Sharjah (الشارقة) is the capital of Sharjah emirate and the third largest city in the United Arab Emirates.

Introduction to Sharjah

The word Sharq (short form of Mashriq) means east. Sharjah is east of Dubai and Abu Dhabi, thus its name. Its classical Arabic form is “Al Shareqah”.

Districts of Sharjah

Sharjah is divided into districts, which are in both the main city and the suburbs. The districts are divided up into smaller communities or areas. The following are the districts in the main city:

• Al Nahda
• Al Khan
• Al Mamzar
• Al Majaz
• Al Qasimia
• Al Gharb (Rolla)
• Al Sharq
• Industrial Areas

About Sharjah

Sharjah is the third largest in area of the seven emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the only one to have land on both the Persian Gulf Coast and the Gulf of Oman. Sharjah is next to Dubai and is effectively a suburb of it, with commuter traffic creating rush hour traffic jams. Expatriates generally live in Sharjah and work in Dubai because cost of living is cheaper in Sharjah, but better jobs are in Dubai.

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 were all designed by the present Shaikh (a qualified architect), a nice visual change from the usual fare of skyscrapers in other Emirates.

Language spoken in Sharjah

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.

Fly to Sharjah

By plane

• Sharjah International Airport (is around 15 kilometres from Sharjah city). It is the home of the low cost carrier Air Arabia which has connections with various Middle East and Indian Subcontinent cities. (updated Nov 2021)

Getting to/from the airport

There is a shuttle bus connecting the airport with Sharjah Centre (Rolla) running every 30 min (5 dirham). Public bus route 111 (10 dirham) runs hourly from the airport via Al Qusais Bus station to the Metro’s Rashidiya station in Dubai.

Dubai International Airport , in the neighbouring emirate of Dubai, has many more international connections and will be the more popular gateway to Sharjah.

Getting to/from the airport

To go to Dubai International Airport by taxi will set you back at around 100 dirham. You can travel by public bus to or from Dubai International Airport by using Dubai’s local bus service and the inter-Emirate bus service.

By bus

Bus travel to Dubai is possible via an inter-emirate bus service run by the Government of Dubai Road and Transport Authority. Most buses arrive at Al Jubail bus station, next to the Sharjah Fish market and the Sharjah Fruit and Vegetable market, nearby to the Central Souk. A bus from Sharjah to Dubai can take about 1 hour and costs 5 dirham. Timetables can be found at the RTA website.

By taxi

Taxis can travel from Dubai to Sharjah and vice versa without any restrictions.

Getting around in Sharjah

Public buses are by Sharjah Transport,  There are seven local and three express routes. Dubai’s RTA also offers express commuter bus service. Licensed taxi companies are Sharjah, Emirates, Citi, Union, and Advantage. Taxi plates are reflective green, which helps to spot them at night. Flag fall is 3.50 dirham, then 1 dirham every 650 m, and the minimum fare is 11.50 dirham. There is a surcharge of 20 dirham to go into Dubai.

Islamic Tour Suggestion for Sharjah

• Heritage Area – Good overview available here including a few restoration of old houses. The Heritage is situated 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, Al-Hosn Avenue, . Sa-Th 8AM-2PM, Fri:closed. 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. Adult 5 dirham, family 10 dirham, children free. 
• Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization, . Sa-Th 8AM-8PM, F 4-8PM. 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. Adult 5 dirham, family 10 dirham, children free. 
• Bait al-Naboodah, Heritage Area, . Sa-Th 8AM-8PM, F 4-8PM. Adult 5 dirham, family 10 dirham, children free. 
• Souq al-Arsah, Heritage Area. Sa-Th 9AM-1PM, 4-9PM, F 4-9PM only. Another souq worth a visit. It is considered to be the oldest souq in the country. Stop at the traditional coffehouse for a mint tea and a plate of dates. 
• Sharjah Calligraphy Museum (Heritage Area), . Sa-Th 8AM-8PM, F 4-8PM. 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 Adult 5 dirham, family 10 dirham, children free. 
• Sharjah Heritage Museum (Heritage Area), . Sa-Th 8AM-8PM, F 4-8PM. A small museum about the history and habits of the emirate Adult 10 dirham, children 5 dirham. 
• 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, . Sa-Th 8AM-8PM, F 4-8PM. 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. Free. 
• Sharjah Archeology Museum, Sheikh Rashid bin Saqr alQassimi Road, . Sa-Th 9AM-1PM, 5-8PM; F 5-8PM. 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. Adult 10 dirham, children 5 dirham. 

• 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 (28 km from Sharjah on the road to Al Dhaid). Su-Th 9AM–5:30PM, F 2PM-5:30PM, Sa 11AM–5:30PM. 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. Adult 15 dirham, child (12–16 years) 5 dirham, child (under 12) free. 
• Fish Market, Corniche Road (opposite Blue Suq). Daily 5AM-1PM. 
• King Faisal Mosque, Al-Ittahid Square. 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 and Eye of the Emirates, Al-Taiwoon Road, Al-Chan Lagoon, . Sa-Th 10AM-11PM, F 4-11PM. Here you can enjoy culture, entertainment and leisure attractions representing the very best from the Arab world and beyond. 
• Al-Mahattah-Museum, Estiqlal Square, . Sa-Th 8AM-8PM, F 4-8PM. 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. Adult 5 dirham, family 10 dirham, child free. 

What to do in Sharjah

• 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.

Shopping in Sharjah

• Souq al-Arsa (in the Heritage Area). 10AM-1:30PM, 4-10PM. Souq al-Arsa is considered the most atmospheric souq in the United Arab Emirates: authentic antiques, handicrafts, carpets and souvenirs for a much better price than in Dubai. 
• Central Souq (Blue Souq, New Souq). 9AM-1:30PM, 3-10PM. The Central Souq is one of the best souqs in the United Arab Republic, 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, Corniche Road (near Marbella Resort), . Sa-W 9AM-1PM, 4-8PM; F 4-8PM. Sweet dates, packed into small boxes, a nice souvenir. 
• Sharjah Mega Mall, Immigration Road, . Sa-W 11AM-11PM, Th 11AM-1AM, F 2PM-1AM. Luxury shopping center with more than 140 international shops and the Lebanese Halal Beyrouth Restaurant. 

Halal Food in Sharjah

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

• Mushmaool Arabic Grill Restaurant, Al Miraj Building 1, beside Megamall Entrance 3, Abu Shagara has good Halal food and an amazing service. Provides the best Halal grill in town with an outstanding dining experience. Committed to provide quality food and a healthy Halal dining experience as close to as what you get at home. 35 dirham/person. 
• Seashells, Ahmed bin Dar-eish Square, Al-Chan Road (near Raddission SAS Resort).  Sa-Th noon-3PM, 7PM-midnight. Fish restaurant serving fried or grilled shrimps, tuna fish and hammour or a seafood platter at reasonable prices. 
• Lasani, Sameer Al Mahmood Building, King Faisal Road, Al Majaz 1, Al Majaz (Near RAK Bank), . Pakistani Halal barbecue and oriental food. One of the best Pakistani Halal restaurants in Sharjah. 
• Syed Al Biryani, Shop#2, Ezza Tower, Al Nad Qassmia, opp Crystal Plaza Hotel, . House of Great taste. One of the best Halal  restaurants in Sharjah. 

Go next

• The smallest emirate, Ajman, is Sharjah’s northern neighbor