Sharjah is the third largest of the United Arab Emirates cities, with waterfronts overlooking both the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Gulf. A highly conservative city, travellers should be aware that liquor and co-habitation by couples who are not married is strictly forbidden in Sharjah.
Top Things to do and see in Sharjah
Sharjah is an interesting city to visit with its many colourful and fascinating souqs offering some of the best shopping in the country. The Central Souq alone has over 600 shops selling a selection of local antiques, carpets, jewelry and perfume, gold and knick-knacks. Don't buy anything without trying to haggle as you can get a big discount just for asking.
Sharjah, however, isn't only about shopping, it is viewed as the cultural capital of the UAE and in 1998 was UNESCO cultural capital of the Arab World. H.H Sheikh Sultan Al Qassimi is the Ruler of Sharjah and responsible for setting up 17 museums in the emirates. Of particular interest are The Art Museum which covers regional and international art exhibits and The Fort Museum providing an insight into the social history of the emirate.
The Islamic Museum is a fascinating place for any visitors with an interest in the development of Islamic culture as it contains handwritten Qur'ans, letters from the Prophet and objects from Mecca.
Perfect for families, Sharjah Desert Park provides access to the Children's Farm, Arabia Wildlife Centre and Sharjah Natural History and Botanical Museum.
Al Jazeera Park is a family-oriented park built on an island inside the Khalid Lagoon. The park includes a miniature zoo, amusement park, and swimming pool.
Sharjah Hotels
Sharjah offers a wide variety of traveller accommodation. In addition to the many high-end luxury suites in hotels with private beaches, there are also many cheap hotels in Sharjah, which are perfect for the traveller on a tight budget. Some of the hotels are oriented towards the business traveller, while others cater to holidaymakers and families. Many hotels are also suitable for long-term stays. While the majority of Sharjah accommodation is located near the centre of the city, a number of accommodation choices can also be found in the outskirts.