Al Suhub Rest House is the cloud-shrouded clifftop attraction that put Khor Fakkan firmly on the UAE day-trip map. Built into the Hajar Mountain ridge above the city, the rest house overlooks the Gulf of Oman on one side and the rugged Hajar peaks on the other. It opened in 2021 and quickly became the most photographed spot in Sharjah’s east coast.
It is a 90-minute drive from Ras Al Khaimah and a comfortable two-hour run from Dubai. The drive itself is half the experience: the road climbs steadily up the mountain, then opens onto a 30-metre-wide circular viewing platform with the Cloud Lounge restaurant suspended over the cliff edge. Here is the complete 2026 guide.
Al Suhub Rest House
Clifftop rest area and Cloud Lounge restaurant above Khor Fakkan.
Area: Al Suhub mountain ridge, 11 km from Khor Fakkan city, Sharjah
Access: AED 20 per car per hour (covers all passengers); AED 21 for valet parking; free outdoor parking available but fills quickly
Hours: Open 24 hours, daily
Instagram: @alsuhubrestarea
Best for: Sunset and sunrise views, family day trips, casual mountain dining
Map: Open in Maps
What you will find at Al Suhub Rest House
- The Cloud Lounge: a circular glass-walled restaurant on the cliff edge, the signature element of the complex
- Multiple viewing platforms: spread across two floors and 2,788 square metres of plaza, each with different angles on the coastline and Hajar peaks
- Restaurant and cafe: on the ground floor, mixing international and local Emirati cuisine
- Children’s play area: dedicated rides and play structures for younger kids
- Multi-purpose hall and prayer rooms: suitable for groups and for short stops
- 8,000 trees and ornamental water fountains: the landscape design makes the long visit pleasant even in the cooler months
Entry charges and parking
Entry to the platforms is free if you park outside the paid section. Most visitors park inside because the free spots fill quickly during peak hours. The inside-vehicle charge is AED 20 per car per hour. The Cloud Lounge restaurant has a separate AED 10 per hour cover charge per guest, redeemable against your food order: if you order any meal, the cover is waived. Valet parking is AED 21 if you want to skip the spiral entry.
When to visit
The rest house is open around the clock. Sunset (between 17:30 and 18:30 in winter, around 19:00 in summer) is the most popular time. Sunrise is the quietest. Locals tend to visit at night for the lit-up cityscape below and the cooler air. Winter weekday afternoons offer the best photographs. Summer afternoons can hit 40 degrees on the exposed platforms, so plan for early morning or evening visits between June and September.
WOW-RAK Expert Tip: Weekend evenings (Friday and Saturday from 17:00) bring large crowds and a 20 to 30 minute wait for parking. If you have flexibility, target a weekday afternoon or arrive before 16:30 at the weekend to grab a spot easily.
How to reach Al Suhub Rest House
- From Ras Al Khaimah: Take E11 south, then E89 to Khor Fakkan. Total drive time approximately 90 minutes. From Khor Fakkan city centre, follow the signposted Al Suhub Road for the 5.63 km mountain ascent
- From Dubai: E311 north to Sharjah, then E102 across the Hajar Mountains to Khor Fakkan. Around 2 hours direct. The drive itself is one of the most scenic in the UAE
- From Sharjah: E102 east, approximately 90 minutes
- Hiking up: the official trail from Khor Fakkan to Al Suhub takes around 90 minutes of moderate climbing. Bring water, closed shoes and start early
What else to do around Khor Fakkan
Al Suhub Rest House pairs well with several other Khor Fakkan attractions, all within a 10 to 15 minute drive:
- Khorfakkan Waterfalls: a man-made waterfall feature in the centre of the city, lit up at night
- Khorfakkan Amphitheatre: open-air heritage venue hosting concerts and cultural events
- Rafisah Dam: a calm reservoir surrounded by mountains, popular for picnics and kayaking
- Khor Fakkan Corniche: a flat 3 km waterfront walk, free, busy in the evening
- Al Rabi Tower: a clifftop fortified viewpoint built into the mountain
Frequently asked questions
No. Al Suhub Rest House is in Khor Fakkan, an enclave of Sharjah on the UAE east coast. It is around 90 minutes from Ras Al Khaimah by road and two hours from Dubai. WOW-RAK covers it as a popular weekend day trip beyond the emirate.
Entry to the outdoor viewing areas is free. Vehicle entry is charged at AED 20 per car per hour. The Cloud Lounge restaurant has a separate AED 10 per hour cover charge per guest, redeemable against your order. Valet parking is AED 21.
Al Suhub Rest House is open 24 hours a day, every day. The most popular visit times are sunset (17:30 to 19:00 depending on season) and night for the city lights. Sunrise is the quietest window. Summer afternoons can be uncomfortably hot on the exposed platforms.
Sunset is the most popular time and the most photogenic, with the western light catching the Hajar peaks. Sunrise is the quietest. For the city-lights night view of Khor Fakkan, visit after 19:00. Avoid midday in summer.
Yes. There is a marked trail from Khor Fakkan city up the mountain to the rest house. The hike takes approximately 90 minutes of moderate climbing. Bring water, closed shoes and a hat. Start early in the morning to avoid the heat.
The bottom line
Al Suhub Rest House delivers genuine drama for a free-or-cheap visit. The drive up is half the appeal and the views from the top are worth the trip even before you sit down for a coffee. Pair it with a stop at the Khorfakkan Waterfalls and the Corniche for a full Khor Fakkan day plan. Best in the cooler months from October to March.
For more day trip ideas beyond RAK, message us at info@wow-rak.com or Instagram @wow.rak.
