Sharjah
The Desert City
General Information
Other Name: Cultural Capital of the Arab World, District: NA, State: Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
Area: 2600 km²
Languages Spoken: Arabic and English
Long Distance Code: +971 6
Importance: has also become a leading centre of education in the Middle East and also offers good shopping, sports, leisure and dining facilities.
Best Time to Visit: October to December and February
International Access: Connected to the world by air and has an international airport.
Description
Sharjah is one of the important cities in the United Arab Emirates. The diverse natural features of Sharjah have enhanced its beautiful landscape, making it one of the prominent tourist destinations of the world. The city of Sharjah is situated on the salt strip, three miles deep running along the coast. The salt strip is commonly referred to as ''subkhat''.Location
The city of Sharjah overlooks the Arabian Gulf in the West and the Gulf of Oman in the East.Climate
Sub-tropical,Arid Climate
With several halls dedicated to different periods of time, Sharjah Archaeological Museum is like into the pages of history itself. First comes the Stone Age. This hall contains the flints and sea shells from that age that describes the lifestyle of the people of the same. Various other exhibits involving other day to day items are also displayed such as gems and potteries recovered from Al Hamriyah belonging to the Obaid period. To add more grisly fun, there are also some skeleton models from Al Buhais area that have been put up for the visitors. Next comes the Bronze Age hall that features a movie as well as exhibits involving soft stones, jewelry, pottery and other metals found from that period. In addition to the exhibits, there are also the high tech computer systems that provide information on the specific display exhibit and also have games related to the archaeological displays of the museum for the children. Timings: 9am to 1pm; 5pm to 8pm; Fridays- 9am to 1pm and 5pm to 8pm
Located right next to the Sharjah International Airport, Arabian Wildlife Center has over 100 species of current and extinct animals kept in a safe, natural and spacious environment. Take a look at some of the most venomous adders and vipers and color changing chameleons at this place. Some common insects such as scorpions and camel spiders have also been exhibited. The bird aviary of the center offers viewings of special winged creatures such as the Indian Roller birds, songbirds, Houbara bustards and flamingos. Set in a desert environment, the aviary also consists of a walk through cave that contains a tank having blind cave fishes from Oman. Besides the aviary are some not so common feline species such as the Wildcat, Caracals and the Sand Cat. There is also a special nocturnal house that displays different species of foxes, porcupines, mongoose, hedgehogs, and more than twelve rodent species. The place offers a rare opportunity to watch the complete diversity of fauna found in the region along with the animal species that are fast becoming extinct on the peninsula. Closed On: Monday
Timings: 9am to 5:30pm; Fridays- 2pm to 5:30pm
Considered to be the largest and one of the most important souqs of Sharjah, the Blue Souq is one of the most famous landmarks of Sharjah due to its uniquely Islamic designing and architecture. Also known as the Central Market, the place is famous as the ‘Blue Souq’ due to the lovely blue tiles on the outside of the market walls. Having two sections comprising of over 600 shops, the place is located in the Khaled Lagoon and is connected with various tunnels. Of the two sections, one offers electronics, gifts and other goods and the other section offers various choice gems, gold and diamond jewelries. Of the tow it is the uppr section that is more popular with the tourists due to its real bazaar atmosphere and range of goods starting from jewelries, rugs, Omani antiques, curios and Yemeni artifacts. The lower section offers specialized products such as household items, clothing, textiles, perfumes, gold jewelry, precious stones and others. In fact, an in-depth tour of the souq is a great opportunity to study the ethnic culture of an Arabian market in detail. Timings: 9am to 1pm and 4pm to 11pm
Remarks: Closed on Fridays from 12 noon to 4pm
Instead of being just a single attraction, Sharjah Heritage Museum is in fact a collection of several museums including the Souq Al Asrah, Sharjah Heritage Museum, Al Midfaa House, Bait Al Naboodah, Hisn Kalba and Al Hisn Sharjah.Souq Al Asrah is a souq that has been renovated to retain its old world charm in the form of large open courtyard having quite a number of souvenir selling shops. In addition to souvenirs, you may also find a wide range of jewelry, wooden and silver artifacts, novelties, medicinal herbs and garments.Once a prominent figure in Sharjah, Al Midfaa’s family home has been renovated and restored for general public viewing with various exhibits related to the Middle Eastern culture and literature. Bait Al Naboodah, too, is a family home whose 16 rooms have now been turned into a museum. Every room in this house is like a tribute to different aspects of Middle eastern culture such as jewelry, costumes, traditional clothing, kitchens, and artifacts.Hisn Kalba is a historic Sharjah defense facility built on a platform and is surrounded by huge sturdy walls.Al Hisn Sharjah is a great place to start if you are looking to know more about the ruling family of Sharjah. Once their traditional residence, the place was built as a fort around 200 years ago and has a special significance in the minds and hearts of the locals. Timings: 8am to 8pm; Fridays- 4pm to 8pm
Visit the roots of the Islamic and the Arabic culture and know more about them by visiting this special Islamic Museum. The museum has various exhibits, artifacts and manuscripts that express the distinct Islamic heritage of the region. In addition, there are also a number of religious and scientific manuscripts up on display in addition to a tantalizing display of Islamic arts and crafts. Some of the exhibits that are of special significance include the pottery, glass, clay and metallic handicrafts inlaid with gold, silver and brass. Some other collections of the museum dating back to Abbaside and Omayyad eras include Islamic currencies such as silver dirhams and dinars, jewelry and other ornamental tools from the same. Timings: 8am to 8pm; Fridays- 4pm to 8pm
Adding to the old world charm of Sharjah is the Sharjah Natural History Museum and Desert Park that offers a window into the flora and fauna of the Arabian world. There is also a Children’s Farm where children are allowed to have close contact with farm animals as well as help themselves to freshly made homemade cheese, milk and yogurt. They can even watch bees flying in and out of a beehive through a special transparent tube. In addition there is also a Breeding Center for Endangered Arabic animals that is not open for the general public because the animals there need the peace and quiet. Continuing along the Museum tour, there is a Diorama Hall that depicts various desert Sharjah habitats in addition to actual photos of the plants, animals and birds found throughout the region. For those interested in the origin of Earth and the theories attached with the same, there is the Geology hall that tells the stories associated with volcanic eruptions, tectonic plates, earthquakes, and the big bang theory through audiovideo presentations. To add more diversity to the Museum, there is also the Flora hall as well as the Botany section that take on their respective journeys. So, come visit the place and know more about the cultural as well as the natural history of Sharjah.Closed On: Tuesday
Timings: 9am to 5:30pm; Fridays- 2pm to 5:30pm; Saturdays- 11am to 5:30pm
Considered to be one of the largest arts museums of UAE, Sharjah arts museum is a state of art gallery that features works of both the international as well as local artistes both permanently and on a temporary basis. Some of the most valuable pieces that are displayed permanently in the museum come from the collection of the Sharjah ruler HH Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qassimi who is also an esteemed member of the Supreme Council. These collections are always displayed in groups bringing forth the history and culture of Sharjah. The museum comprises of seventy two galleries in total spanning over three floors that are always full of watercolors, oils and other important lithographs. Most of these artistic masterpieces are from the 18th Century painters who got fascinated by the natural flora and fauna as well as the cultural and architectural diversity of the place. In addition there is also a contemporary arts section where art shows are organized for the locals, Arab as well as international art masters. Spread over a total area of 111,000 square meters, the place offers a glimpse into the artistic world of the Middle East.Timings: 8am to 8pm and On Fridays- 4pm to 8pm
Considered to be one of the most important tourist destinations of Sharjah, Al Qasba has a lot of entertainment activities in store for the visitors, making it an unparalleled entertainment destination. It has various high class leisure and cultural attractions that are sure to increase your knowledge about the Arabian traditions and cultures. Experience a different world altogether specially during the Ramadan period at this spot. A rich world of poetry, culture and tradition comes alive during this religious month. There are special poetry recitals by Munshid Al Sharjah and a special tent on Islamic culture going by the name of Al Eman Oasis comes alive for visitors from all religions and faiths. The food on offer is a gastronomical delight for a tourist from any part of the world. The place is a must visit in every tourist itinerary due to its special significance in experiencing Islamic culture at its best. 
Considered to one of the only interactive hands on museum in whole of UAE, Sharjah Science Museum is a start of art facility having various interesting exhibits such as plasma balls and a shadow eating wall. There are various other display items in the Exhibition hall that helps you in testing your flexibility, grip strength, human body puzzles and playspaces that caters specifically to the younger lot. There are various other programs that are run by the museum in their Learning Center that are open to local schools and public in some cases. There is also a planetarium that will take you deep into the universe and its various celestial bodies. Timings: 8am to 8pm; Friday- 4pm to 8pm; Saturday-4pm to 8pm