Sharjah

SHARJAH – Capital of Arab Culture, Island of Flags, and Cradle of Modernism   

Sharjah offers rich heritage, delicious food, cultural events, dramatic scenery, and much more.

The emirate of Sharjah itself is unique in several ways. It is the only emirate that shares borders with all seven emirates and also the only one that can offer coastlines on both the Persian Gulf (Arabian) and the Gulf of Oman sides. On top of that, it is not so crowded with tourists, which is another advantage.

An interesting fact is that the English name of this city is Sharjah, which means the rising sun in Arabic, so this nickname apparently does not only belong to Japan.

Things to See and Do:

• Enjoy the beautiful weather on one of the local beaches. Head to Al Khan, Al Corniche, or Sharjah Beach, which are among the most popular local public beaches.
• Visit the Al Noor Mosque. Even though there are many mosques in the city (around 600), most of them are not accessible to non-Muslims. Visiting the mosque with a tour (on Mondays) is a great option to gain a deeper cultural understanding. And if you miss the tour, you can at least admire the architecture of the building and the man-made Khalid Lagoon.
• Camping, stargazing, and enjoying breakfast in the desert? If this is something that appeals to you, then this is your chance. You can find out more about activities and tour packages at the Mleiha’s archaeological centre.
• Enjoy dates and delicious Arabic coffee (gahwa). Dates are usually used as a substitute for something sweet, as Arabic coffee is never served with sugar, and dates are supposed to sweeten the palate between sips. 

A place which is surely to be loved by everyone is Al Qasba. This area is ideal day and night. Children will have fun in the children’s corner and entertainment zone, while adults enjoy a musical show with fountains, gourmet food in one of the many restaurants, a ride on the Ferris wheel, and a ride on traditional wooden boats (“abra”) along the canal.

Central Souk (originally Souq al Markazi, also called Blue Souk for the colour of its facade) is another iconic place in Sharjah. This shopping area was built back in 1978, and there you will find two floors with more than 600 shops that offer almost everything from arts, crafts, and regional specialties, such as carpets and handwoven textiles, to shops with state-of-the-art watches and household appliances.

For a beautiful view of the city skyline, go to Flag Island, located in the Khalid Lagoon. It is on this island where the flag of the United Arab Emirates is hoisted at a height of 123 metres. Seven lights are mounted around the pillar to symbolise all seven emirates.

The island also features an art gallery, an amphitheatre, restaurants, and so much more.

WEATHER

As Sharjah is located in the United Arab Emirates, which is known for its dry tropical climate, the best time to visit is from autumn to spring. From the end of October to March, the temperatures are pleasant, and the sea temperature is also suitable for swimming. The ideal time for exploring and at the same time the main tourist season falls in the months of December and January.

Between April and October, temperatures are high, and in the summer months, they can easily exceed 40 °C.

The temperature never drops below 20 degrees throughout the year, so you will definitely not suffer from cold there, no matter what time you go...

TRANSPORT

The flight from Prague to the Middle East takes just over 6 hours.

Sharjah Airport is located approximately 13 kilometres from the city centre. Thanks to its proximity to Dubai, which is about 30 kilometres away, this airport is also used by those who travel there.

Transport from / to the Airport

Bus – One of the ways of getting cheaply and reliably from or to the airport is by bus. The Mowasalat company buses depart every 15 minutes and offer additional connections to neighbouring emirates. The price of a one-way ticket varies between 7 and 9 AED depending on the line you choose. You can choose from 3 options, namely lines 14 and 15 to the centre, line 99 to the bus station, or line 88 to Rolla Square.

Taxi – Available 24/7 with fares regularly metered and all journeys originating from the airport subject to an additional airport surcharge of AED 20.

Rental Car – You will find various car rental companies at the airport, for example Hertz, Budget, Europcar, Avis, Thrifty, and so on.

City Transport

Bus – Mowasalat offers a reliable and affordable transport system around the city with a total of 9 lines.

Taxi – The most popular form of transportation around the city. The boarding fee is around 12 AED, the price per kilometre is around 3 AED. Companies like Sharjah Taxi, Emirates Cab, and Citi Taxi operate the city.

Uber/Careem – Another popular way of getting from point A to point B in Sharjah is by using the Uber or Careem apps.

Own Car – With your own car you can easily move around the city, but also to the surrounding areas. The price of petrol and diesel is significantly lower there than in this country.

ACCOMMODATION

There are plenty of luxury hotels in Sharjah, but there are also some private apartments to choose from that won’t cost you a fortune. You can choose from the offers at Booking.com, Hotels.com, and Airbnb.com websites.

IMPORTANT NOTE TO CONCLUDE: Sharjah is one of the most conservative emirates, so it is very important to get familiar with information on various rules, especially regarding dress code and alcohol consumption, well in advance.