RAKpedia

Masafi

Masafi is one of the main towns in the southern enclave of Ras Al Khaimah. It is located at the edge of the Hajar Mountains and on the crossing of three major roads going to Fujairah, Dibba and Dhaid. The Masafi village was developed as a trading post and oasis nearby these roads, which in the past were typical mountain passages and only in the 1970s were transformed into the modern highways.

The name Masafi in Arabic means ‘pure water’ and, indeed, Masafi, is mostly famous for its fresh water springs. Masafi Company (www.masafi.com), a leading producer of bottled water in the region, was established in 1976 and is situated in the village itself. The plant produces more than 1.5 million litres of bottled water daily from wells as deep as 300m. Masafi Company exports its water to more than 20 countries. The success of this company is so evident that nowadays in the UAE the word Masafi sometimes stands for mineral and bottled water.

Despite its busy location, the town is surprisingly peaceful and pleasant. The residential area, west of the main road, consists of extremely impressive new houses built next to old and shabby dwellings. In the past, an old defensive fort stood in the middle of the village and guarded the verdant gardens. However, its unsuccessful reconstructions and extensions have created a rather bizarre building with no appeal and function.

The Masafi surroundings are endowed with picturesque wadis, date palm gardens and orchards. The area has high rainfall and that combined with suitable soils have led to the growth of agricultural activities. Vegetables of different sorts are cultivated in the shadows of date, mango, banana, citrus trees that grow in this area. The Masafi Town itself is one of the greenest towns in the UAE.

 Some of these food products can be purchased at the local market, which is situated by the main road to Dibba. It is similar in nature to the famous Masafi Friday Market, which lies on the Masafi-Dhaid road, within Fujairah borders. The aforementioned Friday Market was started by the Emirati farmers, who after Friday prayers stood at the roadside selling their farm products. The market turned out to be very successful and has attracted visitors from around the UAE. Initially it was the domain of the local farmers, but they slowly withdrew from the scene and lease their shops to expatriates, usually from Pakistan, Bangladesh and India. With the growth of the market, the vendors could not depend on the limited sources of local foodstuff, and now the majority of vegetables and fruit is imported from neighbouring countries. The success of the Friday Market encouraged the opening of a similar bazaar in the Masafi town itself. Although this market is much smaller in size, it still offers a variety of goods, great experience, and an explosion of colours suitable for a photo. Fruits, vegetables, plants, carpets and pots are the most popular products on offer. At the market you will also find a few local restaurants, called ‘popular kitchens’. There you can try machbous, harees or other typical UAE dishes.

LOCATION: around 60km southeast from Ras Al Khaimah.

Head south towards RAK Airport, at the Airport R/A turn left, and then right at the next roundabout. Continue to drive on the route E18 and after about 40km from the Airport R/A, you will reach a T-junction with E88 (Masafi-Dhaid Rd). Turn right and immediately take a U-turn. Approximately 10 km later, you should pass the Masafi Friday Market and then arrive at the Masafi R/A. Turn to the left in the direction of Dibba and enter part of the Masafi area that belongs to Ras Al Khaimah. To see the old Masafi town, go straight and after about 3km turn left. There is also a sign indicating Masafi Town.

GPS: Masafi Town - N25^o19’ 44.52” E56^o10’ 06.07”

NOTE: the Masafi Friday Market is located in the area that belongs to Fujairah, although closely located to the Ras Al Khaimah’s Masafi town.