Sharjah, the third-largest emirate within the United Arab Emirates, is named the nation’s cultural hub. Artwork areas, museums, festivals, and gala’s abound within the metropolis and the central and jap areas. This, together with its pristine white seashores, vibrant waterfronts, mountain parks, forts, and several other nature reserves, are just some causes so as to add Sharjah to your journey bucket listing!
Sharjah is a metropolis on the coast of the Arabian Gulf that’s quickly stretching additional into the desert. Its many lagoons imply it has an prolonged shoreline with many lovely spots to take pleasure in. The Central and Japanese Areas are residence to deserts, plains, oasis cities, mountains, seashores, mangrove forests, forts, and archeological websites relationship again over 100,000 years. There may be even a tiny enclave inside an Omani enclave!
Being the one alcohol-free emirate within the UAE makes it the right vacation spot for the most recent sober journey development, permitting for extra immersive and significant journey experiences. Nonetheless, you’ll be able to simply nip throughout the border to neighboring emirates.
Finest Time to Go to Sharjah, UAE
The perfect time to go to Sharjah is within the winter, between October and April, and ideally between late November and March. The summer season months are highly regarded, as much as 45C close to the coast and as much as 50C inland, and humid in coastal areas.
The temperature between late November and March usually ranges from 24C to 35C. It will get colder within the mountainous areas, and the wind can get chilly close to the seashore, so pack an additional layer.
There are lots of gala’s, festivals, and different occasions in the course of the winter months, so chances are you’ll need to time it with one in every of these. My favourite month for occasions in Sharjah is February when the Sharjah Mild Competition is on.
One other factor to recollect when selecting your dates is Ramadan, which is now within the winter months. It may be a enjoyable time to go to, with purchasing festivals and many iftars (night meals to interrupt the quick) to eat at, however life is mostly quieter, and opening hours could change.
Coronary heart of Sharjah, UAE
The Heart of Sharjah is the previous city with restored retailers’ properties, souqs, or bazaars. These are actually museums, calligraphy facilities, boutique resorts, artist associations, and so on. Within the souq are previous silver jewellery, Pashmina shawls, and souvenirs. You’ll be able to study extra concerning the metropolis’s historical past and emirate at Sharjah Fort.
For artwork, head to Al Mureijah Artwork Areas, the Artwork Space with Sharjah Artwork Museum, and smaller galleries in restored homes. The Rain Room is an artwork set up that exhibits rain falling in a darkish room, with sensors protecting you dry.
Central Souq affords gold, carpets, previous silver daggers, conventional clothes, and souvenirs for purchasing. For those who don’t need to store, cease by to see the gorgeous structure of this iconic landmark.
Al Noor Island
At Al Noor Island and Butterfly House, the numerous panorama consists of meadows, silk floss timber, and cactus gardens, and also you’ll overlook you’re in a metropolis! Youngsters can benefit from the rope playground and trampoline pathway.
A number of species flutter across the Butterfly Home, and after quarter-hour inside, you’ll be able to loosen up within the elegant cafeteria. Artwork items and enormous fossils are dotted across the island. It’s a wonderful place for photographers and has some fabulous selfie spots.
From there, stroll across the lagoon to Al Majaz Waterfront, which affords a alternative of eating places and cafes, nice views, a youngsters’s splash park, and gardens to take a seat in. You’ll be able to lease a kayak or pedal boat or take a ship trip across the lagoon in a conventional picket dhow for a extra stress-free possibility.
Proceed across the lagoon to Al Qasba, a canal lined with eating places, cafes, play areas, a theatre, and an artwork gallery. It’s also possible to lease a dhow or pedal boat right here.
Seashores in Sharjah
Al Khan Seaside is a well-liked alternative, recognized for its water sports activities and family-friendly services, making it superb for rest and journey. Khorfakkan Seaside, nestled in Sharjah’s east coast exclave, presents a surprising pure setting with clear waters and alternatives for snorkeling and diving.
For a extra serene expertise, the Al Corniche Seaside is ideal for leisurely strolls and picnics, with well-maintained services and nice views. Al Mamzar Seaside, between Sharjah and Dubai, is a gem recognized for its lovely sandy shores and plush parkland, making it a favourite spot for beachgoers.
For extra aquatic adventures, go to Sharjah Aquarium on the coast or head to Wasit Wetlands to see and find out about many sorts of birds.
Museums in Sharjah, UAE
It’s arduous to select from over 25 museums, however these are my high picks. Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization affords fascinating perception into Islamic students’ contributions to science, arithmetic, and different fields. It additionally has Islamic artwork displays and visiting exhibitions. Mahatta Museum within the previous airport affords a glimpse into the historical past of aviation and Sharjah. Climbing into the cockpit of an previous passenger aircraft is fairly cool! The Sharjah Science Museum engages households with interactive displays, making science enjoyable and academic, significantly for kids.
Festivals and Gala’s in Sharjah
The Sharjah Mild Competition (February) transforms the town right into a luminous canvas. Progressive mild installations and projections illuminate its structure, drawing guests right into a magical nocturnal spectacle. This competition uniquely blends artwork, expertise, and heritage, making a mesmerizing expertise celebrating the emirate’s cultural richness.
On the Sharjah Islamic Arts Competition (December and January), artists from world wide exhibit works that replicate Islamic artwork’s magnificence and variety. This occasion showcases conventional and modern Islamic artwork varieties by way of exhibitions, workshops, and lectures, fostering a deeper appreciation of Islamic cultural heritage.
Heritage Days in Sharjah (late February to early March) celebrates the emirate’s wealthy cultural historical past and traditions. It options folks dances, conventional crafts, and genuine Emirati delicacies. This competition affords a journey into the previous, offering insights into the folks of the United Arab Emirates’ existence, customs, and heritage.
The Sharjah Ebook Honest (November) is famend as one of many largest e book gala’s on the planet. It attracts a world viewers of readers, writers, and publishers. The truthful offers a platform for cultural trade, literary discussions, and studying promotion and options 1000’s of titles throughout varied genres and languages.
Xposure Pictures Competition (November) in Sharjah is a world occasion that displays a surprising array of photographic works, from breathtaking landscapes to highly effective photojournalism. The competition showcases famend photographers’ work and affords workshops, competitions, and panel discussions for aspiring photographers and lovers.
The Sharjah Biennial (March or April) is a globally acknowledged modern artwork exhibition that brings collectively artists, curators, and critics from internationally. This occasion offers an area for experimental and progressive artwork tasks, encouraging dialogue and exploring modern points by way of inventive expression.
Emirati Meals and Eating places
No journey to Sharjah can be full with out attempting Emirati meals. Al Fanar at Al Majaz Waterfront serves conventional meals and has an important view over the lagoon.
The Arabian Tea Home close to The Coronary heart of Sharjah has a blended menu, together with Emirati delicacies. Its sister restaurant, The Arabian Fish Home, affords related with additional fish dishes. It’s situated on Al Hira Seaside and has a beautiful view over the white sands and azure sea.
For breakfast, I like to recommend chabab, that are like pancakes and served with cheese unfold and honey or dhibs, date syrup. Ragag is wafer-thin bread usually stuffed with egg and cheese and folded right into a triangle. At any time of the day, order Arabic espresso and legemaat, deep-fried dumplings drizzled with date syrup.
For a essential, attempt recent fried fish and rice or machboos, rice cooked in sauce, with hen, meat or fish. One other native dish is thareed, stew poured over wafer-thin bread.
Mleiha Day Journey
Mleiha is a superb place for a day journey with quite a lot of issues to do. The Archeological Middle explores the historical past of the Sharjah Central Area, which fits again tens of millions of years. Exterior is a restored Bronze Age tomb, and subsequent to it’s a nice bistro.
As soon as you understand the historical past, you’ll be able to tour the assorted archeological websites, together with historic caves, camel and horse graves, and tombs.
For some journey, trip a 4WD or Unimog over the dunes, or go on a hack for those who love horse driving. Ebook a night with barbecue and stargazing, or deal with your self to glamping on the foot of the mountain.
Sharjah Desert Park Day Journey
Sharjah Desert Park is a superb place for a household time out. The Arabian Wildlife Middle, Pure Historical past and Botanical Museum, Youngsters’s Petting Farm, and Islamic Botanical Gardens are multi functional. You’ll be able to simply spend an entire day right here.
Because the Wildlife Middle is indoors, it’s good to go to throughout hotter months or the warmer a part of the day. You’ll be able to see animals indigenous to Arabia, lots of that are endangered, corresponding to leopards and hyenas. Indoors are smaller species like hedgehogs, jerboas, sand cats, and birds.
The Pure Historical past Museum explores the area’s improvement over tens of millions of years. The botanical part consists of matters corresponding to how vegetation have been used and varieties of timber. Shows embody dinosaurs, fossils, and interactive displays.
The Islamic Botanical Backyard has small gardens with vegetation referenced in Islamic sources and a distinguished Islamic backyard with water options.
You’ll be able to have lunch on the cafeteria within the Wildlife Middle or have a picnic on the grass.
Khorfakkan Day Journey
A visit to the Khorfakkan area takes you thru the desert, plains, farming areas, and mountains to achieve the east coast. The drive alone is value it to see the numerous totally different landscapes.
In Khor Fakkan, you’ll be able to cease off at Shees Park within the mountains after which Rafisah Dam, with its lovely lake. At Rafisah, you’ll be able to kayak or rent a pedal or doughnut boat. A mountaineering path goes up the mountainside, whereas a extra leisurely stroll leads down from the dam. Rafisah Lounge restaurant has views over the lake and mountains.
In Khorfakkan, go to the souq, the Fort Museum, the Portuguese Fort, and the Resistance Monument, a museum formed like a helmet. Subsequent, go to the mountainside amphitheater, synthetic waterfall, seashore, and corniche.
For a little bit of journey, rent a ship to take you to Shark Island for snorkeling or hike up Rabi Path for some beautiful views.
Visiting Sharjah, UAE
That’s a wrap on Sharjah. With a lot to see and do, from artwork galleries to nature reserves and hacks throughout dunes to snorkeling within the Indian Ocean, it’s a wonderful vacation spot for solo vacationers, {couples}, and households. Lovely seashores, mountains, desert, metropolis lagoons, and a vibrant metropolis await. Begin planning your Sharjah itinerary now, or add it to your Dubai vacation!
Alison Watt lives within the UAE and likes to weblog concerning the nation she calls residence. Her focus is on the northern emirates, which are sometimes missed however have a lot to supply. Each week, she’s out and about exploring someplace new and shares the hidden gems she finds at glimpsesofuae.com.
