Located along the Persian Gulf’s northern coastline, Sharjah occupies a position of cultural and economic importance in the UAE. The city, with a landscape dotted with glorious domes and towering minarets, has titles such as the ‘Cultural Capital of the Arab World’ and the ‘Capital of Islamic Culture’ to its credit. Home to a host of museums, cafes, souks and malls, Sharjah offers the discerning traveller plenty to see and do. If you are an arts and culture aficionado, Sharjah is the perfect place for you to be.
Festivals
As a site of culture and tradition in the Arab region, Sharjah hosts a number of events and festivals every year. You must visit the city around the time of these festivals in order to see Sharjah at its colourful best. The initial months of February and March celebrate festivals like the Sharjah Lights Festival and the Sharjah Arts Biennial. Other popular festivals include the Sharjah International Arabian Horse Festival and the Sharjah International Book Fair.
Eat
Home to some wonderful cafes and restaurants, Sharjah not only offers visitors lip-smacking Arab delicacies, but also superlative regional and international cuisines. From amazing luxury restaurants to wonderful local joints, the city has a cornucopia of options for every taste and every budget. Places like Milas, Sharjah Dhow Restaurant and Aroos Damascus Restaurant serve authentic regional delicacies such as saloonat laham, saloonat diyai, mbahar tuna, grill platter, hummus, fattoush salad, tabbouleh, mishwe, hummus, moutabel, kebab halabi, stuffed vine leaves and shawarma amongst other items. A visit to Katis is a must for lovers of fusion Indo-Chinese food.
Adventure Activities
If an adrenaline charged vacation is what you want, the city of Sharjah is the perfect destination. With its location near both the sea and the desert, Sharjah offers visitors a number of organized adventure activities including water sports and desert activities. Go dune bashing or quad biking, or try out your sand boarding skills over the sand dunes for an exhilarating ride. Enjoy other activities like camping, water skiing, scuba diving, and snorkelling to get in touch with nature.
Shop
From grand shopping malls to traditional souks, Sharjah provides its visitors with abundant shopping opportunities. You can enjoy shopping for international luxury brands, or spend the day traversing the markets and bargaining with traders at the Souks for a more rustic shopping experience. The Blue Souk of Sharjah, named after the colour of its tiles, is an internationally renowned market. The Sahara Mall and the Sharjah City Centre are one-stop shops for luxury shopping in Sharjah.
Visit
With a rich history and cultural heritage, Sharjah is home to many attractions for travellers and tourists in the city. Not only is the visit bound to be fun and relaxing, but also educational and interesting, making for a very well-rounded experience. The Sharjah Arts Museum, Khalid Lagoon, the Sharjah Heritage Area, and the Arabian Wildlife Centre should all be on your list of places you must visit when in the city. Simply get a rental car from providers like Hertz and set off to explore the city at your leisure!