Sharjah is the United Arab Emirates' cultural capital. While some of the other emirates' tourist attractions are centered on beach vacations, shopping, and modern metropolitan glamour, Sharjah's attractions are centered on history and culture. In 1998, UNESCO named Sharjah the Cultural Capital of the Arab World for its efforts to preserve the region's past. Sharjah is the greatest place in the UAE to visit if you like museums and art.

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Places to visit on your Sharjah trip

Sharjah Art Museum

This state-of-the-art institution, which opened in 1997 and comprises a permanent collection as well as a program of temporary exhibits, is one of the largest art museums in the United Arab Emirates.

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Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization

The Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization is an excellent venue to learn about Arab and Islamic culture's deep roots. A collection of Islamic arts and craftwork from the 7th to the 19th century, as well as a number of scientific and religious manuscripts, are on display. The exhibit of clay, pottery, and glass, as well as metallic handicrafts inlaid with silver, gold, and brass, and the collection of astrolabes, are all noteworthy. The museum also exhibits Mughal and Ottoman craftwork, tracing the far-reaching tentacles of Islamic culture.

Sharjah Heritage Area

The Sharjah Heritage Area, which stretches from the coastline to Sharjah's fort, is a modest, restored area in downtown Sharjah. The Calligraphy Museum explores this Arab art form, with halls displaying work by some of the best calligraphy artists in the Arab world. Bait Al Naboodah, on the other hand, is a beautifully preserved traditional family villa that was originally home to the Al-Shamsi family. Traditional souk sites, such as the Souk Al Arsah, are the best to visit. This vast covered courtyard souk is claimed to be the country's oldest surviving bazaar, and it today has a variety of stores selling silver and wooden handicrafts, jewelry, traditional clothing, and beauty products.

The Al Noor Mosque

The Al Noor Mosque is Sharjah's sole mosque that welcomes non-Muslims. A visit here would be a worthwhile addition to anyone's Sharjah itinerary who is interested in learning more about the UAE's history and Islamic beliefs. Non-Muslims can attend a tour of the mosque on Mondays at 10 am, which includes a discussion about Islamic and Emirati history, culture, and traditions. The mosque itself is a new structure (constructed in 2005) modeled after Ottoman Mosque architecture, with slender, pointed minarets typical of Ottoman mosque architecture.

Things to do on your Sharjah trip

There are a lot of things you could do in Sharjah to spend your valuable time there and make your vacation one hell of a memory. Some of the most popular things you could do in Sharjah are listed below.

Shop at the Central Market

The city's most famous feature is Sharjah's Central Market, which was established in the 1970s. The exterior's beautiful blue tile work has earned it the moniker "Blue Souk."

Inside, buyers can find sections dedicated to gold and jewelry, perfume, apparel, cuisine, technology, and gift-type products, as well as more than 600 stores. The upper level offers the feel of a typical market, with sellers selling antiques, rugs, Omani and Yemeni jewelry, and a variety of other souvenirs from around the Arab world. The market area also has a number of cafés where you may unwind after your shopping adventures. 

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Take a walk by Lake Kalba

It's a pleasant area for a stroll around 112 kilometers east of Sharjah, and the Al-Hisn Museum (constructed as a fort 200 years ago) and the entirely restored House of Sheikh Saeed bin Hamad Al-Qassimi, with its displays of musical instruments and traditional furnishings, are worth the journey. The Khor Kalba Conservation Reserve, which contains a massive mangrove forest, is located just south of the village. This is a birdwatcher's dream, especially during migration seasons in the spring and autumn. The Al Hefaiyah Mountain Conservation Center, on the borders of Kalba town, is a wildlife reserve featuring 30 desert and mountain species.

Relish kid-friendly evening entertainment at Al Qasba

With plenty of cafés and restaurants lining both sides of the Al Qasbah Canal, this waterfront quarter is Sharjah's top nightlife destination. It's a popular spot for families in the evenings, and there's lots of kid-friendly entertainment. Within the quarter, there are both outdoor and indoor children's entertainment parks with a range of attractions, a go-cart centre, and a soft-play area to keep little ones entertained. Evening boat trips from the canal out into Khalid Lagoon are available to see Sharjah's skyline lit up after dark.

Shop for Foodie Gifts at Souk Al-Jubail

The bustle of traditional Arabian shopping in a modern setting can be found in Sharjah's massive, covered Souk Al-Jubail. Join locals as they make their weekly rounds at the Fish Souk, a chaotic mix of noise and color, and then dive into the Fruit and Vegetable Souk, which is always crowded with vendors shouting out their prices and customers bargaining for good deals. As well as being a prime opportunity to capture some vibrant photos of daily Sharjah life and see a shopping souk that hasn't been dressed up for the tourists, this is a great place to pick up gifts such as dates and local honey.

Best time for Sharjah trip

Winter from December-February is the best time to visit Sharjah. The season is often tagged as the peak tourist season owing to comfortable weather, no rain, and low humidity. The average temperature during this time stays around 20 degrees Celsius. Even March and April are suitable for traveling to the country.

FAQs about a tour to Sharjah

What is the hottest month in Sharjah?

The hottest month of the year in Sharjah is August, with an average high of 104°F and a low of 86°F. The cool season lasts for 3.1 months, from December 5 to March 9, with an average daily high temperature below 80°F.

Can I drink alcohol in Sharjah?

Drinking alcohol in Sharjah is illegal.

Can unmarried couples stay together in Dubai?

DUBAI: The United Arab Emirates announced on Saturday a major overhaul of the country's Islamic personal laws, allowing unmarried couples to cohabitate, loosening alcohol restrictions, and criminalizing so-called “honor killings.”

Can I wear shorts in Sharjah?

Visitors should dress modestly (shoulders covered and no shorts or skirts above the knee) and photography is permitted inside the mosque. Private visits can be arranged by contacting the Sharjah Centre for Cultural Communication by email.

Do I need a visa to enter Sharjah?

Before you travel to Sharjah, you'll need to ensure your passport is valid for at least 6 months and, if required, a UAE visa. Indian citizens can obtain a visa on arrival for a maximum stay of 14 days provided that the visa or the green card is valid for at least 6 months from the date of arrival into the UAE.

Is UAE visa-free for Indian citizens?

Yes, Indian citizens do need a visa to visit Dubai. Indians with a valid US, UK, Schengen etc visa do not require a separate Dubai (UAE) visa, they can enter Dubai (UAE) based on these countries' visas directly upon landing by filling up a simple form and getting a visa on arrival, for up to 2 weeks.

Can I enter Dubai with a Sharjah visa?

Dubai is one of the 7 Emirates ((Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Fujairah, Umm ul Quwain and Ras al Khaimah). A UAE Visa will allow you to visit and travel across all 7 Emirates.

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What is the cheapest month to fly to India?

Book at least 3 weeks before departure to get a below-average price. The high season is January, November, and December. The cheapest month to fly to India is April.

Do you have to wear a mask in Dubai?

You must wear a cloth or medical mask throughout Dubai International airport, during boarding, throughout your flight, and as you leave the aircraft. Children under 6 years old and customers who have certain medical conditions do not have to wear a mask.

Is PCR required to enter Sharjah?

Vaccinated travelers to the UAE are not required to present a negative result of the RT-PCR test for COVID-19 at the airport of departure.

Is there a bus from Sharjah to Dubai?

No, there is no direct bus from Sharjah to Dubai.