Sharjah.
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Overview

Sharjah (Arabic: الشارقة) is the third largest city in the United Arab Emirates and the capital of Sharjah emirate. Sharjah is known for its Arabic and Islamic architecture as well as its libraries, Islamic museums, and cultural centers. The city is known as the cultural and literature hub of the United Arab Emirates. The city is rooted in its Arabic and Islamic heritage with many Umayyad and Abbasid-styled buildings and offers a glimpse of Arabic and Islamic environment in an otherwise largely westernized country. It is a major hub for family friendly environment and activities and has a more conservative atmosphere. The city has many green parks, apartment complexes, and a large community of Arabs from all the Arab world making the city an effective cultural meeting point for many different communities of Arabs.

In contrast to Abu Dhabi and Dubai, Sharjah offers visitors a vastly larger view into Arabic and Islamic art, literature, and architecture. It's a usual destination for visitors who are looking for a cultural and a more local experience of Arabia and Islamic atmosphere compared to Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

Understand

Sharjah is very closely connected to Dubai through the Dubai-Sharjah-Ajman metropolitan area, with commuter traffic creating rush hour traffic jams. Many people live in Sharjah but work in Dubai to take advantage of lower rents, hence traffic from Sharjah to Dubai and Dubai to Sharjah is largely expected in rush hours.

The emirate is considerably larger than Dubai, with coastline on both west and east coasts of the peninsula, and with exclaves of Kalba, Khor Fakkan, and Dibba Al Hisn. The road to the east coast goes through rugged Al Hajar mountains. Public buildings in the Emirate are all in Umayyad and Abbasid architecture, and were all designed by the present Shaikh (a qualified architect).

The Sharjah Commerce and Tourism website has sections on business, heritage, leisure, education, and coast.

Talk

As in the rest of the UAE, Arabic is the official language, although most residents speak other languages - particularly Hindi, Urdu and Tagalog. English is widely spoken in shops, souqs, and hotels.

Get in

For visa requirements to visit Sharjah, see the United Arab Emirates page. By plane

Getting there and away: By bus – Regular 24/7 buses (every ½-1 hr) run the distance of 20 km between the airport and Al Jubail Bus Station —8 dirham (Jan 2026), cash only.

By bus Bus travel from Dubai is possible via an inter-emirate bus service run by the Government of Dubai Road and Transport Authority. The final station of these intercity buses is nearby to the Central Souk. Still these buses have several stops in between in Dubai and Sharjah. You need the nol card (transport card of Dubai) for the ride. The rush hour on the roads from Dubai is in the late afternoon and early evening in which you can expect longer delays due to traffic jam.

By taxi Taxis are widely available. Taxis can travel from other emirates such as from Dubai or Ajman to Sharjah and vice versa without any restrictions. Ride-share applications such as Uber and Careem are also an option and can be used to travel across emirates. You may also call the government sponsored Sharjah taxi service to request a taxis to come to your location.

On foot If you want to walk in from Dubai, you can do that through the shopping mall called Sahara Centre. At the mall is also a bus stop for city buses of Dubai and a bus stop for city buses of Sharjah. Behind the mall is a pedestrian overpass for the highway S115. That highway can otherwise only be crossed at certain points.

By train A national railway system called Etihad Rail is under development and is going to start in 2026. It will connect all the emirates of the UAE. In Sharjah the trains will go to the district called Sharjah University city, not far away from the airport and about 15 km away from the Al Jubail Bus Station.

Get around

By bus Public buses are overseen by Sharjah Transport (Journey Planner) and operated by Mowasalat. There are local and express routes. The blue Sayer card you can buy from the bus driver for 50 dirham containing a credit of 45 dirham.

The schedules of the buses operating only inside of Sharjah are not integrated in Google Maps. And the journey planner of SRTA on the website and in the app is not the most convenient. It may be better to use the network map of Mowasalat for bus rides.

The bus lines starting with an "E" are only destined for passengers doing an intercity ride between Dubai and Sharjah. Those buses are not supposed to be used for rides inside of Sharjah.

By taxi Licensed taxi companies are Sharjah, Emirates, Citi, Union, and Advantage. Taxi plates are reflective green, which helps to spot them at night. There is a surcharge of 20 dirham to go into Dubai.

Usually the standard taxis offer lower prices than Uber and Careem.

On foot The highway E11 runs through the neighborhoods of Sharjah near points of interest and the buses from Dubai go on it. That highway divides the city for pedestrians. You cannot cross it anywhere. Bridges and underpasses are up to 1 km away from each other. Keep that in mind, if you want to walk to a supermarket, bus stop or else on the other side of the highway.

See

Heritage Area - Good overview available here including a few restoration of old houses. The Heritage is near the Corniche between Burj Avenue & Al-Maraija Road. Many historic buildings have been reconstructed with traditional materials. The most interesting sites are Al Hisn Fort, Literature Square with House of Poetry, Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization, Sharjah Heritage Museum and Souq al-Arsa. Most sites in the Heritage Area have opening times set aside solely for women. Visitors of both genders should make certain of these on arrival in the city.

Al Hisn Fort. The Sharjah Fort Museum dominates the Heritage District. The fort itself has been lovingly restored by the present Sheikh and the museum provides something of a glimpse at social history of the Emirate. Many exhibit signs, however, are solely in Arabic, with those in English often being rife with errors.

Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization. Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization is a fascinating place for any visitors with an interest in the faith, as there are handwritten Qur'ans, letters from the Prophet Muhammad to other leaders and various artifacts from Mecca. Also a comprehensive display of Arab handicrafts.

Souq al-Arsah. Another souq worth a visit. It is considered to be the oldest souq in the country. Stop at the traditional coffee house for a mint tea and a plate of dates.

Sharjah Calligraphy Museum. A small museum with magnificent calligraphic works of art by Persian, Arabic and Turkish artists with a workshop where students are trained in the art of calligraphy

Sharjah Heritage Museum. A small museum about the history and habits of the emirate

Art Area - Includes Sharjah's Art Museum which covers regional and international art exhibits, with the oriental collection being its highlights. The Arts Area is situated opposite the Heritage Area on the other side of Burj Avenue.

Sharjah Art Museum. The Sharjah Art Museum shows contemporary art by local and foreign artists. It is also the home of the Sharjah International Art Biennale, a bi-yearly exhibition of international contemporary art and performance.

Sharjah Archeology Museum. The museum explore the changing environments experienced by the region's inhabitants from the Stone Age to the present day through displays of artefacts, coins, jewellery, pottery and ancient weapons. Investigate a dig in progress, explore models of burials, houses and tombs and see the first forms of writing in this area.

Other museums also covers marine, natural history, aviation, and other valuable aspects

Blue Souq (Souq Al Markazi or Central Souq). An interesting, if slightly chaotic, shopping centre hosting around 600 shops in two wings. The ground floor shops tend to stock gold and expensive designer clothes, with the upper level containing shops stocking carpets and curios from as far afield as Afghanistan and Tibet. Haggling over prices in the upper-level shops will frequently attract massive discounts. A great place to buy gifts and traditional goods. Considered superior to Dubai for carpets by Western expatriates.

Sharjah Desert Park. It has three components spread over 1 km²: the Natural History Museum, Arabian Wildlife Centre and the Children’s Farm. The museum provides people of all ages with an opportunity to learn about the flora and fauna of the Arabian Desert and has five main exhibition halls: A Journey through Sharjah, Man and the Environment, A Journey through Time, The Living Desert and The Living Sea. The Arabian Wildlife Centre showcases the rich diversity of fauna in the Arabian Peninsula as well as teaching about species which have become, and are becoming, extinct. It contains more than 100 species of animals, and is divided into a reptile and insect house, aviary, nocturnal houses, viewing area and a section for large predators and monkeys. The children’s farm gives children a chance to come into close contact with farm animals, such as donkeys, goats, sheep and chickens.

King Faisal Mosque. This magnificent mosque was a gift of the Saudi Arabian King Faisal. It was opened in 1987 and has space for 15,000 people. There are separate prayer rooms for men and women and the mosque has an Islamic library with more than 7,000 books. Admission for Muslims only.

Al-Qasba Waterfront and Eye of the Emirates. Here you can enjoy culture, entertainment and leisure attractions representing the very best from the Arab world and beyond.

Al-Mahattah-Museum. Al Mahatta was the first airport in the Gulf region. It opened in 1932 as a staging post for commercial flights from Britain to India. There is an interesting film about the daily life at the airport and Sharjah town in the 1930s and four original propeller planes stand in the hangar.

Sharjah Aquarium. The Sharjah Aquarium first opened its doors in 2008. It features deep-sea creatures. Sharjah Maritime Museum gives you a close-up look at the local fishes and lets you learn about Sharjah's historic coasts and ports.

Do

Jetskiing is very famous around summer time in the Khalid Lagoon. F1 Boat Races happen around the human-made island in the Buhaira Corniche sometime around December. Qanat al Qasba has a beautiful mosque right by the canal. From Al Qasba there is a ferry that gives a boat tour around Sharjah. Several different yearly festivals take place, and each one is a wonderful cultural experience. There are many fun activities at these festivals including camel rides, henna, delicious Arabian foods and dishes. In celebration of the date season, which runs from mid-May to mid-August, the Date Festival is held at the Fruit and Vegetable Market from May 15 to August 15. Cricket: Sharjah Cricket Stadium. Sharjah's heyday was in the 1990s when it held many ODI tournaments. Although the games held at the ground were never implicated, the match fixing scandals at the turn of the millennium tarnished Sharjah and its use started to wane. With a capacity of 16,000 it has reemerged as an international cricket stadium, either as a neutral venue for Pakistan and its opponents or for inter-associate games involving the UAE.

Buy

Central Souq (Blue Souq, New Souq). The Central Souq is one of the best souqs in the United Arab Emirates, specialising in carpets from Iran, Afghanistan and Turkey, pashminas from Kashmir and silver jewellery from Oman and Yemen. In the Gold Center (corner of Sheikh Humaid bin Sar al-Qassimi Road and Al Wahda Roas) there are plenty of stores selling gold jewellery.

Khlas Malaki Dates. Sweet dates, packed into small boxes, a nice souvenir.

Sharjah Mega Mall. Luxury shopping center with more than 140 international shops and the Lebanese Beyrouth Restaurant.

City Center Sharjah. Luxury shopping center with a high class, multi-screen cinema.

Sahara Center Sharjah. Sahara Center offers an enormous selection and variety of stores including fashion, sports, toys, cosmetics, jewellery, books, home furnishings and electronics among others. Some of the mall’s key anchor stores include Marina Exotic Home Interiors, Toys ‘R’ Us, Home Centre and Spinneys as well as entertainment such as Novo Cinemas and Adventureland.

Eat

The ubiquitous shawarma is sold all over Sharjah and makes a very cheap and hearty meal. Khuboos made of wheat also a cheap food available at very cheap

Mushmaool Arabic Grill Restaurant. Mushmaool is good food and amazing service. Provides the best grill in town and an outstanding dining experience. Committed to provide quality food and a healthy dining experience as close to as what you get at home.

Seashells. Fish restaurant serving fried or grilled shrimps, tuna fish and hammour or a seafood platter at reasonable prices.

Lasani. Pakistani barbecue and oriental food. One of the best Pakistani food in Sharjah.

Syed Al Biryani. House of great taste. One of the best restaurants in Sharjah.

Drink

Sharjah is a "dry emirate" which means sale or possession of alcohol within Sharjah is almost entirely forbidden. There are three exceptions:

Sharjah Wanderers Club. Members and their guests only. Founded in 1977 as a sports club for rugby and diving, it has a pool, tennis courts and lighted rugby fields. There is a British bar which sells spirits, wine, bitter, lager and stout and which serves traditional British food.

Alcohol is available at the duty-free and business class lounges of Sharjah International Airport. If you have a personal alcohol license, you may bring in alcohol from other emirates and consume it at home. Also, it is legal to transport alcohol through Sharjah if your final destination permits it (such as from Dubai to Fujairah). Some police may not be familiar with this rule though.

Sleep

Holiday Inn Sharjah. 180 rooms, lobby lounge open 24 hr, Al Dana Dining Restaurant, health and fitness center, sauna, shuttle service to access the beach (distance: 2 km)

Al Reem Suites, Sharjah. A well-furnished serviced apartment hotel. Room service available. Airport drop and pick up services, city tours and shopping centre drops are available upon request. Spacious and well arranged rooms.

Citymax. Free cabled internet in rooms and free Wi-Fi in the lobby. A restaurant, a 24-hr coffee shop, sauna and separate gym for gents and ladies are also located inside the hotel building.

Crystal Plaza Hotel Sharjah. In the heart of Sharjah. This three-star property takes pride in its contemporary amenities and friendly services. For leisure breaks, Gold Souk, Mega Mall Sharjah, and Heritage Center are just a few minutes away.

City Hotel. Inexpensive and in the centre of town between Rolla Square and Municipality Roundabout and 10-15 minutes walk from the bus/taxi station. Rooms contain a fridge.

Sharjah Youth Hostel. Not a particularly appealing hostel; the furniture is run-down, the bathrooms are shady, the location is suburban and the clientele is mostly South Asian guest workers, rather than the typical hostel crowd. But it's by far the cheapest place to stay in town. There is no web-based reservation system. Send them an email and wait for the confirmation or call after sending the mail to confirm.

The Suites Hotel Apartments. It's in central Sharjah near the Majarah Souqe and close to the shopping areas. The Apartments are 15 minutes away from Sharjah airport and 30 minutes from Dubai International Airport and are available from around USD50 per night, a good option for groups or families.

Millennium Hotel Sharjah. One of the most luxurious hotels in the UAE and provides top class service and rooms. The hotel is usually full booked so it is always better to book before arrival.

Al Sharq Hotel. It's in front of Rolla Square, opposite the main shopping centres, and surrounded by government departments and close to the Corniche. Shuttle service to the beaches and shopping malls.

Radisson Blu Resort, Sharjah. Standing along the white-sand beaches of the Arabian Gulf, this five-star Radisson Blu Resort is close to Sharjah's historic features. Complimentary shuttle service to shopping areas in Sharjah and Dubai.