When people think of vacation spots in the UAE, the first city that pops into their minds is Dubai, and that’s not surprising considering how popular Dubai has become among tourists. If you’re a fan of nature and serenity, Sharjah is definitely the place you should tour. Plus, there are many things to do in Sharjah alone or with friends.
Sharjah
Sharjah is the third-highest populated city in the United Arab Emirates. It boasts of a vibrant cultural history and is fondly called the cultural capital of the UAE. . The city’s architecture reveals its ancient historical nature, making it a tourist delight. Sharjah attractions include the Palace of the Ruler of the Emirate of Sharjah, the Museum of Islamic Civilization, and other sights.
Predominantly an Islamic Emirate, the city is strict on alcoholic beverage consumption. However, do not worry because its citizens are friendly and welcome all law-abiding tourists. Sharjah is 31 km from Dubai and takes about 20-30mins to get there by car.
Places To Visit In Sharjah
There are many tourist places in Sharjah and lots of fun activities you can get busy with. Let’s have a look at some popular Sharjah attractions.
- Sharjah Natural History Museum and Desert Park
- Museum Of Islamic Civilisation
- Sharjah Aquarium
- Sharjah National Park
- Sharjah Heritage Area, Sharjah
- Sharjah Arts Museum
- Blue Souk
- Al Qasba, Sharjah
- Al Noor Mosque
- Al Noor Island
- Heart Of Sharjah
Sharjah Natural History Museum and Desert Park
One of the coolest things to do in Sharjah is sightseeing and the History Museum and Desert Park are the perfect spots. The Sharjah Desert Park was designed to help visitors understand the plants and animals indigenous to Sharjah. Families with children will find Sharjah park a fun place to go.
The park is located 28km on the road to Al Dhaid from Sharjah. It comprises three equally exciting and educative sections that include:
● The National History Museum
At the National History Museum, you get audiovisual presentations teaching how life started. From the big bang theory to our current civilization. The museum’s presentation is for everyone, regardless of age.
● Children’s Farm
The Children’s Farm is a house for different types of well-trained animals. While on this farm, your children can play with animals under careful supervision.
● Arabian Wildlife Center
Arabian Wildlife Center was created to be a wildlife refuge center. It is the only zoo in the UAE where desert animals are kept in their natural habitat.
Museum Of Islamic Civilisation
The Museum of Islamic Civilization serves as a gateway to the history of Islamic and Arab culture. It is an architectural statement. The museum has two floors and seven galleries that house a lot of things to keep you captivated. Proudly displayed on the upper floor galleries are artifacts spanning over 1400 years of Islamic culture.
You will get to appreciate the richness of the Islamic faith surrounded by Arabic scientific feet in astronomy and mathematics, ancient handcrafted artworks, rituals, and lessons on the significance of the hajj.
There are over 5000 Islamic artifacts, carvings, manuscripts, and scientific instruments that date back to the 7th century that are on display for all to see in this museum. It is a fantastic place to visit.
Sharjah Aquarium
If you are a fan of water life, Sharjah Aquarium will prove to be one of the most exciting places to go in Sharjah. It has over 250 species of marine life, from reef sharks to adorable clownfish, in 20 giant tanks. The Aquarium promises to be a breathtaking experience.
Smaller marine life, such as coral reefs, mangroves, lagoons, and pools, is not left out. Opened in 2008, the Aquarium was established to encourage aquatic life conservation. The Aquarium runs a turtle rehabilitation program and annual marine habitat clean-up campaign as their contribution to environmental protection.
| Places to visit | Activity |
| Sharjah Desert Park | Visit the history museum and wildlife center |
| Museum of Islamic Civilization | See over 5000 Islamic artifacts, carvings and scientific equipment |
| Sharjah Aquarium | Get a view of 250 species of marine life, from reef sharks to clownfish |
| Sharjah National Park | Enjoy the serenity of nature |
| Sharjah Heritage Area | Tour the calligraphy museum, Al Midfa House, and Al Hisn Sharjah |
| Sharjah Arts Museum | Enjoy the richness of Arab-inspired arts |
| Blue Souk | Grab as many souvenirs as you can |
| Al Qasba | Ride the Etisalat Eye of the Emirates Ferris Wheel |
| Al Noor Island | Discover beautiful gardens, eye-catching artworks and Butterfly House |
| Heart Of Sharjah | Explore Sharjah’s rich history |
Sharjah National Park
Sharjah National Park is one place to go in Sharjah. The approximately 630,000 square meters park is never in want of visitors. Locals and tourists frequent the park to enjoy the serenity of Sharjah Park. Its architecture is a blend of traditional Arabic and contemporary European styles.
It is convenient for outdoor meets, with picnic tables and barbecue areas positioned strategically in the park. However, entrance is not free. Anyone can enjoy the facilities that the Sharjah National Park offers for a small fee. Kids will love the playground, giant slide, and duck pond.
Sharjah Heritage Area, Sharjah
To experience the true beauty of traditional Arabian architecture, the Sharjah Heritage Area is a must-see for you in Sharjah. The heritage area is a collection of some of Sharjah’s attractions, such as the Calligraphy Museum, Al Midfa House, and Al Hisn Sharjah, among others.
It is a lavish display of Arabic heritage and history. The Bedouin village homes and ancient Souks are in the heritage area. A wind tower on Majlis al Midfa, used in times past by Arabs to protect themselves from intense Sun, is on open display for visiting tourists.
The architecture in the heritage area is as traditional as can be found in any ancient Arabic civilization. Tourists should note that the Sharjah Heritage Area has separate women-only visiting times. It is one of the places to visit for free in Sharjah.
Sharjah Arts Museum
For an art lover, visiting UAE’s largest art museum should be one of the items on your itinerary when in the country. The Sharjah Arts Museum was established in 1997 to showcase Arab-inspired arts. It is comprised of 72 galleries.
Locals and foreigners display more than 300 artworks of Arabic origin. The artworks from the collection of the Ruler of Sharjah, HH Dr. Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qassimi, are on display as a permanent collection of the museum.
The museum organizes art festivals and workshops that are open to the public. It is one of the places to visit for free in Sharjah.
Blue Souk
Most tourists purchase souvenirs whenever they travel to remind them of their experience. If you are looking for where to shop in Sharjah, Blue Souk is the place for you. One of Sharjah’s most popular destinations is the Blue Souk, sometimes referred to as Central Market or Central Souk.
Blue Souk is always a beehive of activity due to the number of people that troop into the market. There are over 600 shops in the Blue Souk where one can find all kinds of commodities from Jewelry, electronics, food, gift items, cosmetics, and clothes. It is not uncommon to find heavily discounted items at Central Market.
Al Qasba, Sharjah
In for some outdoor fun? Al Qasba is the place to go in Sharjah. Al Qasba is an all-around entertainment complex for both outdoor and indoor activities. The complex has theaters, restaurants, the Al Qasba Musicland, and the famous Etisalat Eye of the Emirates Ferris Wheel to keep you entertained when you visit.
The view of the Al Qasba, especially at night, is a must-see if you enjoy the nightlife. It is one place a family can go together to unwind during their stay in the city. The kid’s fun zone is guaranteed to keep your kids busy with the many fun activities they can choose to partake in.
Interactive activities and games are a common feature of the Al Qasba. Al Qasba has everything a family needs to enjoy themselves.
Al Noor Mosque
Al Noor Mosque is the first mosque to welcome non-muslim in the United Arab Emirates. Visitors have to be modestly dressed to be allowed access to the mosque. Women must wear an abaya provided to them at the mosque’s premises. It is one of the places to visit in Sharjah for free.
Every Monday, there is a weekly tour organized by the Sharjah Center for Cultural Communication. It presents you with the opportunity to enter the mosque. The one-hour tour briefs visitors about the Islamic and Emirati cultures and details of the Al Noor Mosque.
Built by the Leader of Sharjah in 2005, the mosque’s design was influenced by classical Ottoman architecture. Another source of inspiration for the Al Noor Mosque was the Sultan Ahmed Mosque in Istanbul.
The Al Noor Mosque is located near the Khalid Lagoon on Buhaira Corniche. It is one of the most beautiful Mosques in the entire country.
Al Noor Island
Al Noor Island offers you the opportunity to experience an actual Oasis in the desert. Its beautiful gardens, eye-catching artworks, egg-shaped OVO, Butterfly House, Torus, and other features make Al Noor Island a beauty to behold. It is one of Sharjah’s attractions you cannot afford to miss out on if ever you are in the UAE.
Opened in 2015, the Island is located on the Khalid Lagoon, another natural beauty. A book pavilion provides you with the serene environment needed for outdoor reading. The Butterfly House is home to around five hundred species of Butterfly. Al Noor Island is probably the most exciting place one can visit while in UAE.
Heart Of Sharjah
Heart of Sharjah is a 15 years project aimed at restoring the city to its traditional state of the 1950s. It was an attempt to preserve the cultural heritage of Sharjah’s United Arab Emirates town. Already under construction, the project is expected to be completed in 2025.
The region has been recognized as a possible Unesco World Heritage Site, and restoration work is well underway.
“Heritage sites are the physical component of a city’s identity. The Heart of Sharjah is of great historical importance as it reflects Sharjah’s originality.” -Khalid Deemas.
Wrap Up
Although not as popular as Dubai, Sharjah is as beautiful as any other UAE city and a must-see town for tourists in the United Arab Emirates. For People interested in visiting the UAE, we recommend you include a trip to the ancient Arabic City of Sharjah in your itinerary.
