If you are visiting the United Arab Emirates, you will definitely want to pay a visit to Sharjah, UNESCO’s Culture Capital of the Arab World. There are many sightseeing opportunities which you must visit and you can rent a car Sharjah to help you move across especially for art and museum lovers with the Heritage area and Art Museum offering multiple attractions which are dedicated to the Emirati history.
Sharjah is a great destination for families offering multiple amusements for kids including Natural History Museum & Desert Park where kids can see petting animals and fun-packed exhibitions of Science Museum.
- Central Market
This is a famous landmark in Sharjah city. Nicknamed “Blue Souk” due to its elaborate blue tile work used on the exterior, the market offers shoppers a wide variety of jewelry, clothing, perfumes, electronics, food and gift items. The storey market has more than 600 shops inside and the upper floor is designed to give an authentic Arabic bazaar atmosphere. You can buy Yemeni and Omani jewelry, antiques, exotic souvenirs and carpets.
- Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization
This is an ideal place if you want to learn the deep roots of Islamic and Arabic culture. There are multiple religious and scientific manuscripts and a collection of Islamic craftwork and arts on display. Some of the features available include metallic handicrafts coated with gold, silver and brass, as well as exhibits of clay, glass and pottery. There is also a collection of items going back to the Omayyad and Abbasid eras including a collection of silver dirham and dinar coins.
- Sharjah Arts Museum
This state-of-the-art museum is the biggest museum of arts in the UAE. It has a permanent collection of artwork from, Sharjah’s ruler HH Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qassimi as well as a series of temporary exhibits. This huge attraction has 72 galleries situated on three floors dedicated to artwork from local and foreign artists but mainly focusing on the culture, environment and architecture of the Arab world. If you love art, you can visit multiple galleries including Ali Darwish gallery which contains his Sharjah’s watercolors
- Sharjah Science Museum
This is UAE’s only interactive hands-on museum featuring state-of-the-art elements in the exhibition hall to captivate the kids so they can be interested in science. Those who visit can assess their grip balance and strength, flexibility, use music synthesizer, design cartoons, visit Playspace or build a human body puzzle. Visitors can also enjoy an exploration of the universe using onsite planetarium from Sharjah skies to the deep space.
- Souks
If you want to experience the flurry of ancient Arabian shopping, then souk area is the place to visit. There are different market areas including fruit and vegetable Souk and fish Souk where customers are always busy and noisy bargaining for the best prices for the goods. Visit and take a photo of the vibrant Sharjah lifestyle as you buy something fresh.
- Sharjah Natural History Museum and Desert Park
This is a superb place for kids as it offers great lessons about Arabian Desert’s flora and fauna. Children can visit children’s farm to have a close experience with farm animals while Diorama Hall depicts different desert habitats from the United Arab Emirates. Children can also learn about life on earth in the Geology Hall through audio visual presentations which explain volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and tectonic plate drift. Desert habitat has also been recreated in a Botany Section outside.
- Kalba
This is UAE’s south-most quaint fishing village with a fish market and lively fresh produce on the shoreline. You can enjoy a stroll in the 200-year old Al-Hisn Museum or visit Sheikh Saeed bin Hamad Al-Qassimi house for a display of traditional furniture and musical instruments. Khor Kabla Conservation Reserve is on the southern part of the village and has the world’s most northerly mangrove forest. Bad watchers are in for a treat as the birds migrate in autumn and spring. Some of the birds to watch include reef herons, while-collared kingfishers and booted warblers.
- Sharjah Archeological Museum
If you want to learn about the arcing humanity history widely, then this is the place to visit. Exhibits in the Stone Age segment range from old seashells which used to be a source of food to various flint pieces mirroring historic technology. Other displays found include Pottery shards and ornamental gems found in Al Hamriyah and dating back to Obaid period confirming the Mesopotamia age trade exchange. Archeological finds of metals, pottery, jewelry and stone can also be found in the Bronze Age Hall
- Sharjah Heritage Area
Sharjah Heritage Area features multiple museums such as Souk Al Arsah, Sharja Heritage Museum, Hisn Fort and Al Hisn Sharjah. You can find wooden and silver handicrafts, traditional garments, and jewelry and beauty products in Souk Al Arsah. Each of these museums has something unique ranging from Emirati culture to literature displays from around the region.
- Sharjah Maritime Museum
This museum specifically highlights the significance of the sea to the development of the city. Some of the most interesting exhibits include traditional pearly collecting, wooden dhows and fishing which were of great value to the economy of Sharjah. Sharjah Aquirium is next door and you can see a wide range of sea life.
- Khor Fakkan
This is East Coast’s second largest town and features a thriving and less-than-striking container port. Divers can enjoy the best of times in the surrounding area plus other amazing attractions nearby. One of the main attractions in the area includes Rifaisa Dam, located in the inland mountains, and Shark Island, popular with divers and offering various spots in the coral outcroppings.
- Al Qasba
There are multiple entertainment options in Al Qasba suburb. However, it is the big wheel is its more famous feature and stands as the Eye of the Emirates. You can enjoy the soaring city perspective during the ride.
With so many attractions to visit in Sharjah, making the most out of your time might be hard especially if you do don’t have a private car. You can however rent a car Sharjah to make your movements easy and affordable.
