[UAE] Sharjah City Guide

09:51 Travel Bunny 0 Comments

Sharjah is the fourth largest of the seven emirates in United Arab Emirates (UAE), which is next to Dubai. Due to its proximity to Dubai and lower cost of living, many expatriates choose to live in Sharjah and travel to Dubai for work daily. Sharjah was where I began my Six Emirates Tour in one day.

Getting In:

I flied to Sharjah from Casablanca via Air Arabia. The flight duration was about 12 hours. I reached Sharjah at 5.30am in the morning. The flight tickets were about EUR 760 for 2 adults and 1 child, without check-in luggage. 

Sharjah International Airport is located around 13km from the city center. The airport is well served by Muwasalat's orange bus which departs every 15 minutes from the airport. Standard ticket for single journey cost AED 7 / AED 9. If  you're travelling to neighbouring emirates, Air Arabia has a fleet of air-conditioned coaches which travel regularly between Sharjah International Airport and Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Al Ain and Ras al Khaimah. A single fare costs from AED 20 to AED 40.

Click here for more information on public transport to and from the Sharjah International Airport.

On my way to the city center from the airport, I spotted a unique building with a distinctive 'giant golf ball' at its top. This is the Etisalat Tower in Ajman. 

Visa Requirement: 

Malaysian can get 30-day visa on arrival to enter the UAE. There is a 10-day grace period for extension. It is a multiple-entry visa. For more information, visit website: https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/visa-and-emirates-id/do-you-need-an-entry-permit-or-a-visa-to-enter-the-uae

New Travel Guidelines for Arrivals: 

* All arriving passengers to Sharjah must have a negative PCT test report, with a validity of 96 hours before departure.
* Travelers will have to undergo another PCR test upon arrival at Sharjah Airport regardless of their earlier negative report.
* All passengers must wear the mask at all times.
* Practice the social distancing of 2 meters inside the airport Terminal.
* Every arriving passenger must receive a Declaration Form at check-in point or onboard the flight) and fill it to hand it over to the registration team on arrival.
* All arriving passengers must conduct self-quarantine in their place of stay in UAE until they receive the PCR negative result. In the case of positive result, then the protocols of the UAE ministry of Health will be implemented.
* If UAE Nationals return from the RED list countries, then they are required to have a PCR no more than 48hrs before arrival into Sharjah. All other origin countries without restrictions do not need a PCR certificate before travel to Sharjah.

What to See in Sharjah:

Map of attractions in Sharjah (click to see bigger map). The main attractions in Sharjah are within walking distance. Taxi in Sharjah charges a minimum fare of AED 3.50 and AED 3.69 per km above 1km. It is another convenient way to get around the city.

1) Corniche Al Buhaira

Corniche Al Buhaira is a beautiful path that stretches 6 to 7 km along the waterfront.

Other part of Corniche Al Buhaira overlooking Sharjah skyline.

2) Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization

Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization is located on the Corniche, in the historical heart of the city. It has seven galleries that spread over two floors. The ground floor galleries cover aspects of the Islamic faith and the achievements of Arab scientists and astronomers. 

The upper floor offer a chronological view of Islamic arts and crafts, including textiles and jewelry.

The amazing mosaics in the central atrium displays the night sky and the ecliptic of the twelve zodiacs.

Admission fee: AED 10 (adult), AED 5 (child 2-12 years), free for children under 2 years
Opening hours: 10am - 6pm, closed on Friday
Google map: https://goo.gl/maps/8QJZe6nrV1RLap7z9

3) Al Hisn Fort

Built in 1823 by the late Sheikh Sultan bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Al Hisn Fort has served as the house of government and a royal residence until 1965. It is now a museum. 

It was partially demolished in January 1970 by Sheikh Khalid bin Muhammad Al Qasimi who wished to remove all trace of the previous ruler. The current ruler of Sharjah, Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, who was attending university in Cairo at that time, immediately returned to Sharjah to cease the demolition. All that remained were Al Kabs tower and two badly damaged outer walls. Sheikh Sultan was able to restore the fort starting from 1995. The restoration was completed in 1997.

Admission fee: AED 10 (adult), AED 5 (child 2-12 years), free for children under 2 years
Opening hours: 8am - 8pm (Sat - Thu), 4pm - 8pm (Fri)
Google map: https://goo.gl/maps/tQtNAzJVq4YTjrhg7

4) Souq al-Arsah

Next, I visited Souq al-Arsah which is also along the Corniche. It is probably the oldest souq in the U.A.E. It was the meeting place for the traders from Iran, India and local Bedouin and their camels. It is now a covered market with air-conditioned alleyways. My tour guide picked me up from the souq.

Opening hours: 9am - 9pm (Sat - Thu), 4pm - 9pm (Fri) 
Google map: https://goo.gl/maps/YnJNuSQesVeGdFYw6

5) Bait Al Naboodah

Bait Al Naboodah is located right next to Souq al-Arsah. Built in the mid 19th century, Bait Al Naboodah was a pearl merchant's house and it is now a museum. The charming two-storey house has a large courtyard with walls made of coral. I didn't visit it though.  

Admission fee: AED 10 (adult), AED 5 (child 2-12 years), free for children under 2 years
Opening hours: 8am - 8pm (Sat - Thu), 4pm - 8pm (Fri)
Google map: https://goo.gl/maps/r4HhPqhk1TBKipiUA

6) King Faisal Mosque

Opened in 1987, King Faisal Mosque was a gift of the Saudi Arabian King Faisal, which is why it is named after him. It had been the largest mosque in Sharjah. The mosque has two minarets and has the capacity to house 16,670 worshippers.

In front of the King Faisal Mosque is the Al Ittihad Monument and Park.

Google map: https://goo.gl/maps/FEnXeYjvMq22RTND9

7) Sharjah Central Souq

Sharjah Central Souq is a one-stop shopping center hosting around 600 shops in two wings. It opens late till 10.30pm daily. The blue tile-trimmed facade of the Central Souq is one of the most photographed buildings in Sharjah. 

The building is so iconic that it is even featured on a five dirham note.

Opening hours: 9am - 10.30pm (Sat - Thu), 4.30pm - 10.30pm (Fri) 
Google map: https://goo.gl/maps/E4oBGzb7jAWZGGzg9

8) Al Noor Mosque

Passed by Al Noor Mosque. It is an Ottoman-style mosque in Sharjah. It is an iconic landmark along the Sharjah Corniche. It is the first mosque in Sharjah that is open to non-Muslim visitors within a guided tour. The mosque offers Emirati traditional dress for visitors in the entrance area. It is now temporarily closed to visitors but you can join the virtual tour on its website: http://www.shjculture.com/

Sharjah announced that it has nearly 3,000 mosque in May 2021. So you'll practically see mosque everywhere in Sharjah.

Overall, it was relatively easy to get around to various attractions in Sharjah. The city is modern, clean and safe. It was a great kick-start for my Six Emirates Tour.