Sharjah Tourism Travel Quiz

This lost village slowly being taken over by the desert is an evocative destination for exploration

Mystery surrounds this small abandoned village, in the Madam area, slowly being consumed by desert sand, an enticing destination for lovers of adventure, exploration, and photography. Enjoy wandering among these abandoned houses and landmarks about which eerie imaginary tales are told. Built as part of a public housing project after the 1971 formation of the United Arab Emirates, when the discovery of oil 13 years earlier was starting to reshape the country, the Buried Village was home to members of a Bedouin tribe that until then had led a semi-nomadic existence.

However, some 20 years later, the residents had all left the village. Commonly, it is understood that they were forced to abandon their homes due to the difficulty of living with tumultuous natural conditions, desert winds and long commutes.

How to get there

The Al Madam Buried Village is located within Al Ghuraifa, two kilometers southwest of Al Madam, along the road separating Dubai from Hatta.
See on Google Maps
Al Madam Buried Village
Al Madam Buried Village
Al Madam Buried Village

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Sharjah is the third largest emirate in the UAE, its largest city and its most family-friendly destination. Experience a Sharjah museum, a desert safari and a Sharjah beach — the emirate offers things to do for everyone.