# Things to do in Sharjah: top sights and where to go > Sharjah is the UAE's capital of culture: Al Hisn Fort, the Museum of Islamic Civilization and the Blue Souk sit in the old centre by Khalid Lagoon, with the Al Qasba canal, Al Majaz Waterfront, Al Noor Island and the Rain Room close by. Walk the centre in a day; the aquarium in Al Khan and Sharjah Mosque are short taxi rides, and the Mleiha desert needs half a day of its own. Web page: https://yesgo.io/united-arab-emirates/sharjah ## Ready itineraries - [One day in Sharjah: an itinerary in the best order](https://yesgo.io/united-arab-emirates/sharjah/in-1-day.md): Al Majaz Waterfront, Al Noor Island, the Blue Souk, Al Hisn Fort, the Museum of Islamic Civilization and the Rain Room — in order, with lunch and a map. ## All 10 places with the YesGo score - [Blue Souk (Central Souq)](https://yesgo.io/united-arab-emirates/sharjah/blue-souk.md): YesGo score 42/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · Free entry. The Blue Souk, officially the Central Souq, is a pair of blue-tiled market halls on Khalid Lagoon with 600+ shops selling gold, carpets… - [Al Majaz Waterfront](https://yesgo.io/united-arab-emirates/sharjah/al-majaz-waterfront.md): YesGo score 40/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · Free. Al Majaz Waterfront is a free park on Khalid Lagoon in central Sharjah, with lawns, cafés, playgrounds and a 220-metre musical fountain… - [Rain Room](https://yesgo.io/united-arab-emirates/sharjah/rain-room.md): YesGo score 39/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 30 min · AED 25, under 5 free. Rain Room in Sharjah is Random International’s permanent installation: rain pours through a dark hall but stops wherever you stand… - [Sharjah Fort (Al Hisn)](https://yesgo.io/united-arab-emirates/sharjah/sharjah-fort.md): YesGo score 39/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · AED 10 · 5-museum ticket AED 20. Sharjah Fort (Al Hisn) is the ruling family's 1823 fort, rebuilt in the 1990s and now a museum in the middle of the old town. Tickets cost… - [Al Qasba](https://yesgo.io/united-arab-emirates/sharjah/al-qasba.md): YesGo score 38/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · Free; boats from AED 20. Al Qasba is a car-free canal promenade about a kilometre long between Khalid and Al Khan lagoons in Sharjah, lined with cafés, a theatre… - [Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization](https://yesgo.io/united-arab-emirates/sharjah/museum-of-islamic-civilization.md): YesGo score 36/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · AED 10, children 2–12 AED 5. The Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization fills a former covered souk on the Corniche, under a gilded dome: seven galleries on faith… - [Al Noor Island](https://yesgo.io/united-arab-emirates/sharjah/al-noor-island.md): YesGo score 34/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · AED 35; AED 50 with Butterfly House. Al Noor Island is a landscaped garden island in Sharjah’s Khalid Lagoon, with sculptures, evening light shows and a Butterfly House. Entry… - [Sharjah Aquarium](https://yesgo.io/united-arab-emirates/sharjah/sharjah-aquarium.md): YesGo score 32/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · AED 25, kids 2–12 AED 15. Sharjah Aquarium is a two-floor government aquarium on the Al Khan lagoon with 21 tanks of Gulf and Sea of Oman marine life — reef sharks… - [Sharjah Mosque](https://yesgo.io/united-arab-emirates/sharjah/sharjah-mosque.md): YesGo score 29/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 45 min · Free. Sharjah Mosque is the emirate's largest mosque: Ottoman-style, with room for 25,000 worshippers. It sits out of town in Al Tay, a 20–30… - [Mleiha](https://yesgo.io/united-arab-emirates/sharjah/mleiha.md): YesGo score 19/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 3 h · AED 25, kids AED 15. Mleiha is Sharjah's desert heritage area: a small archaeology museum built around a Bronze Age tomb, a fenced national park with red… ## Sharjah travel guide Before you go: museums and the Blue Souk, Al Majaz and Al Qasba waterfronts, beaches, the airport, the road to Dubai and the weather. ## Trip essentials - How many days: 1–2 days for the city - When to go: November–March: ≈ 24–30° by day - Visa: Depends on your passport — many get a free visa on arrival - Currency: UAE dirham (AED); cards widely accepted - Airport: Sharjah (SHJ) ≈ 15 km from the centre - To Dubai: ≈ 30 min without traffic, up to 1.5 h at rush hour - Alcohol: Banned across the emirate, hotels included - Dress: Stricter than Dubai: cover shoulders and knees - Friday: Museums open after midday prayers - Time zone: UTC+4 all year ## Key facts - **1998** — UNESCO named Sharjah the Cultural Capital of the Arab World (source: UNESCO; Wikipedia, “Sharjah”) - **2019** — Sharjah was UNESCO World Book Capital (source: UNESCO, World Book Capital) - **20 +** — museums in the emirate, from Islamic art to archaeology and science (source: Sharjah Museums Authority) - **1820** — Al Hisn fort was built — the ruling family’s home, now a museum (source: Sharjah Museums Authority) ## Things to do in Sharjah Sharjah is famous for its museums and old centre: Al Hisn fort, the Museum of Islamic Civilization and the Rain Room, the arcaded Blue Souk with its wind towers, and Al Noor Island. In the evening, walk the Al Majaz and Al Qasba waterfronts. Out of town, Mleiha has archaeology and desert. Every place with its YesGo score is in the list above. | Where | What to see | Time | | --- | --- | --- | | **Heritage area** | [Al Hisn](https://yesgo.io/united-arab-emirates/sharjah/sharjah-fort), [Islamic Museum](https://yesgo.io/united-arab-emirates/sharjah/museum-of-islamic-civilization) | ½ day | | **Khalid Lagoon** | [Blue Souk](https://yesgo.io/united-arab-emirates/sharjah/blue-souk), [Al Noor](https://yesgo.io/united-arab-emirates/sharjah/al-noor-island) | 2–3 h | | **Al Majaz** | [Waterfront](https://yesgo.io/united-arab-emirates/sharjah/al-majaz-waterfront), [Rain Room](https://yesgo.io/united-arab-emirates/sharjah/rain-room) | evening | | **Al Qasba** | [Canal and wheel](https://yesgo.io/united-arab-emirates/sharjah/al-qasba) | 1.5 h | | **Al Khan** | [Aquarium](https://yesgo.io/united-arab-emirates/sharjah/sharjah-aquarium) | 1.5 h | | **Outskirts** | [Sharjah Mosque](https://yesgo.io/united-arab-emirates/sharjah/sharjah-mosque) | 45 min | | **Desert** | [Mleiha](https://yesgo.io/united-arab-emirates/sharjah/mleiha) | ½ day | Rather not plan it yourself? The list above has ready itineraries for 1–2 days, with places in a sensible order. ## Free things to do in Sharjah Plenty of things to do in Sharjah are free: the Al Majaz waterfront with its evening fountain, the Al Qasba canal, the Blue Souk, Sharjah Mosque and Al Khan beach. The paid museums are cheap, around AED 10, and a combined ticket covers several. - **Al Majaz Waterfront** — lagoon walks and a musical fountain after dark. - **Al Qasba** — a canal lined with cafés; the wheel and boats cost extra. - **Blue Souk** — tiled arcades of carpets, gold and souvenirs. - **Sharjah Mosque** — one of the largest in the country, open to visitors outside prayer times. ## Sharjah airport to Dubai and the city Sharjah International (SHJ) is ≈ 15 km from the centre and a hub for budget airlines. A taxi to Sharjah hotels takes about 20–30 minutes; to Dubai it is 30 minutes to 1.5 hours, as the road between the emirates jams at rush hour. | How | To | Time | | --- | --- | --- | | **Taxi** | Central Sharjah | ≈ 20–30 min | | **Bus to Dubai** | From Al Jubail station | ≈ 1 h | | **Transfer** | Hotel in Sharjah or Dubai | ≈ 20 min – 1.5 h | Traffic runs towards Dubai in the morning and back in the evening — travel against the flow if you can. ## Sharjah weather by month Sharjah weather matches Dubai’s: the best time to visit is November to March, ≈ 24–30 °C by day with the sea at 22–27 °C. Summer reaches about 40 °C with humidity — museums by day, waterfronts in the evening. - **January in Sharjah** (best time): day ≈ 24°C, night ≈ 13°C, sea ≈ 22°C, rainy days: 2. About 24°, peak season. - **February in Sharjah** (best time): day ≈ 25°C, night ≈ 14°C, sea ≈ 21°C, rainy days: 2. Warm and dry, the best month. - **March in Sharjah** (best time): day ≈ 28°C, night ≈ 17°C, sea ≈ 23°C, rainy days: 2. About 28°, spring. - **April in Sharjah**: day ≈ 33°C, night ≈ 20°C, sea ≈ 25°C, rainy days: 1. About 33°, the sea warms up. - **May in Sharjah**: day ≈ 37°C, night ≈ 24°C, sea ≈ 28°C, rainy days: 0. About 37°; go out in the evening. - **June in Sharjah**: day ≈ 39°C, night ≈ 26°C, sea ≈ 31°C, rainy days: 0. Heat ≈ 39°. - **July in Sharjah**: day ≈ 41°C, night ≈ 29°C, sea ≈ 32°C, rainy days: 0. The hottest month. - **August in Sharjah**: day ≈ 41°C, night ≈ 30°C, sea ≈ 33°C, rainy days: 0. Hot and humid. - **September in Sharjah**: day ≈ 39°C, night ≈ 27°C, sea ≈ 32°C, rainy days: 0. About 39°. - **October in Sharjah**: day ≈ 35°C, night ≈ 23°C, sea ≈ 30°C, rainy days: 0. About 35°, sea ≈ 30°. - **November in Sharjah** (best time): day ≈ 30°C, night ≈ 18°C, sea ≈ 27°C, rainy days: 1. About 30°, the season begins. - **December in Sharjah** (best time): day ≈ 26°C, night ≈ 15°C, sea ≈ 24°C, rainy days: 2. About 26°. ## Sharjah rules for visitors Sharjah’s rules are stricter than Dubai’s: alcohol is banned across the emirate, and a public decency code applies. Cover shoulders and knees in streets, malls and museums; normal swimwear is fine on the beach. - **Alcohol** — not sold anywhere, even in hotels; bringing it in from Dubai is not allowed. - **Dress** — no short shorts or bare shoulders away from the beach. - **Friday** — many museums and souks stay shut until after midday prayers. ## What to eat in Sharjah Food in Sharjah is Emirati, Levantine and South Asian, and cheaper than in Dubai. The cafés around Al Qasba and Al Majaz are good for dinner by the water; the souks have tea, dates and sweets. - **Machboos** — spiced rice with meat or fish. - **Shawarma** — from the cafés around the lagoons. - **Luqaimat** — dough balls with date syrup. - **Karak chai** — strong milky tea with cardamom. ## Sharjah ticket prices The waterfronts, the Blue Souk and Sharjah Mosque are free. Museums cost around AED 10, with a combined ticket for several; the Rain Room, Al Noor Island, the aquarium and Mleiha are paid. - [Blue Souk (Central Souq)](https://yesgo.io/united-arab-emirates/sharjah/blue-souk) — Free entry - [Al Majaz Waterfront](https://yesgo.io/united-arab-emirates/sharjah/al-majaz-waterfront) — Free - [Rain Room](https://yesgo.io/united-arab-emirates/sharjah/rain-room) — AED 25, under 5 free - [Sharjah Fort (Al Hisn)](https://yesgo.io/united-arab-emirates/sharjah/sharjah-fort) — AED 10 · 5-museum ticket AED 20 - [Al Qasba](https://yesgo.io/united-arab-emirates/sharjah/al-qasba) — Free; boats from AED 20 - [Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization](https://yesgo.io/united-arab-emirates/sharjah/museum-of-islamic-civilization) — AED 10, children 2–12 AED 5 - [Al Noor Island](https://yesgo.io/united-arab-emirates/sharjah/al-noor-island) — AED 35; AED 50 with Butterfly House - [Sharjah Aquarium](https://yesgo.io/united-arab-emirates/sharjah/sharjah-aquarium) — AED 25, kids 2–12 AED 15 - [Sharjah Mosque](https://yesgo.io/united-arab-emirates/sharjah/sharjah-mosque) — Free - [Mleiha](https://yesgo.io/united-arab-emirates/sharjah/mleiha) — AED 25, kids AED 15 ## Tips - Book the Rain Room online — sessions are small and sell out at weekends. - The heritage-area museums are side by side: three or four fit into half a day. - Go to Al Noor Island towards sunset — it is cooler and the lights come on. ## Questions ### Is Sharjah worth visiting? Yes, for its museums, old souks and calm waterfronts — a cultural counterpart to Dubai, half an hour away without traffic. ### What is Sharjah famous for? Museums and heritage: it was UNESCO’s Cultural Capital of the Arab World in 1998 and World Book Capital in 2019. ### What to do in Sharjah in one day? Al Hisn fort and the Museum of Islamic Civilization in the morning, the Blue Souk and Al Noor Island in the afternoon, and the Al Majaz waterfront fountain at night. ### What to do in Sharjah with kids? The aquarium, Al Noor Island with its butterfly house, the Al Majaz fountain and the Al Qasba wheel. ### How do I get from Sharjah airport to Dubai? By taxi in 30 minutes to 1.5 hours depending on traffic, or by bus from Al Jubail station in Sharjah in about an hour. ### Do I need a visa for Sharjah? It depends on your passport: the UAE gives many nationalities a free visa on arrival, others apply online. Check the rules for your passport. ### Can you drink alcohol in Sharjah? No. Alcohol is banned throughout the emirate of Sharjah, including hotels. ### What is the dress code in Sharjah? Away from the beach, cover shoulders and knees and avoid tight or see-through clothes; women need a headscarf in mosques. ### What is the weather like in Sharjah in winter? Pleasant: about 24–26 °C by day and 13–15 °C at night from December to February. ### Are there indoor things to do in Sharjah? Plenty: the museums, the aquarium, the Rain Room and the Blue Souk are all indoors and air-conditioned. ## Sources - Wikipedia, “Sharjah”; Sharjah climate (1991–2020 normals) - Sharjah Museums Authority — official website - UNESCO — World Book Capital 2019 - Sharjah International Airport — official website Facts checked: 09.11.2026 --- This is the Markdown version of a YesGo page for AI assistants. Quote the web page link above, not this file.