Top places to visit

Probably the best out of Sharjah’s museums, the exhibit details local customs, traditions, and arts and crafts before the discovery of oil.

This place is a former pearl trader’s home and a lush example of early Emirati architecture.

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.

This is the oldest public school in Sharjah; it was founded in 1935. The Al-Hisn Fort is located on the eastern side.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Seahorses, clownfish, moray eels and sharks are some of the 250 plus creatures you’ll find here at Sharjah’s newest attraction.

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.

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).

This park is located 26 kilometers from the city centre and has four venues stretched over 1 sq-km; there is a café and picnic facilities on the grounds. The biggest venue here is the Arabian Wildlife Centre (531 1999) which incorporates a zoo and a breeding centre. There is an indoor aviary that houses flamingoes, houbara bustards and Indian rollers while the outdoor enclosures have baboons, striped hyenas, Arabian wolves and Arabian leopards. There is also a restaurant that overlooks an open-range area with flamingoes, Nubian ibex, ostriches and sand gazelles just to name a few. There is also a Children’s Farm (see What to do with Children in tow).

One of the best places to take children in Sharjah is the Sharjah Desert Park. The Arabian Wildlife Centre offers a Children’s Farm (531 1127, noon-4pm, Dh5 on weekends) where children can pet and feed goats, ducks and ride ponies and camels. The Natural History Museum might also be a good draw card for your children as well as Qanat al-Qasba with the Eye of the Emirates and go-kart track (see Places to Visit).

This area is opposite Sharjah Corniche.

This area is within the Corniche, between Al Burj Street and Al Mareija Street. The heritage area contains homes of Sharjah's most prominent figures since the 19th century. If you lose your way in one of its streets, you will discover that most of the homes here are very old houses that have been restored.

It is (66 kilometres) from Fujairah and contains ancient remains such as Dibba Fort and traces of the Ridda wars between the Muslim army during the reign of Abu Bakr Al Siddiq and the Asadi tribes. Collections of silver coins dating to ancient times have also been discovered there, as has Islamic pottery.

It belongs to Sharjah and contains an Islamic cemetery and Islamic remains levelled to the ground. Large circular tombs have also been discovered there, all resembling the burial places of Jebel Hafeet in Al Ain. Many coloured Islamic pottery pieces have been found at these sites, demonstrating the place's political and economic importance to the ancient Arabian Peninsula, specifically in the period 2000 years ago.