Al Suhub Rest Area, also called Al Suhub Rest House or the Cloud Lounge, is a free viewpoint on Jabal Al Hawami about 580 metres above Khor Fakkan, open 24 hours. A 5.6 km mountain road climbs to a circular, glass-walled building with terraces looking over the town, the bay and the Hajar mountains. Parking inside costs about AED 10 an hour on weekdays and AED 20 at weekends, and the free outdoor spaces fill fast at sunset. Go at sunrise for clouds below you, at sunset for the classic view, or after dark for the town lights, ideally from October to March.
At a glance
- Entry
- Free; open 24 hours
- Parking inside
- About AED 10 an hour Monday to Thursday, AED 20 Friday and Saturday; valet about AED 21
- Free parking
- Outdoor spaces, full by late afternoon at weekends
- Altitude
- About 580 to 600 metres
- Food
- Fen Café and the Cloud Lounge restaurant (cover about AED 10 an hour, redeemable)
- Best time
- Sunrise for clouds; sunset 5:30 to 6:30pm in winter; night for the lights
- Best months
- October to March
Last checked: 13 October 2026. Parking charges come from recent visitor reports and change by day; the site can close in heavy rain.
On this page
What is up there
Opened on 15 July 2021 by the Ruler of Sharjah and built with materials chosen to blend into the mountain, the rest area is built around a 30-metre circular building with 360-degree glass walls, cantilevered towards the cliff. “Al Suhub” means “the clouds” in Arabic, and on misty winter mornings the clouds really do sit below the terraces.
| Facility | Details |
|---|---|
| Viewing terraces | Outdoor platforms on two levels around a 2,788 m² plaza, free to use |
| Cloud Lounge | A glass-walled restaurant over the cliff; a cover of about AED 10 an hour per guest is redeemed against food |
| Fen Café and Restaurant | Coffee, saffron karak, Emirati and international dishes, light meals and desserts, open from about 7am to 11pm |
| Children’s play area | Rides and play structures for younger children |
| Other | Prayer rooms for men and women, restrooms, a multipurpose hall, wheelchair-accessible areas |
| Landscaping | About 8,000 trees and ornamental fountains |
The road up and parking
From Khor Fakkan, follow signs for Al Suhub, or Jabal Al Hawami, up a well-paved, 5.6 km road with steep switchbacks; allow about 15 to 20 minutes from the corniche. Drive in a low gear on the way down and do not stop on the bends for photos.
| Option | Cost | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Inside parking | About AED 10 an hour Monday to Thursday; about AED 20 Friday and Saturday (some visitors report AED 20 at all times) | Per car, covers everyone inside |
| Valet | About AED 21 | Skips the spiral entry |
| Free outdoor spaces | Free | Fill by about 5pm on Fridays and Saturdays; expect a 20 to 30 minute wait |
From Dubai, allow about 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours to Khor Fakkan via the E311 or Emirates Road, the E102 and Khor Fakkan Road through the mountain tunnels, plus the climb. There is no public transport to the top; a taxi from the town takes about 20 to 30 minutes.
Best time: sunrise, sunset or night?
| Time | What you see | Crowds |
|---|---|---|
| Sunrise (about 6:10am in October, 6:45am in winter) | The sun over the Gulf of Oman; on humid winter mornings, clouds below the terraces | Quietest |
| Morning to 8am | The best chance of the “above the clouds” view | Quiet |
| Afternoon | Clear views of the bay and port; hot on summer platforms | Moderate |
| Sunset (5:30 to 6:30pm in winter, about 7pm in summer) | Golden light on the mountains; the sun sets behind the Hajar, so the bay turns pink | Busiest |
| Night | The lit-up town, corniche and ships in the bay; cooler air | Busy at weekends |
Sunset cue: arrive by 4:30pm on winter weekends for a free parking space and a terrace spot, then stay for the lights coming on below.
Safety at the edge
- Stay behind the railings: the terraces sit above a sheer drop; do not climb on walls or barriers for photos.
- Hold small children’s hands on the open terraces.
- Wind and cold: it is several degrees cooler and often windy at the top; bring a layer in winter.
- Summer heat: exposed platforms can reach 40°C on summer afternoons; visit early or after sunset from June to September.
- Rain: the site and road can close in severe weather. It shut for about a week after storms in July 2022, and rockfall blocked the road in January 2023; check for National Center of Meteorology warnings before driving up.
- Driving: fog can roll over the road early in the morning; use headlights and go slowly.
Hiking up
The rest area appears on Visit Sharjah‘s list of east coast attractions; check its listings for current hours before a long drive.
There is a marked trail up the mountain for fit hikers, about 90 minutes of moderate climbing one way from the town side, and a longer route from Al Rafisah Dam of about 3 hours return. Start at first light from October to March, carry plenty of water and wear closed shoes. For an easier hike nearby, try the Al Rabi trail.
Pair it with
- Things to do in Khorfakkan: Khorfakkan Beach, the 45-metre waterfall, the Khorfakkan Amphitheatre and Al Rabi Tower, 10 to 15 minutes below.
- Al Rafisah Dam: kayaking on a mountain lake.
- Shees Park: a waterfall park on the way home.
- Najd Al Maqsar: a restored mountain village in Wadi Shie, a short drive away.
- Jebel Jais: the UAE’s highest mountain.
- Jebel Hafeet: Al Ain’s mountain road.
- Hiking in the UAE: trails by level.
Al Suhub Rest Area FAQs
Is Al Suhub Rest Area free?
Yes, entry is free and the terraces are open 24 hours. Parking inside costs about AED 10 an hour on weekdays and AED 20 at weekends, and there are some free outdoor spaces.
Where is Al Suhub Rest Area?
On Jabal Al Hawami above Khor Fakkan in Sharjah’s east coast, at the top of a 5.6 km mountain road from the town, about 580 metres above sea level.
What is the best time to visit Al Suhub?
Sunrise for the quietest visit and a chance of clouds below you, or sunset for the classic view and the town lights after dark. October to March is most comfortable.
Is there food at Al Suhub Rest Area?
Yes. Fen Café serves coffee and light meals from about 7am to 11pm, and the Cloud Lounge restaurant has a cover charge of about AED 10 an hour that is redeemed against food.
How long does it take to drive from Dubai to Al Suhub?
About 2 hours: 1 hour 45 minutes to Khor Fakkan, then 15 to 20 minutes up the mountain road.
Is Al Suhub safe for children?
Yes, with supervision. There is a children’s play area, but keep small children close on the open terraces above the cliff.