Beyond the Glitter: Uncovering the UAE's Ghost Towns

by Iffat Nawaz

Beyond the Glitter: Uncovering the UAE's Ghost Towns

17 Feb 2025

The United Arab Emirates — the name conjures images of gleaming skyscrapers, luxurious malls and heart pumping adventures. Behind the shiny surface of modernity, there is another side of the UAE.

Far from the bustling crowds and vibrant city lights, lie barren villages and forgotten settlements — the UAE's ghost towns. These interesting places are full of hidden stories. They provide a special travel adventure, allowing you to step away from popular tourist spots and explore the alluring, often ghostly, remains of the past.

Join The Sandy Times to explore UAE’s most abandoned and scare-inducing areas.

Exploring Al Jazirah Al Hamra: Travel to UAE ghost town

Source: flickr

Al Jazirah Al Hamra, also known as the Red Island, is a unique mark of a bygone era in the UAE. It stands in stark contrast to the modern marvels of the UAE, offering a journey back in time to a world shaped by pearl diving and fishing. The village's exceptional architectural landscape, built from the very materials the ocean provided-coral, seashells and limestone, now stands as a spine-chilling beautiful relic.

Al Jazirah Al Hamra, located near Ras Al Khaimah, whispers tales of a once-thriving community. Between the 14th and 16th centuries, this island pulsed with life. Its inhabitants were skilled seafarers who made their living from the sea.

The decline of the pearl industry, coupled with the allure of opportunities presented by the burgeoning oil boom in the 1960s, led residents to abandon their island homes. Families sought new lives in cities and left behind an empty village. Also, rumours of paranormal activities swirl around the town, adding another layer of intrigue to its already spell-binding story. While some deny these tales as folklore they undoubtedly contribute to the village's eerie charm, especially when explored in the afternoon or late night.

Today, Al Jazirah Al Hamra offers a compelling travel destination for those yearning for an off-the-beaten-path adventure. Wandering through the deserted streets, you can't help but feel a sense of wistfulness and a deep connection to the lives that once unfolded within these crumbling walls. Photographers will love capturing the decaying houses, a reminder of the ingenuity of those who once lived here.

Al Madam: A ghost town shrouded in mystery

Source: wikimedia.org

A different kind of travel tale awaits those who venture into the UAE's less-travelled corners. Al Madam, located about an hour from Dubai, is a hauntingly beautiful village engulfed by the sands of time. It shows a past shaped by human effort and nature's relentless forces.

Built in the 1970s, this small hamlet consists of just 12 houses, a mosque, and a few other structures. The vision was to provide housing for Bedouin communities and integrate them into the rapidly developing nation. Constructed from traditional materials like mud and brick, the village reflects the architectural styles of the era, offering a tangible link to the UAE's heritage.

Barely a decade after its construction, the village was abruptly abandoned. Leaving behind a collection of half-buried buildings. The reasons for this sudden exodus remain shrouded in mystery.

While some attribute the abandonment to supernatural forces, citing tales of djinn — supernatural beings in Arabian folklore — who are said to inhabit the area, the most likely explanation is far more grounded. Locals who were interviewed by the Sharjah Art Foundation in 2018 suggest that the relentless sandstorms that frequently battered the region made life in Al Madam untenable.

Al Madam's mystery is part of its charm. The allure of the unknown, the rumours of ghosts, and the legend of the fearsome Umm Al Duwais add to the atmosphere, drawing those seeking a mysterious travel experience. Once a secluded spot enjoyed by locals camping under the stars, Al Madam is now attracting more visitors.

Exploring the ancient tombs of Jebel Hafeet

Source: wikimedia.org

In the centre of Al Ain, situated at the foot of the Jebel Hafeet mountain, lies a collection of ancient tombs that offer a fascinating glimpse into the lives of people who inhabited this land thousands of years ago. These beehive tombs, as they are often called due to their quirky shape are not remnants of deserted villages but rather silent witnesses to a civilisation that thrived in this area during the Bronze Age, some 5,000 years ago.

The Jebel Hafeet tombs offer a window into the Hafeet Period, a significant era in the region's prehistory. The discovery of ceramic vessels and copper artefacts within the tombs points to a thriving maritime trade network that extended across the Arabian Gulf.

Long before the rise of modern cities, the slopes of Jebel Hafeet served as a burial ground for an ancient community. Over 500 of these remarkable tombs dot the landscape, each symbolising the ingenuity and resourcefulness of the people who built them. And left a legacy that continues to attract archaeologists and travellers alike.

As you stand among these ancient structures at Jebel Hafeet, you can't help but be awed by the lives that unfolded here so long ago. The beauty of the surrounding landscape, combined with the profound sense of history that permeates the site, creates a truly exceptional travel experience for history buffs.

by Iffat Nawaz