Overview & visitor information
This is the oldest public school in Sharjah; it was founded in 1935. The Al-Hisn Fort is located on the eastern side.
Phone: 568 4114 Opening Times: Sat-Thu 8am-8pm, Fri 4-8pm Fees: Adult AED5, Child free, Family AED10
Place
Al-Eslah School Museum
This is the oldest public school in Sharjah; it was founded in 1935. The Al-Hisn Fort is located on the eastern side.
City guide
More places in Sharjah
Keep exploring Sharjah.
sharjahSharjah Heritage Museum
Museum
Probably the best out of Sharjah’s museums, the exhibit details local customs, traditions, and arts and crafts before the discovery of oil.
sharjahBait al-Naboodah
House
This place is a former pearl trader’s home and a lush example of early Emirati architecture.
sharjahSouq al-Arsa
Market
This is the oldest souq in the UAE; its areesh (palm leaf) roof and wooden pillars have recently been restored. It also has a traditional coffeehouse where you can indulge in mint tea and dates.
sharjahSharjah Art Museum
Museum
This place is the center piece of the Arts Area; it is renowned as having one of the UAE’s largest and most extraordinary collections of art. It is also the annual organizer of the Sharjah Biennal. The permanent collection houses watercolours, oil paintings and lithographs from the 18th and 19th century. Most of the collection is from the ruling family’s collection but the curators’ stage regular shows of local and international contemporary artists. The building also has a café.
sharjahBait Obaid al-Shamsi
House
This place is in a restored creek-side house with lots of artists’ studios set around the courtyard. In the evenings you’ll find the artists working here and you chat chat to them about their work. Also in the area are the Very Special Arts Centre (568 7812) which is a gallery and workshop for disabled artists and the Emirates Fine Arts Society (568 4488) which displays the work of local artists.
sharjahSharjah Museum of Islamic Civilisation
Museum
If you’ve ever wanted to anything and everything about Islam then this museum is the place to go. A new establishment in a converted souq on the waterfront, the ground floor galleries shows different aspects of Islamic faith such as the Five Pillars of Islam and the rituals of hajj. Other parts of floor plan show the scientific achievements in the Arab world, especially in the areas of mathematics and astronomy. The upper floors contain over 1400 years of Islamic art showcasing manuscripts, ceramics, armour, woodwork, textiles and jewellery. The centerpiece however would be the central dome of the building which has a striking blue zodiac mosaic.
sharjahSharjah Archaeological Museum
Museum
The building itself is quite impressive, surrounded by manicured lawns but inside you’ll find extensive and fascinating exhibits on Sharjah’s past. The exhibits, accompanied by audiovisual interpretations, range from the earliest archaeological finds, circa 5000 BC to the present day. Artifacts include jewellery, ceramics and weapons. Note: Wednesday afternoon admission is for women only.
sharjahSharjah Aquarium
Aquarium
Seahorses, clownfish, moray eels and sharks are some of the 250 plus creatures you’ll find here at Sharjah’s newest attraction.
sharjahSharjah Maritime Museum
Museum
Next door to the Aquarium, this museum opened in mid-2009. Here you’ll find wooden dhows, fishing tools including devices used in pearl diving and photographs that acknowledge Sharjah’s sea heritage.
sharjahAl Qasba Canal
road
This strip, which runs on both banks of a canal and are linked by a twinkling bridge, has a great assortment of cafes, restaurants and family-orientated entertainment. The strip itself is a car-free zone and strolling is encouraged though be prepared for crowds on Friday nights and Saturdays. For a grand view of the city there is the Eye of the Emirates (Sun-Thu 4pm-midnight, Fri 4pm-1am, Sat 10am-midnight. Adult AED30, child AED15) which is a 60m high Ferris Wheel or for view closer to the ground you can go on a cruise on an abra (per 15min, ride adult AED10, child AED5). There is also a go-kart track (Sun-Thu 3pm-1am, Fri & Sat 10am-1am, per 30min solo AED20, duo AED 30, family AED40) or there are carousels. There is also a cinema, the Grand Buheirah Cinema (556 2200, Buheirah Corniche, tickets AED30 or VIP seating AED50).
More restaurants in Sharjah
Keep exploring Sharjah.
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.
sharjahAutomatic Restaurant
One of the many branches of this popular chain that serves Lebanese mezze, shwarma and grilled meats.
sharjahSadaf
Family-friendly
Authentic Persian cuisine is the order of the day here which fills up quickly with expat Emirate families (you can book private booths here). One of the best things on the menu is the ‘Zereshk Polo Meat’ which is rice with Iranian red barberries and chicken or meat.
sharjahAl-Gahwa al-Shaabiya
A traditional coffeehouse overlooking the lagoon serving mint teas, local coffee, ginger milk and Arabic snacks.
sharjahCaffe Undici
Stylish café serving continental breakfasts, sandwiches and strong espresso.
More hotels in Sharjah
Keep exploring Sharjah.
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
Moderate Hotels
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.
sharjahMillennium Hotel
One of the busiest midrange hotels in the UAE, let alone Sharjah, it is best to book ahead to secure a room here. The rooms are very plush and there is a swimming pool; the hotel itself is not far from Qanat Al-Qasba and there is a shuttle bus to Deira (in Dubai). The website is currently not taking online bookings so you may have to book via phone.
sharjahMarbella Resort
There are 50 private villas set in a lush tropical garden for this resort which makes it a favourite for visiting families. There are two pools, a gym, tennis and squash courts plus a free daily shuttle bus to Dubai.
sharjahSharjah Rotana Hotel
Located right in the city, this hotel is prefect if you’d prefer to be in walking distance of all the souqs and museums. There are 205 rooms and suites – if you get a room on the upper floors you might get sweeping views of the city. The hotel rates also include a shuttle bus to a private beach club.
sharjahAl Sharq Hotel
Another city based hotel, this one offers a restaurant, business centre, shuttle bus to the beaches and shopping locals, a health club (gym and sauna), late check outs, and a doctor on call.
sharjahSharjah Youth Hostel
Budget Hotels
This place has originally been described as ‘not appealing’ but this hostel is still considered the cheapest place in town. It has 40 beds with 3, 4 or 5 beds per room. The Big Vela contains 32 beds in spacious rooms that have separate divisions for females and families. There is a playground, currency exchange, air conditioning and a dining room.