About Sharjah
UNESCO's Cultural Capital of the Arab World, Sharjah is a dry emirate devoted to arts, museums, and Islamic heritage — offering a quieter, more traditional alternative to neighbouring Dubai.
Sharjah, the third-largest emirate, was named the Cultural Capital of the Arab World by UNESCO in 1998 and the World Book Capital in 2019. The Heritage Area around Heart of Sharjah houses restored coral-stone houses, traditional souks, and the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilisation. The emirate is home to over 20 museums, the Sharjah Art Foundation, and the biennial Sharjah International Book Fair. As a dry emirate, alcohol is completely prohibited, giving the city a distinctly family-oriented atmosphere. The east coast territory around Khor Fakkan and Dibba offers mountain hiking, snorkelling, and secluded beaches on the Gulf of Oman.
Highlights
🎨
Art & Museums Capital
Over 20 museums, the Sharjah Art Foundation, and the Sharjah Biennial.
🕌
Islamic Heritage
Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilisation with 5,000 artefacts spanning 1,400 years…
🏛️
Heart of Sharjah
A restored heritage district — the largest in the Gulf — with souks and museums.
🏖️
East Coast Beaches
Khor Fakkan and Dibba offer pristine Gulf of Oman beaches and diving.
Best For
Travel Tips
Key Facts
- Timezone
- Asia/Dubai
- Currency
- AED (UAE Dirham)
- Airport
SHJ
📅 Best Time to Visit
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best months to visit: Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar
✈️ Travel Information — Sharjah
Everything you need to know before you go
Visa Requirements
1
Climate: Hot desert (BWh)
Monthly Temperatures
Safe
💰
AED
UAE Dirham
🏷️
د.إ
Symbol
⚡
220
Voltage
〰️
50
Frequency
Widely Spoken
English, Hindi, Urdu
🏛️ Top Attractions in Sharjah
6 attractions
Museum
👨👩👧👦
Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilisation
Housed in a beautifully restored souk building, this museum showcases 5,000 arte…
Historical
👨👩👧👦
Heart of Sharjah
A multi-phase restoration of Sharjah's historic core — the largest heritage proj…
Experience
👨👩👧👦
Al Noor Island
A small island in Khalid Lagoon featuring a butterfly house (500+ butterflies), …
Cultural
👨👩👧👦
Sharjah Art Foundation
A leading contemporary art institution with galleries, studios, and public art s…
Family
👨👩👧👦
Sharjah Aquarium
A family-friendly aquarium on the Al Khan waterfront showcasing marine life from…
Historical
👨👩👧👦
Mleiha Archaeological Centre
An archaeological and eco-tourism site 50 km from Sharjah city with stone-age to…
🏨 Where to Stay in Sharjah
3 accommodations
Boutique
$$$$
The Chedi Al Bait Sharjah
★
★
★
★
★
Heart of Sharjah
A GHM luxury hotel created from restored 19th-century heritage houses …
Resort
$$
Sheraton Sharjah Beach Resort
★
★
★
★
★
Al Khan
A family-friendly beachfront resort with a private beach, waterpark, m…
Hotel
$
Centro Sharjah by Rotana
★
★
★
★
★
Al Nahda
A modern, no-fuss Rotana property near Sahara Centre mall. Rooftop poo…
🍽️ Where to Eat in Sharjah
3 dining spots
Fine Dining
$$$
The Chedi Restaurant
International · Garden
Halal
Vegetarian
Fine dining in the courtyard of The Chedi Al Bait hotel — restored heritage sett…
Restaurant
$
Aroos Damascus
Syrian · Indoor
Halal
A Sharjah institution since 1985, famous for massive grilled meat platters, crea…
Restaurant
$$
Shababeek
Emirati · Indoor
Halal
Authentic Emirati and Gulf cuisine in a heritage-inspired setting near Al Majaz …
🛍️ Shopping in Sharjah
3 shopping destinations
🕌 Souk
Blue Souk (Central Market)
Gold
Crafts
Textile
10 AM-10 PM (Fri 4-10 PM)
Sharjah's most iconic building — two blue-tiled wings connected by bridges, housing 600 sh…
🏬 Mall
Sahara Centre
Fashion
Electronics
10 AM-10 PM (Thu-Sat till 12 AM)
Sharjah's largest mall with 300+ stores, a Novo Cinema, and Adventureland indoor theme par…
🕌 Souk
Souk Al Arsah
Crafts
Spice
9 AM-9 PM
One of the oldest souks in the UAE, located in the Heart of Sharjah. Traditional crafts, a…
🌙 Nightlife in Sharjah
2 venues
Local Regulations
Sharjah is a DRY EMIRATE. Alcohol is completely prohibited — no bars, no licensed restaurants, no duty-free alcohol. Possessing alcohol is a criminal offence. N/A — no alcohol venues.
🎭 Entertainment Show
$$
Al Majaz Waterfront
A family-friendly waterfront destination with a musical fountain, restaurants, p…
🎭 Entertainment Show
$
Al Qasba Canal
A canal-side entertainment hub with the Eye of the Emirates (60m observation whe…
🚌 Getting Around Sharjah
✈️ Airports
✈️
Sharjah International Airport
SHJ
📍 12 from city center
🚐 Airport Transfers
🚇 Public Transport
🚕 Taxi & Rideshare
📱 Careem
Base: AED 10 · AED 1.80/km
📱 Sharjah Taxi
Base: AED 3.50 · AED 1.46/km
💡 Getting Around Tips
right
Heritage Area and Corniche are walkable. Otherwise car-dependent.
7-9 AM, 5-8 PM — Sharjah-Dubai commute is heavily congested.
📦 Book Sharjah with Lavisa
Everything you need for your trip — all in one place
🗺️
Sharjah Heritage Tours
Guided museum and souk walking tours.
From AED 99
🚐
SHJ Airport Transfers
Private transfer from SHJ to your hotel.
From AED 89
ℹ️ Practical Information — Sharjah
📅 When to Visit Sharjah
Peak Season
Shoulder Season
Off-Peak
🏆 Best Months:
🥇 Sep
🥈 May
🥉 Apr
Jan
🔴 Peak Season
🌡️ 25° / 14°
🌧️ 2d
$$$$$
🎆 New Year
Feb
🔴 Peak Season
🌡️ 25° / 14°
🌧️ 2d
$$$$$
🛍️ Dubai Shopping Festival
Mar
🔴 Peak Season
🌡️ 30° / 20°
🌧️ 5d
$$$$$
🌙 Ramadan (approx.)
Apr
⭐
🟡 Shoulder Season
🌡️ 30° / 20°
🌧️ 5d
$$$
🎉 Eid al-Fitr (approx.)
📚 Spring Break
May
⭐
🟢 Off-Peak
🌡️ 30° / 20°
🌧️ 5d
$
Jun
🟢 Off-Peak
🌡️ 45° / 32°
🌧️ 0d
$
🐑 Eid al-Adha (approx.)
☀️ Summer Holiday Starts
Jul
🟢 Off-Peak
🌡️ 45° / 32°
🌧️ 0d
$
🎪 Dubai Summer Surprises
Aug
🟢 Off-Peak
🌡️ 45° / 32°
🌧️ 0d
$
Sep
⭐
🟢 Off-Peak
🌡️ 30° / 20°
🌧️ 5d
$
📚 School Year Starts
Oct
🟡 Shoulder Season
🌡️ 30° / 20°
🌧️ 5d
$$$
Nov
🔴 Peak Season
🌡️ 30° / 20°
🌧️ 5d
$$$$$
🇦🇪 UAE National Day (Dec 2)
Dec
🔴 Peak Season
🌡️ 25° / 14°
🌧️ 2d
$$$$$
🎄 Christmas & NYE
❄️ Winter Break
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