Masafi is a mountain town on the Fujairah border, best known for its sprawling Friday Market and the springs that made its name. Set high among the Hajar Mountains on the road between the coasts, Masafi is a scenic and characterful stop worth building into any east-coast trip.
A natural halfway point between Dubai and the beaches, it rewards a pause. Here is how to make the most of it, as part of our main Fujairah guide.
Getting your bearings in Masafi
The town sits in the mountains where the roads from Dubai, Sharjah and the east coast meet, with the Friday Market strung along the highway.
Things to do in Masafi
Browse the Friday Market for carpets, pottery, plants and fresh fruit, and take in the dramatic mountain scenery on the drive in and out — a genuine change of pace from the coast.
Where to eat in Masafi
Roadside cafes and simple local eateries cater to travellers passing between the coasts.
Getting to Masafi
On the mountain road between Dubai and the east coast; a natural stop by car, about 75 minutes from Dubai.
Best time to visit
The cooler months are best for the market and the mountain drives; Fridays are liveliest for the market itself.
Explore more of Fujairah
Head back to the main Fujairah guide to explore more of the emirate.
Good to know
Masafi is the mountain town most UAE road-trippers pass through on the Dubai–Fujairah route, famous for its namesake bottled water and the roadside Friday Market. Stalls here sell carpets, pottery, plants and local honey, making Masafi a natural stop-and-stretch point before the east-coast beaches. Tucked in the Hajar foothills, it sits cooler than the coast and works as a handy gateway to Wadi Wurayah and the wider Fujairah–Ras Al Khaimah mountain belt.