Khor Fakkan, Sharjah

Khor Fakkan is a coastal town of Sharjah situated around 137 km away from the central emirate. Surrounded by the emirate of Fujairah, the city occupies a strategic location overlooking the Gulf of Oman. It has become a popular tourist attraction due to the sandy beach, towering mountains and a range of leisure spots such as an amphitheatre and a waterfall.

• A renowned beach town of Sharjah set on the eastern side
• Offers villas in different layouts
• Amenities include schools, clinics and supermarkets
• Home to Khorfakkan Port, Shark Island and Khorfakkan Beach
• Khor Fakkan Road connects the city to the central emirate

Khor Fakkan, also spelt as Khorfakkan, is an enclave in Sharjah nestled by the Hajar Mountains and a pristine beach. The name ‘Khorfakkan’ has been given due to the strategic location of the city; it is an Arabic word which means the creek of two jaws. The area is also known as the ‘bride of the eastern coast’ because of its unique characteristics.

The mixed-use development has everything you need for peaceful living, from basic amenities such as supermarkets and clinics to leisure spots. The area also has a well-connected road network, providing easy commute to the central emirate.

Under the supervision of the Ruler of Sharjah, Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, the area is set to become the most attractive tourist destination of the emirate. The plans for the beach project, roads, hotels and resorts and other amenities are underway.

Properties in Khor Fakkan include a mix of residential and commercial properties. These include villas, apartments, offices and shops.

The area has low to mid-rise apartment buildings with 2 to 3-bedroom residential units. The coverage area of these flats ranges between 816 sq. ft. to 1,300 sq. ft. Most of the units come with expansive living areas, fitted kitchens and attached bathrooms. Other facilities include shared parking and a balcony depending on the unit type you are interested in.

Families preferring a secluded lifestyle can opt for villas in the area. These two-storey 3 to 5-bedroom houses spread over 2,500 sq. ft. to 6,000 sq. ft. In these villas, the first floor consists of a spacious living area, kitchen and a maid’s room. The second floor has bedrooms, each featuring an attached bathroom and a built-in wardrobe. Other features include private parking space, a garden and a balcony.

The price range of apartments for rent in Khor Fakkan is as follows:

• The average annual rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in Khor Fakkan is AED 25k
• The average annual rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in Khor Fakkan is AED 33k

There are a few villas for rent in Khor Fakkan available in 3 and 5-bedroom layouts. The annual rent for these units fluctuates between AED 60k to AED 70k. Moreover, there are a few commercial properties available for rent also. A shop for rent in Khor Fakkan covering 365 sq. ft. of the area can be leased for AED 50k per annum. Similarly, the office for rent in Khor Fakkan can be rented for AED 20k per annum.

Those interested in buying villas in Khor Fakkan can find a few options in the neighbourhood. The expansive 4-bedroom villas for sale can be purchased from AED 1.6M to AED 1.9M. Investors can also purchase commercial plots in the area for AED 320k spanning 2,906 sq. ft. or a commercial building for AED 1.3M.

Khor Fakkan consists of several sub-districts. These include:

• Zubara
• Al Haray
• Al Mudaifi
• Hayawa
• Hatim
• Al Khaledya
• Al Burdi
• Nawha
• Hawami
• Yarmouk
• Shabiya

Set on the northern end, Zubara is a coastal area in Khor Fakkan. It is home to several archaeological sites, communal facilities and beach spots. Next to Zubara is Al Haray, with residential development set in the mountain range. Another sub-district of the area is Al Mudaifi, home to plenty of recreational facilities such as Khor Fakkan Beach, Saqr Bin Muhammad Al Qasimi Stadium, Khor Fakkan Amphitheatre and Waterfall and community parks.

Towards the southern end lies Al Khaledya, another coastal area of Khor Fakkan. The renowned Khor Fakkan Port and the archaeological museum Hisn Khor Fakkan are in this sub-district. Qadsiya, Yarmouk and Shabiya are other residential districts of Khor Fakkan.

Oceanic Khorfakkan Resort & Spa is a 4-star hotel in Khor Fakkan featuring a range of luxury rooms and villas. The hotel has a fully-equipped gym, spa and several dining options. Visitors staying in the hotel have access to the private beach where they can enjoy watersports activities. Other facilities include a kid’s playground, shuttle service and ample parking spaces.

Sea Shore Hotel Apartments and Al Marsa Hotel Apartments are other options for those planning a staycation in the area.

Parking in Khor Fakkan isn’t a hassle, as each residential and commercial property has a dedicated facility. Usually, villas offer parking spaces for one or two cars, while the apartment buildings have a shared parking area. The street parking facility is also available for frequent visitors.

Since the area is far from the central emirate, the means of public transportation are also limited. The only way to visit via bus is through the Dubai Fujairah bus service. Visitors can hop in Bus E700 from Union Square Bus Station in Dubai to reach Masafi Police bus station in Fujairah and then take a taxi to Khor Fakkan.

With the construction of the 89 km long Sharjah – Khor Fakkan Road, travelling between the central emirate and coastal area has become more accessible. It takes a 45-minute drive from Sharjah to Khor Fakkan and around 90 minutes from Dubai to Khor Fakkan. The road has five tunnels; Al Saqab (1.4km long), Al Rogh (1.3km long), Al Sahah (0.3km long), Al Ghazeer (0.9km long) and Al Sidra (2.7km long).

There is no shortage of supermarkets in Khor Fakkan. Residents can buy daily essentials from Zahraat Al Khor Supermarket, Noor Al Ain Supermarket, East Coast Supermarket, Al Safeer Centre and Adwaa Al Madina Supermarket. Besides local grocery stores, an outlet of Sharjah Cooperative Society in Khor Fakkan offers frozen food, household items and daily usage products. It is located in the Zubara district.

Mosques are dotted around the neighbourhood facilitating Muslims in the community. These include Al Noor Mosque, Moaz Bin Jabal Mosque, Qais Bin Saad Mosque and Omar Ibn Al Khattab Mosque.

The renowned Imam Salem Al Mutawa Mosque in Khor Fakkan is one of the oldest mosques in the UAE, built around 200 years ago. Formerly known as Al Jamaa Mosque, it was renovated and renamed by Sharjah’s Department of Culture and Information’s heritage and culture office. The mosque is made with palm fronds and trunks and is located across the corniche overseeing the mountains. It is the most notable landmark that appears on the 5-Dirham bank note.

There are plenty of schools in the area providing quality education to children. These include Asia Bin Muzahim School, Jumana Bin Abitalib School and Abdullah Bin Al Mubarak Private School.

Those looking for an Indian curriculum-based school can opt for East Coast English School, a private co-educational school in Khor Fakkan. The school follows the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) curriculum for Grades 1 to 10 students. Moreover, a newly opened branch of Victoria International School Khorfakkan imparts education to Kindergarten to Grade 6 students. It has well-equipped classrooms, sports facilities, qualified staff and top-notch facilities. Other nursery schools in the area are Al Dana Nursery School and Khorfakkan Kindergarten School.

Arab Academy for Science, Technology & Marine Transport Sharjah Branch and the University of Khorfakkan are two reputable higher educational institutes in Khorfakkan Sharjah. Both offer graduate and undergraduate programmes and are situated on the southern end of the coastal town.

Khorfakkan Hospital is a multi-speciality healthcare facility offering urology, dermatology, cardiovascular diseases, general surgery and gynaecology services. The hospital also has 24-hour emergency services, a pharmacy and X-ray services. Other clinics in the area include Al Shifa Medical Centre, Al Enwan Medical Centre and Khorfakkan Municipality Clinic.

Khorfakkan is a secluded area far from the central emirate, Sharjah. Since it is is close to Fujairah and has a well-connected road network, commuting to key areas is quite convenient. In a 15-minute drive towards the south lie Mirbah and Al Qurayyah, while the central area of Fujairah is accessible in a further 15-minute drive. The renowned central areas include Al Hayl, Al Najaimat and Al Faseel Area. Other neighbouring areas include Kalba and Corniche Al Fujairah.

The area is home to several historical landmarks, making it a popular spot for visitors. These include Al Rafisah Dam, Old Souq Khorfakkan and Khorfakkan Square.

Covering an area of 393m, Resistance Monument Khorfakkan sits atop a hill overlooking Khor Fakkan Square. The monument was built to pay tribute to those who resisted the Portuguese invasion in 1507. A feature film, ‘Khorfakkan 1507’ based on the true events of the epic battle, was also released in 2019 and shown in the hall dedicated to a film screening in the monument. The other hall in the lobby has posters and memorabilia of tools used in the battle. V Café in the monument is a must-visit spot made with glass offering 360-degree views of the city.

Hisn Khorfakkan was built in 1823 and served as a royal residence, the head office of the government, a prison and now a museum. The galleries of the museum showcase photographs, 3D models, artefacts and other modern means to tell the stories of exhibits. During archaeological excavations in the area, amazing find of the Stone Age has been discovered. The notable ones are inscriptions in Kufic and Arabic script, crucibles, pickaxes and rock art.

Al Rafisah Dam was built in the 1980s and then upgraded with a rest area and visitors’ centre. Recently, a mosque and a children’s play area have also been constructed to facilitate visitors.

Al Adwani Tower, Najd Al Maqsar Fortress and Old Souq Khorfakkan are other notable landmarks of the area.

The hidden gem of Sharjah has much more to offer than visiting historical places and enjoying the scenic views of the Arabian Gulf. The list of things to do in Khor Fakkan is not a shorter one, including kayaking at Rasifah Dam, hiking through the Al Rabi Mountain trail and visiting Khorfakkan Park and Fountain.

The first stop is Khor Fakkan Beach, where visitors can experience parasailing, kayaking, diving and fishing. It is a 3km long crescent-shaped beach with facilities for jet skiing, boats for visiting nearby islands and rental huts near the corniche.

Al Rabi Hiking Trail in Khor Fakkan is known as the beginner-level hiking trail in the UAE. It is a 5.3 km trail with an elevation of 395m, higher than the Eiffel Tower, which is 324m. You will find the UAE flag and immerse in the scenic panoramic views of the city at the first stop on the trail, which will come after 90 minutes of hiking. The second and final stop is another 30 minutes away and then you can descend down.

The next stop is Khorfakkan Amphitheatre, distinguished by its unique architecture. Inaugurated by His Highness Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, the Ruler of Sharjah, in 2020, the venue has state-of-the-art lighting and audio system and a temperature-controlled facility.

The man-made Khorfakkan Waterfall is located adjacent to Amphitheatre on a natural cliff. It is 11m wide, 45 m long and 43m above sea level and has viewing windows so visitors can watch the water flow down the cliff.

Wadi Shees featuring a hiking trail and Shees Park and Al Suhub Rest House situated 600m above sea level are other must-visit spots in Khor Fakkan. Those interested in snorkelling can head to Snoopy Island while for boating, Shark Island near Khor Fakkan is the best spot.

There is no shortage of restaurants in Khorfakkan Sharjah offering a wide range of mouthwatering dishes. Popular ones are:

• Fish and Shrimp Restaurant
• A Mabrook Restaurant and Cafeteria
• Najm Hyderabad Restaurant
• Wadi Al Arayesh Restaurant
• Rimini Restaurant
• Rebou Lebanon Restaurant

Those in the mood for Thai cuisine can head to Thai Gate Restaurant offering authentic classic dishes with a modern twist. The tom yum soup, pad Thai and sushi are the best sellers in the restaurant. It is one of the top restaurants in Khor Fakkan located on the Corniche Khor Fakkan. Other cafes in the area are Lilal Café, Perugia Café and Shi Café.

A new hospitality project in Khor Fakkan by Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) and Marriott International is under development. The five-star hotel will feature more than 200 residential units and a waterpark. It will be operated by Marriott International under its Autograph Collection and will include 5 double rooms, 8 luxury suites and 62 single rooms each offering stunning beach views. The expected completion date of the project is 2024.

Khorfakkan is a renowned coastal area of Sharjah where several projects are underway. However, it is set away from the central area and requires around a 40 to 50-minute drive to reach. But the picturesque view of the Arabian Gulf and Shumayliyah Mountains make the drive worthwhile for visitors planning a staycation in the area.

Khor Fakkan is an enclave in Sharjah set away from the central city overlooking the Gulf of Oman.

Khor Fakkan is a renowned tourist attraction in Sharjah home to Al Rafisah Dam, Khor Fakkan Beach and Wadi Shees. Visitors can use public transportation or commute via private conveyance to reach the area. They can take Bus E700 from Union Square bus station to reach Khor Fakkan via Masafi or drive for 45 minutes through Sharjah – Khorfakkan Road.

• Situated close to the UAE – Oman border
• Around 110km away from the Sharjah
• Maleha Sharjah and Al Madam are an hour away