6 Amazing Places You Cannot Miss In Sharjah

You are learning about other cultures and other civilisations. Many of us love history, art and heritage. If you are someone like that, you should consider the city of Sharjah for your next vacation. This city of the United Arab Emirate has earned the Cultural Capital of the Arab World due to its rich history. It still proudly carries the traditional values of Islamic civilisation. The city has well-restored houses, beautiful mosques and awe-inspiring museums as the bearers of the cultural heritage of the Arabic world. You could spend your entire days admiring the elegant artefacts and neat architecture.

However, Sharjah is not only about art and history. Sharjah has an exciting side, too, with its plethora of outdoor activities, fantastic street food and vibrant shops. The best time to visit Sharjah is the winters (December to February) when the temperature remains comfortable (around 20 degrees). On the other hand, in the summers (May to August), Sharjah’s weather is generally scorching (40-43 degrees) and dry. The cost of living in Sharjah is modest and affordable. Several options like shared rental are available if you want to cut your expenses short. For accommodation, you can find affordable Sharjah hotels very easily. The cheapest time to visit Sharjah is early November.

Now, without delaying further, let’s dig into the best places in Sharjah to visit and things you should do while in Sharjah:

# Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization

If you are at the heart of Islamic history, your first destination should be the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization. Located on the shore of Sharjah Creek, this museum will take you to the roots of Islamic culture throughout the world.

The museum exhibits more than 5,000 artefacts from the Islamic world. The upper floor of this museum is dedicated to woodworks, ceramics, clay, glass, jewellery, handicrafts and pottery. The temporary exhibitions are bound to attract any enthusiast of history and culture. At the same time, the beautiful galleries and the giant mosaic under the central dome will leave you spellbound.

# Al Qasba

Al Qasba is both a commercial plaza and a cultural hub. This waterfront community is famous for the various entertainment packages and outdoor activities it offers. It has an art centre, music centre, restaurants, theatres and also fun zones. If you want to spend some leisurely, there are also gardens, fountains and canals. You can visit Maraya Art Centre, Al Qasba Theatre, Golden Fountain and Eye of the Emirates ferries wheel.

Al Qasba has plenty of restaurants to enjoy good food. Besides the famous fast-food giants like Starbucks, Dunkin Doughnuts and London Dairy, it also has restaurants like Beit Setti and Shababeek for those who love traditional cuisine. Rossovivo is the best sought-after by pizza lovers.

You can also spend your time taking an Abra ride at the Canal or experiencing the mesmerising view from the Eye of the Emirates ferries wheel.

# Sharjah Desert Park

Apart from preserving the art and culture, Sharjah also preserves the region’s endangered wildlife through the Sharjah Desert Park. This desert park has three sections: Sharjah Natural History and Botanical Museum, Arabia’s Wildlife Centre and Children’s Farm.

The museum gives you a good insight into flora and fauna of this region. The wildlife centre is a nature reserve and home to diverse animals living in the Arabian area. At the Children’s Farm, your kids can feed and pet domestic animals like cows, goats, sheep and camels. This can be a perfect way to bring the young members close to nature. It also organises several awareness workshops for the children and has a library for them. The desert park also has a botanical garden and the Breeding Centre for Endangered Arabian Wildlife.

# Al Majaz Waterfront

Situated in front of Lake Khalid, Al Majaz Waterfront Park is a perfect blend of entertainment and scenic beauty. The park has a mini-golf course, musical fountain, Art Park, and a creative centre. It also offers walking and jogging tracks to exercise enthusiasts. You can have your walk among the lush greenery and chirping birds. The park also has a cycling track around the lake and a bike rental service. While you have quality time beside the lagoon, your kids can have theirs at the Al Majaz Splash Park. This aquatic park is for kids up to 12 years of age. It also has wheelchair access for kids with special needs.

This park also has exotic restaurants like Zahr El Laymon (Lebanese and Arabic), Levantine (Lebanese), Emirgan Sutis (Turkish), Bangkok Town (Thai), Al Fanar and Shakespeare & Co. Visitors can also go for a train tour around Al Majaz or Abra ride at Khalid Lagoon.

# Sharjah Aquarium

Sharjah Aquarium is a great destination for having a glimpse at the deepwater wildlife of the locality. The aquarium has 20 large tanks, home to over 250 species of marine creatures, including reef sharks, seahorses, sea rays and clownfish. Your kids will love to get to know the underwater ecosystem and the importance of preserving that.

This aquarium also offers free Wi-Fi, a cafe, a mother’s room, a prayer room, a gift shop and a restroom. People in wheelchairs can also access this facility.

# Al Noor Island

Al Noor Island is a beautiful oasis at the heart of the Khalid Lagoon. It is ideal for those people who want to spend some quality time with their families. The Butterfly House, Art Park, Literature Pavilion, and beautiful garden are another world altogether.

The nightlife at Al Noor is another experience to look forward to. In the Butterfly House, there are over 500 butterflies of over 20 species. The island also has a kid-friendly playground and Al Noor Cafe. At night, the whole island looks enchanting with the bright neons and fairy lights. The luminescence is used to light the buildings, bridge, trees and walkways up.