Things to Do in Sharjah

Sharjah sits immediately north of Dubai — close enough for a day trip, different enough to be worth the visit. The emirate has invested heavily in museums and cultural infrastructure over the past two decades, earning UNESCO designation as Arab Culture Capital. The contrast with Dubai is deliberate: where Dubai leans into commerce and spectacle, Sharjah focuses on heritage, art, and Islamic history.

The Heart of Sharjah

The heritage area around Al Hisn Fort is the most concentrated collection of cultural sites in the emirate. The restored old city — known as the Heart of Sharjah — covers several blocks of traditional architecture with souks, galleries, and small museums within walking distance of each other.

Al Hisn Fort (Sharjah Fort): The restored ruler’s palace turned local history museum. Entry approximately AED 5. Open Saturday–Thursday 9:00–20:00, Friday 16:00–20:00. The building itself is as much the attraction as the collection inside.

Heritage Area Souks: The Blue Souk (officially the Central Souk) is the most recognisable landmark in Sharjah — a pair of towers covered in blue tile mosaics. Inside, around 600 shops sell carpets, jewellery, antiques, and handicrafts. Free to enter; haggling is expected. Open Saturday–Thursday 9:00–22:00.

Sharjah Calligraphy Museum: A small museum dedicated to the art of Arabic script, with pieces from across the Islamic world. Entry approximately AED 5.

Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilisation

The flagship cultural institution in the emirate and one of the best museums of its kind in the region. Housed in the restored Souk Al Majarrah building on the Khalid Lagoon waterfront, the museum covers Islamic science, art, astronomy, and the expansion of the faith across seven rooms.

Entry approximately AED 15 for adults, AED 5 for children. Open Saturday–Thursday 8:00–20:00, Friday 16:00–20:00. Allow 90 minutes to two hours for a proper visit. Photography is permitted in most galleries.

Al Noor Island

A small landscaped island in the middle of Khalid Lagoon, accessible by a bridge from the corniche. The island has walking paths through manicured gardens, a butterfly house, and art installations that light up at night.

Entry approximately AED 25 for adults (butterfly house included). Open Monday–Thursday 9:00–22:00, Friday–Saturday 9:00–23:00. The evening visit is worthwhile — the lighting installations are designed for night viewing, and the lagoon views of Sharjah city are good from the water’s edge.

Al Majaz Waterfront

A public park and entertainment zone along the southern shore of Khalid Lagoon. Free to enter. The main draw is the Sharjah Fountain — reportedly the world’s second tallest — which puts on illuminated shows in the evenings. Dozens of food kiosks, a small fun fair, and walking paths make it a popular local evening destination. No entry fee.

Sharjah Art Foundation

The emirate’s main contemporary art institution, operating across multiple venues in the old city. Permanent collection galleries and temporary exhibition spaces are spread through several renovated heritage buildings. Entry is free for the permanent collection. The foundation organises the Sharjah Biennial, one of the most significant contemporary art events in the Middle East.

Sharjah Archaeology Museum

A well-curated museum covering the prehistoric and ancient history of the Sharjah region, with artefacts from excavations across the emirate going back 7,000 years. Entry approximately AED 10. Open Saturday–Thursday 9:00–17:00.

Sharjah’s Beaches

The emirate has beaches on both the Arabian Gulf coast (west) and the Indian Ocean coast (east, near Khor Fakkan). The western beaches in the Khalid Lagoon area are pleasant but swimming conditions are calm. Khor Fakkan, a Sharjah exclave on the east coast, has clearer water and is worth the 90-minute drive for snorkelling.

Getting to Sharjah from Dubai

By car: 30–50 minutes from central Dubai, depending on traffic. The E11 (Sheikh Zayed Road extension) or E611 (Emirates Road) both connect. Rush hour on weekdays can stretch this to 60–90 minutes.

By bus: Sharjah is well connected to the Dubai bus network. Services from Al Ghubaiba Bus Station in Deira take approximately 45–60 minutes and cost around AED 10. The E306 and E307 routes are the most direct.

Getting around Sharjah: The Heritage Area, the Museum of Islamic Civilisation, and Al Majaz Waterfront are within 2–3 km of each other and walkable in cooler months. Taxis are cheap (approximately AED 10–15 for short hops) and readily available.

For more on the city, see our full Sharjah guide.