Discover Sharjah
Hotels, halal food, prayer spaces, things to do, and itineraries in Sharjah.
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Must-see attractions in Sharjah
From headline landmarks and heritage icons to parks, waterfronts, and major museums, discover 13 standout sights to build into your time in the city.
Sharjah continues to excel in the economic sense by having the biggest vehicle market in the Middle East. The restored Heritage and Arts areas are some of the best in the UAE and prominent festivals bring international recognition. In 1998, it was awarded the UNESCO Cultural Capital of the Arab World for its commitment to culture, arts and preserving its heritage.
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Sharjah travel news and stories
Latest storyAl Noor Island: Inside Sharjah’s Lagoon-Side World of Art, Light and Living Culture
Travel News
Set within Khalid Lagoon, the island shows how Sharjah brings art, nature and design into everyday public life.
Third Avenue Arrives in Sharjah with a New Restaurant
Travel News
Sharjah, UAE, June 2026: Third Avenue Boutique brings its unique world—blending dining, design, and sensory experiences—to Sharjah with the opening of its new branch in the Al Qurain area this summer. The new destination features an intimate restaurant accommodating 25 guests alongside a fragrance boutique, all housed within a space meticulously designed to…
Escape to Sharjah Collection This Summer and Enjoy 30% Off
Travel News
Escape to Sharjah Collection This Summer and Enjoy 30% Off
Muslim travel planner
Plan a Muslim-friendly trip in Sharjah
Halal restaurants in Sharjah
Sharjah’s food scene is part of the city experience. Choose from 10 restaurants and food districts with location notes and planning tips.
sharjahCasa Samak
This restaurant has impressive views of the Gulf that compliment the elaborate seafood dishes here. It is always packed so book ahead.
sharjahSeashells
A seafood restaurant that serves fried or grilled shrimps, tuna fish and seafood platters at reasonable prices.
sharjahLemongrass
This place is renowned for its pleasant décor, gracious staff and delicious Thai meals. If you like you food spicy though then you’ll have to indicate it to the staff; vegetarians are in for a treat here.
sharjahShababeek
This place serves traditional Lebanese food but you’ll probably find yourself preoccupied with the flashy décor that features deep purple walls, black furniture and Arabic designs.
sharjahLasani
This place serves Pakastani and oriental cuisine – the bbq is the best pick on the menu.
sharjahMushmaool Arabic Grill Restaurant
Good food and great service, this place serves bbq and grill food.
Sharjah masjids and Muslim travel
Landmark masjids and prayer-aware notes for visitors planning salah, family movement, and halal-friendly days.
Where to stay in Sharjah
Choose where to stay by trip style, from landmark luxury and family bases to central, airport, and neighborhood-led stays.
sharjahCoral Beach Resort
This hotel is located near the border with Ajman, 15 minutes from Sharjah International Airport; most rooms have ocean views and there is a private beach but it can get crowded. This hotel is perfect for families with children as it has two pools (one with slides) and a playground. There is also a gym, tennis court and a hammam. There is also a car-hire service, laundry services and a tours desk.
sharjahHotel Holiday International
This hotel overlooks the Khalid Lagoon and boasts 253 rooms, all of which have plush fittings, satellite TV and a minibar. The hotel itself has a gym, heated outdoor pool, private balcony and 3 on-site restaurants. There are also shops, luggage storage, babysitting and child minding services, a playground, tour desk and car hire among other facilities.
sharjahSharjah Palace Hotel
This place lives up to its name as a palace with a four-star reputation. There are 155 rooms here, all with flat-screen TVs and an en-suite. There’s a rooftop swimming pool that you can use as you take in the views over the Mamzar Lagoons. There is also a gym, sauna, a restaurant that offers a varied buffet of European, Asian, Indian, Chinese and Arabic cuisine and a café/lounge area. Other services include car hire, laundry, children’s playground, currency exchange and express check in/out. Wired Internet is available but it’ll cost AED 15 per hour.
sharjahRamada Sharjah
This hotel is ideally located in the city, situated across from the Sahara Shopping Centre and 7km from the Corniche. There are 250 rooms with modern furnishings and a kitchenette. The hotel itself offers an indoor pool, the restaurant Zaafaran serves international cuisine, a café and fitness centre with sauna. Other services include a babysitting service, car hire, tour desk, a free airport shuttle and currency exchange among others. Wired internet is available and costs AED 25 an hour.
sharjahLou’Lou’a Beach Resort
If you’re after accommodation that offers its own private beach and a panoramic outdoor pool right on the Persian Gulf then this is the place for you! With 134 rooms to choose from, with satellite TVs, radio and mini bar. Some rooms have a balcony. The hotel itself offers babysitting services, tour desk, business centre, restaurant, sauna, fitness centre, luggage storage among other services. The spa offers exotic treatments includes chocolate and red grape body treatments. Airport transfer can also be arranged for a fee and internet (both wireless and wired) is also charged.
History and today in Sharjah
Read the city today, its history, residents, culture, and character before planning your route.
Sharjah Today
The restored Heritage and Arts areas are some of the best in the UAE and prominent festivals bring international recognition.
City Information
Sharjah History
The history of Sharjah begins 5000 years ago when it was one of the wealthiest civilizations of the Gulf region, originally called Sarcoa. Trade was conducted through farming, hunting, fishing and peal farming. During the 16th century the Portuguese conquered the area to control the spice trade; the fort at Khor Fakkan, Kalba and Dibba were built during that era, with the Dutch then trying to take over. In the 17th century the British arrived and began trading with Qawasim, the founding fathers of the present ruling family however the relationship between them deteriorated during the 18th century for attacks between parties. In the year 1820, the first of many peace treaties was signed to confirm peace and protection from British attacks for the next 150 years. The coast was then known as the Oman Peaceful Coast and Sheikhdoms of Oman as reconciled countries. These names would remain until the formation of the United Arab Emirates in 1971 which also ended the British presence in Sharjah. On 2nd December 1972, Sharjah became part of the UAE as a founding member; his Highness Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi succeeded as the ruler of Sharjah in 1972. In the same year oil was discovered which led to a new era of prosperity for the region.
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Visa Information
Visa requirements vary between cultures for entry into the UAE; hence it is advisable that you check before you travel. All passports must be valid for up to six months from date of arrival. At the current time, all nationals except those of the Gulf Cooperation Council (Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia), expatriate residents of the GCC and British citizens with the right to abode in the UK. Nationals of over 34 developed countries (including most of Western Europe, Australia, Brunei, Japan, Hong Kong, New Zealand and the USA) can receive free visas upon arrival in the UAE by air, land or sea travel.
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Sharjah Fast Facts
• Location: situated on the west coast of the UAE: • Dialing code: country - 971 city - 06; Emergency numbers –Please include the following:: • Police: Emergency – 999, Headquarters – 563 1111 • Fire: 997 • Ambulance: 998/999 • Tourist Information Helpdesk: 556 6777 • Car Breakdown Service: Arabian Automobile Association – 800 4900 • Highway Patrol: Unknown • Telephone Directory Services: • Airport Enquiry: +971 6 5581111 • Railway Enquiry: Not applicable; • Population: 801,004: • Languages: Arabic is the official language. English is used as a preferred communication in trade and commerce. Signs in the UAE are in both languages. • Time zone: UTC/GMT is +4 • Average January temperatures: 23°C • Average July temperatures: 38°C • Annual rainfall: Unknown as rainfall in Sharjah is scant however the wettest months are considered to be January, February and March. Rainfall can sometimes be accompanied by tropical storms so keep a pair of rubber boots handy.
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When to go
The climate in Sharjah is considered most pleasant in the months between November and April.
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Public Holidays
• New Year’s Day (1st January) • Accession Day (of HH Sheikh Zayed – 6th August) • National Day (2nd December)
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Annual Temperature
Month Average Temperature (High) Average Temperature (Low) January 23 °C 12 °C February 24 °C 14 °C March 27 °C 16 °C April 30 °C 18 °C May 34 °C 22 °C June 36 °C 25 °C July 38 °C 28 °C August 39 °C 28 °C September 37 °C 25 °C October 33 °C 22 °C November 31 °C 18 °C December 26 °C 14 °C
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Sharjah Residents
The psyche here is the same as that throughout the UAE – residents are proud of their Bedouin and Emirati heritage yet open to different influences, though in small doses. Emirati men have a strong sense of self-worth which can be construed as arrogance though this isn’t always the case, especially in business where they are shrewd and sophisticated. Women, who wear the abeyya (full lengthed black robe) and shayla (headscarf) out of choice, are making increasing advances in the workforce and Emirati culture. Emirati households are generally segregated by gender with some type of home help: an Indonesian or Filipino housemaid for example. These foreigners make up 80% of the population and most are unskilled labourers who work for long hours for low wages; their conditions, especially in the labour camps in the desert, have been noticed in the local and international communities. The Emiratis are considered to be polite and genial though keep in mind that as Sharjah takes its decency laws seriously, the residents will do the same.
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Shopping in Sharjah
Explore 5 shopping stops, from malls, markets, and book bazaars to fashion streets and souvenir finds.
sharjahCentral Souq
Also called the Blue Souq, this shopping centre boast over 600 stores which are spread over two double storey buildings that are joined by two footbridges. The ground floor has all the designer boutiques and gold and jewellery shops. If you’re after something a bit more affordable and different, the upstairs shops stock pashminas, rugs and curiosities from places such as Afghanistan and Rajasthan. Don’t forget to bargain and always shop around and compare prices. If you can, go shopping in the evening – during the day it is overrun with tourists.
sharjahSharjah Mega Mall
A real exercise in luxury with over 140 designer shops, cafes including a Starbucks, restaurants, cinemas and a 24hr supermarket. There is also Antic Land, the first and largest indoor theme park which has a monorail, rollercoaster, haunted house, 3D cinema with the latest kid’s movies, and a mini ferris wheel.
sharjahSouq al-Arsa
Located in the Heritage Area in the UAE’s oldest souq, you’ll find some decent-quality handi-crafts, carpets and souvenirs. Get ready for some intense haggling.
sharjahKhlas Malaki Dates
A sweet shop that specializes in dates, which are packed into small gift boxes and make nice souvenirs.
sharjahBook Mall
A massive bookshop with a café and reasonable English language section with fiction and travel books; lf you wish to use the internet it costs DH5 per hour.
Signature sights in Sharjah
A curated pick of the city's standout sights, led by the strongest editorial recommendations.
Sharjah tours and experiences
Heritage walks, food crawls, coastal trips, museum circuits, family days, and guided ideas for an easier day out.
sharjahSharjah City Sightseeing Tour
This tour departs from centrally located hotels in Dubai so if you are staying in a hotel in Sharjah you may have to check with your concierge for availability. You travel by bus with a local guide; one of the first landmarks you visit is the King Faisal Mosque, then the Fort of Sharjah, built in 1820 and former residence of the ruling family. Other landmarks you visit are the Sharjah Heritage Museum, the Al Arsa souk and the markets of the Al Markazi.
sharjah4x4 Dubai Desert Safari
Duration: 5hrs Departure Time: 3:40pm – hotel pickups commence approximately 30 - 60 minutes prior to this time, exact pickup time will be advised on reconfirmation of tour. If sand boarding on dunes and dining under the stars seem like your thing then this tour is for you. Travelling by 4WD, you’ll make your first stop at a camel farm then continuing on to witness a desert sunset. When you arrive at your campsite you get the chance to ride a camel, go sand boarding and get henna tattoo art done on your hands and feet. A BBQ dinner, a shisha and a belly dancer are also included (the belly dancer cannot perform during Ramadan). Free hotel pickup and drop off included.
sharjahDubai Hot Air Balloon Flight
Duration: 5hrs (approx) Depart Time: 5:00am (approximately) – you MUST confirm your exact departure time by 6:00pm the day prior to your scheduled balloon flight. All flights are set to an approximate timeframe and are subject to change due to weather conditions and weight restrictions.
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Sharjah travel guide sections
Focused sections for articles, directories, maps, and trip planning.
