Al Rafisah Dam Khor Fakkan

Why you need to visit Khor Fakkan

Khor Fakkan has been my home since childhood: I grew up there and have so many memories of this charming city.

Yet I remember in my first year at university in Abu Dhabi, when I told some new friends where I was from and some of them had never even heard of it. When I started describing it to them, they were so excited to visit. I feel that many people living in the UAE really do not know anything about Khor Fakkan, and I would love for that to change.

I think people like to visit my home city to explore nature and breathe fresh air. It also provides a way to live the real experience of our country, away from the noise of malls and congestion of big-city life.

Khor Fakkan is in Sharjah, and it is known for the beauty of its scenic views and for having a beach at its center. There’s a reason they call it the ‘bride of the eastern coast’, and it includes the tranquility, proximity to nature, beautiful shorelines, interesting architecture and gorgeous mountains as a backdrop.

Khor Fakkan amphitheater
Amphitheatre in Khor Fakkan/Shutterstock

There are plenty of sporting activities that you can do in Khor Fakkan including running, walking on the beach, climbing mountains, swimming in the sea, or kayaking. You can also ride your bike and go around town. Tourists can rent kayaks from Al Khor Kik or Al Amiri Bike Rental.

The city of Khor Fakkan is characterized by the brilliance of the sunrise and sunset. That’s when you will find many townspeople walking or biking by the beach on the designated paths.

There are sports clubs for women and men, each offering swimming pools, yoga sessions and saunas. One of the most famous sports clubs for men is the Las Vegas, while ladies like to gather at Arjawan, which overlooks the shore.

One of the landmarks is the Oceanic Hotel and Resort, located by the Khor Fakkan beach. Tourists gather here, enjoying the pool, water sports facilities and spa treatments aimed at relieving chronic osteoarthritis, relaxing and soothing muscles, and reducing skin inflammation. Tourists can work out in the hotel’s own club, which also includes a sauna, steam rooms and a children’s playground.

Khorfakkan
Promenade and beach in the city of Khor Fakkan/Shutterstock

At the end of 2020, Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah, inaugurated the Khor Fakkan Amphitheater, which overlooks the beach as well. It has become another impressive cultural landmark for the city.

The city has two rest areas. The Al Rafisah Dam has a charming rest house that overlooks a lake and is considered a tourist and entertainment destination. Built in the 1980s, it has had an upgrade in recent years and offers vast green spaces, trees and flowers, as well as a supermarket, a small grocery, and a prayer room for women and men.

Al Suhub Rest area, which is 600 meters above sea level, opened in July 2021. You can see all of Khor Fakkan from here, and the surrounding area offers paths for hiking. During a visit to Khor Fakkan, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, President of the United Arab Emirates, called Al Suhub a vital project for supporting tourism in the UAE.

Recently cafe culture has arrived in Khor Fakkan in a big way. One of the most popular destinations is Medellin Speciality Coffee, which occupies a central location at Khor Fakkan Corniche. They have the most delicious desserts; you have to try the tiramisu. Al Areen Restaurant has the best and finest types of meat, while Souk Sharq houses a variety of popular eateries. The hotspot Ahl Al-Dar is famous for its Emirati breakfast. When I am in Khor Fakkan that is where I eat every morning. I order the Regag bread with cheese and eggs, served with a side of karak. I love the food and the heritage feel and design of the place, too.

Livehealthymag.com is for every body and mind in the UAE. This magazine is all about moderation, making small changes, little additions and the odd subtraction.

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