Ajman Holidays

Ajman might be a pocket-sized Emirate, but it fits a lot into a small space. Besides the beaches, there’s plenty to see and do here. If you’ve ever wondered where romantic Arabian dhow boats originate, you can watch them being made at Ajman Dhow Building Yard. Spend a day away from the beach and visit Al Zorah Nature Reserve to see flocks of flamingos and explore the mangrove forest. Or really stretch your legs with a guided hike in the magnificent, sun-baked Hajar Mountains.

Ajman Museum is a cultural must-see, built inside 18^th-century Ajman Fort. Then, for even more ancient history, try a desert safari or go on an early morning camel trek to see the sunrise over the dunes. If you want to practise your swing, quiet Al Zorah Golf Course is beautifully designed and comes with astonishing views on the side. After a busy day or two, why not eat and shop your way along Ajman Corniche? You can take it easy and look out across the Gulf 

Ajman is so devoted to shopping it has a 30-day Shopping Festival every January. But don’t worry if you miss it – there are plenty of other opportunities to shop year-round all over the city, day and night.

Visit colourful and sweet-smelling Souk Saleh and never miss a chance to browse Ajman Gold Souk – it’s fascinating, even if you’re not buying anything. When you want to see locally-made dhows plying their trade, make an early morning stop at Ajman Fish Market. Then swap one UAE tradition for another and do a round of the city’s many malls. These shopping centres offer deliciously cool escapes on hot days and come in all varieties from three-storey Dana Mall in the city centre, to off-beat originals like Grand Centrale. Most malls are open late, but for evening shopping with sunsets and sea views in the mix, there’s nowhere quite like the Corniche.

Just over 30 minutes’ drive south, Dubai’s an easy and unmissable day out from Ajman. It’s the Emirate for world giants like towering Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall. But it’s also the place for playful Jumeirah Beach, Dubai Marina’s award-winning restaurants, and the dancing Dubai Fountain in the evening. 

Or, head north to Ras Al Khaimah, sometimes referred to as ‘RAK’. Also part of the UAE, this is Ajman’s other close neighbour, but offers a very different experience to Dubai. Better known for graceful mosques than glittering skylines, Ras Al Khaimah is famous for green parks, mangrove forests and thrilling 4x4 desert tours.

If you’re a keen hiker, don’t miss a visit to Al Masfout on the border of Oman for a day of walking in the Hajar Mountain foothills. Or you could take it easy closer to home on peaceful Ajman Beach. It’s one of the UAE’s longest, never crowded, and the sea’s seldom less than a swimmable 25°C, even in December and January.

A desert Emirate with an Arabian Gulf coastline, Ajman’s sunny all year round with clear skies almost every day. It’s great for winter sun breaks, and Ajman holidays ate most popular between November and April. Although Ajman’s still relatively undiscovered, so it’s never as busy as neighbours like Dubai.

Temperatures range from 25 to 32°C in winter, and the coolest months are December and January. But winter in Ajman is still easily warm enough for the beach, swimming in the sea, and days out in the desert.

May to October, meanwhile, see temperatures of around 40°C. So cool malls, shady cabanas and late-afternoon exploring is best in summertime Ajman. It’s quieter at this time of year, too, but still business as usual in the city. The exception is Ramadan, when everything slows down a bit. So, if you’re planning a late spring holiday in Ajman, always remember to check the dates of this holy month before you book.