The smallest emirate in the country: you can drive across it in fifteen minutes. Ajman is quieter than its neighbours, the buildings are lower and the beaches noticeably emptier than Dubai's. People come here for a calm holiday and cheaper housing.
Getting there
It is about forty minutes from Dubai on the E11, but the road runs through Sharjah, so at peak times the journey doubles. The E611 bypass is ten kilometres longer but far clearer.
What to see
Ajman Fort with its museum, the Corniche waterfront, the fish market with the morning catch and the Al Zorah mangroves. Everything is compact, so a car matters more for trips beyond the emirate.
Parking and fines
Parking in Ajman is mostly free, with paid zones only in the centre. Traffic fines are issued by Ajman police and are settled separately from Dubai ones: they attach to the same car but sit in a different system.
Which car to choose
Any compact car is enough within the emirate. If you plan to tour the northern emirates and drive into the Ras Al Khaimah mountains, take a crossover with power in reserve.
