The world’s fascination with ghost towns shows no signs of slowing down, with travellers often flocking to see abandoned towns and villages, crumbling ruins and eerie remains lost to time. Such travellers might be delighted to know that the UAE is home to one of the most well-preserved ghost towns in the region, Al Madam Village: slowly being lost to the sands of time in the desert between Sharjah and Oman near the adventure capital Hatta.

In this arid space, visitors will find a world frozen in time, with empty homes with peeling colourful wallpaper, cracked walls and rooms slowly filling with sand. It’s possible to visit the Al Madam Ghost town today, and it’s a popular attraction in Sharjah – with many linking the site to supernatural occurrences.

What is Al Madam ghost town?

Much mystery surrounds this small abandoned village, and historians and visitors are still trying to piece together its exact past. Built as part of a public housing project after the 1971 formation of the United Arab Emirates, a time when the country was booming due to the discovery of oil and unification, the village was home to members of a bedouin tribe who, until then, had led a semi-nomadic existence. The village was inhabited for roughly 20 years, and while no one knows exactly why the village was abandoned, it’s commonly understood that difficult natural conditions were a major contributing factor – with harsh desert winds and long commutes into the city making life challenging for residents.

Can I visit Al Madam ghost town?

Visitors can access Al Madam ghost town and explore its eerie remains free of charge, with no entry restrictions. Guided tours are available through third-party organisations, but the most popular way to see it is through self-exploration – allowing travellers to truly immerse themselves in this fascinating piece of UAE history.

Today, the village today comprises 12 little homes and a beautifully preserved mosque – with two rows of concrete houses, some painted inside with blues, yellows and greens, some with ornate mosaics and one with a peeling wallpaper landscape, and almost all appearing to be drowning in sand dunes. The mosque has pale green walls and a faded green carpet, which would have been used for prayer during the village’s heyday.

How to get to Al Madam Village, Sharjah’s Ghost Town

Al Madam lies on the E44 in the emirate of Sharjah, around 60km from Dubai and 50km from Sharjah city itself. There’s no public transport, so driving, renting a car or booking a round-trip taxi service is the best option. The drive there itself is beautiful, surrounded by burnt-orange dunes and vast emptiness, setting the scene and building anticipation for the town itself. Combine the trip with some desert exploration and off-roading, or carry on to Dubai’s adventure capital, Hatta, for kayaking, hiking, relaxing by the dam, and much more. You’ll find the exact location for Al Madam ghost town on Google Maps.

When is the best time to visit?

Remembering that the residents of Al Madam left due to harsh weather conditions, it’s best to plan your visit ahead and aim for a calm and cooler day. Avoid visiting in the summer months, when the scorching sun bakes the desert (buildings provide little relief), and visit between November and March.

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