Sharjah

The best 20 places to visit in Sharjah

Sharjah is the third largest of the seven emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and is the only one to have landed on both the Arabian Gulf Coast and the Gulf of Oman.
Ancient caravan routes once crisscrossed Sharjah’s Central Region, connecting the east and west coasts to trade goods like dates and pearls. Today, the sandy and rocky terrain hold important fossils and sites for desert adventures.

1st_Sharjah Desert Park

Covering a vast area, the Sharjah Desert Park is an edutainment zone comprising of three sections namely: the Natural History Museum, Arabian Wildlife Centre and the Children’s Farm. It helps its visitors to get a better understanding of the flora and fauna of U.A.E as well as scientific explanation of natural processes in the most fun way possible. Situated 28 km from Sharjah on the road to Al Dhaid, this amazing museum is a must-visit, especially for the nature lovers.

2nd_Al Qasba

Al Qasba is a commercial complex that offers a perfect package of entertainment and little glitz of Sharjah with some fine dining restaurants, theatres and Kids Fun Zone etc. It houses various activities, both indoor and outdoor such as theatres, Kids Fun Zone, Abra rides and the Al Qasba Musical Fountain and the Etisalat-Eye of the Emirates Ferris Wheel presenting a picturesque view, especially at night.

Al Qasba is the perfect place to relax with kids and family, nestled right in the heart of Sharjah waterfront. The place, other than being a hub for entrepreneurs and business (Multaqa Al Qasba conference halls), also offers various options to explore the Arabian culture. There are numerous restaurants, fine dines and retail outlets that sparkles the entire area.

3rd_Sharjah Aquarium

Sharjah Aquarium is a place where tourists can to a wide range of marine life. The aquarium comprises of 20 large tanks housing a large variety of oceanic marine life. The main purpose of this place was to encourage the conservation of marine life.

The aquarium features over 250 species of aquatic life ranging from vibrant fishes and reef sharks to eels and seahorses. One can also experience the smaller marine life at the aquarium with coral reefs, mangroves, lagoons and pools.

4th_Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization

Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization, nestled along a waterfront in an impressive souq, allows one to dive deep into the roots of Arab and Islamic culture. With the exhibits spanning over two floors, visitors learn about the rituals, artefacts, textiles and more.

The galleries on the ground floor exhibit various angles of Islamic faith, from their scientific accomplishments in astronomy and mathematics to their rituals and significance of the hajj. The upper floor galleries feature the timeline of 1400 years of art and artefacts of Islamic culture. The exhibits at the upper floor include woodworks, ceramics, clay, glass, pottery, jewellery, textiles and handicrafts with silver, gold and, brass inlay work. A coin collection of silver dinars and dirhams from Abbasid and Omayyad eras as well as zodiac mosaic below the central dome are among the key highlights of the museum.

5th_Al Majaz Waterfront

The Al Majaz Waterfront is best described as a unique family destination for the people of Sharjah. With activities ranging from miniature golf to fine dining, Al Majaz Waterfront also hosts various concerts, events and festivals at different times of the year all of which see huge footfall. Witnessing the Sharjah Musical Fountain, the signature element of the Al Majaz Waterfront is a truly mesmerising experience. Besides this, the waterfront also goes to great lengths to ensure customer safety as evident from the variety of services offered such as free Wi-Fi, public facilities and the availability of more than 1000 parking spots.

6th_Sharjah National Park

Sprawling over a huge area of 630,000 sq. meters, the Sharjah National Park must be on your list when visiting Sharjah. Originally intended to serve as a public park for locals and tourists, the Sharjah National Park holds a lot more attractive places and amenities. The entire place has been designed and developed in a manner so as to showcase homogeneity between the traditional Arab architecture and contemporary European styles.

7th_Arabian Wildlife Center

Arabian Wildlife Center is located at Al Dhaid Road which is approximately 26 kilometres from the city centre after the Sharjah International Airport at Interchange #9. Opened in September 1999, it is known to be the only zoo in Arabia which has around 100 species of animals found in the Arabian Peninsula. Besides this, the Center also promotes awareness about the peninsula fauna, which is becoming extinct.

The Wildlife Center also has a Children’s farm, a Museum, and a Botanical Garden. Children’s farm lets children get close to pet animals. You can feed hay to the goats or watch ducks pedalling in the pool. The other attractions include a bird aviary set, a fish tank, and also a nocturnal house.

8th_Al Noor Island

Al Noor Island is located on the Khalid Lagoon in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. It is a serene oasis in the middle of Sharjah city which features a Butterfly House, a book pavilion, a cafe, a playground, and modern art. One can find a 3.5 km long Broadwalk and a stretch of white lights installed in the gardens which bring the island to life during the night time.

It was opened in 2015 for the public, and since then it has been known to receive several awards. It was named the Best Leisure Architecture in Africa and Arabia in 2016 and the IF Design Award 2017 and German Design Award 2018. Besides this, the Butterfly House has also won the WAN Metal Architecture Award in 2016 for innovatively presenting a unique design. The aptest time to visit the island would be from 09:00 AM to 11:00 PM or 04:00 PM to 07:00 PM.

9th_Sharjah Heritage Area

Visit the old Sharjah at this place that represents the true essence of the Emirate comprising of architecture built in traditional Arabian style, ancient Souqs, and old family houses. The area includes several museums such as Sharjah Calligraphy Museum, Al Midfaa House, Hisn Fort, Sharjah Heritage Museum along with Souk Al Arsah, each one narrating the story of Sharjah.

The Sharjah Heritage Area is a collection of numerous tourist attractions that represent the heritage of the city. It also has separate opening times for women only. Located in close proximity to Corniche between Burj Avenue & Al-Maraija Road, the place offers an interesting experience for history buffs.

10th_Sharjah Science Museum

Sharjah Science Museum was established in U.A.E with a goal to educate and create enthusiasm among kids and people of all ages regarding science. The museum uses the amusing methodology of interactive sessions and displays for exploring life, space, science experiments and various other fields.

The visitors can make their own cartoons, puzzles about the human body, and test their body strength and flexibility too! Kids are given their own play area that is designed to better their understanding of the world around us. One can also explore the universe and space through the on-site planetarium at the museum. Snacks and beverages are also available at cafe next door.

11th_Blue Souk, Sharjah

One of the major market places in Sharjah, Blue Souk is a perfect venue to shop for a souvenir and to get the feel of a true Arabian bazaar. This market is also known as the Central Souq and Souk al-Markazi for the locals.

The Central Souk has its exterior adorned with elaborate blue tile work and thus earning the name. There are over 600 shops divided into two wings of this shopping centre with some sections completely devoted to perfume, food, electronics, gold jewellery and gift items. Where the ground floor houses expensive designer clothes and gold, the upper floor comprises of shops selling carpets and curios from Tibet and Afghanistan.

Oozing a true spirit of Arabian Bazaars, one will often find heavy discounts on items on the upper floor if bargained right. Slightly chaotic and bustling with excitement, the Central Souq or the Blue Souq is a must-visit for shopaholics.

12th_Sharjah Art Foundation

The Sharjah Art Foundation at Sharjah, UAE is one of the biggest platforms for contemporary artists all across the globe to showcase their artistic works in the exhibitions held here. The motto of Sharjah Art Foundation is to promote Arts and Literature so that citizens of UAE, as well as expats, participate in Arts and Literature programs.

The Sharjah Art Foundation was founded by Hoor Al Qasimi who was the daughter of Sultan bin Muhammad Al-Qasimi (current ruler of Sharjah) in 2009. The Art Foundation’s purpose was to support artist communities in Sharjah as well as other regions across the globe through multiple platforms. These platforms were Sharjah Bennial (an international Art Exhibition once every two years), the Annual March Meeting (an annual gathering of art practitioners), art residencies, production grants, commissions, art exhibitions, artistic research, and publications. The Foundation is laden rich with exquisite artworks, performances, music, film screenings and artist talks of Arab as well as international Artists. These artworks and educational materials are meant to fascinate audiences from all age groups.

13th_Sharjah Arts Museum

Sharjah Arts Museum is the largest art museum in U.A.E. It is a perfect place for art lovers where one can relish the Arab culture and heritage through impressive artwork. The major focus of the museum is to portray the art of the Arab world. There are other artworks as well by 18th-century painters who were inspired by the culture, architecture and environment of the Middle East on their visit.

Established in the year 1997, this building houses a permanent collection and a section of temporary exhibits. The permanent collection features impressive artwork from the Ruler of Sharjah, HH Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qassimi’s collection. The Ali Darwish gallery adorns his watercolours of Sharjah. More than 300 artworks by Arabs, locals and foreigner are exhibited in the contemporary section. Spread across 72 galleries over three floors, this museum is a paradise for art lovers.

14th_Sharjah Discovery Centre

Sharjah Discovery Centre is a learning-centric entertainment centre meant exclusively for children aged between 3 to 12 years. Visiting the centre provides them with a unique opportunity to discover the world realistically and understand how science and technology have made it a better place to live.

The area happens to be completely secure where young children can find answers to their questions while playing amidst colourful surroundings. The entire area is divided into seven different sections that provide kids with insight into specific areas. This agenda helps arouse their interests and egg them to learn more about the field that excites them the most. Surprisingly, many of the kids get to discover their hidden talents at this centre as well. The main hall of the centre is designed superbly with attractive colours and thematic exhibits. The centre also houses a theatre that puts up live shows as well as a couple of workshops. These performances cater to visitors and students eager to learn and create handicrafts or artwork.

15th_Sharjah Archaeology Museum

Sharjah Archaeology Museum, as understood by its name, is a place where tourists can learn about the history of Sharjah through its well-preserved archaeological records. Go back in time with the museums various sections namely Stone Age, Bronze Age, The Iron Age and Greater Arabia.

The key highlights of the museum are Ceramic Dome, camel statue, Golden bridle and ivory comb placed inside a alabaster bowl. The place is well curated and is an amazing place to visit while also featuring some games to keep kids entertained.

16th_Khor Fakkan Tourism

Situated on the eastern coast of the United Arab Emirates, the city of Khor Fakkan is an exclave of the Emirate of Sharjah and is nothing less than a paradise on Earth. With the Khor Fakkan Beach present on the banks of Gulf of Oman and the Bay of Khor Fakkan, the city is geographically surrounded by the Hajar Mountains on its western end. Beaches, mountains, historic castles, museums and mosques – Khor Fakkan has plenty of attractions for you to visit during your stay there.

Don’t forget to visit the famous Al Wurrayah Falls and Shark Island. Recently, a new beach project has brought in many water sport activities and many sandcastle sculptures on the beach. Khor Fakkan is also the second-largest coastal city present on UAE’s eastern coast only after Fujairah. The city even has its own natural deep-sea port which is another hotspot for tourists. Khor Fakkan is also one of the worlds leading container ports.

17th_Souq Al Jubail

What was once Sharjah’s historic local fish market has been developed into Souq Al Jubail, a market for all your groceries under one roof. The majestic domed structure opposite Sharjah Creek is home to a well-planned market for fresh produce like seafood, fruits, vegetables, and even includes live counters to enjoy refreshments as you wait. At Sharjah Fish Market, you’re introduced to the comfort of supermarket shopping with the homeliness and price of street shopping.

The Souq Al Jubail fish market boasts of state-of-the-art facilities to source and preserve its fresh produce, strict shopping standards to assure the best quality, and fixed prices to take away the hassle of bargaining. It has almost a hundred shops, a separate cleaning area, and an air-conditioned ambience for even the hottest of days. Even if you aren’t looking to buy anything, Sharjah Fish Market remains a unique experience for anyone wondering how tradition and modernity can go hand-in-hand.

18th_Al Noor Mosque Sharjah

Located in the heart of Sharjah, the Al Noor Mosque is amongst the most beautiful mosques in the city. It dominates the city’s skyline owing to its fabulous architecture. In Arabic, the word ‘Noor’ means light, and Al Noor, true to its meaning, stands magnificently alongside the Khalid Lagoon on Buhaira Corniche. Al Noor is the first ever mosque in United Arab Emirates to be open to non-Muslim visitors.

The architecture of Al Noor is influenced by the classic Turkish Ottoman designs with elements inspired by the Sultan Ahmed Mosque in Istanbul. This majestic mosque was built by the ruler of Sharjah in 2005. The mosque visit is free of any entry costs and the visitors are provided with a free one-hour guided tour by the non-profit Sharjah Centre for Cultural Communication. The 45-minute tour informs tourists about the Islamic and Emirati culture and traditions and also briefs the visitor about the detailed design of the mosque.

19th_Kalba

Kalba is a quaint town that is described as an exclave of Sharjah that lies on the coastline bordering the Gulf of Oman. It is particularly well known for Khor Kalba or the Kalba creek, a swampy area populated by beautiful dense mangrove forests deemed to be the oldest in Arabia. It is also home to some of the most beautiful and rarest species of birds.

Kalba is recognized as a natural bioreserve that is known for its astounding flora and fauna. Some of the best attractions in Kalba is the Bait Sheikh Saeed Bin Hamad Al Qasimi fort, the royal residence and the beautiful beach.

20th_Buhaira Corniche

Located in the cultural capital of U.A.E, Buhaira Corniche is a beautiful path along Khaled Lake. Running a length of 6 to 7 km around the river, it is one of the most scenic and peaceful places to visit in Sharjah. The park provides many facilities such as a jogging track and cycling paths, this brings a lot of tourists and locals to the Corniche for a picnic or just to spend a peaceful evening.

The Corniche is well connected with the rest of the city. The variety of food one can get in Buhaira Corniche makes it the best choice for foodies in Sharjah.The Al Noor Mosque located along the Buhaira Corniche and Al Noor Island, which is connected to the mainland by a footbridge to Buhaira Corniche are some of the main attractions. Apart from these, the Al Majaz park and Novo cinemas are also among tourists. All these things makes it a popular weekend getaway for the people in Sharjah, Dubai and Abu Dhabi.