# Sharjah Fort (Al Hisn) in the Heart of Sharjah > 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 AED 10 (children AED 5), or AED 20 for five Heart of Sharjah museums. Open Saturday–Thursday 8:00–20:00, Friday 16:00–20:00. Allow about an hour. Web page: https://yesgo.io/united-arab-emirates/sharjah/sharjah-fort - City: [Sharjah](https://yesgo.io/united-arab-emirates/sharjah), United Arab Emirates - YesGo score: 39/100 (Yes, if nearby) - Time on site: 1 h - With kids: Fine with kids - Ticket: Adults 13+ AED 10, children 2–12 AED 5, under-2s free - Heritage joint ticket: AED 20 (children AED 10): the fort, Heritage Museum, Calligraphy Museum, Bait Al Naboodah, Al Qasimia School - Free entry: Seniors 60+ and people of determination, each with one companion; ICOM card holders - Opening hours: Saturday–Thursday 8:00–20:00, Friday 16:00–20:00 - Ramadan: Saturday–Thursday 9:00–14:00, closed Friday - Closed: 29th–30th Ramadan, first day of Eid Al Fitr, 9th Dhul Hijjah, first day of Eid Al Adha - Payment: Pay at the desk; carry some dirhams in case a card is declined - From Dubai: RTA buses E303, E306, E307 to Al Jubail, then a 15-minute walk - Time needed: About an hour; 2–3 hours with the Heart of Sharjah - Address: Heart of Sharjah, Al Shuwaiheen, behind Souq Al Shanasiya - Coordinates: 25.35860, 55.38640 - Facts checked: 03.11.2026 ## Key facts - **1823** — built by Sheikh Sultan bin Saqr Al Qasimi (source: Sharjah Museums Authority; The National; Khaleej Times (English Wikipedia says 1820)) - **AED 10** — adult ticket; AED 20 covers five Heart of Sharjah museums (source: Sharjah Museums Authority; The National) - **1970** — the fort was largely demolished, leaving a single tower (source: The National; English Wikipedia) - **1996–1997** — rebuilt with the original doors and windows; the museum opened in 1997 (source: English Wikipedia; Sharjah Museums Authority) - **2015** — reopened after a further restoration (source: Sharjah Museums Authority; Khaleej Times) - **12 galleries** — of photographs, weapons and ruling-family rooms (source: Khaleej Times; Gulf News) - **Al Muhalwasa** — the prison tower, now telling the story of Sharjah's first justice system (source: Sharjah Museums Authority; The National; Khaleej Times) - **Al Kubs** — the round tower that survived; Al Burj square is named after it (source: English Wikipedia; The National) - **70–80 cm** — thick walls of coral stone (source: Khaleej Times; English Wikipedia (rock, coral and adobe)) - **Seat of power** — home of the Al Qasimi rulers and the emirate's government (source: Sharjah Museums Authority; English Wikipedia) ## Sharjah Fort tickets and entry fee Adults (13+) pay **AED 10**, children aged 2–12 pay **AED 5**, and under-2s go free. These are the Sharjah Museums Authority's official prices; the authority runs the fort and most museums around it. The better deal is the **Heritage joint ticket for AED 20** (AED 10 for children). It covers five museums within a few minutes' walk: the fort itself, Sharjah Heritage Museum, Sharjah Calligraphy Museum, the pearl merchant's house Bait Al Naboodah and Al Qasimia School. Visit three of them and it has already paid for itself. Seniors aged 60+ and people of determination get in free, each with one companion, as do ICOM card holders. Everyone goes free on International Museum Day (18 May), UAE National Day and during Sharjah Heritage Days. There's no need to book — buy at the desk on arrival, and keep a few dirhams in cash in case a card is declined. ## Sharjah Fort timings **Saturday to Thursday 8:00–20:00, Friday 16:00–20:00.** There's no weekly closing day, but Friday mornings are the trap: if you come over from Dubai at the weekend, Saturday works better, or arrive on Friday for the late afternoon. In Ramadan the fort opens Saturday to Thursday 9:00–14:00 and stays shut on Fridays. It also closes on the 29th and 30th of Ramadan, the first day of Eid Al Fitr, the 9th of Dhul Hijjah and the first day of Eid Al Adha. The official page shows no temporary closure notices. ## What is Al Hisn? **Al Hisn** simply means “the fort” in Arabic. Sheikh Sultan bin Saqr Al Qasimi built it in 1823, and for well over a century it was the ruling family's home and the seat of government. The museums authority calls it the biggest and most important building in Sharjah at the time; English Wikipedia dates it to 1820. In 1970 the then ruler ordered it pulled down, and only one tower survived. The current ruler, **Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi**, had it rebuilt in 1996–1997, putting the salvaged original doors and windows back in place, and it opened as a museum in 1997. A second restoration followed. Khaleej Times reported that a team of 10–12 people spent 15 months bringing back the colours, textures and details, using archives in India and the UK. The fort reopened in 2015 in the form you see today. To be straight with you: this is a careful reconstruction, not an untouched ruin. Don't come for ancient stones — come for a clear, hour-long story of how the emirate was run before oil. ## What to see inside - **The courtyard cannons** lined up against the white walls — the classic photo. - **Al Muhalwasa tower**, the many-sided prison tower, with a coral-stone cell and displays on Sharjah's first justice system. - **Al Kubs**, the round tower that survived the 1970 demolition and gave Al Burj (“the tower”) square its name. - **The armoury**: percussion shotguns, muskets, Martini-Henry rifles, khanjar daggers and swords, plus a room on how the sheikhs and their guards defended the fort. - **The sheikh's quarters and majlis** — a raised bed, a coffee corner with dallah pots and the room where guests were received. - **Al Medbasa**, the room where dates were pressed to make dibs, a thick date syrup. - **Photo galleries** of old Sharjah and archaeological finds — the quickest way to picture the town before oil. - **The ceilings** of mangrove poles, palm fronds and woven mats — look up in any room. ## How to get to Sharjah Fort 1. The fort sits right in the old centre, in the **Heart of Sharjah** quarter between the Corniche and Al Uruba Street. Ask a driver for “Al Hisn, Sharjah Fort” or “Heart of Sharjah”. 2. **From Sharjah Airport (SHJ)**: about 20 minutes by taxi (unofficial). Taxis run on the meter; carry some dirhams, as not every car has a card reader. 3. **From Dubai by bus**: RTA **E303** (from Union), **E306** (from Al Ghubaiba) or **E307** (from Deira City Centre) to **Al Jubail** bus station in Sharjah. Pay with a nol card only — AED 12 (unofficial). 4. From Al Jubail it's about 1 km: a **15-minute walk** along the Corniche and into the quarter, or a 5-minute taxi in the heat. 5. **From Dubai by taxi**: from 30 minutes without traffic, easily double that at evening rush hour (unofficial). 6. On foot from the fort: the [Museum of Islamic Civilization](https://yesgo.io/united-arab-emirates/sharjah/museum-of-islamic-civilization) is about 12 minutes north, the [Rain Room](https://yesgo.io/united-arab-emirates/sharjah/rain-room) about 18 minutes, and the [Blue Souk](https://yesgo.io/united-arab-emirates/sharjah/blue-souk) about 20 minutes south. ## Heart of Sharjah: what's around the fort The fort is the centrepiece of the **Heart of Sharjah**, a quarter of coral-stone houses, covered souks and museums that the emirate has been restoring for years. Everything below is within a five-minute walk, so treat the fort as the start of a stroll rather than a stand-alone sight. **Bait Al Naboodah** is an 1845 pearl merchant's house with a courtyard, teak columns and carved plaster, opposite Souq Al Arsah — it's on the joint ticket. **Sharjah Heritage Museum** covers daily life before the oil boom, and **Sharjah Art Museum** is free, with modern and contemporary Arab art. **Souq Al Arsah** is one of the oldest souks in the UAE, a covered lane of antiques, spices and souvenirs — a good place for a coffee between museums. Fort first, then Bait Al Naboodah and the souk: allow two to three hours for the lot. ## Sharjah Fort vs Bait Al Naboodah vs Museum of Islamic Civilization | | Sharjah Fort | Bait Al Naboodah | Museum of Islamic Civilization | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | What it is | Rulers' fort, 1823, rebuilt | Pearl merchant's house, 1845 | Large museum of Islamic art and science | | Ticket | AED 10, children AED 5 | AED 10, children AED 5 | AED 10, children AED 5 | | AED 20 joint ticket | Included | Included | Not included | | Hours | Sat–Thu 8:00–20:00, Fri 16:00–20:00 | Sat–Thu 8:00–20:00, Fri 16:00–20:00 | Sat–Thu 8:00–20:00, Fri 16:00–20:00 | | Walk from the fort | — | ≈ 4 min | ≈ 12 min | For Sharjah's own story, start at the fort. To see how merchants lived, go to Bait Al Naboodah. For a big collection, pick the Museum of Islamic Civilization and give it 1.5–2 hours. ## Is Sharjah Fort worth visiting? Yes, if you're in central Sharjah anyway: it's the emirate's key historic building, the ticket costs less than a coffee in Dubai, and in an hour you'll understand how Sharjah was ruled and lived in before oil. Kids enjoy the cannons, towers, prison cell and weapons. Don't make the trip from Dubai for the fort alone — it's compact and rebuilt. Pair it with the quarter, the Museum of Islamic Civilization and an evening at [Al Majaz Waterfront](https://yesgo.io/united-arab-emirates/sharjah/al-majaz-waterfront), and the day out is well spent. ## Before you go: checklist - [ ] It isn't Friday before 16:00 or the end of Ramadan - [ ] Some dirhams in cash for the desk and taxis - [ ] Decided whether to get the five-museum ticket - [ ] Shoulders and knees covered — Sharjah has a modest dress code - [ ] nol card topped up, if I'm taking the bus from Dubai - [ ] Water and a hat — the quarter is walked in full sun ## Sharjah's historic sights compared Every historic place in Sharjah rated by YesGo. - [Blue Souk (Central Souq)](https://yesgo.io/united-arab-emirates/sharjah/blue-souk) — YesGo score 42/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · Free entry - [Sharjah Fort (Al Hisn)](https://yesgo.io/united-arab-emirates/sharjah/sharjah-fort) — YesGo score 39/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · AED 10 · 5-museum ticket AED 20 - [Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization](https://yesgo.io/united-arab-emirates/sharjah/museum-of-islamic-civilization) — YesGo score 36/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · AED 10, children 2–12 AED 5 - [Mleiha](https://yesgo.io/united-arab-emirates/sharjah/mleiha) — YesGo score 19/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 3 h · AED 25, kids AED 15 ## Old Sharjah in a day Rain Room and the Museum of Islamic Civilization in the morning, the fort and its quarter at midday, then the Blue Souk and an evening at Al Majaz Waterfront. Add them to your route — YesGo fits in the timing and transfers. 1. [Rain Room](https://yesgo.io/united-arab-emirates/sharjah/rain-room) — YesGo score 39/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 30 min · AED 25, under 5 free 2. [Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization](https://yesgo.io/united-arab-emirates/sharjah/museum-of-islamic-civilization) — YesGo score 36/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · AED 10, children 2–12 AED 5 3. [Sharjah Fort (Al Hisn)](https://yesgo.io/united-arab-emirates/sharjah/sharjah-fort) — YesGo score 39/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · AED 10 · 5-museum ticket AED 20 4. [Blue Souk (Central Souq)](https://yesgo.io/united-arab-emirates/sharjah/blue-souk) — YesGo score 42/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · Free entry 5. [Al Majaz Waterfront](https://yesgo.io/united-arab-emirates/sharjah/al-majaz-waterfront) — YesGo score 40/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · Free ## Don't confuse it with Sharjah Fort (Al Hisn) is not Dibba Al Hisn, a separate town on the east coast by the Gulf of Oman. Nor is it Qasr Al Hosn in Abu Dhabi or Khor Fakkan Fort — the emirate has other forts, but this is the one in the middle of Sharjah city. ## Tips - Get there for 8:00 — the quarter is far nicer to walk before the heat, and the rooms are nearly empty. - Buy the AED 20 joint ticket at the fort; it works across five museums in the quarter. - Climb up to the towers for a view over the cannon courtyard and old rooftops (The National says visitors can go up). - The square in front of the fort is lit at night — a nice fit with the Friday 16:00 opening. - Dress modestly: Sharjah has decency rules, and alcohol is banned throughout the emirate. - Keep your joint ticket handy — you'll show it again at Bait Al Naboodah and the Heritage Museum. ## Questions ### How much is the Sharjah Fort ticket? AED 10 for adults 13+ and AED 5 for children aged 2–12; under-2s are free. The Heritage joint ticket for five museums is AED 20. ### What are Sharjah Fort timings? Saturday to Thursday 8:00–20:00 and Friday 16:00–20:00. In Ramadan it opens Saturday to Thursday 9:00–14:00 and closes on Friday. ### Is Sharjah Fort open on Friday? Yes, but only from 16:00 to 20:00 — and not at all on Fridays during Ramadan. ### How do I get to Sharjah Fort from Dubai? Take RTA bus E303, E306 or E307 to Al Jubail in Sharjah (nol card only), then walk about 15 minutes. A taxi takes 30 minutes or more, depending on traffic. ### Where is Sharjah Fort? In the Heart of Sharjah quarter in the old centre, behind Souq Al Shanasiya and a short walk from the Corniche. ### How long do you need at Sharjah Fort? About an hour for the fort; two to three hours if you add Bait Al Naboodah, the Heritage Museum and Souq Al Arsah. ### Is Sharjah Fort original? It was built in 1823 but largely demolished in 1970. Today's fort is a 1996–1997 rebuild using the original doors and windows, around one surviving tower. ### What is the Heart of Sharjah? The restored historic quarter around the fort — old coral-stone houses, Souq Al Arsah and several museums, all within a few minutes' walk. ### Is Sharjah Fort good for kids? Yes: cannons, towers, a prison cell and an armoury. There's a lift, a baby-changing table and a mothers' room. ## How we checked Fares, hours, Ramadan timings, closing days, free-entry groups, the joint ticket and facilities come from the fort's official Sharjah Museums Authority page; The National gives the same fares and hours. The build date differs: the authority, The National and Khaleej Times say 1823, English Wikipedia 1820 — we use 1823 and mention 1820. The 1970 demolition is from The National and Wikipedia. The joint ticket's price and list match on the official fort, Bait Al Naboodah and Al Qasimia School pages; the same site's FAQ names Al Eslah School instead of Al Qasimia School, so we follow the museum pages. Bus routes and the AED 12 fare, taxi times from the airport and from Dubai, and card acceptance are unofficial. The official page shows no temporary closure. ## Sources - Sharjah Museums Authority: “Sharjah Fort (Al Hisn)”, “Bait Al Naboodah”, “Sharjah Art Museum” and “Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization” pages — hours, fares, closures, joint ticket, facilities - The National, 30.01.2026 — UAE museums: Sharjah Fort (Al Hisn) - Khaleej Times, 05.05.2015 — the restored fort opens as a museum - English Wikipedia: Sharjah Fort; Wikidata Q12208338 - Gulf News — Al Hisn and Souq Al Arsah; Dubai–Sharjah buses - OpenStreetMap — straight-line distances from the fort --- This is the Markdown version of a YesGo page for AI assistants. Quote the web page link above, not this file.