11 of Best Places To Visit in Sharjah, UAE

Last updated: 29 July 2023

Sharjah, the third-largest emirate in the UAE is often overlooked as a destination. With so many travellers heading to the flashy cousins of Dubai and Abu Dhabi, Sharjah has a wealth of cultural experiences to offer visitors. In this post we will cover a great selection of the best places to visit in Sharjah so you’ll have a full itinerary during your trip. 

Situated between the Persian Gulf and the Arabian sea, it’s the only emirate with two coastlines and offering a wealth of dramatic landscapes from rugged mountain ranges, lush nature reserves and, my personal favourite, white sandy beaches.

The Best Places to Visit in Sharjah

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#1 – The Heart of Sharjah

The district known as the Heart of Sharjah is a part of an ambitious 15 year-long historical preservation and restoration project to revitalize this historic district and transform it into a vibrant and cultural destination of choice for many travellers.

Due to be complete in 2025, the scope includes restoring historical buildings and demolishing current properties and reconstructing replacements in-line with the classical architectural styles and embracing the traditional Bedouin and marine lifestyles. It’s also tentatively registered with UNESCO, as a World Heritage Site.

#2 – Explore the Souqs

Souq Al Arsa

The oldest market place in the UAE this was once a meeting place for merchants from Persia and India and bygone Bedouins and their camels. Stepping into this souq is like being transported back in time.

This local Emerati man sells tobacco by the plant!

Based in the Heart of Sharjah, the Souq Al Arsa is now a covered market with air-conditioned alleyways featuring solid wooden doors, and is still home to merchants selling everything from touristic wares, to tobacco by the plant, and it’s also a great place for visitors to interact with local Emerati.

Souq Al Shinasiya

Souq Al Shinasiya is one of the oldest souqs in the region, and now, beautifully renovated, it’s built on the foundations of one of the most vibrant souqs in the region.

Explore the museum and discover much of the heritage of the area.  The rest of the souq has been reconstructed on the old foundations that had been discovered.

In this part of town I spotted plenty of locals dining on Emirati cuisine at the nearby Al Saroud Traditional Restaurant and Arabian Tea House. 

Central Souq

The stunning exterior resembles a train station with its curved roof, hues of blue, mosaic tiling and oversized arched windows on either end.

Inside it is a bit of a maze as one of the largest souqs in the UAE and home to more than 600 shops.  Admittedly, inside it’s slightly less rustic on the inside, with the modern conveniences of air-conditioning, it resembling malls from around the globe containing purveyors of clothing, gold, perfume and authentic Bedouin jewellery. 

#3 – Visit a Mosque

Yes, even if you’re not Muslim you can visit a mosque.  The Al Noor Mosque, the most famous of the 600 Mosque’s in Sharjah, opened its doors to the public so visitors can learn about culture and religion for free.

Designed in classic Ottoman style, Al Noor has cascading domes and two soaring minarets which is a prominent and visible piece on the Sharjah skyline.

Al Noor Mosque, Sharjah

Tours for non-Muslims cover Islamic and local culture so be sure to ask questions.  They are scheduled on very specific times and days to work around the Islamic prayer schedule. Visitors will need to be modestly dressed, and females will be provided with an abaya at the entrance.

Somewhat surprisingly, photography is allowed inside the mosque, so do bring your camera and be prepared for a fascinating visit.

#4 – Stay Dry in The Rain Room

Ever wondered if you could travel to the desert, stand in the rain, and not get wet? You can in Sharjah!

Once home in the Barbican in London, and the MoMA in New York, The Rain Room in Sharjah is now a permanent art installation. Easily one of the best places to visit in Sharjah! 

#5 – Al Noor Island and the Butterfly House

A place of respite in the heart of the city, visitors enter via an over-water wooden walkway to this oasis of modern vision and Arabic inspirations, the Island provides a mix of recreation, art, education and entertainment for the entire family.

Take a stroll through the lush landscape of the Island amongst some 70,000 trees and plants, and discover some inspiring art installations that complement the  natural space and cultural aspects of the Island.

Al Noor Island offers activities ranging from a sunrise yoga practice to peeking through telescopes to view the moon and the night sky. The Literature Pavilion provides soothing sounds of a fountain, seating designed for comfort and relaxation for visitors to sink in and be absorbed by their favourite book or simply reflect and journal thoughts. The opportunity to reconnect with nature is why we consider Al Noor Island one of the best places to visit in Sharjah. 

Al Noor Island Butterfly House

A visit to Al Noor Island isn’t complete without spending time in the Butterfly House. Home to over 20 exotic species, visitors can get up close and personal with these beautiful creatures. Retaining the natural habitat, It’s incredibly humid in the nature-inspired structure but it’s been designed that way and to help let in natural light to create a safe refuge for butterflies.

#6 – Sharjah Aquarium

Suitable for adults and kids alike, the Sharjah Aquarium is home to 150 different species of marine life, and noticeably smaller than it’s cousin in Dubai.

Allow one to two hours to wander through the displays at your own pace.  The highlight for me was a giant turtle coming up for breath and moving faster than any turtle I’ve ever seen before.

#7 – Museums

It wouldn’t be Roaming Required if we didn’t cover some of the museums you can visit in Sharjah!

Museum of Islamic Civilisation

Architecturally stunning, the museum of Islamic civilisation is worthy of your time.  

The Museum is housed in what was once a traditional Middle Eastern souq and is situated in the historical heart of Sharjah on the Majarrah Waterfront.

Inside there are more than five thousand Islamic artifacts conveniently arranged according to themes like faith, technology, Islamic artwork, pottery and coins which are spread across seven spacious galleries.

There are audio guides available in a multitude of languages, or do as I did and browse at your leisure. I found the English-language boards to be informative and direct without being overwhelming.

Al Mahatta Museum

The Al Mahatta is a must-do for aviation geeks visiting Sharjah. Opened in 2000, at the site that was formally Sharjah’s first airport which was used in 1930s as a staging post for commercial flights en route from Britain to India.

The museum highlights the history of flight in the UAE and the region. There’s a film about the daily life at the airport and Sharjah Town during the 1930’s and interesting historical pieces in the exhibition with information boards in English.

Be sure to save time to explore the aircrafts in the hanger including which includes a DH104 Dove, DH114 Heron, Vickers, and a DC3 – the same model can be found abandoned after a clash landing on a beach in Iceland. 

Sharjah Classic Car Museum

Home to more than 100 classic cars manufactured in the early 20th century, this museum is well worth a visit for any car enthusiast.

Through the five sections, visitors can journey through the historical stages of automotive development. Aside from driving and ensuring it functions without any drama, I’m not a huge car fan so the detail about the different types of car engines and how they function was a bit lost on me.

I did however enjoy being able to get an up close to classic car models from household names like  Rolls Royce, Ford, Mercedes, and many others including the oldest car in the museum which is a 1915 Dodge.

#8 – Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club

Golf is a popular sport in the UAE, undoubtedly helped by the endless sunshine days. A links round at the SGSC will set you back about £92.

Seeking a bit more of a bang in your day? If so, you can shoot at the indoor shooting range with a vast variety of pistols, rifles & revolvers from various international brands such as Berretta, Glock, Sig Sauer, and more.

If golf or guns aren’t your thing, you can pop in for lunch at one of three restaurants.  My favourite is the Flavours of Asia Restaurant, with a great patio overlooking the lush green course.

Things To Do Outside the City of Sharjah

Within the city of Sharjah driving can be a confronting experience.  Skilful drivers should feel confident enough to negotiate the traffic and the locals style of driving which can be tactfully described as aggressively rampant.

If you’re looking to explore outside the city limits of Sharjah, be bold and hire a car. This is certainly the option we would normally opt for. Unlike the city centre, expect wider roads and hassle-free parking, a car provides freedom to explore at your own leisure, The alternative is to find yourself a guide/driver to take you around.

#9 – Mleiha Archaeological Site

Situated in the desert, about an hours drive outside Sharjah, Mleiha is comprised of multiple sites including a visitors centre and exhibition based around the history and archaeology of the area, caves and tombs including the Umm an-Nar tomb, dating back to 2300 BCE, it’s considered to be the most impressive ancient funeral site in the Mleiha area.

The Mleiha Archaeological Centre provides a comprehensive overview of the history of the area and prehistoric sites of the Middle East through exhibits, interactive displays, and artifacts. Information boards are in English which means you can learn and discover at your own pace.  

Outside the visitors centre, a visit to the archaeological sites is best served with a guide to provide information, context, history and facts as there is significantly less information at the sites for visitors.

A hugely important archaeological area known as FAY-NE1 is located within Mleiha. It provides valuable information on the early history of mankind, as it currently is the earliest site outside of Africa where stone tools produced by Anatomically Modern Humans have been found.  The tools found at FAY-NE1 were made 130,000 years ago, indicating a departure from East Africa is earlier than previously thought.

#10 – Sand Duning

A visit to Meliha is not complete without discovering the russet red sand dunes that surround the region. I suggest you jump in a 4×4, buckle up for an exciting exploration of the dunes to Camel Rock, a mountain outcrop that has the shape of a camel’s head and Fossil Rock, a large natural rock formation is jam-packed with marine fossils.

Insider Tip!  

Those, like me, who get motion sickness, pop some tablets an hour before your 4×4 drive to ensure the nausea stays at bay.

#11 – Al Qurm Nature Reserve

Located in Kalba, on the eastern coast of the emirate facing the Gulf of Oman.

It’s home to the most northern mangrove forest in the world, a coastal nature reserve spanning some 500 hectares is a sanctuary for rare bird species, sea turtles, and the endangered Arabian-collared kingfishers. Bird watchers and wildlife photographers should come prepared with binoculars and telephoto lenses to best capture these elusive creatures.

I had my eye on one of the more physical activities available at Al Qurm paddleboard or kayaking along the coastline or through ancient mangroves.

Final Thoughts

The next time you have a long layover in the UAE, consider visiting Sharjah and discovering the cultural aspects of the United Arab Emirates. We do hope that you will consider a visit to Sharjah on your holiday because, as you’ve just read, there is so much on offer and you now have a good list of the best places to visit in Sharjah. Safe travels and have fun!