By air
Sharjah (SHJ), ~15 km
Middle East · UAE
Sharjah, UAE
The UAE's capital of culture
Getting there
Best time to visit
November to March — mild
Don't miss
The Museum of Islamic Civilization
The Heart of Sharjah
Al Noor Mosque
The Central Souk
Things to do
The Heritage Area's museums
The Blue Souk
The Rain Room
Where to eat
Sources: Photo: Mueed Ahmed · CC BY-SA 4.0
What to pack
Modest clothing
A quieter corner
Al Noor Island's art trail
Questions travellers ask
What should I know before visiting Sharjah?
Come between November and March, when it's mild, and pack modest clothing.
What are Sharjah's cultural highlights?
Start with the Museum of Islamic Civilization and the Heritage Area's museums, then the Heart of Sharjah, Al Noor Mosque, the Central Souk and the Rain Room — fitting for the UAE's capital of culture.
Is there something quieter to do in Sharjah?
Follow Al Noor Island's art trail, Sharjah's hidden gem.
How far is Sharjah's airport from the city?
Sharjah (SHJ) is about 15 km away. Make your first morning an Emirati breakfast.
About Sharjah
- Coastal
Where it is
Sharjah is the capital of the emirate of the same name, the third-largest of the United Arab Emirates, and lies on the Gulf coast next to Dubai around a lagoon and creek; the emirate also reaches the Gulf of Oman at Khor Fakkan and Kalba.
History
Sharjah was one of the leading towns of the lower Gulf in the 19th century and the seat of the Al Qasimi rulers, who at times governed Ras Al Khaimah as well. It became a founding emirate of the UAE in 1971 and has since made culture its calling: UNESCO named it the Cultural Capital of the Arab World in 1998 and World Book Capital for 2019.
People
Emiratis live alongside large Arab, South Asian and Filipino communities, and Arabic is the official language with English widely used. The emirate's cultural life centres on its many museums and heritage houses, Arabic calligraphy and the Sharjah Biennial of contemporary art.
Known for
- The Heart of Sharjah heritage district
- The Museum of Islamic Civilization
- The Blue Souk
- The Sharjah International Book Fair
- The Rain Room
Did you know?
Al Mahatta, the airfield opened in Sharjah in 1932 as a stop on Imperial Airways flights between Britain and India, was the first airport in what is now the UAE and is now a museum.
We haven't written a guide for this place yet — you can still plan a trip here.