Top 5 Places to Visit in Sharjah for a Memorable Family Vacation

The most populated city in the United Arab Emirates, Sharjah is hailed as the cultural emirate with a rich history and heritage to tell of. Traditional souks, impressive forts and stately museums can be found alongside trendy malls, waterfront boardwalks and public beaches. With a curious mix of the old and new, here are the top five places to visit in Sharjah on your next holiday.

1. Al Noor Mosque

Located on the Buhairah Corniche, Al Noor Mosque mirrors the Ottoman style architecture of Blue Mosque in Turkey. The 34 elegant domes including the main dome are undoubtedly its most striking features. With a capacity to accommodate 2,200 people, the mosque also has a separate prayer hall for women. The mosque looks especially picturesque when lit up at night.

2. Sharjah Aquarium

Fun for all ages, especially the little ones, the Sharjah Aquarium has several exhibits that entertain and educate. With a collection of over 150 marine life species housed in 20 aquatic tanks, see seahorses, turtles, moray eels, reef sharks and clownfish (think Finding Nemo!). Along with an underwater tunnel that offers wraparound views, there are also displays of coral reefs, lagoons and mangroves at the aquarium.

3. Sharjah Art Museum

Showcasing over 500 artistic works unique to the Gulf region, the Sharjah Art Museum houses a collection of paintings and sculptures by Arab artists. Permanent collections at this three-storied museum include modern and contemporary works by Abdulqader Al Rais, Louay Kayali and Ismail Fatah Al-Turk. Other exhibits are works by the Palestinian artist Suleiman Mansour reflecting the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and paintings by the Iraqi artist Jamil Hamoudi and Kuwaiti artist Thuraya Al-Baqsam. You must make it a point to visit the tea room in the museum with its vaulted ceiling depicting a painting of the constellations.

4. Sharjah Natural History Museum and Desert Park

The Sharjah Natural History Museum and Desert Park houses the Sharjah Natural History Museum, Sharjah Botanical Museum, Arabia’s Wildlife Centre and Children’s Farm on its premises. The Sharjah Natural History Museum has interactive displays centred around the natural history of the Gulf region spanning desert and marine ecosystems; the Sharjah Botanical Museum showcases the rich biodiversity of the Emirates; Arabia’s Wildlife Centre is where you can see endangered Arabian animals like the Arabian leopard and avian species like songbirds, bustards and flamingos; and the Children’s Farm has a petting zoo with animals like camels, horses, sheep and goats.

5. Al Mamzar Beach Park

Spend the day enjoying the amenities at Al Mamzar Beach Park with swaying palms and sandy shores fronting the Arabian Gulf. Divided into five beaches, the park has three pools, multiple playgrounds, a skating area and bicycle pathways. In addition to barbequing facilities complete with grill areas, there several beachfront snack bars where you can dine. For adventurers, water activities at the park include jet skiing, kayaking and sailing.

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