Najd Al Maqsar Village Offers Heritage Tourism In Sharjah With Luxury Heritage Units And Historic Fort

Najd Al Maqsar Village is gaining attention as a key heritage and tourism project in Sharjah, combining restored mountain architecture, modern hospitality units and archaeological features. Located above Khorfakkan’s coastline in Wadi Shie, the village attracts visitors interested in history, nature and winter leisure, and is being upgraded in stages to support the UAE’s wider tourism strategy.

The site currently includes restored stone houses, scenic walking routes and access to a historic fort, alongside planned expansions in hospitality services. Authorities in Sharjah are positioning Najd Al Maqsar as a distinctive destination that links traditional Emirati mountain life with contemporary visitor expectations, while maintaining the original character of the settlement and surrounding landscape.

Najd Al Maqsar features in the UAE’s ‘World’s Coolest Winter’ campaign, launched under the theme ‘Our winter is entrepreneurial’. The initiative is led by the Ministry of Economy and Tourism with support from national tourism, culture and heritage bodies, and highlights locations that combine leisure, heritage and investment opportunities across the country’s diverse environments.

The campaign aims to present Najd Al Maqsar as part of a broader national portfolio that includes coastal, desert and mountain experiences. By drawing attention to its historical village and natural terrain, the initiative reinforces the UAE’s efforts to spread visitor traffic across multiple regions and seasons, particularly during the cooler months favoured by international and local tourists.

The development of Najd Al Maqsar is structured in two phases designed to improve services while respecting the original settlement. The first phase opened in June 2024, introducing hospitality units and shared facilities. A second phase planned for the first quarter of 2026 will expand capacity and activities, turning the village into a larger heritage tourism hub in Khorfakkan.

Sharjah’s tourism and hospitality authorities support the project as part of efforts to strengthen high-quality heritage tourism on the east coast. Their approach combines restoration, infrastructure upgrades and visitor services, with a focus on authenticity and environmental sensitivity, reflecting wider policy goals within the emirate’s tourism portfolio.

Najd Al Maqsar heritage tourism assets and architecture

At the core of Najd Al Maqsar are 13 traditional stone houses, constructed more than a century ago, which collectively illustrate how mountain communities adapted to terrain and climate. These buildings, integrated into the slopes, show characteristic features of traditional mountain architecture and give visitors insight into historic construction practices in the Khorfakkan region.

The village’s upper fort, around 300 years old, remains its most visible landmark and once served as a strategic lookout over the valley and coastline. Positioned on a mountain peak, it offered natural surveillance advantages. Today, it provides visitors with elevated views and a physical link to the area’s past defensive and monitoring functions.

Najd Al Maqsar heritage tourism experience and activities

Najd Al Maqsar has become especially popular in winter among people seeking quieter natural settings and cultural experiences. The combination of rugged mountains, preserved structures and cooler weather supports activities such as hiking, camping, photography and architectural exploration, drawing both residents and international visitors interested in slower-paced stays in Sharjah’s eastern region.

The destination offers several walking routes that pass through the village and extend towards nearby sites. One trail leads directly to the upper fort, while another connects to Al Rafisah Dam through a dedicated mountain path. These routes provide opportunities to observe local flora and wildlife and give context to how earlier communities used natural corridors for movement.

Within the village, restored pathways allow visitors to examine stone walls, carved wooden doors and traditional design elements that have endured over many decades. These features highlight craftsmanship and vernacular aesthetics. Interpretive information and guided explanations support understanding of how domestic spaces were organised to balance privacy, climate control and community interaction.

Accommodation at Najd Al Maqsar includes the so-called ‘Kareen Houses’, which are traditional-style rooms adapted for current hospitality use. Interiors feature stone walls, handwoven carpets and wooden doors that create a nostalgic atmosphere, while offering modern comforts. Options range from single and double rooms to larger family units, with views across the village, mountains and coastline.

Food services form another aspect of the heritage tourism offer at Najd Al Maqsar. Emirati dishes are served alongside international cuisine, with Wishi Restaurant providing a selection of global meals. This mix allows visitors to sample traditional flavours while still having a range of other choices, supporting longer stays for diverse visitor groups.

Culture-focused events enhance the stay, including handicraft workshops, pottery demonstrations and traditional folk performances. Such activities present aspects of Emirati heritage in a participatory format and help connect visitors with local skills and customs. They also create additional reasons for repeat visits, especially during peak winter tourism periods.

Najd Al Maqsar heritage tourism and ancient history

Beyond built structures, Najd Al Maqsar sits within a landscape rich in archaeological interest. Rock surfaces around the village hold engravings of camels and horses that date to around 2000 BC, offering a rare visual record of prehistoric life and mobility patterns in the area long before the current settlement emerged.

These carvings support the view that Najd Al Maqsar and its surroundings represent one of the region’s significant early human settlements. Combined with the later stone houses and fort, they illustrate continuous or repeated human use of the site over millennia, adding depth for visitors interested in archaeology and long-term settlement patterns.

Overall, Najd Al Maqsar functions as a multi-layered heritage tourism destination where natural terrain, historical architecture and modern hospitality come together in a single mountain village. As both development phases progress, the site is expected to strengthen Khorfakkan’s position within Sharjah’s tourism offering while continuing to preserve the cultural and environmental features that define its character.

With inputs from WAM