SUN, FUN AND HOLIDAY BLISS IN AMAZING AJMAN

Awe-inspiring Ajman may be the smallest of the United Arab Emirates, but it’s a big player when it comes to sensational sandy beaches, enchanting desert landscapes, fun-filled city attractions and wonderful hospitality..

This magical destination is also home to luxurious hotels, tantalising cuisine, up-market shopping and rich history and culture.

Ajman offers the best of both worlds, with the option to chill out and relax in beautiful surroundings or head off for some sightseeing and entertainment thrills.

Built around an 18th century fort with huge circular watchtowers, this magnificent getaway will wow you with its incredible architecture, lush mangrove forests, inviting sapphire waters and glorious sunshine.

Let's turn the spotlight on some of the main attractions that make Ajman a superb choice for an unforgettable holiday of a lifetime.

Fun in the sun

Ajman is a dream come true for couples, families and groups of friends craving a feast of fun in the sun.

An arid subtropical climate brings all-year-round sunshine, but the most popular time to visit is between October and April when temperatures range between 20 to 30 degrees Celsius. These pleasant and slightly cooler conditions are more appealing to some people than the hotter months of May to September.

The beautiful weather is ideal for enjoying a multitude of healthy outdoor activities, from kayaking through the jawdroppng Al-Zorah Nature Reserve to hiking in the Ajman Exclaves of Masfut and Manama.

Relax during a romantic waterfront dinner in Marsa Ajman Floating Restaurant, enjoy an enthralling camel ride in the desert or barter for a bargain in a bustling souk.

If you fancy a day out further afield, Ajman is only a 40-minute drive away from Dubai where you’ll get a chance to see the city’s futuristic architecture, massive designer shopping malls and famous landmarks.

Sensational sands

There’s no shortage of pristine beaches in Ajman where you can soak up the sun on the sands or take to the sea for some energetic water sports action.

You’ll find an excellent stretch of public beach near the edge of town and many top hotel resorts allow non-guests to use their private beaches for a small fee.

Popular pursuits on the Arabian Gulf waters include wakeboarding, jet skiing, stand-up paddleboarding, parasailing, flyboarding and banana boat rides.

The Ajman coastline also has some great fishing spots where anglers can cast their lines or head off in a boat for a deep sea fishing adventure.

Other popular activities on the water include freediving, scuba diving and snorkelling to explore Ajman’s coral reefs and shipwrecks, including the 55-metre Ajman Glory.

World-class resorts

Ajman is home to a plethora of lavish places to stay including luxurious hotels, plush boutique retreats and sumptuous beach houses, villas and apartments.

The charming shoreline has many opulent 5-star havens featuring a range of amenities including private beaches, top-class restaurants, exquisite accommodation, sumptuous spas and inviting infinity pools.

Some of them also operate superb all-inclusive programmes where your meals, drinks and other extras are already paid for before you arrive, allowing you to get on with having a fun time, rather than monitoring your finances daily.

Attractions galore

Ajman is brimming with things to see and do, from big city attractions to exciting adventures in captivating natural surroundings.

Al Zorah Natural Reserve is a marvellous place for kayaking among the mangroves and spotting flamingos, egrets, herons and other birds.

The lagoonside beaches at the reserve really have the wow factor and you'll also discover huge dunes, landscaped gardens, a championship golf course and Wake Park, an adrenaline-charged water sport attraction.

Ajman Marina is an imposing 1.5km boulevard which is perfect for cycling, jogging or a relaxing stroll. It also features a yacht club, restaurants and a grand shopping mall. Nearby Ajman Corniche is a delightful 4km esplanade where you can enjoy a picnic, a meal in a restaurant or a swim in the sheltered tidal pool.

Ajman has many verdant parks for a pleasant stroll in the sunshine, with Al Safia Park being one of the most renowned spots for recreation. This vast 4,750 square metre attraction features an 1,800-metre dual layer jogging track, bicycles for hire and a superb children’s play zone.

Sport Park Ajman is also highly recommended, with plenty of green spaces, a bicycle track and a jogging track. It is also next to Ajman Qubes, where you’ll find a range of impressive international restaurants.

You can enjoy a truly memorable experience at the Al Tallah Camel Racecourse where the traditional Bedouin sport of camel racing takes place in the mornings and afternoons.

No holiday in Ajman would be complete without a visit to the desert. Popular activities among the epic dunes include exhilarating buggy safaris, camel rides, sandboarding and hot air balloon trips. You can also enjoy watching a falconry display or spending the night under canvas in an authentic Bedouin camp.

Ajman may not be in the same league as Dubai and Abu Dhabi when it comes to dusk till dawn party action, but it does still have plenty of night clubs, lounge bars, beach cafes and restaurants where you can enjoy a lively evening out.

Shopper’s paradise

If you want some retail therapy during your holiday, Ajman can easily meet your needs with its superb shopping malls, glitzy boutiques and colourful souks.

Ajman City Centre is a huge mall featuring 80 international and local brands, a mega-screen cinema, an entertainment centre and an array of dining outlets.

Grand Central Mall is a trendy department store selling clothing, cosmetics, toys and many other items, while My Mall Ajman is another great shopping centre featuring plenty of brands, a food court and a fitness centre. Ajman China Mall is another choice, selling everything from gadgets to sports equipment.

If you want to haggle for a holiday bargain you should visit a traditional Ajman souk where you’ll discover plenty of UAE crafts, clothing, textiles and much more.

Saleh Souk in the city’s Nakheel neighbourhood is an endearing warren of small shops, while the nearby Gold Souq is the place to buy a special item of jewellery for the love of your life.

Ajman fish market is a bustling place where you can buy freshly-caught seafood and get the feel of local life and traditions.

Flavours to savour

Your taste buds will be treated to a feast of flavour in Ajman, with a myriad of delicious traditional dishes to sample during your holiday.

From lively street food stalls to world-class gourmet restaurants, you’ll have no trouble finding somewhere to dine, with a great choice of mouth-watering meat and fish dishes, flavoured with popular local spices including cardamom, saffron and turmeric.

Khuzi is the UAE’s national dish which comprises roasted lamb or mutton, served on rice and topped with vegetables and nuts.

Luqaimat is a kind of Arabic sweet fried dumpling which is soft and airy on the inside and has a good crunch on the outside. It is served with date syrup and sprinkled with sesame seeds. Gahwa (Arabic coffee) is a popular hot beverage.

If you want some global cuisine during your holiday you’ll discover restaurants from around the world in Ajman including France, Mexico, Italy, Japan, Asia, America, Mediterranean, China and India.

When you venture out for an evening meal you’ll find a plenty of dining venues including Sultan Saray which specialises in Turkish cuisine, Sabella’s which delivers flavoursome Italian fare, Marasea Restaurant which is renowned for its seafood specialities, and Safi Restaurant, a fabulous beachfront eating place where you’ll enjoy amazing Pan-Asian dishes.

Family thrills

A splashing time is in store for families in Ajman, with several water parks among the attractions to ensure hours of fun and excitement.

Funtastico Splash inflatable water park features plenty of slides, chutes and other delights to ensure there’s never a dull moment for children aged 3 to 14. Bumper boats, a ball pit and bouncy castles add to the fun.

Pygmy Park, Ajman’s first petting zoo in Al Zorah, is another great attraction with so many animals to captivate young visitors including camels, reptiles, goats, parrots, and horses and more. Trained handlers will assist children to play a part at feeding time.

Kayaking is a hugely popular family activity in Ajman, with the magnificent mangroves in Al Zorah Nature Reserve among the great places to take to the waters. Experienced instructors are on hand in this biologically and ecologically rich wetland to help you get the best out of your kayaking experience.

KIDS is a unique movie experience for young film lovers at the VOX 9-screen cinema in Ajman city centre. Young boys and girls can enjoy the latest animation, adventure and action movies for kids in a brightly-coloured cinema setting.

Al Zorah BattlePark is a massive entertainment zone where families can battle it out in a range of activities including paintball, target shooting and I-Battle.

Many family-friendly hotels in Ajman also feature excellent amenities for young guests including mini clubs, outdoor playgrounds and kids pools. There’s also the opportunity for traditional sandcastle-building sessions on the private beaches.

History and culture

Ajman is steeped in history and culture, with plenty of attractions that highlight the emirate’s fascinating past.

Ajman Museum is an impressive 18th century fort that served as the ruler’s residence until 1970. Ancient weapons, folk costume, manuscripts, pearl fishing artefacts and pottery dating back to 3000 BC are among the exhibits.

Mowaihat, a tomb in Ajman dating from 2000 to 2500 BC, is one of the most notable archaeological sites of the UAE. It was discovered in 1986 when workers were laying a sewage pipe.

Sheikh Zayed Ajman Mosque is a flagship building in the city, with striking architecture which features four minarets and a singular dome.

Aamnah Bint Ahmad Al Ghurair Mosque is a truly amazing structure, with its incredible white and gold colour creating a stunning spectacle when illuminated at night.

Ajman Stud is a superb attraction that gives an insight into the longstanding history of the emirate’s famed horse breed and how the majestic animals are trained.

A sensational holiday of a lifetime awaits in awe-inspiring Ajman. Book your dream getaway today with Destination2.co.uk.