Holiday in Sharjah

What makes Sharjah special as a destination?

Sharjah is the third largest of the seven United Arab Emirates and borders directly on Dubai. In 1998, Sharjah was designated the Cultural Capital of the Arab World by UNESCO — an award that the city has earned through an impressive density of museums, galleries, and cultural institutions. The Heart of Sharjah is the largest urban renewal project in the Middle East: the old town is being carefully restored to preserve the city's historical heritage. Traditional coral stone houses, wind towers (Barajeel), and winding alleys create a fascinating contrast to modern Dubai next door. The museum landscape of Sharjah is unique in the region: The Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization houses over 5,000 artifacts from 1,400 years of Islamic history. The Sharjah Art Museum showcases the largest art collection in the Gulf. The Sharjah Heritage Museum and Al Hisn Fort tell the story of the city from a pearl diving village to a cultural center. The Souq al-Arsa, one of the oldest markets in the Emirates, offers antiques, silver jewelry, incense, spices, and traditional Arab clothing in a charming atmosphere under coral stone vaults and palm leaf roofs. The Blue Souq (Central Market) with its distinctive blue tiles is Sharjah's most famous building. Sharjah is more conservative than Dubai: alcohol is banned throughout the emirate, and the dress code is more modest. However, Sharjah offers a more authentic Arab experience at significantly lower prices than neighboring Dubai.