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The Central Souk (Blue Souk) in Sharjah lit up at night
Emirate guide

Sharjah

The cultural capital: forts, museums, a book fair and a safari park.

Photo: Aleena Varghese, CC BY-SA 4.0

Sharjah is the UAE's cultural emirate, with the restored old town, dozens of museums, an international book fair and a strong arts scene, all within an hour of Dubai. It is also the only emirate with territory on both coasts: inland at Mleiha and Al Dhaid, and on the Gulf of Oman at Khorfakkan and Khor Kalba. It is alcohol-free and slower paced than its neighbours.

Where to start

Experiences in Sharjah

Al Hisn Fort and the Heart of Sharjah at night
Sharjah
Heritage & Culture · Food & Markets

The Heart of Sharjah: forts, souks and museums

The most walkable heritage district in the UAE.

A full day$$$$
An Arabian oryx walking through the UAE desert
Sharjah
Family · Adventure

Sharjah Safari: the big park in the desert

A large walk-and-drive safari park at Al Dhaid, back for the cool season.

Half a day to a full day$$$$
A circular Bronze Age tomb at Mleiha with the Hajar Mountains behind
Sharjah
Heritage & Culture · Desert & Dunes

Mleiha: archaeology and desert in Sharjah

Tombs, fossils and quiet desert, a short drive from Dubai.

Half a day to a day$$$$
Turquoise water on the beach at Khor Fakkan
Sharjah
Coast & Water · Family

Khorfakkan: the east coast's easiest day by the sea

Clear water and mountains behind it, about two hours from Dubai.

A full day or overnight$$$$
A tidal creek and mangroves at Khor Kalba with mountains behind
Sharjah
Coast & Water · Adventure

Khor Kalba: the oldest mangroves in Arabia

A mangrove creek, a rare kingfisher and the quietest paddle on the east coast.

Half a day$$$$
On this season

Events in Sharjah

Full calendar
Nov4to 15
CultureMajor

Sharjah International Book Fair 2026 (45th)

4 to 15 Nov 2026 · Expo Centre Sharjah, Sharjah
Nov22to 20 Dec
Sport

ILT20 Season 5

22 Nov to 20 Dec 2026 · Dubai, UAE-wide
Dec2to 3
NationalMajor

UAE National Day 2026 (55th)

2 to 3 Dec 2026 · Across the UAE, UAE-wide
Dec31to 1 Jan
NationalMajor

New Year's Eve in the UAE 2026

31 Dec 2026 to 1 Jan 2027 · Across the UAE, UAE-wide
Feb8to 8 Mar
National

Ramadan 2027 and Eid Al Fitr

8 Feb to 8 Mar 2027 · Across the UAE, UAE-wide
Mar9to 11
National

Eid Al Fitr 2027 holiday

9 to 11 Mar 2027 · Across the UAE, UAE-wide

Sharjah: common questions

Can you drink alcohol in Sharjah?+

No. Sharjah is alcohol-free.

When is Sharjah Book Fair 2026?+

4 to 15 November 2026 at Expo Centre Sharjah.

Is Khorfakkan in Sharjah?+

Yes. It is an enclave of Sharjah on the Gulf of Oman coast.

Nearby

Next door

Burj Khalifa rising above the Dubai Fountain lake at dusk
35 events · 8 places

Dubai

The towers, the old Creek, seasonal parks and the mountains at Hatta.

Dubai Marina towers reflected in the water at night
0 places

Ajman

The smallest emirate: a fort-museum, dhow yards and a quiet corniche.

The Gulf of Oman coast at Fujairah
2 places

Fujairah

The east coast: mountains meeting the Gulf of Oman, with the oldest mosque in the UAE.

Part of the Hadath guide to Sharjah and its neighbours.