Sharjah

Sharjah is the third largest of the seven emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and is the only one to have land on both the Arabian Gulf Coast and the Gulf of Oman.

It is an emirate of contrasts where visitors can enjoy a holiday in the sun, discover traditional markets (souqs) or visit modern shopping malls, explore the many heritage sites and museums, admire the majestic mosques, stroll around the lagoons, and experience the natural beauty of true Arabian deserts, mountains and seas.

Enjoy extraordinary experiences in the cultural capital of Arabia
With vibrant souks and inspiring art galleries to enlightening mosques and historic monuments, Sharjah is aptly named the UNESCO cultural capital for the Arab World. The Sharjah government, Sharjah Art Foundation and Sharjah Museums Authority have made incredible efforts to preserve and share Emirati history and heritage. Today, Sharjah has over 20 museums and galleries, featuring modern art, priceless paintings and Arabian artifacts that offer a comprehensive history of the UAE. The city also boasts several nature and adventure activities, including trekking and camping in nature reserves, water sports at nearly every Sharjah beach, and motorsports in the desert. This has led to the city receiving international recognition with visits from travellers around the world.

People from neighboring emirates especially travel here to explore the many places to visit in Sharjah at night. The iconic Sharjah Corniche, for instance, offers a beautiful nighttime view of the Arabian Gulf. Though Sharjah has seen a lot of growth and changes over the years, it was named a “Healthy City” by the World Health Organisation in 2015 for promoting health protection and sustainable development. For people in the UAE, Sharjah is also a preferred residential base with a wealth of family-friendly activities. From casual dining, cafe and leisure options to cultural programs and events, development in this city is focussed around family and children. As a result, parents in this city always have several options for things to do with kids.

The Sharjah Airport – the hub of the airline Air Arabia – is conveniently located close to the city for seamless travel. And with over 106 hotels and hotel apartments, the city is a prime tourism destination. Sharjah weather is warm and sunny all year round, with the best time to visit during the later half of the year.

Sharjah Activities
With a wealth of activities, the question is never “what to do” in Sharjah; it’s when to do it. Find the perfect activity, whether you’re an indoor or outdoor person, a culture buff or heritage lover, an art connoisseur or sports enthusiast.

Fill up your itinerary with a range of exciting activities
Along with the must-do activities in the UAE, like going on a desert safari or taking a dhow cruise, Sharjah hosts several opportunities for adventure, leisure and inspiration. Go shopping in a manner of Arab tradition at a traditional souk with bargain pricing, or go to a bigger Sharjah mall for the best deals and variety.

Explore Emirati culture with art and food in the Heart of Sharjah, or head outdoors to lounge on a Sharjah beach and soak up some sun. For trekking, consider going to an archaeological site like Mleiha and delve into the history of the UAE. Discover coral rock formations and entire underwater ecosystems off the coasts of Sharjah beaches with scuba diving. Or, make the best of Sharjah weather on land with a picnic on the sand, a popular activity in Arab culture.

Recommended Itineraries
Whether you’re visiting Sharjah for a day or a week, you can tailor an itinerary to maximise your fun.

Plan for a range of exciting activities and maximise your fun in Sharjah.
Our itinerary tool will help you craft a tailored schedule for all the Sharjah tourist places, including popular and offbeat destinations. Tell us how many days you have, your target destination, trip category and your budget. Then we’ll narrow down the many places to visit in Sharjah, from action-packed adventures while desert camping in the UAE to lounging on a Sharjah beach in Khorfakkan.

You can also view our recommended, pre-made itineraries for popular Sharjah tourist attractions.

Highlighted Events
The biggest local and international events in the Sharjah annual calendar for hertiage explorers, sport spectators, art enthusiasts and hobbyists.

Many tourists choose to plan their visit to Sharjah for fun activities during local and international festivals. These events feature everything from celebrations of UAE culture and Emirati tradition in the Heart of Sharjah, to breathtaking immersive environments inside art galleries and on the skyscraper-lined streets. With virtually every month featuring a key event, you’ll never find a shortage of buzzing places to visit in Sharjah. The middle of the year is particularly busy for families with children, as there are a host of summer activities for kids.

As an arts hub, connoisseurs often spend their time visiting art gallery after art gallery in Sharjah. Meanwhile, the Expo Centre Sharjah attracts the best of the literary arts during the Sharjah International Book Fair, a key event for bookworms, writers and authors from around the world. For those who like outdoor adventure, particularly powerboat and aqua bike racing, the F1H2O Sharjah World Championship Week is a major attraction. Whether you’re into art or sports, city or heritage, you’ll find an event to put on your calendar.

Adventure Activities
Sharjah is the ultimate destination for adventure in the great outdoors, with the best sites for watersports, desert safaris and camping in the UAE.

Fill up your itinerary with a range of exciting activities
Sharjah’s deserts, coasts and mountains are a playground for outdoor enthusiasts, with a wide range of activities for all ages and abilities. Here’s a taster of the fantastic possibilities for hiking, cycling and canoeing you’ll find in the emirate.

Camping: Camping is popular in Sharjah, especially as part of desert safari tours. With several idyllic places to choose from, outdoor enthus…

Mountain Biking: From technical rides through rugged mountain terrain to casual cruising past date palm plantations, mountain biking is growing in po…

Dune Driving: Fossil Rock and the gigantic, ruby-red dunes known as ‘Big Red’ are two of the most popular locations for dune-bashing, stargazing a…

Kayaking: Kayaking is one of the activities that makes the best of Sharjah weather. And as one of the most popular water sports in Sharjah for…

Quad Biking: Quad Biking is a much-loved activity for tourists and locals in Sharjah. This activity is relatively easy even for newcomers to moto…

Scuba Diving & Snorkeling: When it comes to water sports, Sharjah has a lot to offer. Whether its waterskiing, snorkeling, scuba diving, swimming or even just …

Deep-Sea Fishing: Deep sea fishing spots are popular places to visit in Sharjah, with two gulfs full of a rich variety of species. Chartering a boat i…

Water Sports: A lot of Sharjah tourist places are waterside destinations, from clear waters of mangrove forests and palm-fringed beaches on the ea…

Sand Skiing: The dunes around the emirate are perfect for thrill-seekers and exciting activities like sand skiing and boarding can easily be arra…

Big Red: Big Red is the largest sand dune close to the city, making it the ultimate spot for desert sports and scenic views. Located near Al …

Dhow Cruises: A symbol of the seafaring history of the UAE, dhows were once used by fisherman and pearl divers to scour the region’s waters. Today…

Hiking Trips: You’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to desert adventures for hiking in Sharjah. The emirate has trails in landscapes of fossil…

Beach Activities
With beautiful blue coasts on the Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, any Sharjah beach is a delight to visit.

Fill up your itinerary with a range of exciting activities
The beaches of Sharjah are among the most popular places to visit in the UAE, with several opportunities for parasailing, scuba diving, kayaking, surfing, or cruising on a wakeboard. For nature lovers, beaches near Khorfakkan and the Kalba nature reserve are among the most preferred Sharjah tourist places, while food connoisseurs in the city frequent the several city hotels and restaurants for delicious meals with a view. For a more exclusive beach experience, pamper yourself at one of the emirate’s many resorts.

Al Khan Beach: Located in the Al Khan neighbourhood close to Sharjah city, this beach is a 600-metre strip of sand with dedicated area for swimming…

Al Mamzar Beach Park: Al Mamzar Beach Park combines two features of the popular places to visit in Sharjah. As a Sharjah park, it boasts expansive fields …

Kalba Beach: Explore an over 7-kilometre stretch of shimmering sand and pristine water at the Kalba Beach. Tourists come here to relax while keep…

Khorfakkan Beach: This 3-kilometre crescent-shaped beach hosts endless choices for fun in the water, from fishing and diving to parasailing and kayaki…

Al Fisht Public Beach: The white sand of the Al Fisht Beach is a scenic destination for walking, beach-combing and picnicking in Sharjah. The Al Fisht Park…

Al Lulayyah Beach: Stretching along the east coast for 1.5km, Al Lulayyah Beach is one of the best places to pitch your tent right on the sand. Separat…

Kalba Conservation Reserve: Kalba Conservation Reserve is home to remarkable landscapes, diverse ecosystems and activities for every nature enthusiast. Khor Kal…