Hatta, Dubai

Set about 130 kilometres away from central Dubai, Hatta is a mountainous town of the emirate that sits on the border with Oman. It is an exclave on the foothills of the Hajar Mountains boasting many attractions including Hatta Dam and Hatta Heritage Village. With the launch of tourism projects in Hatta, it has become a go-to spot for a weekend escape or a mini-daycation. Apart from this, residential projects are also underway in the area.

• A historical village of Dubai
• Tucked around 130 kilometres away from the central city
• Home to luxury hotels and resorts
• A tourist spot for nature lovers and adventure seekers
• Amenities include healthcare facilities, educational institutes and grocery stores

Previously known as Al Hajerin or Al Hajeran, Hatta is a mountain village of Dubai with farms and falaj – the ancient irrigation system. As per the historians, the vibrant small town of Dubai enjoys a strategic location sharing borders with Oman and easy access to all five emirates. It was a famous trade route for caravans and an important access point to Oman and neighbouring areas. Besides castles and citadels, there is a mosque and two towers in the area also on the south and north side offering 360-degree views of stunning oases and mountains.

In 2021, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai has ordered the launch of the Hatta Master Development Plan intending to transform the town into an attractive area for tourism, investment and business. The five-year development plan is a part of the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan covering four strategic pillars: Tourism, Well-being, Sustainability and Sports & Activities.

The project includes the construction of a waterfall attraction, a 5.4-kilometre cable car, hiking tracks up to Dubai’s highest peak Jabal Umm Al Nusour, 200-holiday homes and an international hotel. Apart from these projects by the Government of Dubai, the master developer Meraas has also launched several projects in the area such as accommodation options, the giant Hatta sign on the Hajar Mountains and an adventure centre.

Visitors can explore the architectural monuments or go kayaking in the Hatta Dam, step in the shoes of a beekeeper at Hatta Honeybee Garden or visit the Bait Al Wali in Hatta Heritage Village. In short, Hatta is a popular spot for families to staycation during the summer season.

Properties in Hatta include villas and apartments in different layouts constructed by Dubai Municipality. These residences are equipped with modern amenities and are mostly rented by local Emiratis. Villas in the area come in 2 and 5-bedroom configurations each offering a fully fitted kitchen, dining room, maid’s room and powder room. Those with expansive layouts have a majlis and a separate guest room also. Other facilities include a parking area and a private garden.

The area also has apartments in 1 to 3-bedroom layouts for staff accommodation. There are four residential buildings with 131 units with quality finishings, corridors and splendid interior spaces. All these four buildings are spread over an area of 28,450 sq. ft. and set on a shared parking area and a ground floor.

The popular tourist spot has plenty of accommodation options available with breathtaking natural surroundings. These include:

• JA Hatta Fort Hotel
• Sedr Trailers Resort
• Damani Lodges Resort
• Hatta Mountains Lodge
• Alberi Lodge

Set amidst the Hajar Mountains, JA Hatta Fort Hotel is a 4-star hotel and the only mountain resort in Dubai. It has spacious elegantly designed rooms inspired by arabesque style and complemented with a soothing pastel palette. Each room is equipped with modern amenities and facilities such as a separate seating area, walk-in shower, Wi-Fi and tea and coffee facility. The balcony or terrace in each room offers scenic views of the mountains. JA Hatta Fort Hotel also has 3-bedroom deluxe villas for large families featuring a private garden, Jacuzzi and free parking. Moreover, visitors can also indulge in the recreational facilities available in the hotel such as archery, mini golf, kayaking and fitness centre. Other facilities include a spa and restaurants.

Sedr Trailers Resort is the region’s first ‘trailer hotel’ with luxurious trailers set alongside the Hatta Dam. Each trailer has free wireless internet, a mini bar, a digital safe, a TV and comfy bedding. Damani Lodges Resort is another one-of-its-kind resort in Hatta featuring purpose-built lodges with incredible views of Hatta Wadi Hub. There is an option for standard, standard plus and suites lodges in the resort.

Besides these hotels and resorts, the area also has farmhouses for families and camping sites for outdoor enthusiasts. Happiness Farm Hatta, The Sunrise Farm Hatta and The Palm House Hotel are a few of the farmhouses in Hatta offering cosy surroundings and quaint interiors with great outdoors.

For camping in Hatta, you can pitch your tents in the designated area or bring the caravan if the kids are along with you. The campsite has 24-hour security, barbecue areas, food trucks and Wi-Fi access.  Those interested in staying under the starry skies can opt for Hatta Dome Park featuring 15 permanent dome-shaped tents that come with a double bed, a sofa bed and a barbecue area.

Getting to and from Hatta is quite convenient using private conveyance and public transportation. Those preferred a road trip can drive via Dubai – Hatta Road (E44) or Sharjah – Kalba Road (E102) to reach the city in one and half an hour drive. For public transportation users, the intercity bus E16 moves from Al Sabkha Bus Station in central Dubai to Hatta Bus Station. It will take tourists around two hours to reach the area via bus service.

There is no shortage of supermarkets in Hatta Dubai offering fresh fruits and vegetables, daily usage items and other essentials. These include Hatta Market, Al Zahra Grocery and Naseem Al Wadi Grocery. For monthly grocery shopping, residents can head to Aswaaq Mart in the area situated near Hatta Hospital. It is one of the best supermarkets in Dubai with the latest technology system ensuring the freshness of dairy and poultry products and fruits and vegetables.

Mosques in Hatta Dubai are dotted around the area facilitating Muslims of the community. Khalifa Bin Saif Bin Hassan Mosque, Shaikha Maitha Bint Rashid Mosque and Sultan Bin Haider Mosque are a few of them.

A newly-built green mosque by Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) is the highlight of the residential community. It is the first mosque in the region that has received a platinum rating from the US Green Buildings Council (USGBC). The eco-friendly mosque has earned 83 points in the rating system advised by USGBC – Leadership for Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). The mosque is spread over an area of 1,060 sq. m. and can accommodate 600 worshippers.

DEWA has used recycled material in the construction of the mosque while maintaining the highest quality standards for a sustainable structure. There are solar photovoltaic panels in the mosque featuring a water treatment unit and an air purification device. The mosque conserves about 26.5% of energy and 55% of water in total.

Since it is a family-friendly area, there are plenty of schools located in the centre of the residential area. These include Al Basateen Private Kindergarten for Kindergarten to Grade 12 students and Rashid Bin Saeed Secondary School for Boys. Other schools in Hatta Dubai include Al Dhahra School for Basic and Secondary Education for Girls and Hatta Primary School for Boys.

Hatta Hospital is a multi-speciality hospital by Dubai Health Authority offering quality medical facilities to patients. The 69-bed healthcare centre has a qualified team of doctors for cardiology, dentistry, chiropractic, dermatology and several other diseases. It also has state-of-the-art facilities such as a CT unit, digital X-Rays machine, latest equipment for physiotherapy and mammography. Other clinics in the community are Dr Imad Dental Clinic and Golden Smile Dental Clinic.

Although Hatta is located a bit far from the central city, the well-connected road network provides easy access to the neighbouring communities and key areas. Towards the west lie Sayh Mudayrah and a popular tourist region of Ajman – Masfout while Huwaylat and Al Qawr are situated on the northern side.

There are several historical landmarks in the area making it a popular spot for tourists. These include Hatta Heritage Village, Hattam Dam and Juma Mosque.

Hatta Heritage Village is one of the oldest villages in Dubai restored by the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (DCAA) in 2001. It is listed among the top historical places in Dubai where visitors can get a glimpse of Emirati history. It has the house of the ruler of that time, a mosque, watchtowers, outdoor space for resting and a falaj network – an underground irrigation system for farming.

The turquoise water of Hatta Dam is surrounded by the Hajar Mountains offering the best kayaking experience to visitors. It is a must-visit spot during the summer season as there are plenty of activities available for children also.

The architectural monument of Hatta Fort has an 11-metre-high watchtower that once served as a defensive structure for the city. The ivory Juma Mosque is another oldest buildings in the area built in 1780.

Other must-visit places in the area are Hatta Honey Bee Discovery Centre, the world’s largest inclined mural of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and the late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum – founding fathers of the UAE and the iconic Hatta sign standing 60-metres high.

Tourists are spoiled for choices when it comes to things to do in Hatta. Since the launch of Hatta Wadi Hub in 2018 by Meraas, the activity centre is known for attracting thousands of adventure seekers. It has a facility for cycling, horse riding, hiking, axe-throwing and archery. Zorbing is another must-try activity where you will be rolling down the hill inside a giant plastic ball. If you want to cool off, head to Hatta Drop-In which features 12-metre-high water slides. These slides will take you 15-metres into the air before you dive into the pool. Other activities in the facility are Gel Ball, Twin Zipline, E-Bikes and Big Plunge.

Hatta Hill Park is another must-visit spot in the area built in 2004. It is an elevated oasis with a children’s park, sports field and running tracks. Stop by Swan Lake Hatta where you can book a pedal boat to spot local birds wadding in the lake. You can also feed ducks or see the waterfall in the lake.

Discovering the endangered Arabian Tahr and rare flora and fauna at The Hatta Mountain Conservation Area, visiting the Hatta 360 Observatory and kayaking in Hatta Dam are other activities that can be enjoyed in the area.

Residents can enjoy a variety of cuisines in restaurants and cafes in Hatta set near the Dubai – Hatta Road. Some popular ones are Bab Al Sham Restaurant, Fakehat Al Shaam Juices, Alberi Café, Hatta Oasis Restaurant Cafeteria and Afghan Bukhari Restaurant. Those interested in barbecue can get checkout the wide range of items available at The BBQ Department and Tanoor Restaurant. Set in the heart of Hatta Wadi Hub, Bottom Bracket has a great selection of nutritious, tasty and fresh juices and salads made with home-grown vegetables and herbs. Other local restaurants include Al Hajarain, Al Yamm Café and Janam Restaurant.

As per the 5-year Hatta Comprehensive Development Plan, Meeras is responsible for developing hospitality and eco-friendly projects in the area. These include Riad Hatta – a boutique hotel with an authentic cultural experience showcasing the local heritage, a majlis for Senior Emiratis and plans for developing and protecting waterbodies in Hatta.

Smart Sustainability Oasis Hatta Centre is a one-of-its-kind project in the region responsible for recycling 18 types of recyclable materials. These include paper, leather, fabric waste, batteries and others.

A 5.4-km cable car system is another highly anticipated project in Hatta. The car system will have three main stations and transport tourists to 1,300 metres above sea level at the summit of Um Al Nesoor. The top station will also have a panoramic viewing platform for visitors. Another project in the area is Hatta Waterfalls which will use the slope of the upper dam to create waterfalls. The water will be collected, recycled and pumped back to the dam. Both these projects are scheduled for completion at the end of this year.

Hatta is all set to become a popular tourist attraction of the emirate with several projects underway. Since it is located on the foothills of Hajar Mountain, visitors planning a short trip must prepare for a 90-minute-long drive to reach the spot.

Hatta is an exclave of Dubai located around 134 kilometres away from the central city near the Dubai – Oman border.

Hatta is a renowned tourist attraction surrounded by the Hajar Mountains and home to 360 Observatory, Hatta Dam and Hatta Fort. Tourists can drive via Dubai – Hatta (E44) or Sharjah – Kalba Road (E102) to reach the area in 90-minutes.

• An hour away from Al Madam and Maleha Sharjah
• Set close to the Dubai – Oman border
• The emirate of Fujairah is an hour away