Sharjah is the arts capital of the United Arab Emirates. While some of the other emirates focus on beach vacations, shopping, and contemporary city glitz, Sharjah’s tourist attractions are all about history and culture.
The emirate’s efforts to preserve the area’s history garnered Sharjah the title of Cultural Capital of the Arab World by UNESCO in 1998.
Planning to take the whole family on a memorable trip? Sharjah, the cultural emirate is the spot for you. From unusual boutique and heritage stays that allow visitors to glimpse the authentic traditions and habits of the region to family and kid friendly options for freedom and fun, Sharjah offers a wide range of hotels for every inclination.
Opened in 2015, this oasis island in Khalid lagoon is a more recent attraction in Sharjah.
This park is an amalgamation of many tastes in the middle of the water. A pedestrian bridge connects the island to the mainland. The Island is decorated with lights that change colors to suit the time of the day. During dusk and dawn, everything becomes more exuberant in this place.
Butterfly house, the biggest attraction on the island, is home to 500 butterflies from 20 different species. The climate-controlled encasement helps these insects to thrive and is also an architectural marvel. The entry here is not covered in the ticket fee to the island, though.
Besides all the natural elements, modern sculptures and artworks are spread all over the island.
Literature pavilion is for the souls who want to escape from the noisy city and go into the luscious world of words. The whimsical pavilion has soft cushions and the pleasant sound of the fountain for you to curl up and read a book or jot some metered lines.
You might even like to spend the whole day in this place, strolling around and chugging something from the Noor Cafe when you are hungry.
Heart of Sharjah gives a complete picture of the forgotten era that was decades ago. To date, this is the largest heritage site in Sharjah. In its first phase of development, the place is a love letter to history and traditions. The development is set to complete by the end of 2025.
Meticulous care has been taken to preserve the details and aura of the mid-90s. The vision of the project is to preserve the cultural legacy for future generations. It is also conveniently located near to the main centers in the city.
Heart of Sharjah will encompass the existing museums and galleries once the project is complete. In 2014, UNESCO added Heart of Sharjah to its list of World Heritage sites.
Al Bait Hotel in the heart of Sharjah is an illustration of how to integrate tradition with modernity. The hotel is a modern adaptation of traditional architecture and construction. From the timber ceilings to wall finishing and alcoves, the hotel is an honest representation of the 50s
Located on corniche street is the vault that houses the gems from Islamic history. The structure itself is remarkable. Originally meant as a marketplace near the Central Souq, this large embodiment of the emirate’s heritage stands high on the bank of Sharjah Creek. The huge dome with intricate detailing itself is an exemplary work of Islamic architecture.
The collection includes religious manuscripts, handwritten copies of the Quran, calligraphy, beautifully painted pottery and glass, and 5000 more artifacts dating back to the 7th century all the way up to the 13th century AD. There are also handicrafts made of silver, gold, and brass.
Apart from the Abbasids and Umayyad eras, antique items from Mughal and Ottoman periods are housed here. The collection of astrolabes in Ibn Al-Haytham Gallery of Science and Technology and coinage probes the curious to dig deep into the Islamic golden age.
The museum has six galleries spread over two floors. It will take you a few hours to walk around and see all the relics. This is also an excellent place to get an insight into the fundamentals of the Islamic faith and traditions.
Other good things about the museum are its proximity to Sharjah’s major attractions and the nominal ticket price. It is a place where you can visit on a lazy afternoon with your kids.
Today the fort houses the Sharjah aviation museum. The museum curates the history of flying and air travel in the UAE. It was opened in 1998, after decades of disrepair, by Sharjah Sultan Mohammed al Qasimi.
It also has a collection of old airplane models and flight equipment. The first plane to land in Mahatta airstrip named the Hanno is on display in the museum.
The museum is on King Abdul Aziz Street, and it resembles the traditional buildings of the old days and is constructed using the same techniques.
Interestingly, the first movie house in the Arabian Gulf was set up in the Mahatta fort. This cinema, tiny compared to modern-day multiplexes, is an interesting part of the display. Chairs here are empty kerosene cans half-filled with sand—travelers who stayed in the fort for the stop over watched short movies and documentaries on this screen.
Sultan al Saqr al Qasimi built the fort. But not the same person who built the Mahatta fort. This one is a century older than the Mahatta fort. Hisn al Sharjah was built sometime around 1820.
At the time of its construction, it was the largest and most significant building in Sharjah. In its lifetime as a fort, it served as the residence of the Sharjah ruling family and the headquarters of the government.
Although it was converted to a museum in 1997, it wasn’t until 2015 when the Sharjah government renovated it into its present form as part of the Sharjah project’s Heart.
When compared to Al Fahidi fort in Dubai, Sharjah fort looks a lot modern. This is because, except for the tower that stands on the southern side, everything else was demolished in 1970. The fort was first restored in 1997.
Fort was built using coral stones and was covered with light brown plaster. Coral stones were a popular building material in those times. It is in the middle of Rolla city in Sharjah. Amidst tall concrete structures, the fort looks a bit out of place. But the whole area will take on a similar outlook with the Heart of the Sharjah project nears its completion.
The fort served as a defense center to protect the city from the bedouin attack and the attack neighboring sheikdoms. Notable artifacts in the museum include the royal bed, several cannons, and a Quran stand that belonged to the ruler Sheikh Khalid bin Sultan Al Qasimi.
Located near al khan corniche street, Al Qasba is a prominent tourist attraction in Sharjah. It is also a waterfront town similar to, but not to the scale of, Dubai Marina. The famous Ferris wheel stood here along the waterway before it moved to the Montazah water theme park.
Along the Qasba canal is the largest entertainment district in Sharjah. There are various places like art houses, theatres, and numerous kids play zone. The canal offers rides on the traditional boats. If you want to sail your own boat, then rent a water cart on an hourly basis. There is another track on the bank for Byky karts. Unlike the water kart, which is only allowed for adults, the Byky kart is for everyone.
More than five years in the making, the largest mosque in Sharjah opened its doors in 2019. The Dh300 million building occupies 185,806 square metres with a capacity to accommodate over 25,000 worshippers. 5000 worshippers, with allocated seating for 610 women, can be accommodated inside.
An abiding symbol of faith, the structure is well worth visiting for the chance to view its grandeur; surrounded by gardens and water fountains, the domes, minarets and columns have been designed to reflect a unique Islamic architectural style. The main prayer hall has arched windows with stained glass, walls decorated with verses from the Quran, a large chandelier in the centre and red carpeting. A gift shop, cafeteria and open areas as well as spaces for non-Muslims are all part of the design.
Home to a large library rich in Islamic works, the mosque is also equipped to welcome non-Muslim visitors and lovers of knowledge from around the world. The collection hall is a unique treasury of books and antiques from different Islamic eras.
Visitors wishing for a full understanding of the architecture and the complex, can take a walk around on the dedicated rubber track which wraps around the mosque. In addition, there are several gates and entrances, including four public entrances, two for women, one for VIPs and one for buses.
Sharjah is the third largest emirate in the UAE, its largest city and its most family-friendly destination.
Experience a Sharjah museum, a desert safari and a Sharjah beach — the emirate offers things to do for everyone.
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