About Sharjah

Ideal Trip Duration: 1-2 Days

Nearest City to Sharjah: Sharjah, Dubai (24 Kms)

Best Time to Visit Sharjah: November to March

Peak Season: December to February

At a distance of 24 km from Dubai, 155 km from Abu Dhabi, and 701 km from Qatar, Sharjah is the third largest and third most populous city in the United Arab Emirates, forming part of the Dubai-Sharjah-Ajman metropolitan area. Sharjah is the capital of the emirate of the same name and among the top places to visit in UAE as part of Dubai Tour Packages.

The emirate of Sharjah borders with Dubai to the south, Ajman and Umm Al Quwain to the north and Ras Al Khaimah to the east. It is the only emirate that overlooks the coastline on the Persian Gulf to the west and the Gulf of Oman to the East, with the eastern Sharjah coastal towns of Kalba and Khor Fakkan. The city is a center for culture and industry, and alone contributes 7.4% of the GDP of the United Arab Emirates. Earning the title of 'Cultural Capital of the Arab World' by UNESCO in 1998, the city of Sharjah is best known for preserving its culture, tradition, and heritage. For art lovers, Sharjah is crammed full of excellent sightseeing opportunities.

Sharjah was historically one of the wealthiest towns in this region with a settlement in existence for over 5000 years. Around 1727, Al Qasimi clan took control of Sharjah and declared the polity independent. On 8th January 1820, Sheikh Sultan I signed the General Maritime Treaty with the British, accepting a protectorate to keep the Ottoman Turks out. Like four of its neighbors, Ajman, Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah, and Umm Al Quwain, its position on the route to India made it the most significant seaport on the lower coastline of the Gulf for several years. Other than trading and fishing, pearling was also a major economy creating an industry for the city. In 1971, Sheikh Khalid bin Mohammed Al Qasimi joined Sharjah to the United Arab Emirates. Soon Sharjah transformed from small town to a contemporary city with the discovery of oil in 1972.

Away from the glitz and glamour of Dubai, Sharjah is home to an eclectic range of awe-inspiring architectures and impressive places including well-maintained museums, beautiful mosques, stunning beaches, bustling Souks, and numerous parks. Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization, Sharjah Arts Museum, Sharjah Classic Car Museum, Sharjah Archaeology Museum, Sharjah Science Museum, Sharjah Heritage Area, Sharjah Natural History Museum & Desert Park, Sharjah Fort - Al Hisn, Kalba, Al Majaz Waterfront, Eye of the Emirates, the Al Noor Mosque and Al Noor Island are some of the most popular Sharjah Tourist Places.

Sharjah is also a shopper's paradise selling its famous Arabic rugs, rugs, gold, silver and precious stone jewellery at its markets including Souk Al Arsah on Cornich Road and Blue Souk, one of the major markets of the city with some 600 vibrant shops. Located at the junction of Al Qasimi and Al Wahda Street, Sharjah Gold Center is the perfect place to cherish and buy the most exclusive gold jewellery in terms of design, quality, and range. The premium air-conditioned malls of Sharjah are also a big hit among visitors. Sahara Centre, Safeer Mall, Sharjah Mega Mall, and Sharjah City Centre are some of the major malls of Sharjah housing myriad of shops of international standards.


The people in Sharjah are great art connoisseurs and relish every aspect of their traditions and culture. Ramadan and Eid Al Adha are the main religious festival celebrated in Sharja. Besides, the city also celebrates many social festivals like the Sharjah Arts Biennial, Sharjah Heritage Days, Sharjah Calligraphy Biennial and the Sharjah Light Festival. The objective behind these events was to propagate the local culture in Sharjah and also to attract tourists.

Sharjah International Airport (SHJ) is the main international airport serving Sharjah and receives flights from Middle Eastern countries as well as the Indian subcontinent. However, owing to better connectivity to major European cities and Asian cities, Dubai International Airport and Abu Dhabi Airport are preferred. One can hire taxis or book a ticket for inter-Emirate buses or a flight ticket to Sharjah from these cities. One can move around by local buses and is a much more cost-efficient mode of commuting within Sharjah.

November - March is the best time to visit Sharjah while December-February is the peak tourist season owing to comfortable weather and low humidity. The summer months of May-August are pretty hot. Escalation of heat and humidity makes it uncomfortable for outdoor activities and sightseeing during this time.

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Other Info
Internet Availability: Good
STD Code: 00-971-6
Languages Spoken: Arabic, English, Hindi, Urdu, Tagalog & Malayalam
Major Festivals: Eid ul Fitr, Eid Al Adha, Sharjah Arts Biennial, & Sharjah Light Festival
Notes/Tips:
None

How to Reach Sharjah

By Air

Nearest Airport: Sharjah - Sharjah International Airport (1 Kms)

By Train

Nearest Train Station: Dubai (27 Kms)

By Bus

Nearest Bus Station: Al Jubail Bus Station (16 Kms)

Top 13 Places to Visit in Sharjah

Museum

#1 of 21 Places to Visit in Sharjah

At a distance of 1 km from the Sharjah Art Museum, 15 km from Sharjah International Airport and 29 km from Dubai International Airport, the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization is a museum is located on the shore of the Sharjah Creek. It is one of the popular museums in UAE and among the must include places in Sharjah Tour Packages.

The Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization was first opened as the Islamic Museum in the Heritage Area in 1996. Later, its extensive collections were moved to the impressive building of the traditional Souq Al Majarrah, as directed by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi. The new Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization was opened to the public on 6th June 2008. The museum is a good place to dive into the deep roots of Arab and Islamic culture. A huge number of scientific and religious manuscripts are on display that speaks volumes about the cultural depth of Sharjah. The museum itself is an architectural masterpiece with golden yellow .....

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Museum

#2 of 21 Places to Visit in Sharjah

At a distance of 17 km from Sharjah International Airport and 17 km from Dubai International Airport, the Sharjah Art Museum is an art museum in the city of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. It is the largest art museum in the United Arab Emirates and among the top places to visit in Sharjah during your Dubai Trip.

Initially, the Sharjah Art Museum was opened in 1995 in the splendid 19th century Bait Al Serkal mansion in Al Shuwaihean Area of Sharjah. Two years later, a new building was established for the museum under the patronage of HH Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al-Qasimi, the Ruler of Sharjah. It was inaugurated on 9th April 1997 during the 3rd Sharjah Biennial, as the first dedicated art museum in the Gulf. Its opening was perhaps one of the catalysts behind the city being named as the UNESCO Cultural Capital of the Arab world in 1998, the first Gulf Arab city to achieve such a distinction. The second dedicated art museum in the .....

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Museum

#3 of 21 Places to Visit in Sharjah

At a distance of 6 km from Sharjah International Airport and 24 km from Dubai International Airport, the Sharjah Classic Cars Museum is a vintage car museum located on Airport Road between the 4th and 5th intersections. Situated next to Sharjah International Airport and opposite Sharjah Discovery Centre, it is one of the popular vintage car museums in the UAE and among the top places to visit in Sharjah.

The Sharjah Classic Car Museum first opened to the public in 2008, under the patronage of HH Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi. It underwent a remarkable renovation and re-opened to the public in 2013. Attracting tourists and visitors from all over the world, this museum is an ideal destination for lovers of classic cars as it displays more than 100 vintage classic cars of different brands dating back to the early 20th century, in addition to classic motorcycles and bicycles.

The museum is divided into four sections - each represents a historical stage of development .....

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Museum

#4 of 21 Places to Visit in Sharjah

At a distance of 13 km from Sharjah International Airport and 23 km from Dubai International Airport, the Sharjah Archaeology Museum is a museum located in the Al Abar area between the Halwan Children Center and the Sharjah Archaeology Authority on Sheikh Rashid Bin Saqr Al Qasimi Road, Sharjah. Situated next to Sharjah Science Museum, it is one of the popular museums in the UAE and among the top places to visit in Sharjah.

Sharjah Archaeology Museum first established in the year 1993 and was moved to its current location in 1997. The museum contains archaeological artifacts discovered in Sharjah and its surrounding areas. With a treasure trove of pottery, jewellery, and weaponry on display, the museum sheds light on the lifestyle of the region's inhabitants from the Stone age up to the rise of Islam. The archaeological findings reveal the connections and relations between Sharjah inhabitants and their neighbors in the Arabian Peninsula, as well as with other civilizations. They also .....

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Museum

#5 of 21 Places to Visit in Sharjah

At a distance of 13 km from Sharjah International Airport and 23 km from Dubai International Airport, the Sharjah Science Museum is a museum located next to the Sharjah Archaeology Authority in the Al Abar area of Sharjah. Situated close to Sharjah Archaeology Museum, it is one of the popular museums in the UAE and among the top places to visit in Sharjah.

Sharjah Science Museum was established in the year 1996 with a goal to educate and create enthusiasm among kids and people of all ages regarding science. The museum offers interactive presentations, designed to motivate visitors and encourage them to adopt innovation and creation. Through exhibits and programs, the visitors are encouraged to see the beauty and wonder of the natural world, to admire humanity's most creative and beautiful achievements in the fields of science and technology, and understand how science and technology related to our daily lives.

The museum has more than 50 interactive exhibits and offers many .....

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Museum | Wildlife

#6 of 21 Places to Visit in Sharjah

At a distance of 21 km from Sharjah International Airport and 44 km from Dubai International Airport, the Sharjah Desert Park is a park located along the Al Dhaid Highway (E88) at interchange 9. It is one of the top places to visit in Sharjah while holidaying in the UAE.

Covering a vast area of 1 sq. km, the Sharjah Desert Park is a specialize nature reserve that houses Arabia's Wildlife Centre, Sharjah Botanical Museum, Sharjah Natural History Museum, and a Children's Farm. It is one of the few places where visitors get wildlife, culture, and history under one roof. It helps its visitors to get a better understanding of the flora and fauna of the region as well as a scientific explanation of natural processes in the most fun way possible. With over 300,000 visitors a year, it is a center of knowledge and entertainment for people of all ages.

The Arabian Wildlife Center is one of the top attractions of the Desert Park and is the only 'zoo' in the UAE where all the Arabian .....

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Wildlife

#7 of 21 Places to Visit in Sharjah

At a distance of 24 km from Sharjah International Airport and 44 km from Dubai International Airport, the Sharjah Aquarium is located in the Al Khan area of Sharjah. It is one of the top places to visit in Sharjah as part of the Dubai Packages.

Opened in 2008, Sharjah Aquarium is the first and largest government educational center in the UAE. It is run by the Sharjah Museums Authority with an aim to raise awareness about the importance of the marine environment and ways to protect it. Spread over an area of 6,500 sq. m, this attraction in Sharjah comprises of 20 different aquariums on two floors that recreate different local aquatic environments, from coral reefs and rock pools to lagoons and mangroves. The aquarium takes visitors on a magnificent journey into the deep blue waters where visitors get to explore the diverse marine creatures along with getting insights into the historic ports and coastal areas of Sharjah.

The .....

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Heritage

#8 of 21 Places to Visit in Sharjah

At a distance of 17 km from Sharjah International Airport and 18 km from Dubai International Airport, the Sharjah Heritage Area or Heart of Sharjah is a heritage site situated close to Corniche in the city of Sharjah. It is one of the top Sharjah tourist places for history buffs.

The Sharjah Heritage Area 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 the Sharjah Calligraphy Museum, Bait al-Naboodah Museum, Hisn Fort Museum, Sharjah Heritage Museum along with Souk Al Arsah, each one narrating the story of Sharjah.

Al Hisn or Sharjah Fort was originally constructed in 1820 by the then Ruler of Sharjah, Sheikh Sultan bin Saqr Al Qasimi. The demolition of the fort took place in 1970 when Sheikh Khalid bin Muhammad Al Qasimi wished to remove all traces of Sheikh Saqr bin Sultan Al Qasimi, the previous ruler and was only prevented from completing .....

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Shopping

#9 of 21 Places to Visit in Sharjah

At a distance of 16 km from Sharjah International Airport and 17 km from Dubai International Airport, Blue Souk or Central Market is a traditional market area in the city of Sharjah. It is the main shopping hub and one of the most impressive landmarks of Sharjah.

Located on the shore of the Khalid Lagoon, the 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 by the locals. The market building has been designed by the British architects Michael Lyle & Partners, based on the ideas and guidance of the Ruler of Sharjah, HH Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, and was completed in 1978. The architecture captures the character of a traditional bazaar on a grand scale. The Central Souk consists of two large buildings, interconnected by bridges, with exuberant vaults and a unique skyline of 20 wind towers. The exterior of the building adorned with elaborate blue tile work .....

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Pilgrimage

#10 of 21 Places to Visit in Sharjah

At a distance of 2 km from Blue Souq, 17 km from Sharjah International Airport and 16 km from Dubai International Airport, Al Noor Mosque is a mosque situated at the Buhaira Corniche in Sharjah. It is one of the most splendid mosques in the city and among the top places to visit in Sharjah during your Dubai - Sharjah Tour.

Al Noor Mosque is one of the most beautiful mosques in Sharjah and the first-ever mosque in the United Arab Emirates to be open to non-Muslim visitors. The Al Noor Mosque was built by the ruler of Sharjah, Sultan bin Muhammad Al-Qasimi in 2005. It can house 2,200 people in total for prayer which includes 400 in the ladies section and 1,800 in the men's section. The word Noor in Arabic means 'light' and true to its meaning, Al Noor Mosque stands majestically alongside the Khalid Lagoon on Buhaira Corniche. In 2014, the mosque set a Guinness World Record for the 'World's largest wooden charity box' for their Ramadan donation campaign.

The architecture of Al .....

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Park | Miscellaneous

#11 of 21 Places to Visit in Sharjah

At a distance of 2 km from Blue Souq, 17 km from Sharjah International Airport and 16 km from Dubai International Airport, Al Noor Island located on the Khalid Lagoon in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. It is one of the top places to visit in Sharjah.

Al Noor Island is a serene oasis in the middle of Sharjah city which offers something to everyone from the phenomenal lighting displays and exceptional art sculptures to the beautiful fluttering butterflies and the seclusion of the Literature Pavilion. Since its opening in 2015, Al Noor Island has won a host of prestigious international awards. The Island was named Best Leisure Architecture in Africa and Arabia 2016 as part of the International Property Awards and was also the recipient of 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.

Al Noor Island is home to an architecturally stunning .....

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Miscellaneous

#12 of 21 Places to Visit in Sharjah

At a distance of 2 km from Blue Souk, 19 km from Sharjah International Airport and 17 km from Dubai International Airport, the Eye of the Emirates Wheel is a giant Ferris Wheel located at Al Montazah Parks on Flag Island, Sharjah. It is one of the most popular places to visit in Sharjah.

Inaugurated in 2005, the Eye of the Emirates Wheel is one of the most recognizable landmarks in Sharjah and since then it spanned its wheel for hundreds of thousands of people. It is 60 meters high and has 42 cabins. Initially, it was in the Al Qasba community and is relocated in 2018 to its present location at Al Montazah Parks, the emirate's premier amusement and water park. The Ferris Wheel provides spectacular bird's eye views across the landscape to a larger number of residents and visitors, including the city's major attractions and famous markets, such as the Central Souq, Al Jubail Souq, Al Majaz Waterfront, Khalid Lagoon, Al Noor Island, Al Noor Mosque, among others. The night view is even .....

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Park

#13 of 21 Places to Visit in Sharjah

At a distance of 1 km from Blue Souk, 18 km from Sharjah International Airport and 14 km from Dubai International Airport, the Majaz Waterfront Park is a popular recreational park lies next to Buhaira Corniche in Sharjah. It is one of the most popular family leisure destinations in Sharjah and among the best places to visit as part Dubai - Sharjah Tour Packages.

Located between Jamal Abdul Nasser Street and Khalid Lagoon Corniche, Al Majaz Waterfront covers an area of 3 sq. km, featuring stunning scenery overlooking the Khalid Lagoon. This iconic leisure destination boasts breathtaking landscapes and incredible architectural designs that reflect Sharjah's rich cultural and historical heritage.

Launched by Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) in 2010, Al Majaz Waterfront boasts of a range of recreational options, ranging from the fun-filled activity center called Alwan and the 800-square-meter Splash Park, the first-of-its-kind in the region, designed to be .....

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