Sharjah walking tour & city guide

Heritage and museums

The Heart of Sharjah is a restored historic quarter of coral-stone houses, souks and museums. The Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization displays treasures from across the Islamic world, and the Sharjah Art Foundation hosts contemporary exhibitions.

The Central Souk, known as the Blue Souk, is decorated with blue tiles and wind towers, and sells carpets, gold and souvenirs.

Lagoons and islands

Al Majaz Waterfront, on the Khalid Lagoon, has a musical fountain and parks. Al Noor Island is a small island of art installations, gardens and a butterfly house. The Al Qasba canal is lined with restaurants and the Eye of the Emirates Ferris wheel.

Exploring the Heart of Sharjah

The restored Heart of Sharjah district is the place to start. Coral-stone houses, shaded alleys and small museums sit close together, so you can walk from the old souq to the Bait Al Naboodah heritage house and the Sharjah Fort in an easy morning.

In the evening, follow the families to Al Majaz Waterfront and Al Qasba, where a canal is lined with cafés and the fountain show lights up Khalid Lagoon. It is relaxed, local and far less touristy than the waterfronts next door in Dubai.

Good to know

Sharjah is the most conservative of the emirates. Alcohol is not served anywhere, and visitors are expected to dress modestly in public, with shoulders and knees covered. That gives the city a calm, family-friendly atmosphere.

Traffic between Dubai and Sharjah can be slow at rush hour, so plan visits mid-morning or at the weekend. With more than a dozen museums, including a superb Museum of Islamic Civilization, Sharjah is the UAE's best stop for culture lovers.