Ajman Corniche

Ajman is the smallest of the seven emirates and its corniche runs along the beach in front of the town, rebuilt with a wide promenade, planting, play areas and a run of cafes. Behind it the creek still holds a working dhow yard where wooden hulls are built by hand, one of the few places on the coast where the trade continues at scale. The eighteenth-century fort a short way inland houses the Ajman Museum, with rooms on pearling, weapons and daily life.

What you actually see

• The dhow yard - wooden hulls still built by hand on the creek.
• The promenade - a rebuilt seafront walk with beach access along its length.
• The Ajman Museum - the eighteenth-century fort holding the emirate's collection.
• The public beach - open sand along the front, free to use.

When to go

October to April for the beach and promenade. Evenings are the liveliest all year. Summer humidity on this coast is heavy.

Honest expectations

Ajman is quiet and has little of the polish of its neighbours, which is either the point or the problem. The dhow yard is a working site and access depends on the day. Museum hours are short and it closes on Fridays until the afternoon.

Nearby

Al Zorah is northeast, and Sharjah is southwest.