of the rare migratory bird species that reside there.
Brian Parry, Head of Development, Quest for Adventure
The inland creek extends over two square kilometres of biologically and ecologically rich wetland and is
The area is a short walk from the main beachfront hotels, which include the Ajman Hotel, Fairmont Ajman and Ajman Saray.
Ajman Qubes was established with a vision to support energetic entrepreneurs and to help them develop their ideas in a supportive environment. The 10 UAE themed concepts include restaurants, the first Arabic Art gallery and a barber shop.
an important conservation area. Tours explore these ecosystems in single or two-person kayaks andThecanoes.milder months (October-March) are perfect for exploring Ajman on foot, with plenty of options in and around the city: Ajman Marina, the Corniche, Al Hamidiyah Park in Al Helio, Rashidiya Ladies’ Park, the Sports Park, AlGarm Park and Al Zorah Nature Reserve are all popular spots for a pleasant stroll. Alternatively, check into one of Ajman’s spas for R&R!deservedsome
Marsa Ajman is the emirate’s new waterfront destination, Set along a watery cul-de-sac of Ajman Creek, it embodies the openness of Ajman and its close relationship with sea culture. Scheduled for full completion in 2022, it features a selection of restaurants and retail outlets and a 3,000-seat entertainment area.
OutdOOr AdveNtureS
The Al Zorah Adventure Sports Centre and Wake Park offers wakeboarding, bike and kakyak rental, dinghy sailing, archery and more.
Sea you at Marsa Ajman
“Ajman is a great place to try out cable wakeboarding as our wake park is safe, enclosed, and great for beginners”
LOCAL TIP
One of the advantages of visiting Ajman is how easy it is to explore its many attractions. In fact, visitors need only step out of their hotel and the emirate is waiting for them.
Sporting chance
Ajman’s pristine sandy beach, clear lagoons and natural mangroves are home to watersports such as stand-up paddle-boarding, windsurfing, jetskiing, flyboarding and banana boat rides.
From desert expeditions to teeing off next to a nature reserve, Ajman lures visitors to keep exploring
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Get out there
New horizons
Ajman Hotel by Blazon
148 stylish rooms with Apple TV and high-speed wifi, plus a 25-metre pool and a resort beach within 15 minutes of the hotel, make this a home from home. Six restaurants and bars, including the Filini Italian Restaurant, the Great Gatsbythemed Jazz Lounge and Mazaj Bar & Shisha Lounge on the rooftop, plus McGettigan’s sports bar and a nightclub near by, make this hotel perfect for younger couples. radissonhotels.com
Nestled behind a wide section of pale, soft sand, the five-star Ajman Hotel by Blazon offers an excellent selection of classic aquatic and beach-side activities at the Laguna Beach Club, including volleyball, sailing and kite-surfing, plus motorised watersports like jetskiing. Ten-pin bowling and karate classes are among the other top-notch onsite activities, while a choice of ten eateries keep mealtimes varied. hotelajman.com
Fairmont Ajman
Perched at the far end of Ajman’s waterfront promenade, the five-star Fairmont Ajman boasts all the style and luxury of the emirates’ biggest and best hotels but without the high price tag. Facing a safe and private stretch of white sand, facilities include the Willow Stream Spa and family-friendly options such as a kids club and pool, an outdoor play area and Aqua Bounce, a floating playground and water park. fairmont.com/ajman
Wyndham Garden and Ramada Beach Hotel
Ajman Saray, a Luxury Collection Resort
This five-star seaside sanctuary with unobstructed view of the Arabian Gulf is perfect for wellness breaks thanks to the awardwinning GOCO Spa and its range of revitalizing therapies. Specialising in hydrotherapy, the spa features rain showers, cool pools, and ice fountains, plus anti-aging chromotherapy and an authentic Middle Eastern hammam. marriott.co.uk
Best hotels havens, has a hotel for every type of traveller
A sleek pool, terrace, relaxed cafe, pool bar, two restaurants and 179 seaview rooms make the peaceful Wyndham Garden a great budget option wyndhamgardenajman. com. Sister hotel Ramada’s fourstar suites overlook the corniche and an exclusive beach and have kitchenettes and dining areasideal for foodies who want to be free to try Ajman’s culinary scene. ramadabeachajman.com
Bahi Ajman Palace
Oberoi Beach Resort
From family-friendly beach stays to authentic Arabian
Zoya Health & Wellbeing Resort
Al Zorah
oberoihotels.com
Ajman
WHeRe tO StAy
Zoya Wellbeing was born out of a desire to address the ailments of the modern world; to be preventative rather than curative and to create a special space that protects, nourishes and invigorates the mind, body and soul. The new hotel and spa treatment centre offers individual specialist treatment packages centred around plant-based, non toxic and organic ingredients. zoyawellbeing.com
This 254-room heritage retreat overlooking the Arabian Gulf is firmly rooted in the locale, with a distinctly Arabesque design and palatial interiors. It prides itself on offering authentic Arabian hospitality and features restaurants serving traditional regional cuisine, as well as a large shisha terrace. On the waterfront, cabanas and sunloungers dot a private section of creamy palm-shaded sand. hmhhotelgroup.com
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Radisson Blu Hotel Ajman
Ajman’s most exclusive hotel, the sleek and stylish Oberoi Beach Resort Al Zorah sits on its own swathe of silky platinum sand next to the protected Al Zorah Nature Reserve. Spacious sea-facing suites and private plunge-pool villas are spread out across serene grounds harbouring bars, spas, sun terraces, pools, restaurants and watersports’ facilities.
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AJMAN TOURISM (UK & IRELAND) EMAIL: TRAVELTRADE@AJMANTOURISM.UK AJMAN Map & Factfile Covering just 260km2 and with a population of 504,847, Ajman is the smallest of the seven emirates that make up the UAE There are several daily direct services from the UK and Ireland to plentyInternationalDubaiAirport,whichisjust17kmfromAjmanCityCentreCarrentalpricesstartfrom100AEDperdayforasmallcarbutthereareoftaxiandbusservicesaswellastheoptionofwalkinginthecoolermonthsAjman’s currency is the Arab DirhamEmirates(AED) The UAE’s dialling code is +971 and Ajman’s national landline code is 06. Wifi is available in most hotels Ajman’s language is Arabic but English is widely spoken The electrical current is 220-240 volts. Most hotel rooms have three square pins plug, as used in the UK From November to March temperatures vary from 14 to 30°C. Temperatures from June to September can reach 48°C Friday (Islamic Holy day) and Saturday opening hours for shops and tourist attractions may vary Time zone: GMT +4 hours PROUDLY PUBLISHED BY SELLING TRAVEL MAGAZINE
