Sharjah

By plane

• Sharjah International AirportIt is the home of the low-cost carrier Air Arabia which has connections with various Middle East and Indian Subcontinent cities.

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Basil D Soufi

• 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

  phone: +971 6 5685500
  address: Al-Hosn Avenue
  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

  phone: +971 6 5655455
  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.

• Bait al-Naboodah

  phone: +971 6 5685500
  address: Heritage Area

• Souq al-Arsah

  address: Heritage Area
  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

  phone: +971 6 5694561
  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

  phone: +971 6 5680006
  A small museum about the history and habits of the emirate

• Sharjah Art Museum

  phone: +971 6 5688222
  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.

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• 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 ParkIt 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.

• Fish Market

  address: Corniche Road

• King Faisal Mosque

  address: 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 Waterfront and Eye of the Emirates

  phone: +971 6 5560777
  address: Al-Taiwoon Road, Al-Khan Lagoon
  Here you can enjoy culture, entertainment and leisure attractions representing the very best from the Arab world and beyond.

• Al-Mahattah-Museum

  phone: +971 6 5733079
  address: Estiqlal Square
  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

  phone: +971 6 528 5288
  address: Al Meena Street,Al Khan Area,Near Sharjah Maritime Museum
  The Sharjah Aquarium first opened its doors on June 16, 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.

• 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.

• Souq al-ArsaSouq 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)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

  phone: +971 6 5738383
  address: Corniche Road
  Sweet dates, packed into small boxes, a nice souvenir.

• Sharjah Mega Mall

  phone: +971 6 5742574
  address: Immigration Road
  Luxury shopping center with more than 140 international shops and the Lebanese Beyrouth Restaurant.

• City Center Sharjah

  phone: +971 6 532 7700
  Luxury shopping center with a high class, multi-screen cinema.

• Sahara Center Sharjah

  phone: +971 6-531-6611
  address: P.O. Box: 510051
  Sahara Centre 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 Debenhams, Marina Exotic Home Interiors, Toys ‘R’ Us, Home Centre and Spinneys as well as entertainment such as Novo Cinemas and Adventureland.

• Mushmaool Arabic Grill Restaurant

  phone: +971 6 5754244
  address: Al Miraj Building 1, beside Megamall Entrance 3, Abu Shagara
  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

  phone: +971 6 5283501
  address: Ahmed bin Dar-eish Square, Al-Chan Road
  Fish restaurant serving fried or grilled shrimps, tuna fish and hammour or a seafood platter at reasonable prices.

• Lasani

  phone: +971 6 573-0075
  address: Sameer Al Mahmood Building, King Faisal Road, Al Majaz 1, Al Majaz
  Pakistani barbecue and oriental food. One of the best Pakistani food in Sharjah.

• Syed Al Biryani

  phone: +971 6 5506699
  address: Shop#2, Ezza Tower, Al Nad Qassmia, opp Crystal Plaza Hotel
  House of great taste. One of the best restaurants in Sharjah.

• Sharjah Wanderers ClubMembers 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.

• Holiday Inn Sharjah

  phone: +971 6 5599900
  180 rooms, lobby lounge open 24 hr, Al Dana Dining Restaurant, health and fitness centre, sauna, shuttle service to access the beach (distance: 2 km)

• Lou' Lou'a Beach Resort

  phone: +971 6 5285000
  address: Al Mina Rd

• Al Reem Suites, Sharjah

  phone: +971 6 5647700
  address: Alqulayyah Sharjah
  A well-furnished serviced apartment hotel. Rooms available at reasonable rates (monthly and daily basis). Room service available. Airport drop and pick up services, city tours and shopping centre drops are available upon request. Spacious and well arranged rooms.

Budget

Mid-range

• Citymax

  phone: +971 6 598 5000
  address: Wahda Rd, Abu Shagara District
  A nice hotel offering luxury mattresses, wide screen TV, 24-hr room service, vending machines on every floor, at very affordable rates located close to city's industrial, historic and shopping areas. 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

  phone: +971 6 5722575
  address: #66496 Al Qasimeyah - Immigration Rd
  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

  phone: +971 6 561 5600
  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 HostelNot 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 ApartmentsIt'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 SharjahOne 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 Mulla Hotel Suites

  phone: +971 6 5745333
  address: Buhaira Cornich, Opposite Marbelle Resort & Holiday Inn
  Costs about USD85 for a huge one-bedroom suite that comes with kitchen and living room - can fit about 4 people.

• Al Sharq Hotel

  phone: +971 6 5620000
  address: 10 Al Ghuwair St, Rolla Square
  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.

• Radission SAS Resort Hotel

  phone: +971 6 5657777
  address: Ahmed Bin Dareish Square, Corniche Rd

• Grand Hotel Sharjah

  phone: +971 6 5285557
  address: Sheikh Sultan al-Awal Rd, Al Chan Beach

Splurge

• Holiday International Hotel

  phone: +971 6 573 6666

• Radisson Blu Resort, Sharjah

  phone: +971 6 565 7777
  address: Corniche St
  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.

Medical services

• Al Zahra Private Hospital, Al-Zahra Sq., Al Ghuair, phone 5619999,5613311
• Bristol Medical Centre, Juma Al Majid Building, Al Nahda, Phone: +971-65266615
• Zulekha Hospital, Al Zahra Street, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. Ph: 600 524442
• University Hospital Sharjah, University City - University Street, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. Ph: +971 6 505 8555

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