Top 10 Heritage Sites in UAE

List of world’s top heritage sites in UAE: To preserve the ancient culture, history, and ruins, a place is marked as a heritage site to protect and preserve it from getting destroyed. It contains valuable information and an emotional touch for the natives of that place. All the heritage sites are important for every nation as they are main attractions for tourists and also deal with research and educational institutes that study the place for its history and extract data like how old the place is, what its significance would be to the natives and local people.

World’s Top Heritage Sites in UAE

Here, we will take a look at the top 10 heritage sites of the UAE that highlight the tradition and old culture of the Middle Eastern countries, how they built such monuments in the middle of the desert, how good their architecture was in ancient times, and what possessions the people had.

1. Al Ain Oasis

We all learn in school about the oasis and its significance for the people living in a desert. An oasis is considered to be heaven by the locals as it provides fresh water and vegetation on a barren land. Al Ain Oasis is also one of them, which comes under UNESCO World Heritage (source) from 2011 and it is a heritage site as it gives a glimpse of the oldest irrigation methods used by the people for the agriculture work. This oasis is known to be thousands of years old and still has a fresh vibe.

• Address: Al Ain, Abu Dhabi
• Timing: 8 AM- 8 PM
• Entry Fee: No charges
• Visitor Tip: Wear comfortable shoes for walking along the shaded paths.

2. Hili Archaeological Park

This place is one of the best places to explore for someone who is fond of fossils and tombs. Hili Archaeological Park is a place full of buries and remains of the native people about thousands of years back in 3000 BCE. This park has a special tomb named Hili North Tomb of the Hili settlement, which was before the birth of Islam.

• Address: Hili, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi
• Timing: 8 AM- 8 PM
• Entry Fee: No charges
• Visitor Tip: Apply sunscreen lotion as this place has limited shady areas.

3. Jebel Hafeet

Even the mountains of the country made their spot on the list. Jebel Hafeet is in Abu Dhabi, and after an archaeologist team excavated the area, they found fossils of dinosaurs and some artifacts of the human civilization, obviously living after the dinosaur. They found the remains, which tell the humans iced near the place around 8000 years ago in the Neolithic period, when the climate and geographic conditions of the mountains were different from the current scenario.

• Address: near Al Ain, Abu Dhabi
• Timing: Open 24 hours
• Entry Fee: No charges
• Visitor Tip: Visit during sunrise or sunset for the best views and suitable temperatures.

4. Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood

Situated in the city of gold, Dubai plays a vital role in being a heritage site for the UAE. This Al Fahidi Ford area featured traditional buildings showcasing the marvellous artwork and architecture of the people. It is often referred to as a “heritage village” due to well-preserved cultural items like traditional houses, wind towers used for cooling the space, antiques in museums, etc.

• Address: Bur Dubai, Dubai
• Timing: 9 AM- 9 PM
• Entry Fee: No charges
• Visitor Tip: Explore the alleys and museums to know the history.

5. Qasr Al Hosn

Another on our list is a beautiful palace which was built in the year 1793 for the royal family of Abu Dhabi. Qasr Al Hosn is the oldest fort of the place and is now converted into a museum to showcase some old collections of the past and stories about the rulers. It protects and keeps the rich history and artifacts of the area.

• Address: Abu Dhabi
• Timing: 9 AM- 9 PM
• Entry Fee: AED 30 (for adults and children above 12)
• Visitor Tip: Hire a guide to get deep info about the place.

6. Al Wathba Archaeological Site

Al Wathba is located on the outskirts of Abu Dhabi and is famous for the ancient rock formations found there and some fossils that were dated around 4 million years back. This is a crucial location for history enthusiasts.

• Address: Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi
• Timing: Open 24 Hours
• Entry Fee: No charges
• Visitor Tip: Early morning or late afternoon are the best times to avoid heat.

7. Al Badiyah Mosque

Al Badiyah Mosque is the oldest mosque in the UAE and therefore is important for its cultural background. It is believed that the mosque was built in the 15th century during the Ottoman Empire and has simple yet elegant architecture like domes and thick walls to make it suitable for the climate. To this date, Al Badiyah Mosque is active for worshipping and has great significance in showcasing the Islamic heritage.

• Address: Al Badiyah, Fujairah, UAE
• Timing: Open 24 Hours
• Entry Fee: No charges
• Visitor Tip: Adhere to appropriate dress codes as this is a worship site, open to everyone.

8. Fujairah Fort

Fujairah Fort is a heritage site and historical landmark in the UAE. This was considered one of the most important forts and was built in 1670 by the Al Sharqi Dynasty of the Fujairah. Since this fort was over a hill, it had a geographical advantage for seeing any possible threats. At the moment, it is now converted into a museum to preview the history and culture of Fujairah.

• Address: Fujairah, UAE
• Timing: 8 AM- 5 PM (Fridays closed between 2:30 PM and 4:30 PM.)
• Entry Fee: No charges
• Visitor Tip: It only takes a half hour to visit the fort; spend your time clicking beautiful photos of the stunning surrounding mountains.

9. The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

Another sacred site is added to the list. The grand mosque in Abu Dhabi represents a lot about the culture and impression of the country. Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is the largest in the UAE and was built under the influence of the founder of the country itself. But this mosque is not just a building of religion; it depicts the will of the people to be the best or to get the best things to present. All the structures inside the mosque were influenced by the ancient dynasties like the Mughals, Ottomans, Persians, and many more that had a direct relation with the people of today’s generation. Everyone who visits the country must go to this place disregarding their religion, as it welcomes every individual of all communities.

• Address: Abu Dhabi, UAE.
• Timing: 9 AM – 10 PM (Fridays from 4:30 PM.)
• Entry Fee: No charges
• Visitor Tip: Take one of the guided tours and click photographs of the amazing architecture.

10. Al Jazeera Palace Museum

The list ends with this place, but the UAE has a lot more to present. Al Jazeera Palace was a residence of the Al Nahyan royal family of Abu Dhabi and is now operated as a museum to preserve historic items and important places for the natives. You can take pictures inside the palace and enjoy the scenic views around the palace. This is a must-add to the bucket list destination for foreigners.

• Address: Abu Dhabi, UAE.
• Timing: 9 AM- 8 PM
• Entry Fee: No charges
• Visitor Tip: Recommend visiting the place in a cooler season from October to April.

Conclusion

Hope this post help you discover the Heritage Sites in UAE. These landmarks are just a glimpse of the country since it has a lot to explore and experience. These heritage sites show how people and governments preserve their history to tell a tale for future generations.