A Travel Guide to the Hatta Heritage Village
Dubai wowed the world with how fast it became a mega city from being a small fishing village in the UAE.
But amidst the massive skyscrapers and record-breaking attractions, Dubai has done so well in preserving its past to remind its people of its colorful heritage and culture.
The Hatta Heritage Village is one of Dubai’s most important historical and cultural sites.
Located in the Hajar mountains near the Dubai-Oman border, the village takes you on a journey to how life was for Emiratis before all the modernity took over.
In this guide, we’ll show you everything you need to know about visiting one of Dubai’s best kept gems.
What is Hatta Heritage Village?
The Hatta Heritage Village is a historical site in the Emirate of Dubai about 130 kilometers from the city in the Hajar Mountains.
Believed to be 3,000 years old, the village contains forts, citadels, mosques and traditional houses that show a glimpse of what life was like in the early days of Dubai.
The original village was restored in 2001 by the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (DCAA) and it consists of 30 different types of structures.
Although most of the buildings in Hatta Heritage Village are already restorations of the original, the government made sure that they were made of almost the same materials.
Going around Hatta Heritage Village is like walking back in time and seeing how people lived and farmed before.
Best Time to Go
Since Hatta Heritage Village is located on the Hajar Mountains, the weather is fair enough that you can visit it at any time of the day.
But most tourists choose to explore the site early in the morning to have more time. Some also choose to go in the evening to see the sunset if they’re staying in Hatta overnight.
Things to Know
Since you need to travel outside the city to visit the Hatta Heritage Village, it’s important to know these things before your trip:
- Always bring your travel documents.
Hatta is close to the Dubai-Oman border, so it’s very important to bring your passport, identification card and other travel documents just in case you’ll need it.
- Plan your trip ahead.
Whether you’re planning to take a day trip or stay in the area overnight, it’s best to plan your trip ahead including transportation, accommodation and even food.
Although there are restaurants in the village and in Hatta, it’s best to bring water and snacks to keep yourself full and hydrated while exploring it.
You should also pack food if you plan to camp in one of the campsites in the area.
Remember that this part of Dubai doesn’t have all the amenities of the city, so it’s best to come prepared.
- Wear appropriate clothing.
Being in Hatta means you’ll do a lot of walking. So, make sure that you’re wearing clothes and footwear that are appropriate for hiking.
Although the weather can get hot during the day, the area can get cold in the morning and evening. So, make sure that you’re bringing a jacket, especially during the winter.
- Secure parking.
Since the Hatta Heritage Village is a popular tourist spot, the government has created designated parking spaces for visitors.
But if you’re visiting during peak season, this parking area can get full easily. So, if you don’t want to waste time finding parking, it’s best to go early in the morning.
How to Get Around
Buses: The easiest way to get to the Hatta Heritage Village from the city is by bus. Bus Lines 21, 29, 44, 7, 8, 93 and E306 since they have regular trips to Hatta, which lasts for about 4 hours from the city center.
Taxis: Some taxi companies can also take tourists to the Hatta Heritage Village for an agreed fee.
Car service: If you prefer to travel private, you can book a chauffeured car or rent a self-drive vehicle to the Hatta Heritage Village. Some tour companies also offer group transportation to the village.
Where to Stay Near the Hatta Heritage Village
JA Hatta Fort Hotel
Address: Hatta Oman Road – Hatta Roundabout 9277 – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971 4 809 9333
Pricing: $$$
Book Now
It’s considered the only mountain resort in all of Dubai and the JA Hatta Fort Hotel doesn’t disappoint.
Located in an area surrounded by mountains and a lot of greenery, the hotel is the perfect escape in Hatta if you want to explore this part of Dubai.
The JA Hatta Fort Hotel also has some of the best rooms, cabins and suites to accommodate different types of travelers.
It’s also located near Hatta’s top attractions including the Hatta Heritage Village.
Sedr Trailers Resort
Address: Hatta – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971 4 852 2200
Pricing: $$
Book Now
Have you always dreamed of sleeping on a trailer in the mountains? Sedr Trailers Hotel is the first of its kind in the UAE.
Here, you can stay in a luxurious trailer that has all the amenities of a hotel but still rustic enough to make you feel that you’re really camping out in the wilderness.
From the reception, you’ll be whisked away to the resort on your trailer where you can enjoy peace and quiet amidst the beautiful scenery of the majestic Hajar Mountains.
Where to Eat Near the Hatta Heritage Village
Al Hajarain Restaurant
Address: Hatta Heritage Village – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971 50 696 0331
Pricing: $$
Website
Savor authentic Emirati food at the best restaurant inside the Hatta Heritage Village. Al Hajarain Restaurant serves the best Emirati cuisine using local ingredients from Hatta.
Try the restaurant’s Kale Salad, Fattoush and Lamb Makboos. Al Hajarain is also known for its grilled dishes including Sish Tawook, Chicken Kabab and Arabic Mix Grill.
Bab Al Sham
Address: Hatta – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Phone: 04 223 5553
Pricing: $$
Website
Specializing in Syrian and Lebanese cuisine, Bab Al Sham is best known in Hatta for its wide range of authentic Arabic barbeque dishes.
Here, you can choose between meet and vegan options and the restaurant also has an outdoor dining area that lets you enjoy the view of the Hajar Mountains while feasting on good food.
Some must-try dishes in Bab Al Sham include its Grilled Whole Chicken, Beef Kabab, Lamb Chops and Arayes.
But if you want a little bit of everything, you can also order the one kilo or half kilo mixed grill plate to enjoy as a group.
Al Yamm Cafe
Address: Hatta Wadi Park – Hatta – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971 525 858626
Pricing: $$
Website
Located in Hatta Wadi Park, Al Yamm Cafe is a relaxing dining space where tourists usually go for a sumptuous Arabic breakfast or a heartwarming cup of tea.
Aside from baking their own croissants daily, the cafe also serves a wide range of hearty breakfast options including a packed protein breakfast, shakshuka or Turkish eggs.
You can also order pizzas, pastas and salads in the cafe as well as some hot and cold beverages.
What to Do in Hatta Heritage Village
See a Traditional House
One of the highlights of the Hatta Heritage VIllage is the recreation of a traditional Arabic house.
Made of materials that are available in the area and comes with a master’s bedroom and children’s rooms, and a simple kitchen.
Traditional houses also come with huge yards and a barn for keeping farm animals.
Visit the Mosque
Inside the Hatta Heritage Village is a 200-year old mosque that has been an important place of worship for villagers.
It was one of the most important restoration projects for the DCAA to make sure that its details are well-preserved.
Walk Around the Fort
Another important landmark in the Hatta Heritage Village is the fortress built by Sheikh Maktoum bin Hasher Al Maktoum in 1896.
This area includes the fortress, a watchtower that now holds some of the weapons used in the early days and several homes inside the compound.
Learn About Poetry at the House of Folk Art
If you love poetry, dance and folk art, you shouldn’t miss stopping by the House of Folk Art inside the village.
Here, you’ll see exhibits of traditional Nabati poetry and the history of different dances and folk art in the region.
You can also see different musical instruments that were used by locals before.
Learn About Date Production at the Palm Products House
Palm trees are an important part of the livelihood of Emiratis. In fact, they made use of almost every part of this tree to sustain their needs.
At the Palm Products House, you’ll see how palm trees were cultivated in the region and how dates were harvested and processed to produce date molasses.
See Local Products Made at the Handicraft House
Emiratis are known for being exceptionally talented in making different handicraft products.
From beautiful home decor made out of metal to the best weaved products, you’ll learn all about how these products came to be at the Handicraft House.
You can even take part in different handicraft lessons like pottery making, so you learn a new skill from the masters themselves.
You can even purchase some products to take home to remind you of your trip to the Hatta Heritage Village.
Where to Shop in Hatta Heritage Village
Traditional Market
Phone: +971 543 390392
Website
The Hatta Heritage Village has a Traditional Market where you can find a wide range of local products for sale.
But if you’re lucky enough, this area also holds special events and exhibits for local sellers during the Dubai Shopping Festival, the UAE National Day and Flag Day.
During these times, you won’t only find more products to take home but also some really good deals for them.
Hatta Wadi Hub Shop
Address: Hatta – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971 4 820 5500
If you’re exploring the Hatta Wadi Hub as part of your trip to Hatta, you should stop by the Hatta Wadi Hub Shop where you can find many souvenirs to take home or give away to friends.
You can also shop for local food products to snack on while you’re traveling back to the city or on your accommodation in Hatta.
Hatta Mountain Biking and Hiking Shop
Address: Hatta – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
If you want to try the different biking and hiking activities in Hatta, but you didn’t bring gear or clothing with you, this shop has you covered.
It sells a wide range of equipment, clothing and accessories for hiking, biking and even camping, so you don’t need to bring your own during your trip.
What to Expect from the Weather in Hatta Heritage Village
Since Hatta Heritage Village is located in the Hajar Mountains, you can expect the weather to be warmer than the city center.
Winter lasts from December to March and this is when you can expect cooler temperatures, especially at night.
However, summer can still be quite hot in this part of Dubai, which is why the village is usually closed during summer,which runs from June to September.
Apps to Download When Visiting Hatta Heritage Village
Visit Dubai: Offers useful information about Hatta Heritage Village and the other tourist spots in Dubai
iOs | Android
S’hail: Helps to check useful information about the public transport system in Dubai including the bus, metro and taxi
iOs | Android