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Sharjah
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Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, blends Islamic heritage, world-class museums, art spaces, family attractions and Gulf Coast culture for sightseeing.

Heritage Beside the Gulf

Sharjah occupies a distinctive place in the United Arab Emirates, spreading from the historic creek-side heart of the city to residential districts, lagoons and the Arabian Gulf coast. Its identity is shaped by a strong commitment to culture: restored souqs, traditional courtyard houses and museums stand alongside contemporary galleries, public art and carefully designed waterfront spaces. The compact heritage quarter around Heart of Sharjah offers an especially atmospheric introduction, with coral-stone architecture, narrow lanes and buildings recalling the emirate’s trading past.
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Museums, Art and Public Spaces

The city’s cultural landscape ranges from the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization, housed in a former souq on the Corniche, to the Sharjah Art Museum and the Rain Room, where visitors walk through falling water without getting wet. Al Noor Island combines landscaped gardens, illuminated installations and views across Khalid Lagoon, while Al Majaz Waterfront provides promenades, fountains and family-oriented recreation. The Blue Souk, formally the Central Souq, is one of the city’s most recognisable buildings, its blue-tiled facades sheltering shops selling carpets, jewellery, handicrafts and gifts.

A Quieter Gulf Experience

Sharjah is more conservative in its public culture than neighbouring Dubai, and alcohol is not generally available in the emirate. That restraint is part of its character rather than a limitation: evenings are often devoted to museums, waterfront walks, cafés, family gatherings and cultural programmes. More than a gateway to the wider UAE, Sharjah is a place where Islamic art, Gulf history, Emirati traditions and contemporary creativity are presented as parts of everyday civic life.

When is the best time to visit Sharjah?

Best: December–February · 24–26°C
Average daytime high and rainfall by month
MonthHigh (°C)Rainfall (mm)
January (best)2420
February (best)2520
March2720
April3320
May380
June410
July430
August430
September390
October350
November2910
December (best)2620

Getting to and around Sharjah

How to get there

Sharjah International Airport lies east of the urban centre and is the city’s principal airport, with regional and international connections that vary by season and airline. Dubai International Airport is another major gateway, particularly for visitors combining Sharjah with Dubai, but road traffic across the emirates can significantly affect transfers. Taxis and private transfers are available from both airports, while intercity buses connect Sharjah with Dubai and other emirates. The city is also accessible by road via the E11 and E311 corridors. There is no regular passenger railway service into Sharjah; the UAE’s intercity rail network is not currently a visitor transport option for reaching the city.

Transportation

Sharjah’s older districts, Corniche areas and heritage quarter can be explored on foot, although heat, broad roads and busy traffic make longer journeys less comfortable. Public buses operated by Mowasalat serve parts of the city and connect with neighbouring emirates, while taxis are widely used for direct travel. Sharjah has no metro or tram system. Road congestion is a practical consideration, especially on routes towards Dubai during commuting periods, so journeys between districts may take longer than their distance suggests. Rental cars can be useful for reaching outer areas and the northern Emirates, but visitors should allow for limited pedestrian priority and busy junctions.

Best attractions in Sharjah

Sharjah’s attractions span heritage, art, science and waterfront recreation. Heart of Sharjah provides the clearest introduction to the old city, with restored lanes, houses and cultural venues surrounding the former trading quarter. At the Corniche, the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization presents manuscripts, scientific instruments, ceramics and textiles in a former souq, while the Sharjah Art Museum focuses on regional and international modern and contemporary art. The Rain Room offers an atmospheric participatory installation in which sensors pause falling water around moving visitors. Families often head to the Sharjah Aquarium and Maritime Museum in Al Khan to explore the emirate’s relationship with the Gulf. Al Noor Island combines gardens, sculpture and lagoon views, and Al Majaz Waterfront adds promenades, fountains and open-air leisure spaces. The Blue Souk, with its distinctive blue-tiled exterior, is both a shopping destination and an architectural feature of the city.

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Best landmarks in Sharjah

Sharjah’s landmark architecture conveys the city’s passage from maritime settlement to cultural capital. The blue-tiled Central Souq, commonly called the Blue Souk, is one of the emirate’s most recognisable modern buildings and contains an extensive retail complex beneath its patterned facades. In the historic quarter, restored coral-stone houses and wind towers around Heart of Sharjah preserve the proportions and building traditions of the pre-oil city. Al Noor Mosque, on the Khalid Lagoon waterfront, is distinguished by Ottoman-inspired forms and slender minarets, while the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization occupies the former Al Majarah Souq. The Al Hisn Sharjah Museum complex incorporates Sharjah Fort, a restored defensive building associated with the ruling family and the city’s political history. Together these sites show how commerce, faith, defence and domestic life shaped the urban landscape.

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Explore Sharjah on the map

Plan your Sharjah trip on one map. See where the top attractions, landmarks, restaurants, bars and hotels are, find what's near where you're staying, and book hotels and experiences in a few clicks.

Neighbourhoods in Sharjah

Best restaurants in Sharjah

Sharjah’s dining scene reflects the emirate’s long connections with the Gulf, Persia, South Asia and the wider Arab world. Emirati cooking can include machboos, rice seasoned with spices and served with meat or fish, as well as harees, chebab pancakes and dates, though availability varies by establishment. Cafés and restaurants in the heritage quarter provide settings for Arabic coffee, sweet treats and regional dishes, while the areas around Al Majaz, Al Qasba and Al Khan offer a broad choice of Lebanese, Iranian, Indian, Pakistani and South Asian food. Fish and seafood remain natural choices in a coastal city, and bakeries, juice shops and casual cafeterias are central to everyday eating. Food courts in the city’s shopping centres add practical variety, while traditional souqs and neighbourhood restaurants tend to offer a more informal glimpse of local dining habits.

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Best bars in Sharjah

Sharjah’s evening culture is shaped by its conservative character: the emirate is dry, so visitors should not expect the licensed bar and nightclub scene found in parts of Dubai or Abu Dhabi. After sunset, activity centres instead on cafés, restaurants, dessert shops, waterfront promenades and cultural programming. Al Majaz Waterfront offers evening walks beside Khalid Lagoon, while Al Noor Island is known for illuminated landscapes and a calmer after-dark atmosphere. Al Qasba combines canal-side dining with family entertainment and occasional performances, and Heart of Sharjah hosts heritage and arts events when programmes are scheduled. Cinemas, bookshops, galleries and shopping centres provide further evening options. During festivals, the Sharjah Light Festival and literary or arts events can transform public buildings and cultural venues, but exact programmes change from year to year.

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Best nightclubs in Sharjah

Sharjah’s evening culture is shaped by its conservative character: the emirate is dry, so visitors should not expect the licensed bar and nightclub scene found in parts of Dubai or Abu Dhabi. After sunset, activity centres instead on cafés, restaurants, dessert shops, waterfront promenades and cultural programming. Al Majaz Waterfront offers evening walks beside Khalid Lagoon, while Al Noor Island is known for illuminated landscapes and a calmer after-dark atmosphere. Al Qasba combines canal-side dining with family entertainment and occasional performances, and Heart of Sharjah hosts heritage and arts events when programmes are scheduled. Cinemas, bookshops, galleries and shopping centres provide further evening options. During festivals, the Sharjah Light Festival and literary or arts events can transform public buildings and cultural venues, but exact programmes change from year to year.

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Best shops in Sharjah

Shopping in Sharjah moves between traditional souqs, neighbourhood commerce and large modern centres. The Central Souq, or Blue Souk, is the city’s best-known retail landmark, with shops selling carpets, jewellery, textiles, handicrafts and decorative objects beneath its blue geometric facades. Souq Al Arsah in the heritage district offers a quieter setting for traditional goods, souvenirs and craft-related browsing, while the restored markets around Heart of Sharjah connect shopping with the architecture of the old town. Gold and jewellery shops are concentrated in established commercial areas, and food shops sell dates, spices, sweets and regional ingredients. Mega Mall and Sahara Centre provide contemporary retail, dining and entertainment, with Sahara Centre positioned near the Dubai-Sharjah boundary. Bargaining may be possible in some independent souq shops, but it is not expected in fixed-price malls and branded stores.

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Sharjah essentials

Currency and Payment
The currency is the United Arab Emirates dirham, usually written as AED or Dh and divided into 100 fils. International debit and credit cards are commonly accepted in hotels, shopping centres, museums, restaurants and larger shops, with contactless payment widely available, although smaller cafés, market stalls and taxis may be more convenient with cash. ATMs are plentiful in commercial districts and shopping centres. Visitors should tell their bank about overseas spending where necessary and check whether a card applies foreign-exchange or cash-withdrawal fees. Keep some dirham notes for souqs, small purchases and situations where electronic payment is unavailable.
Safety
Sharjah is generally straightforward for visitors who follow ordinary urban precautions. Keep phones, wallets and passports secure in crowded souqs, shopping centres and transport areas, and take care when crossing wide roads or walking beside busy traffic. Heat and strong sun can cause dehydration, particularly during the warmer months, so carry water and pace outdoor sightseeing. Follow designated swimming and beach rules, and take care around the sea. Public behaviour is expected to remain respectful, especially near mosques, family areas and heritage sites. Avoid photographing people without permission, and remember that laws and social expectations concerning public conduct are more conservative than in many international destinations.
Emergency Situations
In the United Arab Emirates, call 999 for police, 998 for an ambulance and 997 for the fire service. Give the operator the exact location, nearby landmark and a description of the emergency; hotel staff, security personnel and taxi drivers can help communicate if language is difficult. For urgent medical care, use the ambulance service or attend an established hospital emergency department rather than delaying treatment. Travel insurance details and passport information may be requested. For non-urgent assistance, contact the relevant police station, medical provider or your embassy, and keep emergency numbers saved before travelling around the city.
Do's and Don'ts
Dress modestly in public places, museums, souqs and religious settings, particularly by covering shoulders and knees when visiting heritage or worship sites. Ask permission before photographing residents, worshippers or private property, and remove shoes where a religious venue requires it. Public displays of affection should be restrained, and offensive gestures, disorderly behaviour and public intoxication can have serious legal consequences. Sharjah is a dry emirate, so alcohol is not generally sold or consumed publicly. During Ramadan, show sensitivity around daytime eating and drinking in public, while following the rules and guidance displayed by individual venues. Tipping is discretionary rather than a fixed obligation.
Local Tips
The most rewarding orientation is to connect the old quarter, the Museum of Islamic Civilization and the Corniche before continuing towards the Blue Souk and Khalid Lagoon. Plan outdoor visits for early morning or after sunset, particularly between late spring and early autumn. Al Majaz Waterfront and Al Noor Island are convenient evening areas, while Al Khan offers a different coastal setting with beach and aquarium attractions. Friday and Saturday can be busy at family-oriented areas and shopping centres. For wider exploration, Sharjah’s eastern exclaves, Mleiha and the Hajar Mountain landscapes are separate regional destinations rather than extensions of the city centre.
Eve, your Evendo local guide

From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
Helloمرحبا[marhaba]
Goodbyeوداعا[wadaeana]
Yesنعم[naam]
Noلا[la]
Please/You're welcomeمن فضلك[min fadlik]
Thank youشكرا لك[shukran lak]
Excuse me/Sorryعذرا[udhran]
How are you?كيف حالك؟[kayf halik?]
Fine. And you?بخير. وأنت؟[bikhayr. wa ant?]
Do you speak English?هل تتحدث الإنجليزية؟[hal tatahadath al'inglizia?]
I don't understandلا أفهم[la afham]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseأريد أن أرى القائمة، من فضلك[urid an ara alqaimah, min fadlik]
I don't eat meatأنا لا آكل اللحم[ana la akl allahm]
Cheers!في صحتك[fi sahtak]
I would like to pay, pleaseأريد أن أدفع، من فضلك[urid an adfae, min fadlik]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!النجدة![alnajdah!]
Go away!انصرف![ansarif!]
Call the Police!اتصل بالشرطة![atassal bialshurta!]
Call a doctor!اتصل بطبيب![atassal bietib!]
I'm lostلقد ضاعت دروبي[laqad daeat durubi]
I'm illأنا مريض[ana mareed]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...أريد أن أشتري...[urid an ashtari...]
I'm just lookingأنا فقط أتفرج[ana faqat atfarij]
How much is it?كم سعره؟[kam sairuh?]
That's too expensiveهذا غالي جدا[hatha ghali jiddan]
Can you lower the price?هل يمكنك خفض السعر؟[hal yumkinuk khafd alsair?]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?كم الساعة؟[kam alsaeah?]
It's one o'clockالساعة الواحدة[alsaeah alwahidah]
Half past (10)العاشرة والنصف[al'ashirah walinisf]
Morningصباح[sabah]
Afternoonمساء[masa]
Eveningمساء[masa]
Yesterdayأمس[ams]
Todayاليوم[alyawm]
Tomorrowغدا[ghadan]
1واحد[wahid]
2اثنان[ithnan]
3ثلاثة[thalathah]
4أربعة[arba'ah]
5خمسة[khamsah]
6ستة[sittah]
7سبعة[sab'ah]
8ثمانية[thamania]
9تسعة[tis'ah]
10عشرة[asharah]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?أين توجد...؟[ayn tujad...?]
What's the address?ما هو العنوان؟[ma hu al'unnwan?]
Can you show me (on the map)?هل يمكنك أن تريني (على الخريطة)؟[hal yumkinuk an tarini (ala alkharitah)?]
When's the next (bus)?متى الحافلة القادمة؟[mata alhafilah alqadimah?]
A ticket (to ....)تذكرة (إلى ....)[tadhkirah (ila ....)]

History of Sharjah

Ancient Settlements of the Sharjah Region

The wider Sharjah emirate contains evidence of long human occupation, including the archaeological site of Mleiha east of the modern city. Mleiha developed as an important settlement and trading centre during the pre-Islamic period, linking inland communities with routes across Arabia and the wider Indian Ocean world. Archaeological remains include tombs, fortifications, domestic structures and evidence of craft production and commerce. Although Mleiha lies outside Sharjah city, its discoveries provide valuable context for understanding the emirate’s early relationship with desert routes, coastal settlements and long-distance exchange. The modern city itself grew later around a sheltered creek and maritime economy rather than around the inland archaeological centre.

A Creek-Side Trading Settlement

Sharjah emerged as a significant coastal settlement around a natural creek, where fishing, pearling, boat building and trade supported an expanding community. Its position on the Gulf coast connected it with ports around the Arabian Peninsula, Persia and the Indian Ocean. Merchants exchanged dates, textiles, pearls and other goods, while local houses were built with coral stone, gypsum and palm materials suited to the climate. The old town’s lanes, courtyards and souqs reflected this mixed commercial and domestic life. Sharjah’s access to both the Gulf and the inland routes of the northern Emirates helped it become one of the region’s established maritime centres before the discovery of oil.

The Qawasim and Gulf Politics

From the eighteenth century, Sharjah was associated with the Qawasim, a powerful maritime dynasty whose influence extended across parts of the southern Gulf. Competition among Gulf rulers, European trading interests and regional powers shaped the political environment in which Sharjah developed. British naval expeditions and agreements with local rulers in the early nineteenth century led to the 1820 General Maritime Treaty and later arrangements that British records described as the Trucial system. These agreements altered the emirate’s external relations while leaving local rulers responsible for internal administration. The period remains important to Sharjah’s history because it linked the city’s seafaring economy to the changing balance of power in the Gulf.

From Trucial State to Federation

During the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, Sharjah remained dependent on pearling, fishing, trade and date cultivation, with economic fortunes affected by regional markets and the collapse of the pearling industry. Aviation also gave the emirate strategic importance: an airfield established in the 1930s served Imperial Airways flights between Europe and Asia. Political change accelerated after Britain announced its withdrawal from the Gulf. On 2 December 1971, Sharjah joined Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain and Fujairah in forming the United Arab Emirates; Ras Al Khaimah joined the federation in 1972. Federation brought new investment, infrastructure and administrative development to the city.

Restoring the Historic City

Rapid urban expansion transformed Sharjah during the late twentieth century, but the emirate also pursued an extensive programme to preserve and restore its historic core. Traditional houses, souqs and public buildings around the old creek were repaired using forms and materials that recall the city’s pre-oil architecture. The project now known as Heart of Sharjah brought heritage, museums, galleries, cafés and cultural venues into a connected historic district. Restoration did more than conserve individual structures: it re-established the old town as a setting for public life and cultural interpretation, allowing visitors to see how domestic architecture, commerce and religious institutions once fitted together.

A Contemporary Cultural Identity

Sharjah’s modern identity has been strongly shaped by cultural institutions, publishing, museums and public arts initiatives. The emirate was designated Arab Cultural Capital by UNESCO in 1998, reflecting its growing investment in libraries, exhibitions and heritage preservation. The Sharjah Biennial, launched in 1993, developed into an influential platform for contemporary art, while the annual Sharjah International Book Fair helped establish the city as a major centre for literary exchange in the region. These initiatives sit alongside museums devoted to Islamic art, archaeology, science and Emirati heritage, creating a contemporary cultural landscape that remains closely connected to the city’s maritime and architectural past.

Sharjah in Photos

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Evendo: Your Ultimate Travel Guide to Sharjah

Discover Sharjah like never before with Evendo, a 100% free app-based travel guide. Explore landmarks, attractions, restaurants, and more to make the most of your trip!

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Evendo is your comprehensive, free travel guide to Sharjah, UAE. Find detailed information on attractions, landmarks, restaurants, hotels, and more. Download now for an unforgettable journey!

  • Travel essentials and history of Sharjah
  • Easy-to-use navigation and 'Near Me' feature
  • Curated local tips for an authentic experience
  • 100% free with no in-app purchases or additional costs
  • Global coverage with over 7,000 destinations

Planning your trip to Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, is now easier than ever with Evendo, your ultimate travel guide app. Whether you're a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveler, Evendo helps you explore the best of Sharjah with ease.

From the iconic Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization to the breathtaking Al Noor Mosque, Evendo provides detailed information on all the must-see landmarks and attractions. Discover the hidden gems of Al Qasba or take a stroll down the vibrant Al Majaz Waterfront. Looking for culinary delights? Evendo has you covered with recommendations for top restaurants like Al Fanar Restaurant & Cafe and Seashells Restaurant.

But that's not all. Evendo also offers practical travel tips, easy navigation, and a 'Near Me' feature to help you find nearby attractions, bars, nightclubs, shops, and more. Book hotels, tours, and experiences directly through the app, eliminating the hassle of multiple bookings. With rich descriptions, images, maps, and local tips, Evendo ensures you make the most out of your Sharjah adventure.

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