Just a hand’s distance away from Dubai, Sharjah is one of UAE’s most culturally rich Emirates, capturing the title of the Cultural Capital of the Arab World by UNESCO in 1998.
With a focus on knowledge, history, art, and culture, Sharjah is home to some of the region’s best museums, libraries, and knowledge centers that take visitors on an exciting and educational journey about the area.
History buffs are sure to be enticed by Sharjah’s many museums, including The Sharjah Heritage Museum, Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization, and Sharjah Museum, each of which features precious information and objects from the region’s history.
World’s Book Capital
The city has also been on a mission to encourage and inspire people to read more books and has contributed to it by opening modern libraries like the House of Wisdom, sure to blow every book lover’s mind.
This continued effort has led to Sharjah being named the World Book Capital 2019 by UNESCO, a title that the city still represents beyond expectations with its exhibitions and libraries. For anyone interested in art, culture, and history, Sharjah is a well-venturing place.
Not sure how to plan your Sharjah itinerary? We have compiled a list of the top 12 things to do in Sharjah to help you plan your trip.
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The Top 12 Things To Do In Sharjah
Sharjah Mosque
Built over a span of 5+ years, the Sharjah Mosque is one of the UAE’s most grand mosques and spans a space of 180,000+ square meters, accommodating over 25,000+ worshippers in its premises.
Inspired by traditional Ottoman art and style, the Sharjah Mosque is a spectacle to behold both from the inside and outside. The structure presents multiple domes, pillars, and minarets that give the mosque its luxurious look. Once you step inside, the arched stained-glass windows of the prayer hall, the water fountains, the elegant chandeliers, and the gold detailing will transport you into a different world.
The Sharjah Mosque is also home to an enriched library that includes important Islamic books and works from across the world and different Islamic eras and is open to all visitors. Guests from all backgrounds and cultures are welcome to tour the mosque and experience the grandeur and architecture of the building up close.
Central Souk/Blue Souk
Take a day out for shopping and explore Sharjah’s oldest and most iconic market, the central souk. Dubbed “The Blue Souk” due to the building’s unique blue tile design, the market houses over 600 shops ranging from gold and electronics shops to clothing, perfume, and souvenirs.
One of the city’s most famous tourist destinations, the souk is divided into sections – the upper level is dedicated to arts, crafts, and regional specialties like clothing and souvenirs, and the water-facing side is lined with stores selling traditional Bedouin jewelry and stones, and the traditional bazaar is filled with local vendors selling antiques and more.
The souk is also lined with local food sellers and cafes to fuel visitors after a long day of shopping. As it’s located just a walk away from the Sharjah corniche and famous museums, it’s the perfect location to add to your Sharjah itinerary.
Timing:
- Sat to Thurs, 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
- Friday, 4 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Al Qasba
One of Sharjah’s most happening locations, Al Qasba Waterfront is home to many fun places and experiences, making it the perfect one-stop destination to visit with family and friends.
Visitors can conveniently tour the area using pedestrian bridges and footpaths that are lined with famous restaurants and shopping locations, along with kid-friendly activities like the kids’ friends zone, indoor soft play center, and other exciting experiences.
Al Qasba Waterfront is also a central art and culture location, housing various exhibits, museums, and enticing performances that take place throughout the busy season. If you are looking for something more thrilling, the waterfront also offers abra rides along the coast and electric water karts and bikes for rent to ride across the area.
Sharjah Aquarium
Deep dive into the underwater world and explore the sea at Sharjah Aquarium. Spanning across a space of 6500 square meters, the aquarium is home to 100+ marine species, including sea rays, reef sharks, and sea horses, situated in 21 water tanks.
Each water tank represents the region’s local aquatic environments and provides a spectacular viewing and educational experience where visitors can admire the creatures up close and personal amongst the coral reef, lagoons, and mangroves.
The aquarium also helps curious minds learn more about the sea animals and their habits with live fish feeding sessions, interactive displays, and other exciting activities that are enjoyable for both kids and adults.
Visitors can continue their underwater experience by visiting the Sharjah Maritime Museum situated next door, where they can learn more about Sharjah’s coastal region. Entry to the museum is included in the aquarium ticket.
Timing:
- Sat to Thurs, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Friday, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Ticket Price: AED 35 per person
Mleiha Archeliological Site
Take a break from the city and head deep into the desert to explore The Mleiha Archeliological Sita, a UNESCO-nominated World Heritage Site that includes many fascinating discoveries, including pre-Islamic forts, Bronze Age tombs, and other significant fossils and artifacts like camel skeletons and antique pottery.
Mleiha gives visitors an insight into the history of the region like nowhere else, with information about the rituals, trade, and social order of different eras, including Neolithic, Iron, pre-Islamic, Islamic, and modern ages.
Along with being a historical wonder, Mleiha is also a fantastic location to explore the desert dunes. If you are feeling adventurous, you can choose to trek all the way to Camel Rock to admire the spectacular views of the desert. You can also explore the desert with a desert safari that takes you on a thrilling ride across the dunes in a 4×4 car or ride a dune buggy or quad bike across the sand.
The desert also provides the perfect camping location where adventure-seekers can enjoy a peaceful and relaxing night of camping under the glittering stars. If you choose to stay the night, ensure you carry all the necessary items, including food and water, as the site is situated away from the central city.
Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization
One of the most notable museums in UAE, the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilizations features seven extensive galleries that give an insight into the contributions and achievements of Arab scientists and astronomers along with the growth of Islamic art and design.
The museum is centrally located in The Heart of Sharjah along the Al-Majarrah Waterfront and is one of the crowning gems of the city’s skyline.
Each gallery in the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization is dedicated to a particular collection, like The Ibn Al-Haytham Gallery of Science and Technology, that features elaborate models and presentations that represent the most impactful Islamic scientific discoveries and achievements by Muslim scholars in various fields, including mathematics, astronomy, and medicine.
The Islamic Galleries 1,2,3 and 4 comprise extensive collections of Islamic artifacts, including manuscripts, textiles, pottery, and metalwork from pre-historic Islamic eras dating back to the 7th century, and the Islamic Coin Display tells visitors the story of the journey of the region’s coins and currency.
Timing: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., closed on Fridays.
Rain Room
Think it does not rain in the UAE? Think again. The Rain Room is a unique, one-of-a-kind modern art installation that gives visitors the opportunity to experience a “magical rain.” This interactive exhibit allows people to stand in the rain without getting drenched in the rainwater using trigger sensors that stop the rain wherever they sense motion.
This means that the rain stops falling at the exact spot where you are standing in the exhibit, giving you the feeling of being engulfed in the rain without ever getting wet. It’s a fun and exciting experience that has taken residents and tourists by storm since its launch.
The London and Berlin-based Random International created the Rain Room exhibit with the purpose of exploring the intangible relationship between humans and technology using 2,500 liters of self-cleaning, recycled water. Visitors can experience the intriguing exhibit in 15-minute sessions that run throughout the day.
Timing:
- Sat to Thurs, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Friday, 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Ticket Price: AED 25 per person
Al Majaz Waterfront
Located along the Sharjah Corniche, Al Majaz Waterfront is a fun and exciting venue where you will always find something happening. With various dining, leisure, and entertainment facilities, Al Majaz Waterfront is one of the best places to visit for a fun day with friends and family.
You can choose to stroll across the corniche, and people watch across the relaxing shore, enjoy a delicious dinner with friends at one of the many high-end restaurants, or sail away on a dhow cruise at Al Majaz Waterfront. Cyclists can also rent a bike and ride it across the scenic route along the sea.
The little ones can enjoy their time in one of the many kid-friendly attractions of the waterfront, including a splash park, mini golf, and a mini train.
During special celebrations like National Day, Al Majaz Waterfront features various performances and events along with lighting and firework displays that make it one of the most popular destinations for tourists and residents alike.
Al Montazah Parks
If you are looking to spend an adventure-filled day in Sharjah, Al Montazah Parks are the place to be. Located on Sharjah’s Flag Island, Al Montazah Parks provide the perfect combination of amusement and waterpark in one place and are sure to impress both kids and adults.
Explore the park’s various themed lands, including the Al Montazah Pearls Kingdom Water Park, Island of Legends, Pirates Coast, and the Forgotten Valley, each of which features exciting and thrilling themed rides and attractions.
With its family-friendly rides, Al Montazah Park is one of the most popular kid-friendly locations during your visit to Sharjah.
Timing: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Ticket Price: Starting from AED 105 per person
House of Wisdom
Launched in honor of Sharjah’s UNESCO World Book Capital Title in 2019, the House of Wisdom is a modern, state-of-the-art, high-tech library and learning center featuring over 100,000 books in the beautiful two-story building.
Inspired by the original House of Wisdom in Baghdad, the library is set to inspire and enable people to read more and get easy access to knowledge using extensive book collections, interactive exhibitions, learning rooms, discussion halls, and more.
The space has been designed eloquently, with something to admire at every corner, like the beautiful gardens created to calm the nerves and the “floating” roof that provides shade during the day. The House of Wisdom’s 12,000 square meters area also features one of the region’s most iconic art structures – The Scroll, created by British sculptor Gerry Judah.
Whether or not you are an avid reader, a stroll through the House of Wisdom should undoubtedly be on your Sharjah itinerary.
Timing:
- Sun to Thurs, 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
- Fri & Sat, 7 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Arabian Wildlife Center
Encounter Arabian wildlife in its natural form at Sharjah’s Arabian Wildlife center. The center is home to 100+ species of animals, reptiles, and birds local to the region, including endangered species like the Arabian Oryx and the Arabian Leopard bred in the neighboring Sharjah Wildlife Center.
The Arabian Wildlife Center is located in Sharjah Desert Park, which also houses an Islamic Botanical Garden, a Natural History Museum, and a children’s area with a special petting zoo and other kid-friendly activities, making it the perfect location for a fun family day out.
Timings:
- Mon, Wed, and Thurs, 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
- Friday, 2 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
- Sat & Sun, 11 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
- Closed on Tuesdays.
Ticket Prices: AED 15 per person
Al Noor Island
Explore a tropical oasis in the midst of the city at Al Noor Island. This seaside location is the perfect place to take a break in a relaxing and laid-back atmosphere, surrounded by serene nature. While there are plenty of things to do at Al Noor Island, the Butterfly House is the most popular.
A modern spectacle to behold, the Butterfly House is a sight for sore eyes both from the outside and inside. The temperature-controlled interiors house 500+ butterflies from 20+ species, including the Emerald Swallowtail, Malachite, and Tailed Jay. Visitors can interact with the floating butterflies and learn more about their evolution and journey in the center.
Al Noor Island also houses a large dedicated playground for the little ones, making sure they never get bored while the adults enjoy a relaxing day in the gardens. If you’re in the mood to be active, you can choose to cycle or jog through the Island’s 3.5 km long boardwalk with spectacular views.
That’s not it; Al Noor Island also hosts a special light and sound show every night that creates a truly awe-inspiring spectacle for viewers, making it one of the best places to visit in the city.
Timing:
- Sun to Thurs, 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.
- Sat, 4 p.m. to midnight
- Closed on Fridays.
Ticket Price: AED 10 per person
