While there are many mainstream tourist attractions in Dubai that you could visit, it is now trending among travelers to look for less popular and sometimes more intriguing spots in the United Arab Emirates. Dubai’s Ghost Town of Al Madam in Sharjah offers an eerie contrast to the glitter of Downtown Dubai. Surrounded by dunes that slowly reclaim its abandoned houses, the buried village feels like a scene from a desert safari rather than a traditional settlement, and the drive from Downtown Dubai makes the contrast even stronger. Visitors often combine the trip with dune bashing experiences or a cultural stop inspired by Bedouin life in the region. A few decades ago, it was a promising settlement and sha’bi housing project, but now you can only get there by renting a car in Dubai.
Visit Al Madam Village Attraction: What is the Ghost Town in the UAE?
Al Madam is a small town situated around 60 kilometers away from the metropolis, right next to Dubai’s border with Sharjah. The ghost village Al Madam area consists of no more than twenty houses and a mosque, and as the name suggests, they are all abandoned now.
Most of these structures were constructed in the early 1970s in the emirate of Sharjah, and even though it was an ambitious project with hopes of growing into a larger town, Al Madam, a small village, was abandoned around 50 years ago in the Sharjah emirate. The Al Madam village was constructed as part of a new urban project. As a result, the buildings have worn out, and the desert is slowly consuming the settlement.
The History of Al Madam Ghost City: Why was Al Madam Village abandoned?
If you plan your visit to Al Madam, first you must study why people here left their homes. Although Al Madam became a ghost town fairly recently, no specific records remain to explain why people abandoned the settlement. There are several key theories discussed by modern experts, although it is very likely a combination of all these factors.
Some experts suggest it was originally a public housing project for local tribes. It is believed the settlement was home to the Al Ketbi tribe (also written Al Kutbi). Poor infrastructure made life in the desert difficult, forcing residents to leave. As is evident in the 2020s, the town’s location turned out not to be very beneficial, to say the least. The weather conditions in such proximity to the desert are incredibly harsh, making living conditions in Al Madam particularly challenging. And even though it took decades for the sand to start swallowing buildings, it would still definitely create a significant level of everyday discomfort for the town’s residents.
It is also theorized that the town was intended to connect with other nearby small settlements, but the necessary infrastructure has never materialized. Since there are no clear records, it is hard to say whether such plans have existed in the first place or if they haven’t been canceled after Al Madam was abandoned.
Some people also like to tell stories about actual ghosts, jinn, and other folklore creatures and elements. Even though no one is trying to disrespect local beliefs, most experts view these stories as no more than urban legends, and the consensus in the scientific community is that the locals have moved away from where the town is located for practical reasons.
The Sand Covered Settlement: What is the appeal of Al Madam Village in Sharjah?
There are multiple reasons behind the rising popularity of the abandoned village of Al Madam among the visitors of cities like Dubai and Sharjah. First of all, there is the exclusivity factor and intrigue. The town will likely be entirely consumed by sand in a couple of decades, so the tourists are naturally trying to visit the haunted village while they still have a chance.
Secondly, the sheer sight of an abandoned settlement succumbing to the forces of nature is fascinating and thought-provoking for some people. The stark contrast between Al Madam, abandoned, deserted buildings buried in sand, and Dubai’s futuristic skyscrapers helps the attraction make an even stronger impression on its visitors.
Last but not least, it is an interesting location for taking photographs: half-buried in the sands of the desert. The moving sands highlight the unstoppable power of nature in the sands of the desert. The contrast between the ghostly ruins and the Dubai skyline makes a strong impression. This aspect of any tourist attraction is easy to underestimate. Still, appealing pictures play a massive role here – almost every traveler looks up the destination before visiting it, and Al Madam generates some of the most unique images you will find in the UAE.
How to Get to Al Madam Ghost Town?
Considering the town was partially abandoned in shifting sands because of its lack of infrastructure, you won’t be surprised to find out you can’t take a bus there. The only way to reach the Madam area on the Dubai-Hatta road is by off-road vehicle, and renting a car is the most convenient option.
The best time to visit Al Madam Ghost Village is between October and March, when the weather is cooler and the desert atmosphere is more comfortable for exploring.
The area on the Dubai-Hatta road leads directly to the intersection of Dubai-Hatta and E55. This village near Dubai is just 45 minutes away by car. Compared to taking a guided tour, it will cost you less and give you the freedom to explore the site at your own pace. Thankfully, the town is only 60 kilometers away from Dubai, meaning most rental companies will allow you to take their cars there without any restrictions. It’s close enough for a perfect day trip from the city.
The exact location of Al Madam: Everything You Need To Know
We are attaching the exact location of the Ghost Town below; you can use it in Google Maps or copy the coordinates to any other navigational app. To reach it from Dubai, you will need to take the E44 highway, also known as the Dubai-Hatta Road, until you turn onto the E55 highway. There, you will quickly reach the so-called meeting point, after which you will need to travel through sandy roads for a bit before you finally reach your destination. The entire drive usually takes around forty-five minutes.
What to Expect from a Guided Tour to Dubai’s Abandoned Village in Sharjah?
The first thing you should expect from a trip to Al Madam is the road itself, as it will take you around 45 minutes to get there. Make sure you get an SUV or at least a four-wheel-drive car to pass the final stretch of sandy roads. Before planning a visit to the abandoned town, visitors and tourists must make sure they bring enough water.
On the site itself, you should be prepared for harsh weather conditions, even in winter. Nearby, you can also explore Ghuraifa Village, another lesser-known desert site. Expect extreme heat, as the Sharjah desert is unforgiving even in winter.
As for the impressions, the experience is as thrilling as the pictures present it. The feeling of walking through Al Madam is unique and captivating, although you should keep in mind that it is a reasonably small attraction. Since there are only around 20 buildings, it won’t take much time for you to explore them. At the end of the village, you can still see neat rows of houses now filled with sand. Since the village was deserted decades ago, the atmosphere feels frozen in time.
Final Recap: Al Madam Ghost Village
Summing up, Al Madam, or Dubai’s Ghost Town, is a place worth visiting for tourists who prefer non-mainstream sites to established attractions. It is reasonably close to Dubai, and the town itself is tiny, so it is even possible to plan for some other activities on the same day you visit Al Madam. In short, this Al Madam buried village is one of the UAE’s most unusual attractions.
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