Sharjah

Sharjah (Arabic: الشارقة) is the third largest city in the United Arab Emirates and the capital of Sharjah emirate. Sharjah is known for its Arabic and Islamic architecture as well as its libraries, Islamic museums, and cultural centers. The city is known as the cultural and literature hub of the United Arab Emirates. The city is rooted in its Arabic and Islamic heritage with many Umayyad and Abbasid-styled buildings and offers a glimpse of Arabic and Islamic environment in an otherwise largely westernized country. It is a major hub for family friendly environment and activities and has a more conservative atmosphere. The city has many green parks, apartment complexes, and a large community of Arabs from all the Arab world making the city an effective cultural meeting point for many different communities of Arabs.

In contrast to Abu Dhabi and Dubai, Sharjah offers visitors a vastly larger view into Arabic and Islamic art, literature, and architecture. It's a usual destination for visitors who are looking for a cultural and a more local experience of Arabia and Islamic atmosphere compared to Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

Understand
Sharjah is very closely connected to Dubai through the Dubai-Sharjah-Ajman metropolitan area, with commuter traffic creating rush hour traffic jams. Many people live in Sharjah but work in Dubai to take advantage of lower rents, hence traffic from Sharjah to Dubai and Dubai to Sharjah is largely expected in rush hours.

The emirate is considerably larger than Dubai, with coastline on both west and east coasts of the peninsula, and with exclaves of Kalba, Khor Fakkan, and Dibba Al Hisn. The road to the east coast goes through rugged Al Hajar mountains. Public buildings in the Emirate are all in Umayyad and Abbasid architecture, and were all designed by the present Shaikh (a qualified architect). Therefore, the city offers a nice visual change and a more cultural atmosphere from the usual fare of skyscrapers in other Emirates.

The Sharjah Commerce and Tourism website has sections on business, heritage, leisure, education, and coast.

Talk
As in the rest of the UAE, Arabic is the official language, although most residents speak other languages - particularly Hindi, Urdu and Tagalog. English is widely spoken in shops, souqs, and hotels.

Get in
For visa requirements to visit Sharjah, see the United Arab Emirates page.

By plane


Getting there and away:
 * By bus – Regular 24/7 buses (every ½-1 hr) run the distance of 20 km between the airport and Al Jubail Bus Station (Sharjah center aka Rolla)—10 dirham, cash only. From Al Jubail, you can connect to Abu Dhabi center (direct bus, 40-50 dirham), Abu Dhabi Airport via Ibn Battatu (see Abu Dhabi International Airport for details), Dubai (direct bus, 10-15 dirham), Dubai Airport via Deira City Center (red metro from there to the airport, less than 10 dirham with card possible). Remember that most bus transport in Sharjah seems cash-only. See below for more possible connections and the links to the transportation websites where you can find schedules. Also, Google Maps is good in suggesting connections.
 * This seems to be out of date as of 2023: Public bus route 111 (10 dirham) runs hourly from the airport via Al Qusais Bus station to the Metro's Rashidiya station in Dubai.


 * By taxi – To go to Dubai International Airport, this will set you back at around 100 dirham. But Dubai Airport, just 20 km by road away, has many more international connections and is the more popular gateway to UAE.

By bus
Bus travel to Dubai is possible via an inter-emirate bus service run by the Government of Dubai Road and Transport Authority. Most buses arrive at, next to the Sharjah Fish market and the Sharjah Fruit and Vegetable market, nearby to the Central Souk. A bus from Sharjah to Dubai can take about 1 hr and costs 5 dirham. Timetables can be found at the RTA website.

By taxi
Taxis are widely available. Taxis can travel from other emirates such as from Dubai to Sharjah or from Ajman to Sharjah and vice versa without any restrictions. Traveling from farther emirates such as Abu Dhabi or Ras Al Khaimah is also an option, but taxi fares may be costly. Ride-share applications such as Uber and Careem are also an option and can be used to travel across emirates. You may also call the government sponsored Sharjah taxi service to request a taxis to come to your location.

By bus
Public buses are by Sharjah Transport (Journey Planner). There are seven local and three express routes.

It seems that most bus transport in Sharjah is cash-only.

Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) also offers express commuter bus service between Sharjah and Dubai. Check possible connections on their website—they require the nol smart card however, which can only be obtained in Dubai.

By taxi
Licensed taxi companies are Sharjah, Emirates, Citi, Union, and Advantage. Taxi plates are reflective green, which helps to spot them at night. Flag fall is 3.50 dirham, then 1 dirham every 650 m—the minimum fare is 11.50 dirham. There is a surcharge of 20 dirham to go into Dubai.

See



 * Heritage Area - Good overview available here including a few restoration of old houses. The Heritage is near the Corniche between Burj Avenue & Al-Maraija Road. Many historic buildings have been reconstructed with traditional materials. The most interesting sites are Al Hisn Fort, Literature Square with House of Poetry, Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization, Sharjah Heritage Museum and Souq al-Arsa. Most sites in the Heritage Area have opening times set aside solely for women. Visitors of both genders should make certain of these on arrival in the city.
 * Art Area - Includes Sharjah's Art Museum which covers regional and international art exhibits, with the oriental collection being its highlights. The Arts Area is situated opposite the Heritage Area on the other side of Burj Avenue.
 * Other museums also covers marine, natural history, aviation, and other valuable aspects http://www.sharjahmuseums.ae/.
 * Art Area - Includes Sharjah's Art Museum which covers regional and international art exhibits, with the oriental collection being its highlights. The Arts Area is situated opposite the Heritage Area on the other side of Burj Avenue.
 * Other museums also covers marine, natural history, aviation, and other valuable aspects http://www.sharjahmuseums.ae/.
 * Art Area - Includes Sharjah's Art Museum which covers regional and international art exhibits, with the oriental collection being its highlights. The Arts Area is situated opposite the Heritage Area on the other side of Burj Avenue.
 * Other museums also covers marine, natural history, aviation, and other valuable aspects http://www.sharjahmuseums.ae/.
 * Art Area - Includes Sharjah's Art Museum which covers regional and international art exhibits, with the oriental collection being its highlights. The Arts Area is situated opposite the Heritage Area on the other side of Burj Avenue.
 * Other museums also covers marine, natural history, aviation, and other valuable aspects http://www.sharjahmuseums.ae/.
 * Other museums also covers marine, natural history, aviation, and other valuable aspects http://www.sharjahmuseums.ae/.
 * Other museums also covers marine, natural history, aviation, and other valuable aspects http://www.sharjahmuseums.ae/.




 * Blue Souq (Souq Al Markazi or Central Souq). An interesting, if slightly chaotic, shopping centre hosting around 600 shops in two wings. The ground floor shops tend to stock gold and expensive designer clothes, with the upper level containing shops stocking carpets and curios from as far afield as Afghanistan and Tibet. Haggling over prices in the upper-level shops will frequently attract massive discounts. A great place to buy gifts and traditional goods. Considered superior to Dubai for carpets by Western expatriates.

Do

 * Jetskiing is very famous around summer time in the Khalid Lagoon.
 * F1 Boat Races happen around the human-made island in the Buhaira Corniche sometime around December.
 * Qanat al Qasba has a beautiful mosque right by the canal.
 * From Al Qasba there is a ferry that gives a boat tour around Sharjah.
 * Several different yearly festivals take place, and each one is a wonderful cultural experience. There are many fun activities at these festivals including camel rides, henna, delicious Arabian foods and dishes.
 * In celebration of the date season, which runs from mid-May to mid-August, the Date Festival is held at the Fruit and Vegetable Market from May 15 to August 15.
 * Cricket:

Eat
The ubiquitous shawarma is sold all over Sharjah and makes a very cheap and hearty meal. Khuboos made of wheat also a cheap food available at very cheap

Drink
Sharjah is a "dry emirate" which means sale or possession of alcohol within Sharjah is almost entirely forbidden. There are three exceptions:

Also, it is legal to transport alcohol through Sharjah if your final destination permits it (such as from Dubai to Fujairah). Some police may not be familiar with this rule though.
 * Alcohol is available at the duty-free and business class lounges of Sharjah International Airport.
 * If you have a personal alcohol license, you may bring in alcohol from other emirates and consume it at home.
 * If you have a personal alcohol license, you may bring in alcohol from other emirates and consume it at home.

Stay safe
Generally speaking, Sharjah is a safe place. Women are usually stared at in certain parts of the city, so bring a male relative or friend to be safe.

Go next

 * The smallest emirate, Ajman, is Sharjah's northern neighbor.