Where is Ajman located in the UAE on the map. Open left menu Ajman. How to dress for tourists in Ajman and rules of conduct

Let's talk about Ajman - the smallest resort in the United Arab Emirates. We collected information about the sea, attractions and the main pros and cons of this place. Read it.

Description of the emirate

Ajman is the smallest and poorest of the 7 emirates of the UAE with a population of 373 thousand people, located 10 km from Sharjah. In many ways, this UAE emirate is associated with its administrative center (225 thousand inhabitants). In addition to the main coastal territory, Ajman includes the regions of Manama and Masfut in the interior of the state.

This is the land of film production, shipbuilding and pearls. The Ajman dock produces and repairs fishing vessels for neighboring countries, as well as ultra-light yachts made of polymer materials. Since there are no hydrocarbon deposits in the ground, the emirate’s leadership is cultivating the tourism and hotel industries. It is not for nothing that Kempinski, the best hotel in the country with its own super beach, was built in cozy Ajman. At the same time, the cost of services here is low.

Where is it located on the map of the UAE

Quiet, friendly, modest Ajman is located on the southern shore of the Persian Gulf among shady palm trees and sultry beaches. During the day, in the heat, life here comes to a standstill; revival is observed in the mornings and evenings. At this time, it is customary to take leisurely walks along the main pedestrian artery of the city - The Corniche - a favorite place for social promenades.

Transport and communications

The city of Ajman is part of the so-called Dubai agglomeration, so there are no problems with how to get to this or that point of the settlement. True, you will have to travel by taxi (since bus service in the Emirates is not developed). The fare to Sharjah is $3 (no more than 40 AED), to Dubai – $11 (130 AED). For Russians, this state of affairs seems nonsense (“our people don’t take a taxi to the bakery!”), although the Arabs do not see anything special in a non-alternative taxi. They consider this both a comfortable and democratic achievement of civilization. An interesting form of private transportation is group taxis, which depart when the cabin is full. Traveling there is much cheaper.

Buses are only available at hotels; their function is free delivery of clients to their own beaches or the beaches of neighboring Sharjah, as well as servicing excursions.

Wired and wireless Internet on the territory of tourist establishments is not paid for, except for Kempinski ($8/hour) and facilities of a similar level. The most profitable way to make calls abroad is from payphones.

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The nearest airport is 14 kilometers from Ajman, in the city of Sharjah.

Weather

The climate is dry, warm; the weather is clear. In summer, the atmosphere heats up to +45° C, the water in the bay warms up to a record +32° C, so the active season starts from . Most Europeans visit the Emirates in winter (for the sake of exoticism), because in summer they mostly spend time in the Bahamas, Cyprus, Cote d'Azur, Ibiza or Palma de Mallorca.

The nature of Ajman has its own flavor. The coastal surroundings are teeming with valuable species of fish; many of them are not caught, because they are listed in the Red Book.

Kitchen

This part of the Arabian Peninsula is heavily influenced by Indo-Pakistani cuisine. There are many immigrants from Pakistan living here, so vegetarians can expect the best taverns with healthy plant-based food from the Middle East. And the prestigious Indian restaurant Bukhara with national dishes will serve visitors on the ground floor of Kempinski.

La Croisette Cafe is a favorite place for breakfast. Fast food Sanad Winner Cafeteria offers hamburger, pizza, chicken tobacco. The Al Masa Cafeteria & Coffee Shop eatery is popular among visiting young people. And in the cafe located on the summer area of ​​the Wyndham Garden Ajman Corniche there are no free seats at night - you need to book in advance.

Shopping

In this inconspicuous corner of the Emirates, the best department stores, shops and shopping centers for Russian tourists are concentrated. Their beauty is that they are uncrowded, cheap and at the same time have a Dubai assortment and the most friendly staff. True, people go to large cities to buy substantial acquisitions.

An educational walk awaits you through the local market, where you can come across truly rare samples of goods. Naturally, at the eastern bazaar it is customary to conduct trade negotiations regarding price adjustments.

Trade turnover in the UAE is constantly growing. And if in the 90s the state budget was replenished by shuttle merchants from the CIS, now profits are generated by tourists from Eastern Europe and the Far East. And the trade rush stimulates the emergence of new malls.

Alcohol in Ajman

There is no “prohibition” as such: imported alcoholic beverages are freely sold at the Hole in the wall commercial outlet at the Ajman Beach Hotel. But drinking them in public places and taking them outside of Ajman is not allowed.

How long does it take to travel from Ajman to Dubai?

The distance is 28 kilometers. Usually the journey takes 30-50 minutes.

Entertainment

In fact, Ajman is not a province rich in entertainment. Street commerce is sufficiently represented, but sleepy taverns are rare. That’s why young people go to Dubai for more drive, and less often to the capital.

The lion's share of Ajman's guests expect quality beach holidays and health tourism, where organizers offer water sports competitions. Picnics and short swims on the national sailing boat “dhow” are in fashion. And the widespread camel racing competitions are akin to our motocross races.

There are a number of cultural and recreational parks in Ajman. They look like corners of oriental fairy tales of nature with crystal greenhouses, palm groves, evergreen alleys, flower beds and slender colonnades. We are talking about such landscape objects as Al Jarf Public Garden, Al Rashidiya Park and Mushiref Park. The latter is intended only for women and children, equipped with playgrounds, barbecue areas, snack bars and other entertainment venues.

Against the general resort background, the spa industry and balneology are practiced a little.

Sights to see

Visitors are invariably greeted when crossing the city limits by a square watchtower, once built to prevent assaults from the bay.

The local museum complex is interesting, about which there are numerous legends. To visit it you will have to pay $1 (5 AED), for children - $0.5 (about 1-2 AED); family option will cost $3 (15 AED).

Initially, the culture of developing human society came here from the Tigris and Euphrates valley in ancient times. When exactly, history is silent. Based on the artifacts found, the researchers concluded: this happened long before the birth of Christ, which gave grounds to add the object to the list of world cultural heritage protected by UNESCO.

To build the famous fort, erected in the second half of the 18th century, the architects used non-standard technology using gypsum and coral deposits. During the British conquests, the fortress was devastated. The Turks subsequently revived it, at the same time rebuilding it at their own discretion. Until 1970, the interior of the bastions was adapted for the residence of the ruling dynasty and largely performed administrative and government functions. In 1970-1978, they housed the central police station of the emirate. And now there is an exhibition of military equipment and equipment, as well as other thematic exhibitions of Arab social and everyday life.

In the courtyard of the National Historical Museum, you can see how traditional dwellings made from date palm trunks, the notorious dhow boats and an outlandish column specially designed for ventilation (the prototype of a modern air conditioner) have been reconstructed. Saracen firearms, archaeological finds, and manuscripts are stored in special storage rooms. Exhibits from them are often exhibited in the world's leading museums of folk studies and fine arts.

Among the religious buildings, the building of the Sheikh Rashed Bin Humaid Al Nuaiymee Mosque, built by a local ruler in honor of his ancestor, and standing on the coast of Fatima Rashid with Al Hassawi, stands out.

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Excursions

• To Dubai – $40;
• In Abu Dhabi – $55;
• To the oasis city of Al Ain – $70;
• To Sharjah – $30;
• To the Musadam Peninsula – $110;
• Desert safari – $60.

Ajman is safe. The capital of the emirate of the same name is the permanent location of its head and the concentration of a diverse business of a regional scale. Hooligans and rapists are unheard of here; Thefts are not common, since in Muslim countries hands are cut off for theft. However, the minimal level of criminalization of Arab society does not at all give visitors the right to become impudent.

The United Arab Emirates is a secular state, but its ideology is Islamic, so it is better not to pester indigenous women. And in general, before visiting countries with a non-European mentality, a travel agency should carefully study the relevant memo.

In order to prevent a terrorist threat, police officers have the right to suddenly demand an identification document at any time of the day and in any place. Law enforcement officers are not always equipped according to the regulations.

The three northern emirates of the UAE (Ajman, Ras al-Khaimah and Umm al-Quwain) do not have such defiant luxury, located south of Dubai and Abu Dhabi, but travelers will be able to appreciate the beaches of Ajman with numerous palm trees and sandbanks with evergreen mangroves in Umm Al Quwain, and the scenic views of the Jabal Al Hajar mountain range in Ras Al Khaimah.

The name of the emirate of Ajman comes from the name of the clan that originally inhabited the region.

The Emirate of Ajman is located on the coast of the Persian Gulf, with a length of 16 kilometers, between the Emirates of Um Al Quwain and Sharjah and is the smallest of the seven emirates.

The area of ​​the emirate is 250 square kilometers, which is equivalent to 0.3% of the country's territory, not including the islands.

The population of the emirate of Ajman in 2009 was 373 thousand people, of which the majority (290 thousand people) lived in the capital Ajman.

The emirate consists of three administrative units: the capital - the city of Ajman on the coast of the Persian Gulf and two enclaves: Al-Manama in the territory of the Emirate of Fujairah and Masfut in the territory of the Sultanate of Oman.

The Manawa area (approximately 10 sq km) is known for its agricultural farms and the new Ajman Airport.

There is no airport on the main territory of Ajman and it is simply impossible to build one there, since air traffic over neighboring Dubai-Sharjah and Ajman is very dense.

Therefore, the government of the emirate built an air port in the exclave of Manama (60 km from Ajman) an hour away by car. However, most guests of the Ajman emirate prefer to use Sharjah Airport, which is located on the very border between these two emirates.

The Manama enclave is also known among philatelists for its stamps, which have been issued in Manama since 1967.

The Masfut exclave is larger than Manama in size - about 50 square kilometers. It is located 130 kilometers from the main territory to the southeast. There are more green spaces here, and it has much more claims to the status of “agricultural” - palm trees are often found, but there is also “no smell” of flowering gardens.

Dates and some particularly heat-loving fruits are the main products supplied by Masfout farmers.

Masfut is also famous for its mineral springs, drinking water from which is supplied to the Gulf countries under the Gulfa brand.

The city of Ajman, the capital of the emirate, is located on the coast of the Persian Gulf. Dubai Airport is a 40-minute drive from Ajman city centre.

Here are the office of the Ruler, companies, banks and commercial markets.

The main economic and political feature of the Ajman emirate is that there is no oil here. Accordingly, no grandiose man-made miracles have ever been built here, and the authorities are trying to find alternative sources of income and economic development.

For many centuries, the entire economic life of Ajman revolves around Khor Ajman - a natural sea bay, with two branches cutting into the depths of the coast for several kilometers.

Previously, the region's only sources of income were trade and pearls, which were mined in the waters of the Persian Gulf. This applied not only to Ajman, but to all the emirates of the modern UAE.

After the invention of artificial pearls by the Japanese, pearl fishing became an unprofitable trade, so trade, shipbuilding and fishing began to develop, which to this day are the main sectors of the emirate’s economy.

One of the main attractions of Ajman is the Ajman National History Museum, which occupies an old fort (late 18th century) near the coast of the Persian Gulf.

In 1820, the fort was almost completely destroyed by artillery fire from British warships.

Later, the fort was rebuilt and served as a residence for the ruling sheikhs.

In 1981, a museum was opened in the restored premises.

The museum's exposition includes archaeological and ethnographic sections, a collection of ancient weapons, and rooms dedicated to the history of the Emirates police.

Of particular interest to visitors may be the reconstruction of the life of the past and traditional crafts using “wax” figures.

The exhibition recreates the atmosphere of bygone years and the former way of life. Since ancient times, Ajman has preserved a square watchtower on the shore of the bay at the entrance to the city.

To the left of the fort gate stands the Humaid ibn Abd al-Aziz Mosque with two elegant minarets.

To the south of the museum, on Khalid Bin Al Waleed Street is the Masjid Sheikh Zayed Mosque.

It bears the same name as the famous White Mosque in Abu Dhabi, but is a completely independent architectural monument.

The mosque is located on the road towards Umm Al Quwain and Ras Al Khaimah and is clearly visible from the road as it is located in an open area. Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, after whom the mosque is named, was the ruler of the emirate of Abu Dhabi. In addition, he went down in history as the founder and first president of the United Arab Emirates.

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, decorated with a magnificent dome and four slender minarets, is one of the main places of worship and attractions in Ajman.

The building's simple, clean lines sit beautifully on the stone-paved square, with a cream-colored carved stone façade. The mosque is decorated with a stepped minaret.

The mosque is said to have been built for the late Sheikh Rashid bin Al Humaid Nuaimi by his son and current ruler of Ajman Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi.

In Ajman you can buy traditional folk products: Arab coffee pots, silver and copper swords and “khanjars” (curved Arab knives), lapis lazuli, malachite and other precious stones, Persian carpets and cotton durries (oblong floor carpets), antique silver jewelry from Sultanate of Oman and Yemen.

On Sheikh Hamed bin Abdul Aziz street there is a market where you can buy almost everything. Nearby is the Al Maya department store.

Ajman is a poor emirate, and hotel construction is very slow. There are not many hotels here yet, although well-known world hotel chains (KEMPINSKI) are already present.

The government of the emirate of Ajman dreams of large flows of foreign tourists. To realize their dreams, they constantly create programs to attract tourists, hoteliers and other representatives of the tourism business.

No such program has yet caused a real boom, but Arab officials are not discouraged and do not stop. Now there are only about 30 hotels, most on the coast.

The only attractive feature of Ajman for tourists is its 16 kilometers of clean, picturesque beach with soft sand.

But playing “with one trump card” against Abu Dhabi with the Sheikh Zayed Mosque and Ferrari Park or against Dubai with the Burj Khalifa or the Dubai Fountains is difficult, and it is not surprising that Ajman does not experience a large influx of tourists.

The authorities are not giving up attempts to attract tourists, and are finding very original (by Arab standards) moves.

For example, there is no “prohibition” as such. There is even a famous liquor store here, it is called “Hole In The Wall” (translated as “Hole in the Wall”).

At first it was located next to the Kempinski Hotel, then moved to the Beach Hotel.

The second attractive feature that the Ajman authorities are trying to develop is shopping. Construction of the shopping center is in full swing.

The largest mall in the emirate is Ajman City Centre, which is not as large as the Dubai Mall, but is quite pleasant for visitors and often guarantees lower prices.

Other malls in Ajman are Hamdan, The Factory Mart, Safeer Ajman (pictured left) and Ajman Industrial Area. Several more large shopping centers are currently under construction.

Another interesting place for tourists is the local fish market, where you can see the diversity of the marine fauna of the Persian Gulf and try many interesting dishes in local cafes.

Ajman officials like to cite another argument in favor of their emirate - its proximity to Sharjah and Dubai and their attractions. To be honest, this is highly doubtful.

For example, while on vacation in Ajman you wanted to visit the aquarium. There is no oceanarium in the emirate itself and is not expected. It’s easier to go to the Dubai Mall Aquarium, at the same time see the Candylicious store and ride the rides at SEGA Republic.

Great entertainment program! The distance in this case is more than 40 kilometers. The Dubai Metro does not extend into Ajman; you will have to take a taxi.

Let us remind you that a taxi in the UAE costs 3 AED for boarding, 1.7 AED per kilometer and 20 AED for traveling to another emirate. Total: about 90 dirhams one way - that’s about 1,700 rubles at the September 2016 exchange rate. This proximity is not cheap.

The attractions in Ajman are “the cat cried” and they do not attract tourists. All these factors result in the low popularity of this emirate among tourists.

However, if all you need for a vacation is sea and sun, then Ajman is an excellent choice.

Shopping centers

Ajman has three large shopping centers. The first one is called Safeer Mall, and it is the most mysterious. The Safeer Group company, the owner of this shopping center, did not bother to create at least a website.

The second is China Mall, as the name suggests, owned by the Chinese, or rather the Chinese diaspora in the UAE. Inside, it resembles not a classic shopping center, but an indoor market with hundreds of small shops and eateries.

It looks quite civilized.

And the third is called City Center - this is the largest classic shopping center in Ajman with large shops, a food court and restaurants. There are KFC and McDonalds fast foods, H&M and Ecco stores, and a Carrefour hypermarket.

Camel racing

The main camel racing track in Ajman is located near Sharjah Airport. It's called Al Tallah Camel Racecourse.

These races are not official entertainment and there is no schedule. Therefore, seeing camel racing is a matter of luck. The racing season runs from October to March, during which time races are held on Fridays or Sundays. Any tourist can come to the track for free and watch the races, if they are held at this moment.

In winter, Ajman hosts a large camel festival. The date changes every year, but it is usually held in February. The festival lasts three days and is attended by senior officials from the UAE government. Arab culture is inextricably linked with camels; it is not for nothing that camel milk is considered one of the most colorful and interesting gifts from the UAE.

They love camels here, even the riders on their backs have already been replaced by remote control, so you won’t see people on the backs of “ships of the desert” during the races.

What else to see?

Tourists may also be interested in the fish market, where you can see all the diversity and splendor of the marine fauna of the Persian Gulf.

Another interesting place is the current residence of the Emir, which you cannot get inside, but in the evening you can see the beautiful lighting.

If you are going to exclaves for an excursion, this will be a pleasant addition. If you are not going to exclaves, then don’t worry - you will lose little.

The Square Tower and the Red Fort are buildings from the early 20th century. They are interesting in their own way, but we consider it a waste of time to go specifically to them.

It’s easier to see them during a sightseeing tour of the emirate of Ajman.

Useful information for tourists about Ajman in the UAE - geographical location, tourist infrastructure, map, architectural features and attractions.

Ajman is located in the southwestern part of the UAE and is considered the smallest emirate. Its neighbors are the emirates of Sharjah and Umm al-Quwain. Ajman has become famous for its long beaches, cozy atmosphere, calm pace of life and high level of infrastructure.

The emirate is geographically divided into a central region and two exclaves: Manama and Masfut. The main area is located in the city of Al Ajman and its surrounding areas, where warehouses and production facilities are located. The emirate's exclaves border Fujairah, Ras al-Khaimah and Oman.

Manama is a small city created on an area of ​​only 9 square kilometers. Despite its small size, Manam boasts its own international airport. The decision to create an airport far from the capital Ajman was not made by chance, since the airspace near the emirate is overcrowded. As for Masfout, this exclave is considered agricultural because it contains date trees.

Ajman is also known for the fact that it does not have a “prohibition” law, that is, tourists can freely buy alcohol in stores, but exporting it outside the emirate is prohibited. It is worth noting that other emirates have strict restrictions on the sale of alcoholic beverages.

Ajman does not have its own oil fields. At the same time, the pride of the emirate is its hot springs and achievements in the field of shipbuilding. Sailboats, dhows and other types of boats made in Ajman are sold all over the world.

How to get there

To get to Ajman, you should first fly from any Russian city to Dubai airport. There are direct flights from major cities of the Russian Federation, while from others you will have to make transfers. A direct flight from Moscow to Dubai takes about 6 hours, depending on the type of aircraft, weather conditions and the rules of the air carrier.

Once at Dubai airport, you will have two options to get to the capital Ajman: by bus; by car.

• If you decide to go by bus, then go from the airport to the bus station. There you can purchase tickets and board the bus. You will spend 3 to 4 hours on the road. All buses in the UAE are equipped with air conditioning, comfortable reclining seats, toilets and tables for personal belongings. Buses from Dubai arrive at Ajman Central Station. From here you can easily get to any hotel by taxi.
• Another option is to rent a car at the airport and drive it to Ajman. A high-quality road leads to the emirate, along which you will reach your final destination in 2-3 hours. Don't forget that to drive a car in the UAE you will need an international driving license.

Attractions

In addition to a beach holiday, tourists arriving in Ajman enjoy getting acquainted with its culture and history. The first place we recommend visiting is the local national museum, opened in 1980. On three floors of the museum there are interesting exhibitions telling about the pages of the UAE's past. The hall in which wax figures of people who lived many years ago are recreated from wax deserves special attention. Their life and homes are also reconstructed in detail. The second floor contains a rich collection of ancient weapons, manuscripts, jewelry, dishes, clothing and other valuable exhibits.

Lovers of adventure romance can visit the old fort, built back in the 18th century. Once upon a time, the main residence of the emir was located here. The fort was almost completely destroyed by English troops, after which it was restored thanks to the efforts of the authorities. In the mid-20th century, the fort housed a police station, and today the fort is an original architectural object.

One of the most unusual entertainments in Ajman is camel racing. Local residents from different emirates flock to see this spectacle. The season lasts from October to April. To see this unique attraction, you need to come to the emirate in winter, during the camel festival.

Sheikh Zayed Mosque attracts the attention of lovers of Arabic architecture. The shrine towers over the emirate and demonstrates the skill of Arab architects with its beautiful appearance. The mosque is formed by four minarets decorated with domes and a central building. The construction of the mosque is associated with the first ruler of the UAE. Strict lines, carved stone decoration, cream color, symmetrical designs - all this distinguishes the mosque from other structures of this kind.

Health improvement

UAE medicine has developed quite rapidly and quickly reached the world level. The Emirate of Ajman is known for its spa centers, which offer tourists a wide range of services, including:

• mud therapy;
• acupuncture practices;
• various massages;
• wraps based on mixtures of natural ingredients;
• treatment of chronic diseases with herbs;
• stone therapy;
• prevention of colds and cardiovascular diseases.

Those who have problems with the musculoskeletal system, nervous and digestive systems go to Ajman for treatment. In the capital of the emirate there are several multidisciplinary clinics, the treatment in which is consistently effective. Specialists at medical institutions in Ajman combine traditional treatment methods with modern ones. It is this approach that makes it possible to cure many diseases in a short time.

In order to get to clinics or spa centers in Ajman, you should contact the management in advance and prepare the necessary medical examinations or tests.

Features of the hotel base

The tourism industry is one of the leading in Ajman, so the emirate tries to create ideal conditions for guests from other countries. This also applies to the hotel sector. A significant variety of hotels, apartments, guest houses, and hostels are concentrated on the territory of the emirate.

For those who want to rent budget accommodation, it is better to book a hostel in advance. In the emirates they are very clean and comfortable. At the same time, you will be pleased with the price.

For those who are used to staying in luxury hotels, you can choose Ajman Kempinski, Fairmont Ajman or Radisson Blu Hotel. These legendary hotels are popular all over the world due to their high level of service, flexible pricing policy and luxurious interior. To stay in one of these hotels, you should book a room several months in advance, as these hotels are always in demand.

It is convenient to rent an apartment if you are traveling with children or a large group. The choice of apartments and houses is quite wide and varied. It all depends on your individual preferences and price category.

Beach holiday

The pearl of Ajman is its beautiful and wide white sand beaches. The most picturesque and well-groomed beaches belong to the hotels that are scattered in the area of ​​the first coastline. If you are a beach guest, you must pay for entry. Hotel guests relax on the beaches for free. All beaches are equipped with:

• gazebos with awnings from the heat;
• sun loungers;
• sports equipment rental points;
• rescue towers;
• food court areas.

Anyone can take training courses in diving, water skiing and surfing. After training, you will be given a certificate indicating your level of training.

Ajman also has municipal beaches, access to which is subject to strict rules. For example, photographing Muslim women in swimsuits on beaches is illegal. Otherwise, you face a hefty fine. Please also note that on some days of the week entry to the beach is prohibited for men. It is better to check this information with the beach administration in advance.

The most visited beach is Kempinski Ajman Beach. Its distinctive feature is the presence of barbecue areas and the services of animators who are ready to amuse the children's audience at any time.

Shopping

Shopping in Ajman is a kind of tourism. There are three large shopping centers in the emirate, offering their visitors a wide range of different products:

• in Safeer Mall you can find retail departments selling clothing, shoes, accessories, medical products, furniture, household and electronic appliances.
• People come to China Mall to buy clothes from global manufacturers, as well as to look at the largest Chinese shopping center in the UAE.
• City Center presents products from well-known European manufacturers who supply goods to Ajman at very low prices.

In addition to shopping centers, it is worth going to the local market. Trading in markets in the UAE is equated to a separate form of art. It is in the shopping arcades of Ajman markets that you can find the freshest seafood, souvenirs, textiles, spices, clothes and shoes in the national style.

Nutrition

In Ajman, there are no problems finding cafes or restaurants where you will be offered delicious dishes of Asian, Indian and Middle Eastern cuisines. As a rule, food in such establishments is prepared in accordance with ancient recipes, which allows you to appreciate the taste of the products.

Vegetarians love to go to India House, as they are always ready to prepare dishes for them without using meat products. As an experiment, try Ajman fast food. It is sold in the specialized restaurant chain Sanad Winner Cafeteria.

If you live in an apartment, you can buy any seafood and vegetables at the market and cook it yourself. At the same time, any cafe will prepare delicious sauces for your dinner.

– the most unusual emirate in the entire Arab state. And its unusualness lies in the fact that it is the only one of the 7 emirates in which not a single gram of oil has been discovered. But the list of features that distinguish it from its “brothers” does not end there. The emirate is the smallest - it occupies 0.3% of the UAE's area (259 km2). And what’s most interesting is that the only mineral springs in the entire Persian Gulf are concentrated in such a relatively tiny territory; they provide all the Gulf countries with drinking water, and a huge accumulation of them is concentrated in the territory of the Masfut enclave. By the way, the emirate of Ajman, in addition to the Masfut enclave, owns another enclave - Manama, famous for its rich agricultural land. It is worth noting that agriculture has only now begun to develop intensively in Ajman, but earlier this place was famous for pearl fishing and fishing.

Shipbuilding is actively developing in Ajman; both modern fiberglass vessels and Arabian dhow sailing ships, which are manufactured using ancient technologies, are produced here.

Due to the fact that Emirate of Ajman is the “poorest” of the 7 emirates, the tourism business here is very poorly developed, so there is nothing special to see in Ajman. Among the small number of attractions, one can highlight the National Historical Museum in the ancient fort. The building was built at the end of the 18th century; previously it served as the residence of the administration, then there was a police station there, and now it is a museum. In the halls, tourists are presented with jewelry of the rulers of the emirate, a collection of ancient manuscripts of past centuries and a collection of weapons, samples of handicrafts, various archaeological finds, and even exhibitions dedicated to police uniforms. But the highlight of the museum is the hall of wax figures, in which scenes from the life of Arab tribes are reproduced. Entrance to the National Historical Museum will cost adults $1, children $0.5.

You can take a photo in front of the square watchtower, the oldest building in Ajman. Previously, the tower served as a security point, now it is a city landmark, a structure made of yellow stone with a neat square shape.

In the southern part of Ajman there is a bright representative of Islamic culture - the Al-Nuami Mosque. The mosque was built in memory of Sheikh Rashid bin Humaid al-Nuami (by order of the sheikh's son). The uniqueness of the appearance of the mosque is given by the decoration with carved cream-colored stone and the stepped minaret.

Coming to Ajman and not going to the camel racing means having a bad time in the emirate. So quickly get in the car and come to the Camel Race Track. Here you will have a great time, cheering for “your” camel.

There is also a market in Ajman where you can buy traditional Arabic products: coffee pots, copper and silver knives, malachite, lapis lazuli, carpets, antique silver jewelry from Oman and Yemen, cotton oblong floor carpets “durri” and other products. The market is located on Sheikh Hamed bin Abdul Aziz Street.

By the way, Emirate of Ajman famous for the production of perfumes and high-quality furniture.

For those who want to sunbathe on the warm sand and cool off in the waters of the Persian Gulf, the emirate’s 16-kilometer white beaches are open. Here you can spend your holiday in peace and quiet.

Ajman is a calm, cozy city with a friendly atmosphere. Usually, in search of entertainment, tourists from here go to Dubai or Sharjah. Well, the population of Ajman prefers a calm and quiet holiday. Their favorite pastime is walking around the city. They choose Cornich Street (Al Khaleej Rd and Arabian Gulf St) as an excellent place for this.

Remarkable Emirate of Ajman also because there is no “prohibition” here. In Ajman, you can freely purchase an alcoholic drink and drink it, but there is one “but”: the export of alcohol outside the emirate is strictly prohibited! By the way, a note to tourists: the most popular alcohol store is Hole in the wall.

Are you hungry? If yes, then be sure to visit the Attibrah restaurant on Cornich Street. Attibrah has a discreet interior and very tasty food.

You will be well fed at the Gazebo Spice Twist Restaurant. North Indian cuisine will suit your taste.

Do you prefer seafood? If yes, then be sure to visit the Golden Fork Restaurant.

Tourists love the Silver Spoon Restaurant. Delicious food, excellent service, nice interior - all the best for customers.

As for overnight accommodation, a good place to stay in Ajman is the 4-star hotel on Cornich Street - Ramada Beach Hotel Ajman. Rooms with views of the Arabian Gulf, a free beach pass, a restaurant, an indoor pool - this is what the Ramada Beach Hotel Ajman can offer you.

The famous Kempinski is located on the shores of the Persian Gulf. Kempinski Hotel Ajman is a 5-star hotel with a luxurious interior, luxurious rooms, excellent service, and a huge list of services. In general, all conditions for its visitors.

The 5-star hotel The Ajman Palace Hotel will delight you with its service. The Ajman Palace Hotel is a great place for a relaxing holiday.

The history of Ajman, like the history of the entire region in which the United Arab Emirates is located, goes back to the prehistoric era. For centuries, nomadic tribes lived here, and the area got its name from one of them. On this land, people have long been engaged in fishing, camel breeding, and pearl fishing. In 1803, the Nuaimi tribal family established itself at the head of Ajman, whose leader declared this territory an independent state. Representatives of the Nuaimi dynasty still rule the emirate today.

In 1820, Ajman, like the neighboring sheikhdoms, having signed the General Peace Treaty with Great Britain, found itself under its protectorate. The city grew, trade developed here, a port was built on the shores of Khor Ajman Bay, and then a shipyard, where they began to build traditional Arab sea boats - dhows.

For a long period, the main profit to the Ajman treasury came from the pearl trade, but since 1930, income began to melt: at that time, a technology for the production of artificial pearls was developed in Japan, which gradually began to be used in other countries. Shipbuilding, on the contrary, continued to develop and improve here. Today, in addition to traditional dhows, the city shipyard produces motor boats, yachts, and lightweight and durable fiberglass boats. The Ajman shipyard has become so famous that clients from other Middle Eastern countries come here to order exclusive ships.

As part of the new state - the UAE, formed in 1971, Ajman did not experience rapid development like neighboring emirates, since there is no oil production here. To attract investment in trade and construction, the Ajman Free Zone was established in the Ajman port area, and non-resident foreigners were given the right to full ownership of real estate, which is not allowed in other emirates. Not rapidly, but confidently, the tourism infrastructure is developing here: the luxurious coastline is gradually being built up with hotels, including those belonging to famous world brands, and the number of shopping and entertainment centers is increasing. According to the authorities, tourists should also be attracted here by the absence of prohibition. In Ajman, they even opened a specialized store with the symbolic name “Holl in The Wall” (“Breach in the Wall”), where you can buy alcoholic drinks (it was previously located near the Kempinski Hotel, and today has moved to the Beech Hotel).

Attractions and entertainment

The main attraction of Ajman is the National History Museum, located in the building of an old fort, which was built in the 18th century near the coast of the Persian Gulf. In 1820, the fort suffered significant damage due to artillery shelling by British warships. After the General Peace Treaty was concluded with the British, the fort was rebuilt, and it became the residence of the sheikhs ruling in Ajman. In 1981, a museum was opened here. It presents historical, archaeological and ethnographic exhibitions, and has a rich collection of ancient weapons. Museum exhibits and models with wax figures recreate the atmosphere of bygone eras, the past and modern way of life of the local population, clearly demonstrating what dramatic changes have occurred here over the past 50 years.

The most ancient landmark of Ajman is the square watchtower. This structure, built of yellowish stone, has been preserved in its original form. The tower is located on the shore of the bay, and you can see it at the entrance to the city.

Not far from the National Museum you can see the Sheikh Zayed Mosque, decorated with a luxurious dome and four elegant minarets. It, like the famous White Mosque in Abu Dhabi, is dedicated to one of the founders of the country and its first president, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. This building, with its laconic, clean forms and facade decorated with cream carved stone, looks very impressive, located on a stone-paved square.

The residence of the Emir of Ajman is also interesting from an architectural point of view. Of course, it is not possible to enter it, but it is worth admiring this modern building if you come here in the evening, when the residence is illuminated and looks especially nice.

A walk along the Ajman waterfront will bring you pleasure at any time of the day. The promenade offers beautiful views; there are all the conditions for a relaxing holiday: cozy restaurants and cafes where it’s nice to smoke a hookah, souvenir shops and shops.

The most exotic corner of the city, which simply needs to be captured in photos and videos, is the fish market. From seven in the morning until ten in the evening, with a short break for lunch, life is in full swing here and unimaginable noise reigns: at dawn, fishermen unload their catch, and from 17:00 wholesale, oriental express trading with exchange rates begins.

If you find yourself in Ajman between October and March, don't miss the chance to watch the camel races that take place here during this time. The main route where the competition takes place lies in a desert area, not far from the airport of the neighboring emirate - Sharjah. The track is called Al Tallah Camel Racecourse. You can get here completely free.

This national sport is very spectacular, and racing always has a stunning effect on tourists, because it is not every day that you can see camels racing at a speed of 25 km/h. These animals are bred in special conditions, and the cost of some of them can exceed $1 million. Expensive prizes go to the owners of the furry champion runners, and the riders here are replaced by almost weightless special devices with which the camels can be controlled remotely. Top officials of the state are often present at these competitions.

In winter, Ajman also hosts a large camel festival. This usually occurs in February, but the exact date varies from year to year.

Beaches of Ajman

The pride of Ajman is its magnificent wide beaches with snow-white sand, fine as flour. The best of them belong to hotels built along the coastline. Hotel guests use beach services free of charge, but outsiders will have to pay for entry. Entrance to the Kempinski Hotel beach, for example, will cost about 110 dirhams. Such beaches are equipped with nice rattan sun loungers with comfortable mattresses, stationary umbrellas, light canopies with thatched roofs, gazebos, and cafes.

There are also municipal (free) beaches in Ajman. They are located at the entrance to the city, but are separated from the bustle of the city by a dense strip of palm trees. The beaches are less well equipped than those belonging to hotels, but they are always clean and there are rescue services. Local residents often relax on public beaches, and it is worth knowing that it is strictly forbidden to photograph girls dressed in Muslim burkini swimsuits - they can be fined or even expelled from the country for this.

On certain days of the week, Ajman's public beaches are open only to women with children under 10 years of age. You can find out on which days access to the beach is limited directly on site.

The coastline of Ajman is flat, sometimes you need to walk several tens of meters to reach a depth that allows you to swim. The coastal waters delight with their bright azure color and crystal purity. They are cloudy for a short time during periods when there is a storm in the bay.

The best time for a beach holiday in Ajman is October-May, at this time the temperature here is from +23 to +35 °C. In summer it is very hot here, often the air temperature exceeds +45 °C. Rain in these parts is extremely rare.

Shopping

In Ajman, only three large shopping and entertainment centers have been finally completed and are ready to receive visitors; other commercial complexes are still at various stages of construction. All of them are not as grandiose as in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, but they are quite capable of captivating passionate shopping lovers. The largest and most popular shopping center in the city is Ajman City Centre. There are large shops and boutiques with a wide range of goods of various price categories, but, in any case, shopping in this shopping center will be cheaper than in other emirates. You will be pleased to relax after shopping in one of the nice courtyards located here, sit down at a table and order food in any of the surrounding restaurants, cafes or fast food establishments.

Take a stroll through China Mall, a shopping center whose architectural appearance is different from classic shopping malls - rather, it resembles a huge indoor market. There are about a thousand shops here where you can inexpensively buy anything, from clothes, shoes, jewelry to furniture, building materials and auto parts. The China Mall mainly presents goods from China, the Middle East, the CIS, and Africa. There are several restaurants and cafes here, and on Mondays from 19:00 to 21:00 costume performances in the national Chinese style are held.

Interesting shopping can also be done on the main shopping street of Ajman, named after Sheikh Hamed bin Abdul Aziz. There are shops where you can buy fashionable clothes, and a market where traditional products of Arab craftsmen are presented: coffee pots, antique-style weapons made of silver and copper, souvenirs made of lapis lazuli, malachite, luxurious hand-woven Persian carpets brought from Iran, original jewelry brought from Oman and Yemen.

Restaurants and cafes

Ajman is famous for its wonderful restaurants and cafes serving Middle Eastern, Indian, and Chinese cuisine. Those who enjoy seafood will also be pleased. On average, a hearty lunch for two in the center and on the waterfront of Ajman will cost 80-120 dirhams, but the farther from the central part of the city, the cheaper the dishes will be.

Several excellent restaurants are located in the Kempinski Hotel, and the popular Sheesha coffee shop and hookah bar, whose terrace offers stunning views of the sea coast, is also worth a visit.

Vegetarians should check out the famous India House restaurant, and fast food fans can easily find establishments of the Sanad Winner Cafeteria chain, where they can always taste hearty hamburgers, pizza and sandwiches, as well as excellent juicy shawarma. You can have a delicious breakfast and lunch in the food courts located in the shopping centers of Ajman.

Hotels in Ajman

Today there are only about three dozen hotels in Ajman. Some of them are located on the coast, others in the city. One of the best hotels, the five-star Ajman Kempinski, is located at the entrance to the port. It is cozy and calm here, the interiors are made in traditional Arabic style, and the hotel beach is considered the best on the entire coast of Ajman. The cost of living is from $180 per night.

The four-star, recently built Ramada Beach Ajman also has its own beach. This hotel is popular among tourists due to its excellent cuisine and high level of service. Accommodation here costs from $80.

One of the best three-star hotels located on the first line is Ajman Beach Hotel. This small, cozy hotel has its own swimming pool, a garden courtyard with nice cafes, and, most importantly, a spacious beach that is never crowded. The cost of living here starts from $60 per room per night.

Today, the grandiose resort area of ​​Al-Zor is being developed on the coast of Ajman. The fashionable hotel “The Oberoi Beach Resort Al Zorah” is already welcoming guests here. It is located right on the seashore surrounded by mangrove trees. You can stay in one of two 4-story buildings or in one of 15 villas. Here tourists can expect spacious, elegant rooms, a huge swimming pool, gourmet cuisine, however, the holiday here cannot be called budget: the cost of living in a standard room starts from $300. The resort already has an 18-hole golf club, one of the largest in the country.

How to get there

Ajman does not yet have its own international airport. The most convenient way for tourists from Russia to get here is from the airports of Dubai or Sharjah, which are connected to Russian cities by direct flights (flight and charter). If you are not met by hotel transport, you can get to Ajman by bus (10-20 dirhams), but this is inconvenient for travelers with luggage, since firstly, you will have to make transfers, and, secondly, from the city bus station to the hotel , anyway, you will have to get there by taxi.

It is best to immediately use the taxi services provided by the local carrier “Adjman taxi”. A trip from Sharjah airport to a hotel in Ajman will cost no more than 60 dirhams, from Dubai airport - about 100 dirhams. If you want to save 2-3 times, find travel companions and hire a so-called “group taxi”, designed for four passengers with luggage.

You can rent a car right at the airport, which will make your holiday more varied and enjoyable, especially since the roads in the UAE are some of the best in the world. Rent on average costs 90-110 dirhams/day, the cost of gasoline is 0.8 dirhams/liter.