Sharjah City Tourist Attractions

The Sharjah Arts Museum is the largest of its kind in the United Arab Emirates. This state-of-the-art facility opened in 1997 and features a permanent collection as well as temporary art exhibits for local artists.The permanent collections of the Sharjah Art Museum are exhibited in groups, these valuable pieces of artwork are from the collection of HH Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qassimi, The Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah. Seventy-two galleries, over three floors, contain oils, watercolors and lithographs. Most of these works are from artists who captured the Arab Orient. Many of the works of art are from 18th C painters who visited the Middle East and were fascinated by the natural environment, architecture and the vigorous culture with discerning fashions.Watercolor paintings by Ali Darwish highlight various areas of Sharjah, the marine environment and Sharjah's historical areas including towers, forts and castles.The contemporary exhibits consist of over 300 works of art by local, Arab and foreign artists.The library at the Sharjah Arts Museum features books, periodicals and other relevant printed as well as electronic materials. Both Arabic and English language titles are available on fine arts and art related subjects.The lecture and seminar hall is equipped and designed for audiovisual presentations, seminars, lectures and educational programs.

The Central Market or Blue Souq, as it is also known because of the lovely blue tiles on the outside walls, is the largest market in Sharjah. The Blue Souq is one of Sharjah's most famous landmarks with its unique Islamic design. It is located on the Khaled Lagoon with over 600 shops.The Central Market has two sections connected with tunnels. In one section, shoppers will find goods, gifts and electronics while the other section features gold, gems and jewelry.The upper floors are popular with tourists because the atmosphere is that of a real bazaar. There are antiques, a large selection of fine rugs, silver jewelry, Omani and Yemeni antique jewelry as well as curios and artifacts.The lower floor specializes in gold jewelry, precious stones, perfumes, textiles, cosmetics, cameras, clothing and household items.

There are many Souqs on or behind Corniche Road in Sharjah. A Souq is a boutique, flea market, supermarket or department store. They provide a great experience for tourists to enjoy the ethnic culture of an Arabian market.The Fish Souq is full of people and noise. Upon entering the market you will be approached by a 'helper'. Your helper will find someone to carry your fish, bargain on your behalf and for a few Dirhams extra will carry your fish for scaling and filleting. There are many different kinds of fish and seafood available including Amour (similar to Cod), Hamra (Red Snapper), Safi (similar to Sole), Zubeidi (Pomfret), Jodar (Tuna), Cigalees (similar to Crayfish), lobster, prawns and squid.The Bird and Animal Souq has two main areas based on the size of the animal. Camels, cows and goats are some of the larger animals while birds, freshwater fish, hamsters and rabbits are the smaller animals.The Fruit and Vegetable Souq is a delight for the senses. The extensive selection, the quality of the products and the atmosphere are not to be missed!

The Sharjah Heritage Area is a combination of several museums that include Sharjah Heritage Museum, Souq Al Arsah, Bait Al Naboodah, Al Midfaa House, Al Hisn Sharjah and Hisn Kalba.Souq Al Arsah is a large open courtyard that includes a number of different shops. The Souq has been restored to the traditional style and charm. Shop exhibits feature silver and wooden artifacts, jewelry, novelties, garments and medical herbs.Bait Al Naboodah is a traditional family home comprised of 16 rooms that have been converted into a museum. Each room has a different theme such as traditional clothing, an old kitchen and livingrooms, jewelry, costumes and artifacts.Al Midfaa was a prominent figure in Sharjah and the UAE. His family home has been restored and exhibits for those interested in literature and culture are displayed.Al Hisn Sharjah was the traditional residence of the ruling family of Sharjah. The fort was built 200 years ago and it holds many memories for the Sharjah people. Displays feature the history of Sharjah through themed displays in each room.Hisn Kalba was built as a defensive facility on a platform surrounded by a thick wall.

Sharjah Archeology Museum has several halls containing items belonging to a certain period of time.Most of the first archeological excavation sites Stone Age. Exhibits include numerous flint pieces that reflect the technology of that period, and old seashells, which were a source of food. Other displays in the Sharjah Archeology Museum Stone Age hall include ornamental items such as gems and pottery of the Obaid period that were found in Al Hamriyah. This find confirms the trade exchange with Mesopotamia (present Iraq). There are also models of skeletons from Al Buhais area.The exhibits in the Bronze Age hall feature a film and some archeological findings such as pottery, metals, soft stones and some jewelry.The Stone Age also features a film detailing the general manner of life in that time period with examples of housing, soft stone samples and pottery.The display halls within the Sharjah Archeology Museum are equipped with computer systems, which provide information on the display items and also allow children to play interesting games related to the Museum's archeological exhibits.

The Sharjah Science Museum is the only interactive hands-on museum in the United Arab Emirates. The Exhibition Hall includes state-of-the-art exhibits featuring plasma balls to a wall that absorbs that shadow of anyone standing against it. Visitors to the Sharjah Science Museum can test their flexibility, grip strength and balance, make a cartoon, use a music synthesizer, build a puzzle of the human body or visit Playspace which caters to young children.The Learning Center at the Science Museum offers a Science Lab, a Computer Lab, and a Primary Workshop that is used by students from the local schools and teacher groups. Some of the programs are open to the public.The on-site Planetarium takes visitors on a tour of the universe from the Sharjah sky to deep space.

Sharjah Islamic Museum presents the deep roots in the Arab and Islamic culture. Exhibits within the Islamic Museum include artifacts and manuscripts expressing a distinct Islamic heritage. A number of scientific and religious manuscripts as well as a collection of Islamic arts and crafts are on display. Items of particular note within the Sharjah Islamic Museum are the clay, pottery and glass as well as metallic handicrafts inlayed with silver, gold and brass.Other collections on display within the Islamic Museum are ornamental tools, jewelry and various Islamic currencies dating to both Abbaside and Omayyad eras. These include collections of silver dinars and dirhams.

Sharjah Stadium was originally built in the early 1980s and could house 12,000 people but over the years improvements were made. The stadium can now accommodate 27,000 people and has become popular among locals and tourists for hosting cricket games. Although the athletic track means there is more than just cricket offered at the Sharjah Stadium.The open plan of the stadium and the stands being relatively close to the pitch means that fans can be close to the action.Between 1984 and 2003 the Sharjah Stadium was the venue for One Day Internationals featuring three or four international teams.