Your Ultimate Guide to the Top Sharjah Attractions

‘Rising Sun’ – these words are the English translation for Sharjah, and with each sunrise, the Emirate offers an inexhaustible heritage. Sharjah is the third largest emirate in the UAE and the cultural capital of the region. This richness has provided many heritage heirlooms that have transcended into the best places to visit in Sharjah. 

Sharjah tourist attractions are a blend of cultural landmarks and a hub of adventurous destinations. In this article, we have enumerated the most favoured tourist places that will cater to different likings. 

Best Places to Visit in Sharjah

We hope we have piqued your interest with the best places to visit in Sharjah because it’s time for a showdown!

• Sharjah Art Museum

We cannot enlist Sharjah’s attractions without mentioning the Sharjah Art Museum. Established in 1997, Sharjah Art Museum is one of the biggest museums in the UAE. This avant-garde facility displays a permanent collection as well as temporary exhibitions. The three floors of the museum are dedicated to Arab artists from all over the world. 

There are many galleries in the museum that display art from the 18th and 19th centuries, artworks from the Barjeel collection, and important artwork from the Middle East.

• Sharjah Mosque

A magnificent edifice, Sharjah Mosque is a famous tourist attraction. It is the largest mosque in Sharjah, sprawling over an area of 185,806 sq.m. The construction of the mosque cost a staggering AED 300 million and it can accommodate around 25,000 worshippers at a time. 

The mosque is open to non-muslims as well to adore its magnificent beauty and offer their prayers. A stained glass window and a glass chandelier in the prayer hall are the centre of attraction here. 

• Al Qasba

One of the most beautiful places to visit in Sharjah for free, Al Qasba is the perfect family place. A commercial complex, Al Qasba offers a glimpse of Sharjah’s grandeur. Promenade at the Al Qasba Canal, relish delicacies at fine dining restaurants and let your children have the time of their life at the Kids Fun Zone. 

Relax and rejuvenate yourself at the Sharjah waterfront and explore the Arabian culture to the core at Al Qasba. 

• The Blue Souk

The Blue Souk is the UAE’s architectural gem that goes beyond the glitzy malls. Also, known as the Central Souq/Central Market, this Arabian bazaar is one of the best places to visit in Sharjah. You can shop till you drop all kinds of electronics, perfume, food, gold jewellery, and souvenirs at this fascinating place.

• Al Noor Mosque

Al Noor is one of the most exquisite mosques in Sharjah that gleams high in the city’s skyline. Its classic Turkish Ottoman design and intricate architecture make it a must-visit tourist place in Sharjah. Al Noor was the first mosque to be opened to non-Muslims in Sharjah which is also one of the reasons for its popularity. So, do not miss out on an opportunity to applaud the greatness of its dome, minarets, arches, and pillars when in the city. 

• Mleiha Archaeological Centre

Mleiha Archaeological Centre should be your go-to place if you are looking for an adventurous outing with your friends and family. It is the ultimate destination for desert safari and outdoor adventures in Sharjah. While at it, you can also explore the Mleiha Fort, a 2000-year-old ancient structure belonging to the pre-Islamic period. 

Apart from the above activities, you can also experience horse riding, buggy rides, fossil rock adventures, camel rock tours, overnight camping, etc. at Mleiha for a decent price. 

• Sharjah Desert Park

Sharjah Desert Park is the best choice for your child’s ‘edutainment’ and a hotspot for nature lovers amongst the Sharjah attractions. The park is divided into three sections: Sharjah Desert Park, Children’s Farm and the Natural History Museum, all of them curated with a single aim of defining UAE’s flora and fauna. The natural and scientific processes are explained in the most subtle way for the children’s understanding. 

• Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization

Delve deeper into the Islamic roots, heritage and culture in the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilisation, also known as the Sharjah Islamic Museum. It is established along a waterfront in a souq with a magnificent centre dome. 

The museum is divided into two floors with 5000 Islamic artefacts, impressive exhibits, textiles, and other things that represent the rich Arab culture. Do not forget to explore the manuscripts, swords, coins, weapons, ancient ceramics, and the Sitara while you travel the time machine into the past. 

• Sharjah Aquarium

Explore the unfathomable in the underwater world of the Sharjah Aquarium. One of the most exciting best places to visit in Sharjah, this aquarium is home to more than 250 sea creatures that include sea horses, eels, and sharks. 

A joint ticket to the Maritime Museum is a great opportunity to learn more about the sea life surrounding the UAE. It also provides you with an insight into Sharjah’s aquatic history.

• Al Noor Island

An experiential brilliance, Al Noor Island is the cultural getaway tourist place in Sharjah. Situated in the stunning Khalid Lagoon, it is a beautiful oasis exuding serenity in the city of Sharjah. It lets you beat the hustle and bustle of city life for an idyllic time on the Lagoon. 

The island is accessible only via a walkway or a boat and is adorned with regular exhibitions, art installations, a children’s playground, and a literary pavilion. Al Noor island also boasts an award-winning Butterfly cafe and modern art. 

• Khor Fakkan

A paradise on Earth, Khor Fakkan is located on the Eastern Coast of the UAE and is an exclave of the Emirate of Sharjah. Since the city is surrounded by the Hajar Mountains and is present on the Gulf of Oman, it is rich in its variety of beaches and mountains. Museums, historical sites, castles, and mosques are an integral part of Khor Fakkan’s heritage. 

Interestingly, Khor Fakkan is the second-largest coastal city on the UAE’s eastern coast. Do not miss out on visiting the Shark Island and Al Wurrayah Falls while you are enjoying the Sharjah tourist attractions. 

• Al Badayer or the Big Red

The most ideal tourist place in Sharjah for those who seek adventure and thrill is the Al Badayer or the Big Red (as it is popularly known). The Al Badayer Oasis has been developed as an eco-tourism project that delivers various fun activities along with a luxurious lifestyle for its guests. It is amongst the must-visit Sharjah attractions. 

Sandboarding and dune bashing are two particular adventure sports enjoyed by tourists and locals alike. 4×4 vehicles and buggies can be hired to experience a thrilling adventure. 

• Buhaira Corniche

If you want the best scenic views in the city of Sharjah, then a promenade at the Buhaira Corniche along the Khaled Lake is the place to be. The park is considered to be the most peaceful place in the city and its beauty is unparalleled. You can also jog or fancy a cycling round at the Corniche. A simple picnic at the park could also be wondrous!

The corniche is a popular weekend destination for the locals where they relish some of the most amazing food. Novo Cinemas and Al Majaz Park are some of the other places to enjoy. 

• Sharjah Art Foundation

One of the biggest platforms for artists to display their artistic intelligence, Sharjah Art Foundation exhibits greatness. Its main goal is to involve the citizens, and expats of the UAE to indulge in the Arts and Literature programs by promoting the same. The Foundation is embellished with avant-garde artworks, music, performances, and film screenings of both Arabs and International artists. 

Explore the Emirate!

This ends our list of the most exquisite and exciting places that you can explore in Sharjah. As an emirate rich in culture and heritage, you are surely spoilt for choice. So do not forget to go through our recommendations before you plan your next trip to get stunned by the Sharjah tourist attractions!

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