11 Activities
Visiting Sharjah, the Capital of Culture and Islam
Starts from
Dubai
Transportation
By Car
Guidance
Self-Guided
Activities
11
Duration
11 hrs 35 min
Length
11 mi
Guide details
Starts from
Dubai
Transportation
By Car
Guidance
Self-Guided
Duration
11 hrs 35 min
Length
11 mi
- History and Culture
- Natural Attractions
- Arts and Creativity
Emily Zanier
Blogger
- Learn about history, culture and Islam in Sharjah.
- Visit interesting and beautiful mosque, museums and heritage sites.
- Enjoy the beautiful lagoon and park of Sharjah.
- Try local Emirati traditional food.
Sharjah is the Emirate of culture in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). In 1998, it was declared Cultural Capital of the Arab World by Unesco and it became the capital of Islamic culture in 2014. Sharjah is the Emirate that puts most efforts in preserving its heritage and you will get some of the best museums and art galleries in the country.
Sharjah is also the most conservative Emirate of the country and alcohol is prohibited so you will not be able to find alcohol anywhere not even in hotels. It is considered a dry Emirate. Consider choosing another day than Friday to do this trip as Friday is the holy day in Islam and most places will not be open or only open after 4pm in the afternoon, so you would not be able to visit many sites recommended here. The whole Emirate of Sharjah is one of the biggest and goes until the East coast, you can visit other sites of Sharjah in the road trip "Exploring 6 Emirates in 4 days".
Sharjah is also the most conservative Emirate of the country and alcohol is prohibited so you will not be able to find alcohol anywhere not even in hotels. It is considered a dry Emirate. Consider choosing another day than Friday to do this trip as Friday is the holy day in Islam and most places will not be open or only open after 4pm in the afternoon, so you would not be able to visit many sites recommended here. The whole Emirate of Sharjah is one of the biggest and goes until the East coast, you can visit other sites of Sharjah in the road trip "Exploring 6 Emirates in 4 days".
Categories
- History and Culture
- Natural Attractions
- Arts and Creativity
Sharjah is the Emirate of culture in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). In 1998, it was declared Cultural Capital of the Arab World by Unesco and it became the capital of Islamic culture in 2014. Sharjah is the Emirate that puts most efforts in preserving its heritage and you will get some of the best museums and art galleries in the country.
Sharjah is also the most conservative Emirate of the country and alcohol is prohibited so you will not be able to find alcohol anywhere not even in hotels. It is considered a dry Emirate. Consider choosing another day than Friday to do this trip as Friday is the holy day in Islam and most places will not be open or only open after 4pm in the afternoon, so you would not be able to visit many sites recommended here. The whole Emirate of Sharjah is one of the biggest and goes until the East coast, you can visit other sites of Sharjah in the road trip "Exploring 6 Emirates in 4 days".
Sharjah is also the most conservative Emirate of the country and alcohol is prohibited so you will not be able to find alcohol anywhere not even in hotels. It is considered a dry Emirate. Consider choosing another day than Friday to do this trip as Friday is the holy day in Islam and most places will not be open or only open after 4pm in the afternoon, so you would not be able to visit many sites recommended here. The whole Emirate of Sharjah is one of the biggest and goes until the East coast, you can visit other sites of Sharjah in the road trip "Exploring 6 Emirates in 4 days".
Emily Zanier
Blogger
- Learn about history, culture and Islam in Sharjah.
- Visit interesting and beautiful mosque, museums and heritage sites.
- Enjoy the beautiful lagoon and park of Sharjah.
- Try local Emirati traditional food.
Day Itinerary
11 Activities
Day 1
10 mi0.8 mi
Visiting Sharjah Museums and Heritage Sites
On this day trip from Dubai, you will spend the day in the city of Sharjah at the North of Dubai. You will visit its main museums and heritage sites, with interesting history, art and Islamic culture.
09:301 hr 30 min
Al Noor Mosque
Sharjah has about 600 mosques and Al Noor Mosque is one of the most beautiful of them. It has Ottoman design architecture and the Mosque is overlooking the lagoon of Sharjah. It is the first Mosque of the Emirate to open its doors to non-Muslims residents and tourists.
You can get a 1 hour guided tour at 10 in the morning with a public visit on Mondays and Thursdays. You can book online for another day on their website.
You can get a 1 hour guided tour at 10 in the morning with a public visit on Mondays and Thursdays. You can book online for another day on their website.
0.3 mi
5 min
11:151 hr 30 min
Al Noor Island
Take the bridge right behind the Mosque on foot and go to Al Noor island. It is a very nice place for a stroll where you can enjoy beautiful gardens and art sculptures. You can also visit the butterfly house with 20 different species.
Open hours Monday - Sunday 9:00 - 23:00. Get more information about this special island on their website
Open hours Monday - Sunday 9:00 - 23:00. Get more information about this special island on their website
2.9 mi
15 min
13:001 hr
Arabian Tea House Restaurant & Cafe - Sharjah
The Arabian Tea House is a great place to have some tea and to have a typical Emirati meal. They have delicious food and lots of options with traditional Emirati hospitality. The setting is also very nice and pleasant with its white chairs and blue decorations, it feels like Greece.
Open hours Monday - Sunday 7:00 - 23:00.
Open hours Monday - Sunday 7:00 - 23:00.
0.2 mi
5 min
14:1545 min
Sharjah Fort (Al Hisn)
Sharjah Fort was built in 1820 by the ruler of Sharjah. It was beautifully renovated and opened as a museum in 2015. There is a row of canons at the entrance and inside you can visit the rooms with exhibits about the ruling family of Sharjah and the fort itself with a room for making date molasses.
Open hours Monday - Sunday 8:00 - 20:00 Friday 16:00 - 20:00. This is the first building you visit that belongs to Sharjah Heritage Area, so here at the entrance you should buy the combined ticket for all the sites of the Heritage area. It is much cheaper than paying the ticket for each monument and you will use this ticket for the next visits of the itinerary.
Open hours Monday - Sunday 8:00 - 20:00 Friday 16:00 - 20:00. This is the first building you visit that belongs to Sharjah Heritage Area, so here at the entrance you should buy the combined ticket for all the sites of the Heritage area. It is much cheaper than paying the ticket for each monument and you will use this ticket for the next visits of the itinerary.
0.3 mi
10 min
15:1545 min
Sharjah Heritage Museum
The Sharjah Heritage Museum is a very interesting visit with five different galleries about Emirati culture, local life, religion, rituals and ceremonies. You will learn a lot about local history, culture and religion.
Open hours Monday - Sunday 8:00 - 20:00 Friday 16:00 - 20:00. Visit included in the combined ticket.
Open hours Monday - Sunday 8:00 - 20:00 Friday 16:00 - 20:00. Visit included in the combined ticket.
0.1 mi
5 min
16:1530 min
Bait Al Naboodah
Bait Al Naboodah is a historical house that dates back from 1845. It belonged to Obaid Al Naboodah who was a pearl merchant. Here you can learn about pearl farming history in the UAE so you can imagine what was the daily life like in the 19th century before they discovered oil with a better understanding.
Open hours Monday - Sunday 8:00 - 20:00 Friday 16:00 - 20:00. Visit included in the combined ticket.
Open hours Monday - Sunday 8:00 - 20:00 Friday 16:00 - 20:00. Visit included in the combined ticket.
0.1 mi
5 min
17:0030 min
Sharjah Calligraphy Museum
Here you can admire a very traditional part of the Arab culture and art which calligraphy. It is a small museum with 2 rooms showcasing calligraphy art pieces nicely framed.
Open hours Monday - Sunday 8:00 - 20:00 Friday 16:00 - 20:00. Visit included in the combined ticket.
Open hours Monday - Sunday 8:00 - 20:00 Friday 16:00 - 20:00. Visit included in the combined ticket.
0.9 mi
5 min
17:451 hr
Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization
Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization is the most interesting museum of Sharjah and one of the best in the UAE. So if you don't want to visit all the museums of this day itinerary, at least visit this one. There are two floors and basically here you will find everything you want to know about Islam. Very interesting panels explain everything about the religion but also about Astronomy and Mathematics. You can also admire many artefacts showing 1400 years of Islamic art.
Open hours Monday - Sunday 8:00 - 20:00 Friday 16:00 - 20:00.
Open hours Monday - Sunday 8:00 - 20:00 Friday 16:00 - 20:00.
0.6 mi
5 min
19:001 hr
Sharjah Art Museum
Sharjah Art Museum is also one of the best museums of Sharjah. It has two floors. Upstairs, you can enjoy the very beautiful and interesting permanent collection that shows Arab art since the 19th century. And downstairs, there are temporary exhibits of international calibre.
Open hours Monday - Sunday 8:00 - 20:00 Friday 16:00 - 20:00.
Open hours Monday - Sunday 8:00 - 20:00 Friday 16:00 - 20:00.
3.4 mi
15 min
20:151 hr
Al Fanar Restaurant & Cafe - Expo City
Have dinner in this very nice restaurant with views on the lagoon in the middle of the park Al Majaz Waterfront. There are many delicious food options. Remember there is no alcohol in Sharjah, so you can have a healthy juice.
Open hours Monday - Sunday 9:00 - 23:00.
Open hours Monday - Sunday 9:00 - 23:00.
2.3 mi
10 min
21:3045 min
Al Majaz Waterfront
This park on the waterfront is a great place for a family evening stroll along the lagoon of Sharjah. There are even some fountain shows.