Top 21 Tourist Places to Visit and Things to Do in Sharjah

April 11, 2020 Mustafa Natalwala 6011 Views

Sharjah is the third largest emirate in the UAE. Geographically Sharjah is unique among the Emirates in that it shares borders with each of the other six Emirates. The most significant places to visit in Sharjah are cultural centers, historical sites, and museums. Sharjah is the most culturally, historically, and intellectually rich among all Emirates.

It has been named the Capital of Arab Culture by UNESCO. Historically, Sharjah has also been one of the most progressive region, both in terms of society, culture, as well as infrastructure. Sharjah had built the first airport in the Gulf Region. Besides Sharjah tourist places, is also one of the most popular education hubs in the Middle East.

In fact, Sharjah holds a place among the top 100 student cities in the world. Sharjah also hosts the 4th largest book fair in the world. But that does not mean, it is all books & thoughts when you visit Sharjah. There are equal or even more entertaining, adventurous, and leisurely places to go in Sharjah.

There is no scarcity of adventure and adventure sports in Sharjah. You can head out to the mountains, the desert, or the wadi to have a thrilling experience. Sharjah also has a variety of natural places to see in UAE including forest reserves, mountain reserves, wildlife conservation parks, wetlands, mangroves, deserts, and mountains. Each offers its own unique picturesque course to feat your eyes.

The traditional souq markets and Mall offer great options for shopping in Sharjah. There are also many beautifully preserved and historically significant places to visit in Sharjah. A Sharjah travel is a complete package of history, sightseeing, leisure, adventure, fun, nature, entertainment, and more.

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Table of Contents

Top 21 Tourist Places to Visit in Sharjah

1. The Blue Souq

Similar to its neighbour Dubai, shopping is one of the best things to do in Sharjah as well. This market is more than shopping complex as well as a monument. It is known as much for its architecture and design as the shops within it. There are more than 600 shops in this market sells gold, jewelry, perfume, textile, food, souvenirs, etc. You can easily spend an hour or exploring this market when you visit Sharjah.

2. Arabian Wildlife Centre

This wildlife centre is dedicated to native Arabian animals. It is one of the best places to visit in Sharjah for animal lovers. You can see Arabian leopards, oryx, flamingoes, camels, snakes, crocodiles, and more. The centre also allows you to interact with some of the animals. You will need 30 to 45 minutes to explore this place.

3. Sharjah Natural History Museum & Desert Park

This museum and park is dedicated to the natural world of the United Arab Emirates. It is one of the most interesting Sharjah tourist places. It looks at the evolution of plant and animal life in the region over the years. You can also learn about the pre-historic creatures that roamed this land at some time. The desert park also has several museums within itself. These include botanical gardens, history museum, children’s farm, and wildlife centre. You will need about 2 hours from Sharjah travel to tour this place.

4. Sharjah Science Museum

This science museum has a variety of exhibits including entertainment and interactive ones dedicated to educating people about various sciences. The exhibits cover natural sciences, physics, biology, aerodynamics, physiology, electricity and more. It is one of the best places to go in Sharjah for families. You will need about an hour to tour this museum.

5. Khalid Lagoon & Al Noor Island

This huge lake is one of the most beautiful places to see in Sharjah. The tranquil lake has a few islands, which are attractions in their own right. You can stroll along the banks of this lake. One of the most popular island in this lake is the Al Noor Island. This place has a variety of attractions and things to do in Sharjah. The island is home to sculptures and art installations. It also has a beautiful butterfly house and a natural wellspring. You can easily spend a few hours exploring Al Noor Island and the surroundings of Khalid Lagoon.

6. Sharjah Heritage Area

This area celebrates the art, architecture, and culture of ancient Arabia. You will see old houses and wind towers make you feel that you have gone back in time. This area is also one of the best places to visit in Sharjah for shopping and dining. You will need about an hour to explore this area.

7. Sharjah Aquarium

This aquarium has more than 100 species of oceanic creatures including rays, sharks, eels, seahorses, snakes, small fishes, turtles, and more. It is one of the most interesting Sharjah tourist places. The aquarium also has coral reefs and variety of ocean beds. You can stroll through underwater tunnels to explore the wonders of the ocean. You need about 2 hours from Sharjah sightseeing to explore this place.

8. Maritime Museum

This museum is dedicated to the seafaring history of the Emirati people. The history of the region is closely linked to fishing, sea trade and pearl diving. It is one of the best places to see in Sharjah to learn about the history of the people. You can also see genuine Arabian pearls, including one that is believed to be the oldest one ever collected. You will need about an hour from Sharjah travel to tour this museum.

9. Al Jazeera Park

This amusement park has a variety of water rides, games, parks, ferris wheel, slides, and more. It is one of the best places to go in Sharjah for families with children. You can easily spend an hour or so enjoying the rides at this park.

10. Sharjah Art Museum

This museum is dedicated to preservation of Arabian art and encouraging regional artists. You will see paintings, art installations, sculptures, traditional handicrafts, architectural pieces, and more. This museum covers several different eras of evolution of Arabian art. You will need an hour from Sharjah sightseeing to tour this museum.

11. Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization

This museum is dedicate to the Islamic arts and culture. It has more than five thousand artifacts that reflect the evolution of Islamic culture. It is one of the finest historical places to visit in Sharjah. You will see carvings, manuscripts, paintings, calligraphies, coins, metal works, ceramics, scientific equipments, and more. You will need about an hour to tour this museum when you visit Sharjah.

12. Mleiha Archaeological Centre

This archeological site takes you several centuries in the past to the early years of the bedouin civilization. Situated in the middle of the dessert you will remnants of a civilization dating back to the Palaeolithic era. Aside from exploring history, you can also enjoy a variety of fun things to do in Sharjah at this site such as horseback tours, dune buggy rides, dessert safari, archeological trek, cave exploration, night camping, star gazing, and more. You need at least 3 to 4 hours from Sharjah travel to experience this place.

13. Sharjah Fort (Al Hisn)

Traditionally known as Al Hisn, this fort is the historical heart of Sharjah Emirate. It was built in 1820 by Sheikh Sultan bin Saqr Al Qasimi. This fort blends elements of bedouin culture and western fortresses. It is one of the most important historical places to see in Sharjah. A tour of this fort will give you insight into the political workings of the time as well as wartime preparations. You will need an hour to tour this site.

14. Sharjah Archaeology Museum

This museum focuses on human history in the region. It begins with the evidence of human settlement during the stone age and goes all the way to the modern times. It is one of the best places to go in Sharjah for history enthusiasts. You will need one hour to tour this museum.

15. Khor Kalba Conservation Reserve

This mangrove forest reserve is a beautiful piece of nature close to the city. It is especially popular among Sharjah tourist places for nature trails and bird watching. The conservation is known for white-collared kingfisher. You can also see olive ridley turtles, loggerhead turtle, green turtle, and hawksbill turtle. You will need about 2 hours to explore this forest.

16. Al Qasba

This waterfront stands on both sides of Al Qasba canal. It is a popular evening spot for a variety of activities to do in Sharjah including shopping, dining, amusement rides, boating, and more. It is one of the finest place to see the city’s skyline. You can easily spend a couple of hours at this waterfront when you visit Sharjah.

17. Al Noor Mosque

This is the biggest mosque in Sharjah. It is known for its elaborate architecture and interior decor. It reflects ottoman style of architecture with multiple domes of varying sizes and slender minarets. You will need 30 to 45 minutes from Sharjah sightseeing to tour this mosque.

18. Sharjah Beaches

Sharjah and its surroundings have wonderful coastal destinations. Some of the most Sharjah beaches include Al Hirah, Sharjah beach, Al Fisht, Al Mamzar, Corniche beach, and Al Khan beach. You can enjoy a variety of leisure, entertainment, adventure, and water activities to do in Sharjah along the coast. You can easily spend a couple of hours exploring the beaches.

19. Sharjah Desert Safari

One of the most fun things to do in Sharjah is the desert safari. The tour takes you on an adventure ride over the sand dunes in a 4×4. Some dessert safari tours also include camel rides, sand surfing, and dune bugging. After a day of cruising the desert, you can spend the evening in bedouin style tent. Here you enjoy traditional dance and music entertainment alongside a dainty spread of traditional cuisine. You need at least 4 to 5 hours for this experience.

I suggest you should try a Quad Bike Desert Safari with Sand Boarding and also if possible then you should experience the Overnight Camping in Desert.

20. Flag Islands

This island is part of the Khalid Lagoon and is known for several Sharjah tourist attractions. It has the tallest flag pole in the region. It also has amusement parks, water parks, activity zones, and more. You can easily spend a couple of hours exploring the attractions and activities on this island.

21. Al Montazah Parks

This amusement park is located on Flag Islands and has several themed, thrill, adventure, and water parks within it. You can get on thrill rides, arcade games, roller coasters, race games, water rides, wave pools, slides, entertainment experiences, and more. The biggest attractions within this park are Pearls Kingdom Water Park and Island of Legends. The first one is a massive water park themed after the Arabian Nights stories with magic carpets, hidden treasures, dragon slides, pirate ships, fabulous palaces and so on. The Island of Legends is an amusement park with thrill rides, adventure experiences, entertainment zones, carnival rides, etc.

You can get collective entry ticket for all parks within Al Montazah (including Pearl Kingdom & Island of Legends) or you can take separate tickets for Island Of Legends Amusement Park and Pearls Kingdom Water Park. Either way, you can easily spend an entire day at this place.

If you are looking for more places to visit in Sharjah, check out the sections below. We have compiled an exhaustive list of Sharjah attractions and activities.

Things to do in Sharjah

Historical Places, Monuments & Museums to Visit in Sharjah

Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization
Al Noor Mosque
Sharjah Mosque
Sharjah Art Museum
Sharjah Heritage Museum
Sharjah Classic Cars Museum
Sharjah Archeological Museum
Heart of Sharjah
King Faisal Mosque
Sharjah Science Museum
Al Hisn Fort Museum
Sharjah Maritime Museum
Sharjah Calligraphy Museum
Bait al Naboodah Museum
Bait Khalid bin Ibrahim
Bait al Serkal
Bait Obaid Bin Hamad al Shamsi
Bait Sheikh Saeed bin Hamad al Qasimi
Majlis al Midfa
Russian Orthodox Church Sharjah
Al Mahatta Museum
Sharjah Natural History & Botanical Museum
Sharjah Cultural Palace
Al Sabah Mosque
Sharjah Islamic Museum
Mleiha Archeological Centre
Mleiha Ancient Caves
Al Ghayl Fort
Al Elsah School Museum

Nature & Wildlife Tourist Spots to Visit in Sharjah

Wasit Nature Reserve Centre
Sharjah Desert Park
Arabia’s Wildlife Centre
Hajar Mountains
Khorfakkan Shark Island
Al Kalba Conservation Reserve
Al Qurm Nature Reserve
Fossil Rock Desert
Wadi al Helo
Al Hefaiyah Mountain Conservation Centre
Nahwa Enclave

Entertainment & Leisure Tourist Spots in Sharjah

Sharjah Aquarium
Flag Island
Sharjah Art Foundation
Rain Room
Emirates Handicraft Centre Sharjah
Sharjah Centre for the Art of Arabic Calligraphy
Al Noor Island
Literature Pavilion
AL Majaz Waterfront
Eye of the Emirates Wheel
Emirates Fine Arts Society
Maraya Art Centre
Adventureland Sharjah
Sharjah Academy of Astronomy
Islamic Botanical Garden
Breeding Centre for Endangered Arabian Wildlife
Dhow Cruise
Butterfly House
Al Hashmia Date Farm
Mleiha Visitor Centre
Kalba Birds of Prey Centre
Pearl’s Kingdom Water Park
Al Qasba Canal
Rolla Square Park
Al Majaz Splash Park
Al Montazah Park
Abu Shagarah Park
Sharjah Discovery Centre
Sharjah National Park
Al Nahda Pond Park

Shopping in Sharjah

Souq al Arsah
Souq al Shanasiyah
Souq Saqr
Sharjah Old Souq
Dibba al Hisn Souq
Sharjah Central Market
Al Dhaid Friday Market
Date Souq
Central Souq
Rolla Gold Souq
Textile Souq

Beaches in Sharjah

Al Mamzar Beach
Sharjah Beach
Dibba al Hisn Beach
Kalba Beach
Al Fisht Public Beach
Khorfakkan Beach
Al Khan beach
Al Lulayyah Beach

Offbeat Places & Adventure Things to Do in Sharjah

Desert Safari
Al Dhaid Camel Race Track
Hiking Trips
Al Badayer / The Big Red Desert
Mleiha Visitor Centre
Sand Skiing
Mountain Biking
Camping in Sharjah
Kayaking
Dune Driving
Quad Biking
Fossil Rock
Cycling Tour
Scuba Diving & Snorkeling
Deep Sea Fishing
Dhow Cruise
Sailing
Water Sports
Jet Ski

Sightseeing in Sharjah

Al Mazaj Waterfront
Al Montazah
Al Rafisah Dam
Khalid Lake
Corniche Street
Sharjah Clock Tower
Sharjah Cultural Square
Al Rafisah Square
Al Qasba
Al Ittihad Square

Food, Dining, Restaurants, & Street Food in Sharjah

Al Fanar Restaurant
Marasea
Shababeek
Fenyaal Cafe
Gerard Cafe
Fish Cafe
Emirgan Sutis
Zahr El-Laymoun
Bystro Cafe
Al Murjan
Bab al Bahr
Arjwan
On the Wood
Beit Seti
Casa Samak
Gusti
Lobby Cafe
Zaroob
Al Arsaha Coffee Shop
Cote Jardin
Waves
Le Petit Suis

Where to Stay in Sharjah?

Here we have listed Top Rated Luxurious, Mid-Range, and Budget Hotels in Sharjah. You can check the below listed hotels for your perfect stay in Sharjah.

Luxurious Hotels

Mid-Range Hotels

Budget Hotels

Custom Tours Package in Sharjah

How to Reach Sharjah?

By Air

Sharjah has its own International Airport, which is your most convenient option for Sharjah travel. The Sharjah International Airport welcomes flights from various countries across the world. It also hosts flights from other Emirates of the UAE.

By Road

The city of Sharjah is bordering to the city of Dubai. You can travel to Sharjah from any of the Emirates of UAE. You will also find convenient public transport from all Emirates for your Sharjah travel.

By Water

You can get to Sharjah from Iran via Bandar Abbas. This boat trip to Sharjah from Iran happens thrice a week. There are no other waterways to reach Sharjah for the public.

Image Reference

The Blue Souq – Susanne Nilsson / Flickr
Arabian Wildlife Centre – JaffaFalcon / Wikimedia Commons
Sharjah Natural History Museum & Desert Park –
Sharjah Science Museum –
Khalid Lagoon & Al Noor Island – Florian Kriechbaumer / Wikimedia Commons
Sharjah Heritage Area – yeowatzup / Wikimedia Commons
Sharjah Aquarium – Andrey Papko / Flickr
Maritime Museum – Susanne Nilsson / Flickr
Al Jazeera Park – Andrey Papko / Flickr
Sharjah Art Museum – jensimon7 / Flickr
Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization – Shahid Ahmed Siddiqi / Flickr
Mleiha Archaeological Centre – Richard Mortel / Flickr
Sharjah Fort (Al Hisn) – Richard Mortel / Flickr
Sharjah Archaeology Museum – gordontour / Flickr
Khor Kalba Conservation Reserve – Dr. Alexey Yakovlev / Flickr
Al Qasba – Francisco Anzola / Flickr
Al Noor Mosque – Bertrand Duperrin / Flickr
Sharjah Beaches – Nyx Ning / Wikimedia Commons
Sharjah Desert Safari – Oiva Eskola / Flickr
Flag Islands –
Al Montazah Parks – Martin Lewison / Flickr