A slow weekend in Fujairah combines a morning on the beach or in the wadis, a cool spa afternoon at Olive Spa in V Hotel, and an easy evening by the sea.
How we work: Weekend afternoons and evenings fill first, so booking a day or two ahead is the safest plan.
Further reading: Fujairah (Wikipedia)
Fujairah is the only emirate that sits entirely on the UAE’s East Coast, between the Hajar Mountains and the Gulf of Oman. It moves at a different pace from the cities on the other side of the mountains, which is exactly why so many people drive over for the weekend.
Here is a simple, unhurried plan. Swap pieces in and out as you like.
Opening times and access to beaches, forts and wadis change with the season and with weather, so check before you set off.
Key takeaways
- Fujairah is about 1 hour 30 minutes from Dubai and a little over an hour from Sharjah by car.
- November to March is the most comfortable time for beaches, wadis and walking.
- Plan outdoor activities for the morning and late afternoon, and keep the hottest hours for lunch, the pool or the spa.
- Olive Spa is on the 1st Floor of V Hotel Fujairah and open daily from 9:00 AM to 3:00 AM, so a treatment fits into any part of the day.
Getting to Fujairah
Most visitors drive. From Dubai, Fujairah is about an hour and a half away via Emirates Road (E611) and Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Highway (E84), which crosses the Hajar Mountains through a series of tunnels and dramatic rocky valleys. From Sharjah it is a little over an hour. The drive itself is part of the experience: the landscape changes from desert to mountains to sea in under two hours.
Once you arrive, a car is the easiest way to explore. The coast road runs north to Al Bidyah, Khor Fakkan and Dibba, and south to Kalba, so you can reach beaches, forts and wadis within half an hour to an hour.
When to visit: the East Coast through the year
- November to March brings warm days and pleasant evenings.
- April, May and October are warm. Midday is best spent indoors.
- June to September is hot and humid. Mornings on the water and evenings by the sea are still lovely; spend the afternoon indoors somewhere cool.
Whatever the season, a spa treatment is a good way to spend the hottest hours of the day.
Day one: arrive, explore, unwind
Morning: the drive over. From Dubai or Sharjah, the road climbs into the Hajar Mountains before dropping down to the coast. Stop at the roadside fruit and pottery stalls of the Masafi Friday Market area if you pass that way.
Late morning: Fujairah Fort. One of the oldest forts in the UAE, the restored fort sits among date palms on the edge of the city, with the mountains behind. It is a short visit and a good introduction to the emirate’s history.
Lunch and a walk on the corniche. The Fujairah corniche runs along the sea, with views of the ships waiting offshore. Early afternoon is quiet and bright.
Afternoon: the spa. This is the moment to slow right down. After a morning of driving, a full body massage or Kerala massage takes the road out of your shoulders. The spa is inside V Hotel.
Evening: an easy dinner. Nothing ambitious. You will sleep well.
Day two: north along the coast
Early morning: Al Bidyah Mosque. About 40 minutes north of the city, this small, whitewashed mosque is considered the oldest in the UAE. Visitors are welcome outside prayer times; dress modestly.
Mid-morning: sea or mountains. Two good options:
- Snorkelling near Snoopy Island, off Dibba, where the water is clear and calm on good days. Several local operators run boat trips and equipment hire.
- A wadi walk in the mountains. Wadi Wurayah, the UAE’s first mountain protected area, is known for its waterfalls and wildlife. Check access rules before you go.
Afternoon: a Moroccan bath. Sun, salt water and dusty trails leave skin tired. A Moroccan bath of steam, black soap and a kessa scrub is a good reset before the drive home. (If you are sunburnt, choose a gentle massage instead.)
If you have a third day
- Visit the Ain Al Madhab gardens, known for their mineral springs.
- Take a morning kayak along the coast.
- Book a couples massage and do absolutely nothing else.
How a spa afternoon fits into the weekend
Here is one example of how to build a spa afternoon into a Fujairah weekend:
- Morning: beach, snorkelling or a walk while it is cooler.
- Lunch: something light, an hour or two before your treatment.
- 2:00 PM: arrive at V Hotel Fujairah and go to the 1st Floor for Olive Spa.
- 2:15 PM: a Moroccan bath to wash away salt, sand and sunscreen.
- 3:15 PM: a relaxing full body massage or a Thai massage for legs tired from walking.
- 4:30 PM: herbal tea in the relaxation lounge, a shower, and an easy evening.
If you have been in the sun, skip the scrub or keep it gentle, and tell us when you book. Because Olive Spa is open until 3:00 AM, you can also book a late-evening massage after dinner instead.
Practical tips
| Tip | Why |
|---|---|
| Visit November to March for outdoor plans | Cooler, better for hiking and the beach |
| Start early in summer | Heat and humidity build by late morning |
| Book spa treatments ahead | Weekend afternoons fill quickly |
| Pack modest clothing | For mosque visits and the old town |
| Carry water on wadi walks | Shade is limited |
What to pack for a slow weekend
- Swimwear, a hat, sunglasses and reef-friendly sunscreen
- Comfortable shoes with grip for wadi walks
- A light layer for air-conditioned rooms and mountain evenings
- Modest clothing for visiting mosques, with shoulders and knees covered
- A refillable water bottle
- Nothing for the spa: towels, robes, slippers and everything you need are provided at Olive Spa
Travelling as a couple, family or group
Couples often book a side-by-side couples massage on the second afternoon, when the trip has slowed down. Families staying at V Hotel Fujairah sometimes take turns: one parent at the spa while the other is at the pool, then swap. Groups of friends can book back-to-back or side-by-side treatments so everyone finishes at around the same time; send us your group size and preferred time on WhatsApp and we will plan it.
Travelling respectfully on the East Coast
Fujairah is welcoming and relaxed, and a little more traditional than the big cities. Dress modestly away from the beach, especially when visiting mosques, forts and markets, and ask before photographing people. Keep beaches and wadis clean by taking your rubbish with you, and never leave litter or glass near the water. On Fridays, many places open later in the day, so plan your morning around a walk or the beach.
End where you started: slowly
Whatever you fit in, leave space for doing nothing. That is the point of a weekend in Fujairah.
A one-hour spa treatment during your trip starts from AED 120. It is easy to reach by car from anywhere in the city. Book online, call +971 54 594 0701 or +971 50 271 8276 or message WhatsApp (+971 50 271 8276).
