Dibba Fort (Al Ghurfa)
Dibba Fort, in the Al Ghurfa area of Dibba Al-Fujairah, is believed to date to the 16th century and served as a key defensive and administrative point for the region, overseeing farmland, sea routes and the mountain approaches that connect the East Coast to the interior. The fort’s two-storey main building, flanked by three round towers and a seven-metre square tower, reflects the layered defensive architecture typical of the UAE’s northern coast.
The fort was damaged during a naval action in the 1920s and stood in a ruined state for decades before excavation work began in 2010, followed by a comprehensive restoration between 2012 and 2018 using traditional materials — stone, mud-brick, granite, hay and palm fronds. The restoration reopened the fort’s interior rooms and watchtowers to visitors, along with panoramic views over Dibba and the surrounding coastline and mountains.
Unusually for a heritage site in the region, Dibba Fort is open to visitors around the clock, making it a flexible stop for those exploring the wider Dibba area, which also includes historic mosques and traditional markets. The nearby town of Dibba Al-Hisn (part of Sharjah) and Dibba Bayah (in Oman) share the same bay, making the three Dibbas together an unusual tri-emirate, tri-country meeting point.
Amenities
Historic Fort · Restored Interior Rooms and Watchtowers · Open 24 Hours · Free Admission · Coastal and Mountain Views
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