Fujairah, United Arab Emirates

Capital City

With a population of just 93,673, Fujairah may seem like a sleepy backwater, but this emirate on the UAE's east coast is no quiet retirement village. The city is an industrial and commercial hub, home to the country's second-largest port and a bustling free trade zone. However, the heat is unrelenting, with summer highs reaching a sweltering 41°C. And while the city's location offers direct access to the Indian Ocean, the floods that ravaged the region in 2022 serve as a stark reminder of nature's power. For those seeking tax benefits and business opportunities, Fujairah could be an appealing option, but the intense bureaucracy and environmental challenges make it a poor fit for the faint of heart.