Reviews about Oxford Tourism

  • Rakesh T. 2 september 2022, 7:54 pm Fast and Reliable Service. Clear and smooth processing from the staff. Keep up the good work… 0 0 Reply
  • Company's official reply 19 november 2020, 7:58 pm 1. Visa is subject to approval from immigration department & 100% non-refundable if any rejection. We are sorry to hear about your bad experience. 0 0 Reply
  • mohammed L. 22 april 2019, 9:41 am Best service 0 0 Reply
  • Tourism in Sharjah

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  • Amwaj Tours الإمارات العربية المتحدة, القاسمية - المحطة - إمارة الشارقةّ, 89XV+XJM
  • Desert Safari Sharjah الشارقة, Umm Al Tarafa
  • al Kaser Travel — Halaldays الإمارات العربية المتحدة, الشارقة, Office No.07, Al Attas Bldg, Al Soor Area Next to Adnoc, Near Saudi Mosque

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Things to do in Sharjah are limitless.

Whether you wander and wonder at the Sharjah Light Festival, find your next great read at the Sharjah Book Fair or surf the dunes on a desert safari, the UAE’s third largest emirate has something for everyone. Come explore all the Sharjah tourist places and things to see in Sharjah.

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Al Heera Beach

Al Heera Beach is the longest beach in the city, extending for a length of 3.5 kilometers along the Arabian Gulf and allows visitors to enjoy a range of distinctive activities in addition to a variety of dining options.

The beach includes a jogging track, bicycle track, sports fields, and children's play areas. It also includes the first professional skate park in Sharjah, known as the ‘Kota Skate Park’, and includes tracks for all levels of skaters and different roller sports which include skateboarding, roller skating, scootering and bicycle motocross (BMX). The skatepark will also feature a special pump track around the outside of the skatepark as a dedicated section for kids under complete safety regulations and measures.

This unique tourist destination includes 3 sections, each containing 6 units, in harmony with the surrounding environment, which includes a walkway and a marina, in addition to a number of restaurants and cafes. A distinctive view of the Arabian Gulf and a yacht marina that can accommodate more than 100 yachts and boats of different sizes, surrounded by a garden characterise this enticing destination.

Pearls Kingdom

From splashing to sliding to wading, Pearls Kingdom has a fun and thrilling water activity for every member of the family! Enjoy exhilarating slides at extreme speed through tunnels or serene floating through gentle waves at Sharjah’s exciting and fun water park.

Pirate’s Den: Start by climbing to the top of the colossal enchanted castle and get your pulse racing as you slide down, try not to scream! This slide allows for double the fun as once you have reached one end, the slope slides back and forth again.

The Fort: A colossal slide with countless tubes and tunnels, all leading you to splash down into the clear blue pool below.

The King’s Palace: Extreme height and extreme speed, only for the very brave. This majestic structure beside the bay, this ride is an absolute must-do. Climb higher and higher up the tower of the castle till, at the very top, you can enjoy a magnificent view of Pearls Kingdom before plunging down the narrow chute for a terrifying ride.

City Centre Al Zahia

One of Sharjah’s newest shopping venues offering a large variety of retail, leisure, dining and entertainment options is spread over four levels, anchored by a 12,700 sqm Carrefour Hypermarket, complemented by leisure options including VOX Cinemas, incorporating the latest theatre technology, and a Magic Planet family entertainment destination.

In addition, the food and beverage offerings, enhance Sharjah’s dining options for residents and tourists. Many well-known brands are represented here, interspersed with more exclusive alternatives while the centre is designed in a convenient layout for all. Located close to the Muweillah and University City areas, City Centre Al Zahia is a great spot to shop for all your needs, while making sure the rest if the family are entertained at the many fun options on offer.

Diving in Khorfakkan

Located along the Khorfakkan bay, a group of unspoilt underwater spots are raved about by both snorkeling and diving experts. Seven dive sites strung along the bay, offer a range of diving experiences from wreck diving to reef diving. Large coral formations to rare marine life can all be enjoyed within the crystal clear waters and granite formations caused by Sharjah’s unusual underwater terrain.

The well known area around Shark Island , Sira Khorfakkan is a good site to spot sharks like the common blacktip reef shark as well as Moray eels and Arabian angelfish and turtles. Martini Rock , set within a charming reef, measures around 160m in length and 80m across. Average visibility in this site ranges between 5-15m and on a clear day, up to 20 meters of stunning underwater views and multicoloured fish. The purposely sunk decommissioned boat, Inchcape , is a fascinating residue of the emirate’s long marine history, cardinal fish, emperor fish and barracuda are all common sights here, and even large rays have been spotted. All of Khorfakkan’s dive sites, including Coral Gardens and Anemone Gardens , the Hole in the Wall and Almanure offer endless shoals of fish, beautiful underwater foliage and extraordinary ocean experiences.

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Sharjah Stories

Explore our curated collection of the most popular Sharjah videos, podcasts and stories. We hope this treasure trove of wondrous experiences leads you to your next adventure. Go on a memorable trip with a fellow traveller, friend or family member and become part of SCTDA’s first ever campaign — Sharing Sharjah.

Discover our top experiences

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One of the emirate’s most popular malls with shopping options for all the family. Men’s, L…

Children’s Farm

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Sharjah Classic Car Museum

Sharjah Classic Cars Museum is divided into five sections, with vehicles ranging from a Mo…

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Heart Of Sharjah

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Sharjah is the third largest emirate in the UAE, its largest city and its most family-friendly destination. Experience a Sharjah museum, a desert safari and a Sharjah beach — the emirate offers things to do for everyone.

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This website is a Website of Sharjah Commerce & Tourism Department Authority whose registered office is at PO Box 26661, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates ("SCTDA").

This Website contains texts, data, graphics, photographs, illustrations, artwork, names, logos, trademarks, service marks and information connected with SCTDA (”Information”).

SCTDA attempts to ensure Information is accurate, however Information is provided "AS IS" and on an "AS AVAILABLE" basis and may not be accurate or up to date. Information on this Website may or may not have been prepared by SCTDA but is made available without responsibility on the part of SCTDA.

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No responsibility is accepted by or on behalf of SCTDA for any errors, omissions, or inaccurate Information on the Website.

No action should be taken or omitted to be taken in reliance upon Information on this Website. We accept no liability for the results of any action taken on the basis of the Information. Certain files of Information are available for download from the Website. These files of Information are subject to these terms.

1.1 This Disclaimer applies to the entire contents of the Website. Please read these terms carefully before using the Website. By accessing any part of the Website, you shall be deemed to have accepted this Disclaimer in full. If you do not accept this Disclaimer in full, you must leave the Website immediately.

1.2 SCTDA may revise this Disclaimer at any time by updating this posting. You should check the Website from time to time to review the then current Disclaimer, because it is binding on you. Certain provisions of this Disclaimer may be superseded by expressly designated Disclaimers or terms located on particular pages at the Website.

1.3 Information on the Website is not offered as advice on any particular matter and must not be treated as a substitute for specific advice. In particular Information on the Website does not constitute professional, financial or investment advice and must not be used as a basis for making decisions in these respects and is in no way intended, directly or indirectly, as an attempt to market or sell any type of product or service. Advice from a suitably qualified professional should always be sought in relation to any particular matter or circumstances.

1.4 Any unauthorized use of any Materials contained on this Website may violate copyright laws, trademark laws, the laws of privacy and publicity, and communications regulations and statutes.

2.1 You are permitted to print and download extracts from the Website for your own use on the following basis:

no documents or related graphics and/or Sonics on the Website are modified in any way; and

no graphics on the Website are used separately from the corresponding text; and

the SCTDA’s copyrights and trade mark notices and this permission notice appear in all copies

This permission to recopy does not extend to incorporation of the material or any part of it in any work or publication, whether in hard copy or electronic or any other form. In particular (but without limitation) no part of the SCTDA Website may be distributed or copied for any commercial purpose. No part of the SCTDA Website may be reproduced on or transmitted to or stored in any other Website or other form of electronic retrieval system.

2.2 Unless otherwise stated, the copyright and other intellectual property rights in all material on the Website (including without limitation photographs, Sonics and graphical images) are owned by the SCTDA or its licensors. For the purposes of this Disclaimer, any use of extracts from the Website other than in accordance with clause 2.1 for any purpose is prohibited. If you breach any of the terms in this Disclaimer, your permission to use the Website automatically terminates and you must immediately destroy any downloaded or printed extracts from the website.

2.3 Subject to clause 2.1, no part of the Website may be reproduced or stored in any other website or included in any public or private electronic retrieval system or service without the SCTDA’s prior written permission.

2.4 Any rights not expressly granted in these terms are reserved.

3.1 While SCTDA endeavors to ensure that the Website is normally available 24 hours a day, SCTDA shall not be liable if for any reason the Website is unavailable at any time or for any period.

3.2 Access to the Website may be suspended temporarily and without notice in the case of system failure, maintenance or repair or for reasons beyond SCTDA’s control.

4.1 SCTDA is not responsible for any third party website or website content (including, without limitation, any advertising appearing therein) which can be accessed through this Website. SCTDA includes links to other websites for information purposes only and makes no representation whatsoever about any such link, website or content. SCTDA has not reviewed all of these third party websites and does not control and is not responsible for these websites or their content or availability. SCTDA therefore does not endorse or make any representations about them, or any material found there, or any results that may be obtained from using them. If you decide to access any of the third party websites linked to the Website, you do so entirely at your own risk.

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4.3 SCTDA expressly reserves the right to revoke the right granted in clause 4.2. For breach of these terms and to take any action it deems appropriate. You shall fully indemnify SCTDA for any loss or damage suffered by SCTDA or any of its affiliates.

5.1 While SCTDA endeavors to ensure that the information on the Website is correct, SCTDA does not warrant the accuracy and completeness of the material on the Website. SCTDA may make changes to the material on the Website, at any time without notice. The material on the Website may be out of date and SCTDA makes no commitment to update such material.

5.2 The material on the Website is provided “as is”, without any conditions, warranties or other terms of any kind. Accordingly, to the maximum extent permitted by law, SCTDA provides you with the Website on the basis that SCTDA excludes all representations, warranties, conditions and other terms (including, without limitation, the conditions implied by law of satisfactory quality, fitness for purpose and the use of reasonable care and skill which, might have effect in relation to the Website.

6.1 All warranties, including but not limited to the warranties of satisfactory quality, fitness for a particular purpose, non-infringement, compatibility, security and accuracy are excluded from these terms to the extent that they may be excluded as a matter of law. Further, SCTDA does not warrant that the Website will be uninterrupted or error free or that any defects will be corrected.

6.2 To the extent permitted by applicable law, SCTDA expressly disclaims all liability howsoever arising whether in contract, tort or deceit, or otherwise (including, but not limited to, liability for any negligent act or omissions) to any person in respect of any claims or losses of any nature, arising directly or indirectly from: (i) anything done or the consequences of anything done or omitted to be done wholly or partly in reliance upon the whole or any part of the contents of this Website; and (ii) the use of any data or materials on this Website or unauthorized access to this Website or otherwise.

6.3 SCTDA will not be responsible for any of SCTDA’s breach of these Terms caused by circumstances beyond its reasonable control.

Whilst SCTDA use reasonable endeavors to protect this Website from computer viruses, worms, and Trojan Horses (the “Viruses”), SCTDA do not warrant that the Website is free from such Viruses and bears no liability for any damage that may result from the transmission of any Viruses via this Website or via any files which are available to download from the Website.

Privacy Policy

Last modified December 2019 Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority is committed to respecting and handling your Personal Information with care. In this Privacy Policy, we would like to inform you about the way in which we store certain types of data and how we use this data in accordance with data protection legislation. This Privacy Policy applies to both the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority websites (“Sites”) and our MOBILE APP AND/OR OTHER DATA-COLLECTING DIGITAL SERVICES.

What is Personal Information or Personal Data? This is information that identifies, or can be used on its own or with other information to identify, contact, or locate, an individual “ Personal Information ” or “ Personal Data ”.

What Personal Information do we collect? Examples of Personal information collected through our Site or Platform may include your name, e-mail address, company name, job title, contact details and company address.

How and When do we collect Personal Information? You are free to explore our Site without providing any Personal Information about yourself. We collect information from you when you sign up for a Platform or when you elect to view/download our thought leadership content, respond to a survey, or fill out a form on our Site. When you provide Personal Information to us, we ask if you want to receive future marketing information and communication from us. You can absolutely choose to opt out of this communication. In the event you have previously enrolled in receiving communications, you can choose to opt out by emailing a request to [email protected]   or by clicking on the unsubscribe link in any email communication.

How do we use your Personal Information? Information Collected through our Site: We may use the Personal Information we collect from you via our Site in the following ways:

  • To personalize your experience and to allow us to deliver the type of content and product offerings in which you are most interested.
  • To improve our Site in order to better serve our visitors.
  • To send periodic emails regarding our research, studies, and offerings.

Information Collected through our Platform:  We use the Personal Information collected through our Platform from you for the following purposes:

  • To fulfill services that are fundamental to the platform (which may include the detection, prevention and resolution of security and technical issues);
  • To respond to user support requests; and
  • Otherwise to fulfill the objectives, deliverables, and obligations under each client agreement/contract.

We will only use your Personal Information for the purposes for which we collected it, unless we reasonably consider that we need to use it for another reason and that reason is compatible with the original purpose. If you wish to get an explanation as to how the processing for the new purpose is compatible with the original purpose, please contact us using the contact details at the end of this Privacy Notice.

If we need to use your Personal Information for an unrelated purpose, we will notify you and we will explain the legal basis which allows us to do so.

Data retention We only store your Personal Information for as long as it is necessary to fulfill the above-mentioned purposes or until you object to the data processing. Thereafter, the data will be deleted or blocked if the deletion conflicts with statutory provisions or legitimate interests. A legitimate interest exists regarding the assertion, exercise or defense of legal claims.

To determine the appropriate retention period for Personal Information, we consider the amount, nature, and sensitivity of the Personal Information, the potential risk of harm from unauthorized use or disclosure of your Personal Information, the purposes for which we process your Personal Information and whether we can achieve those purposes through other means, and the applicable legal requirements.

Security of your Personal Information We use a variety of security technologies and procedures to help protect your Personal Information from unauthorized access, use or disclosure. We secure the Personal Information you provide on computer servers in a controlled, secure environment, protected from unauthorized access, use or disclosure. All Personal Information is protected using appropriate physical, technical and organizational measures.

We have put in place procedures to deal with any suspected Personal Information breach and will notify you and any applicable regulator of a breach where we are legally required to do so. Click here if you wish to know more about our CRM’s data protection procedures.

Legal Basis for use of Personal Information Site: When we collect information about you through our Site, the legal basis on which we process your Personal Information is our legitimate interests, namely, to provide you with research and thought leadership information and the related marketing of our offerings.

Lead Generation campaigns When we collect information about you through our Lead Generation campaigns , the legal basis on which we process your Personal Information is the performance of a contractual agreement.

Do we use ‘cookies’? Yes. Cookies are small files that a site or its service provider transfers to your computer’s hard drive through your Web browser (if you allow) that enables the site’s or service provider’s systems to recognize your browser and capture and remember certain information. They are also used to help us understand your preferences based on previous or current site activity, which enables us to provide you with improved services. We also use cookies to help us compile aggregate data about site traffic and site interaction so that we can offer better site experiences and

We use cookies to:

  • Understand and save user’s preferences for future visits.
  • Compile aggregate data about site traffic and site interactions in order to offer better site experiences and tools in the future. We may also use trusted third-party services that track this information on our behalf.

You can choose to have your computer warn you each time a cookie is being sent, or you can choose to turn off all cookies. You do this through your browser settings. Each browser is a little different, so look at your browser’s Help menu to learn the correct way to modify your cookies.

If you disable cookies, some features will be disabled. It won’t affect the user experience.

Website: When you visit our Website, we will ask your permission to enable cookies.

Who we Share your Information With Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority does not sell, trade, or otherwise transfer to outside parties your Personal Information. This does not include website hosting partners and other parties who assist us in operating our website, conducting our business, or serving our users, so long as those parties agree to keep this information confidential and treat it in accordance with the law. Where any such parties process your Personal Information on our behalf, they are only permitted to do so in accordance with our instructions.  We may also release information when its release is appropriate to comply with the law, enforce our site policies, or protect ours or others’ rights, property or safety.

However, non-personally identifiable visitor information may be provided to other parties for marketing, advertising, or other uses.

Google We along with third-party vendors, such as Google use first-party cookies (such as the Google Analytics cookies) and third-party cookies (such as the DoubleClick cookie) or other third-party identifiers together to compile data regarding user interactions with ad impressions and other ad service functions as they relate to our Site.

Opting out: Users can set preferences for how Google advertises to you using the Google Ad Settings page. Alternatively, you can opt out by visiting the Network Advertising Initiative opt-out page or permanently using the Google Analytics Opt-Out Browser add-on.

Rights for EEA Residents If you are a resident of the EEA, the new European Union law, called the General Data Protection Regulation or “GDPR” gives certain rights to individuals in relation to their Personal Data. Accordingly, we have implemented additional transparency to help users take advantage of those rights. As available and except as limited under applicable law, the rights afforded to individuals are:

  • Right of Access – the right to be informed of and request access to the Personal Data we process about you;
  • Right to Rectification – the right to request that we amend or update your Personal Data where it is inaccurate or incomplete;
  • Right to Erasure – the right to request that we delete your Personal Data;
  • Right to Restrict – the right to request that we temporarily or permanently stop processing all or some of your Personal Data;
  • Right to Object –
  • the right, at any time, to object to us processing your Personal Data on grounds relating to your particular situation;
  • the right to object to your Personal Data being processed for direct marketing purposes;
  • Right to Data Portability – the right to request a copy of your Personal Data in electronic format and the right to transmit that Personal Data for use in another party’s service; and
  • Right not to be subject to Automated Decision-making – the right to not be subject to a decision based solely on automated decision making, including profiling, where the decision would have a legal effect on you or produce a similarly significant effect.
  • Obligation to provide Personal Information – you do not need to provide Personal Information to use our Site. For use of our ADDITIONAL websites (“Sites”) and our MOBILE APP AND/OR OTHER DATA-COLLECTING DIGITAL SERVICES , your name, email and Company name may be required in order to use the software/service.

As an affected person, you have the right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority. The supervisory authority that files the complaint will notify you of the status and outcome of your complaint, including the possibility of a judicial remedy.

Please email us at  [email protected] for assistance with any of the above items.

How does our site handle do not track signals? We honor do not track signals and do not track, plant cookies, or use advertising when a Do Not Track (DNT) browser mechanism is in place.

Does our site allow third-party behavioral tracking? It’s also important to note that we do not allow third-party behavioral tracking.

Fair Information Practices The Fair Information Practices Principles form the backbone of privacy law in the United States and the concepts they include have played a significant role in the development of data protection laws around the globe. Understanding the Fair Information Practice Principles and how they should be implemented is critical to comply with the various privacy laws that protect Personal Information.

In order to be in line with Fair Information Practices we will take the following responsive action, should a data breach occur:

  • We will notify the users via email within 7 business days.
  • We also agree to the Individual Redress Principle, which requires that individuals have a right to pursue legally enforceable rights against data collectors and processors who fail to adhere to the law. This principle requires not only that individuals have enforceable rights against data users, but also that individuals have recourse to courts or government agencies to investigate and/or prosecute non-compliance by data processors

CAN SPAM Act The CAN-SPAM Act is a law that sets the rules for commercial email, establishes requirements for commercial messages, gives recipients the right to have emails stopped from being sent to them, and spells out tough penalties for violations.

We collect your email address in order to:

Send information, respond to inquiries, and/or other requests or questions.

To be in accordance with CANSPAM we agree to the following:

  • NOT use false or misleading subjects or email addresses.
  • Identify the message as an advertisement in some reasonable way.
  • Include the physical address of our business or site headquarters.
  • Monitor third-party email marketing services for compliance, if one is used.
  • Honor opt-out/unsubscribe requests quickly.
  • Allow users to unsubscribe by using the link at the bottom of each email.

If at any time you would like to unsubscribe from receiving future emails, you can click here.

Follow the instructions at the bottom of each email. And we will promptly remove you from ALL correspondence.

Transfers of Your Personal Data to Other Countries Our operations are supported by a network of computers, cloud-based servers, and other infrastructure and information technology, including, but not limited to, third-party service providers. We and our third-party service providers store and process your Personal Data in the UAE and elsewhere in the world. We will protect your information as described in this Privacy Policy if your Personal Data is transferred to other countries by using appropriate safeguards. By using our Site and/or Platform, you consent to your Personal Data being transferred to other countries, including countries that have different data protection rules than your country. We do not represent that our Sites and our MOBILE APP AND/OR OTHER DATA-COLLECTING DIGITAL SERVICES are appropriate or available in any particular jurisdiction.

If you would like more information regarding the specific mechanism used by us when transferring your Personal Data outside of the EEA, please email us at [email protected] .

Changes to this Privacy Policy We may occasionally make changes to this Privacy Policy. When we make material changes to this Privacy Policy, we’ll provide you with notice as appropriate under the circumstances, e.g., by displaying a prominent notice within the Site, Platform or by sending you an email. We may notify you in advance. Please, therefore, make sure you read any such notice carefully.

Contacting Us If there are any questions regarding this privacy policy you may contact us by e-mailing us at [email protected] .

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What new offerings will facilitate Sharjah’s post-pandemic rebound?

Uae: sharjah tourism.

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Sharjah’s beaches, shopping centres, museums and unique cultural offerings make the emirate a popular tourist destination for nationals and foreigners alike. While international travel slowed significantly in 2020 due to border closures and travel restrictions in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, domestic tourism in Sharjah picked up as UAE residents explored destinations closer to home. Despite the disruption, the emirate inaugurated a number of projects in 2020, many of which promote cultural and sustainable tourism, and position Sharjah as a family-friendly destination.

Tourism authorities intend to build on this momentum and renew international interest throughout 2021 with the help of a new travel campaign, more projects, and the resumption of events and activities under strict health and safety protocols. These efforts, in tandem with the UAE’s rapid rollout of vaccinations, could see Sharjah’s tourism sector recover sooner than expected.

The sector’s recent development efforts have been guided by Sharjah Tourism Vision 2021, which was launched in 2015. The blueprint is based on four pillars: promoting the emirate as an idyllic family destination, improving the tourist experience through innovative solutions, enhancing efficiency through partnership and collaboration, and showcasing Sharjah’s culture and heritage. While the Covid-19 outbreak delayed Sharjah’s overarching goal of attracting 10m annual visitors by 2021, in a sign of confidence that the impact of the pandemic will be short-lived, Khalid Jassim Al Midfa, chairman of the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA), told local media in July 2020 that the 10m visitor target is now set for 2022.

Recovery Plan

In mid-November 2020 officials met at the Sharjah Hospitality Forum 2020 with the goal to facilitate the sector’s rebound by identifying innovative solutions to support stakeholders and reactivate growth. The result of the forum was a three-stage strategy. The first phase centres on service development and the promotion of safe tourism aimed at the domestic market. Measures include introducing the Safety Stamp, which certifies that tourism and hospitality businesses comply with required health practices, and the Safe Travel certificate to ensure new health and safety rules are followed while travelling. The second phase will focus on targeting new source markets once air traffic returns to normal and global markets open fully. In the third phase measures will be enacted to help tourism activity return to pre-pandemic levels.

Central to the sector’s recovery, as well as that of the broader economy, is leveraging digital solutions. “We are confident that the ongoing global crisis will eventually come to an end, and the tourism sector will recapture its vibrancy and growth, supported by integrated digital solutions designed to ensure a safe and comfortable experience for tourists and local visitors alike,” Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, director-general of the Sharjah Department of eGovernment, told international media in November 2020. The use of technology and online tools has already enabled the close collaboration of all government entities in the UAE to effectively carry out containment measures.

In January 2021 Sharjah launched the #SeeSharjah campaign to encourage both UAE residents and international tourists to travel to the emirate. The campaign highlighted a variety of attractions and activities such as cultural events, festivals, water sports, desert and mountain adventures, traditional souqs (markets), mosques, museums and monuments. That same month the SCTDA announced the resumption of desert safari tours as part of wider plans to promote adventure tourism in the emirate. The SCTDA has provided guidelines based on social-distancing measures for the maximum number of passengers per tour and vehicle capacities, among other precautions. More broadly, the government has issued comprehensive Covid-19 preventive measures to help its population and international visitors feel comfortable travelling again.

Confidence Booster

At the federal level, the quick rollout of the Covid-19 vaccination programme is also expected to restore confidence in travel across the emirates. Over 16.2m doses had been distributed around the country as of July 15, 2021 – putting the rate at 163.74 doses per 100 people – the highest in the world. As of the same date, 67.8% of the population had been fully vaccinated and 77.3% had received at least one dose.

The UAE maintained the highest per capita testing rate globally throughout much of the pandemic, and was one of the first countries with a population above 1m to test half of its populace. It ranked first among Middle East countries and 14th globally in the December 2020 Global Soft Power Index issued by UK consultancy Brand Finance, which measured how survey participants perceived their country’s handling of Covid-19. These favourable metrics illustrate how extensive testing of nationals and international visitors will be instrumental in restoring confidence and boosting visitor figures going forwards.

Policy changes at the emirate level provided direct support for the sector, including a zero-tax policy and the cancellation of outstanding fines for hospitality operators. The goal was to reduce the financial burden on hospitality companies and allow them to channel their resources towards maintenance or expansion. Strong coordination between the federal and emirate-level governments has also been key to the successful implementation of tourism programmes in Sharjah. During a meeting with the SCTDA in August 2020, the UAE minister of economy underscored the importance of Sharjah’s tourism industry to the country’s broader long-term economic development plans.

Performance

The number of tourists visiting Sharjah can be difficult to calculate due to free movement across emirates in the UAE. However, statistics on the hospitality sector provide a useful proxy. As per the latest data from the SCTDA, all key performance indicators for the sector saw a downturn in the second quarter of 2020 as border closures, travel restrictions and social-distancing measures were implemented. Hospitality revenue trended downwards in the first half of 2020, falling significantly from Dh142m ($38.7m) in the first quarter to Dh34m ($9.3m) in the second quarter. Revenue was comparatively higher over the same periods of the previous year, at Dh176m ($47.9m) and Dh133m ($36.2m), respectively. Meanwhile, hotel occupancy rates dropped from 64% in the first quarter of 2020 to 30% in the following quarter – lower than the respective rates of 73% and 57% in 2019. Similarly, the number of guests at hotels dropped from 458,000 in the first three months of 2020 to 120,000 in the subsequent three months. Figures had been trending upwards prior to Covid-19, climbing steadily from 1.7m in 2018 to nearly 1.8m in 2019, split between 1.3m guests at starred hotels and 480,000 at hotel apartments.

According to the latest full-year data from Sharjah International Airport, the number of passengers handled grew by 13% in 2019 to reach a record high of 13.6m, while the number of aircraft movements rose from 81,262 in 2018 to 86,506 in 2019. The increases were attributed to the emirate’s role in the region as an important economic, commercial and tourist centre, as well as the growing number of destinations served by the airport’s carriers. The Dh1.9bn ($517.2m) Sharjah International Airport expansion project is expected to facilitate further growth once air travel normalises, which will see capacity rise to 20m passengers annually by 2025 (see Transport & Logistics chapter).

Accommodation & Developments

As of the second quarter of 2020 there were 12 five-star hotels, 20 four-star hotels, 12 three-star hotels, nine two-star hotels and 10 one-star hotels in the emirate, along with six deluxe hotels, eight standard hotels and 28 basic hotels, for a total of 5703 rooms. In mid-January 2020 the SCTDA estimated that the number of hotel rooms in Sharjah City would increase by 50% over the next five years.

In 2019 the 1.3m guests at starred hotels stayed for 2.6m nights, according to Sharjah’s latest annual statistical report. Four-star hotels proved the most popular, with 611,000 guests staying nearly 1.1m nights, followed by 326,000 guests staying at threestar hotels for 718,000 nights. Five-star hotels ranked second highest in terms of revenue that year, at Dh149.7m ($40.7m), after the Dh181.8m ($49.5m) recorded across all four-star hotels.

Although construction activity around the world largely stalled beginning in March 2020, planning continued in the emirate. In August of that year Marwan bin Jassim Al Sarkal, executive chairman of the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), announced that four new large tourism and hospitality projects would be built in Khorfakkan, Kalba, Al Dhaid and Mleiha. While no targeted completion dates were provided at the time of the announcement, the two planned five-star hotels will be constructed in scenic locations: a 66-key property along the Khorfakkan Beach and the other adjacent to Kalba Waterfront.

Shurooq also has plan to develop a 60-room family retreat in the 14-sq-km Seih Al Bardi Kabeer Safari Park, and the Moon Retreat at the Mleiha Archaeological and Ecotourism site will add to nature-centric offerings. Another project is Palace Al Khan in downtown Sharjah City. The Dh120m ($32.7m) development will feature 88 rooms, a spa, a fitness club, an outdoor swimming pool and meeting facilities. Meanwhile, in March 2021 the City Centre Al Zahia shopping mall opened its doors, with 136,000 sq metres of leasable area for more than 350 stores. It is expected to attract visitors who would otherwise visit shopping centres in neighbouring Dubai.

Source Markets

With the aim of reinforcing the emirate’s position as an attractive tourism destination, as well as targeting new international source markets, the SCTDA participated in the Matka Nordic Travel Fair 2020, which was held in Helsinki, Finland from January 15 to 19. The authority promoted the emirate to the North European demographic, given that the continent as a whole is a growing source of visitors for Sharjah. In 2018 some 578,000 Europeans visited the emirate, up 24% on 2017.

By region, Sharjah’s biggest source markets in 2019 were Russia, the Commonwealth of Independent States and the Baltic countries, accounting for 24% of all visitors to the emirate; Asia, supplying 23% of tourists; and non-GCC Arab nations and the GCC, with 16% of arrivals each.

The composition looked different by the second quarter of 2020, however. Asia and the UAE moved into first and second position, supplying 37% and 24% of all tourists, respectively, while non-GCC Arab countries held steady in third place, at 23%. The closure of many international borders gave rise to the larger share of UAE nationals in Sharjah that quarter, and the increase in domestic visitor numbers was especially notable during Eid Al Adha in mid-2020.

The growing share of Asian arrivals over recent years can be attributed to greater efforts by the SCTDA to promote Sharjah as a destination to Southeast Asians – particularly Indonesians and Malaysians – with a focus on attracting pilgrims already travelling to Saudi Arabia for Hajj or Umrah.

China has become an increasingly important source market as well, evidenced by an increase in visitor numbers since 2016, when the UAE federal government started granting Chinese travellers visas on arrival. The number of Chinese tourists travelling to Sharjah rose by a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 32% between 2015 and 2018 – second only to Russia, which grew by a CAGR of 57% over the same period.

The promotion of family tourism is at the heart of Sharjah’s sector strategy. In 2016 the authorities launched the Sharjah My Family Destination campaign, which offered families discounts of up to 20% on hotel accommodation, among other incentives. Recent developments such as the family retreat at Seih Al Bardi Kabeer Safari Park should help to further elevate Sharjah’s position as a family-friendly destination – as well as add to the emirate’s portfolio of nature attractions – and see Sharjah capture a larger share of the market. In 2018 GlobalData estimated that the global family tourism market would grow at a CAGR of 4.6% from 300m trips in 2017 to 376m in 2022. The analytics and consultancy company reported that family tourism accounted for 30.8% of all outbound tourism, and that the segment will retain this share over the period, largely supported by Chinese travellers.

Sharjah is also focused on expanding traditional segments such as meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE). One of the most important MICE events in the emirate is the Sharjah International Book Fair. Held for 10 days in November 2020, the 39th edition of the fair was a hybrid physical and virtual event; a maximum of 5000 visitors were allowed to enter the Sharjah Expo Centre every three hours to ensure social distancing. The fair welcomed 1024 publishers from 73 countries, and gained recognition as the world’s first international exhibition to take place since March 2020. In 2019 over 2m visitors attended the fair, making it the biggest event in the region in terms of attendance.

Ecotourism & Adventure Travel

The development of ecotourism and adventure travel is another core part of Sharjah’s tourism strategy. The Environment and Protected Areas Authority works alongside Shurooq to develop ecotourism and adventure offerings on the east coast, and efforts to expand the burgeoning segment gathered pace in 2020 as a number of sites were unveiled.

On February 17 Al Dhaid Wildlife Centre was inaugurated as part of a series of projects concerning the environment and the preservation of biodiversity and wildlife. The opening of the 11,362-sq-km Shees Park in Khorfakkan followed in October, which showcases the natural beauty of the Hajar Mountains. The park includes many leisure facilities as well as a 25-metre-high man-made waterfall.

The Shees Rest House project was under development in early 2021, with its implementation to be carried out in three phases at the northern and southern ends of Khorfakkan Road. The rest house will comprise 60 produce stores, nurseries, carpet retailers and food trucks. The 89-km, Dh5.5bn ($1.5bn) Sharjah-Khorfakkan Road, which was unveiled in April 2019, cuts driving time between the capital and Khorfakkan in half, to 45 minutes, making it a convenient getaway. Another rest house near Khorfakkan Road is Al Suhub, which opened in August 2021. “The pandemic has opened up a whole new segment of hospitality and tourism that capitalises on environmentally minded attitudes and caters to new generations that are drawn to nature and adventure,” David Patrick Court, a consultant at Bushtec, a luxury tents manufacturer, told OBG.

Culture & Art

Sharjah’s cultural and heritage offerings have long attracted tourists to the emirate and garnered international recognition. In 1998 UNESCO declared Sharjah the Cultural Capital of the Arab Region, while in 2014 the emirate was endorsed as the Islamic Culture Capital by the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation. In the following year it was named the Capital of Arab Tourism by the Arab Ministerial Council for Tourism. More recently, UNESCO gave Sharjah the title of World Book Capital for 2019.

Since attractions in Sharjah reopened in June 2020, tens of thousands of UAE nationals have travelled to the emirate to visit its museums, with roughly 300,000 Emiratis touring exhibits between January and August that year. During the mandated closure of all non-essential businesses, the Sharjah Museums Authority kept its audience engaged by launching virtual tours, digitising 100 Islamic collections as part of the Museums With No Frontiers portal, and offering various workshops and lectures.

Sharjah’s art scene is another major draw for tourists. A key event on the calendar is the Sharjah Biennial contemporary art exhibition, the next iteration of which is scheduled for March 2022. The 15th edition of the biennial will shine a spotlight on the work of scholar, critic and curator Okwui Enwezor, who was invited to curate the event before his premature passing in 2019. The 14th Sharjah Biennial, titled “Leaving the Echo Chamber”, took place between March 7 and June 10, 2019. The 13th iteration in 2017 was conceived in two parts. The first was held across Sharjah from March 10 to June 12 and drew an estimated total of 120,000 local and international visitors – up 25% on previous biennials.

Other recent cultural and heritage projects include Najd Al Maqsar Village in Khorfakkan, which opened in October 2020 as part of a drive to restore historical and archaeological sites in the emirate. An important ancient gathering centre in Wadi Washi, the site contains rocks with engraved drawings that are thousands of years old. Restoration works at Najd Al Maqsar Village will be carried out on 13 houses that date back 100 years, as well as on a 300-year-old fortress. The site is also being equipped with more modern facilities, such as 13 hotels in a traditional style and areas to barbecue.

Sharjah exhibits not only its own culture, but also those of other countries around the world. At the 18th annual Sharjah Heritage Days festival in 2021 the emirate hosted over 500 events and activities that celebrated the customs and traditions of 29 nations, including Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, Egypt and Morocco. “The event plays a vital role in boosting Sharjah’s tourism appeal and supporting the national economy. This collaboration is among the first significant steps being taken to revive the culture and tourism landscape, not just in Sharjah but for the UAE,” Al Midfa of the SCTDA said at a press conference held in mid-March 2021. The festival was organised by the Sharjah Institute for Heritage (SIH). The main sites included the Heart of Sharjah district and the Khorfakkan Heritage Area. While the event was extended to include the area of Kalba – for three days, from April 9 to 11 – overall it was organised on a smaller scale than previous years due to the pandemic. “The challenges posed by Covid-19 have prevented us from organising the annual event in the way we used to every year, where venues would span all of the emirate’s cities and towns. Initially, we decided to limit the event to the Heart of Sharjah and Khorfakkan. However, the high level of awareness we have been seeing in the audience and visitors with regards to their adherence to preventive measures [enabled us to extend it] to Kalba,” Abdulaziz Al Musallam, chairman of the SIH told international press in early April 2021.

Sharjah is committed to supporting tourism recovery. The positive handling of the pandemic at the emirate and federal level has done much to allow for the gradual resumption of activities and to promote Sharjah as a safe destination for travel. The SCTDA, in particular, will continue to regularly inspect hotels to ensure full compliance with health and safety measures. With the unveiling of new attractions and the ongoing development of key projects in the emirate, it is hoped that Sharjah can resume its pre-pandemic growth in tourist arrivals as international air travel regularises in 2021.

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17 Top Tourist Attractions & Places to Visit in Sharjah

Written by Jess Lee Updated Dec 24, 2023 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

Sharjah is the arts capital of the United Arab Emirates . While some of the other emirates focus on beach vacations, shopping, and contemporary city glitz, Sharjah's tourist attractions are all about history and culture.

Aerial view of Sharjah

The emirate's efforts to preserve the area's history garnered Sharjah the title of Cultural Capital of the Arab World by UNESCO in 1998.

For museum and art lovers, Sharjah is the best place to visit in the UAE. Visiting the renowned Sharjah Art Museum and the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization are the two major things to do, while the surrounding Heritage Area is full of restored buildings now dedicated to Emirati history.

This is also a wonderful family-friendly destination, with lots to keep smaller visitors amused, including Al Noor Island, with its butterfly house and the Sharjah Desert Park.

Out of the city itself, Mleiha Archaeological Site offers a two-in-one attraction, with desert activities and tours of one of the UAE's most significant archaeological sites .

Find out how to plan your Sharjah stay with our list of the top attractions and things to do in Sharjah.

See also: Where to Stay in Sharjah For Sightseeing

1. View the Acclaimed Art Collection inside Sharjah Art Museum

2. brush up on history at the sharjah museum of islamic civilization, 3. stroll the alleys inside sharjah heritage area, 4. explore desert landscapes & ancient history at mleiha archaeological site, 5. visit sharjah fort, 6. take the kids to sharjah desert park, 7. shop at the central market, 8. see the butterflies on al noor island, 9. visit sharjah aquarium & maritime museum, 10. shop for foodie gifts at souk al-jubail, 11. sharjah archaeology museum, 12. take a nature break in kalba, 13. enjoy child-friendly evening entertainment at al qasba, 14. khor fakkan, 15. tour the al noor mosque, 16. experience a downpour at sharjah rain room, 17. take the kids to al montazah island, where to stay in sharjah for sightseeing.

Sharjah Arts Museum

One of the largest arts museums in the United Arab Emirates, this state-of-the-art facility opened in 1997 and features a permanent collection, as well as a program of temporary exhibits.

The galleries, spread over three floors, focus on works by Arab artists from throughout the Arab world.

The permanent collection includes a gallery wing devoted to artworks from the Barjeel Collection displaying an array of significant contemporary art from the Middle East.

Other galleries display artworks from 18th- and 19th-century painters who visited the Middle East and became fascinated by the natural environment, architecture, and culture.

The Ali Darwish gallery contains watercolors of Sharjah.

Address: Corniche Street, Sharjah

Official site: https://www.sharjahartmuseum.ae/

Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilisation

Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization is a good place to dive into the deep roots of Arab and Islamic culture.

A number of scientific and religious manuscripts, as well as a collection of Islamic arts and craft work dating from the 7th to the 19th centuries are on display.

Features of particular note include the exhibit of clay, pottery, and glass, as well as metallic handicrafts inlaid with silver, gold, and brass, and the collection of astrolabes.

The museum holds items dating back to the Abbasid and Umayyad eras, including a coin collection of silver dinars and dirhams, but also traces the far reaching tentacles of Islamic culture, with exhibits of Mughal and Ottoman craft work.

Sharjah Heritage Area

The Sharjah Heritage Area is small, restored neighborhood in downtown Sharjah, stretching from the waterfront to Sharjah's fort.

Inside the district, a number of traditional Emirati houses have been preserved and now are home to museums.

Three of the museums are well worth a visit for insights on Emirati heritage. The Sharjah Heritage Museum hosts exhibits covering all facets of traditional Emirati life.

The Calligraphy Museum explores this Arab art form, with galleries hung with work from the Arab world's finest calligraphy artists. And Bait Al Naboodah is a finely restored traditional family villa, once home to the Al-Shamsi family.

A number of traditional souk areas have also been revived in the neighborhood. Souk Al Arsah is the best one to visit. This large covered courtyard souk is thought to be the oldest surviving bazaar in the country. It has been fully restored in its traditional style and now includes a number of different shops featuring silver and wooden handicrafts, jewelry, traditional garments, and beauty products.

The Umm An Nar Bronze Age tomb at Mleiha's Visitor Center

Sharjah's Mleiha Archaeological Site is one of the best places to visit in the UAE to both learn about the deep history of the Arabian Peninsula and to add some desert activities into your vacation.

Mleiha is near the small settlement of Maleha, 60 kilometers east from Sharjah city.

Mleiha's museum and visitor center at the site entrance offer a thorough rundown of the site's history and heritage, and arranges a variety of tours for exploring the surrounding area with its orange sand dunes and craggy rock outcrops.

Desert activities include 4WD tours across the sand dunes, horse riding desert tours, desert buggy trips, and short hikes.

In the evenings, they run stargazing tours at their "sunset lounge," where you can watch sunset on cushions set up in the desert and then learn about basic astronomy aided by a guide and telescope. Overnight desert camping tours are also available.

The vast and multi-layered archaeological site itself is hugely significant to our understanding of early human history.

In the caves here, the first evidence of Paleolithic human activity outside of Africa was found.

Other parts of the site have revealed evidence of a later Neolithic settlement; Bronze Age tombs, including a large Umm An Nar tomb (which has been incorporated beautifully into the visitor center area); and fort and palace remnants from a 2nd- or 3rd-century settlement here.

The visitor center offers archaeological tours covering the major sites plus hikes up to the caves where signs of early human habitation were found.

Official site: https://www.discovermleiha.ae/

Sharjah Fort

Sharjah Fort (called Al Hisn in Arabic) sits on a plaza at the corner of the Heritage District.

The fort was built 200 years ago and has served as both a defensive facility for the town and as the traditional residence of the ruling family of Sharjah.

Inside, the rooms contain themed displays tracing the history of Sharjah, as well as the town's importance as part of the Gulf's trade networks.

One exhibit details the painstaking restoration of the building in the late 20th century. From the roof, there are great views across the Heritage District and out to the sea.

Address: Hisn Avenue, Sharjah

Snakes at the Sharjah Desert Park

The Sharjah Desert Park offers kids an easy taster of the UAE's desert ecology and wildlife. It's 31 kilometers east of Sharjah city, along the E88 Highway.

The center incorporates three different neighboring sites:

The Arabia Wildlife Center is the main area, with enclosures housing Arabian oryx, Arabian leopards, and endemic reptiles. There's also a children's farm, where little ones can get up close to typical farm animals. The wildlife center has an important breeding program for endangered animals in the Gulf region.

The Sharjah Natural History Museum offers a thorough overview of the UAE's wildlife, plants, and geological history and has been fully set up with children in mind to enhance the learning experience.

Sharjah Desert Park's other main site is the Islamic Botanical Garden , a lush green space where 52 plant species all mentioned in the Qur'an (including figs, black cumin, and henna) are grown along with other plants such as saffron and pomegranate. The garden is landscaped to incorporate waterways and pools inspired by the Gulf's traditional horticulture irrigation system.

Central Market

Sharjah's Central Market, built in the 1970s, is the city's most famous architectural landmark. The intricate blue tile work on the exterior has given it the nickname the Blue Souk.

More than 600 shops are inside, where shoppers will find sections devoted to gold and jewelry, perfume, clothing, food, electronics, and gift-type items.

The upper floor has the atmosphere of a traditional bazaar, with vendors selling antiques, carpets, Omani and Yemeni jewelry, and all sorts of other souvenir-type items that hail from the greater Arab world, as well as central and south Asia.

For downtime after shopping exploits, the market area is also home to plenty of cafés.

Location: Khalid Lagoon, Sharjah

Al Noor Island

This public park, created in Khalid Lagoon and accessed by bridge from the central city's Corniche Street, is Sharjah's top spot if you're looking for some tranquil downtime to recuperate from shopping and museum exploring.

The island blends art and nature into its design, and features gardens scattered with modern art sculptures and installations, created by some of the world's most renowned artists.

The premier attraction is Al Noor Island's butterfly house, where approximately 500 different butterfly species can be seen.

For smaller kids, it's a great, close-up encounter with nature, though anyone with an interest in the natural world will also enjoy a visit.

In the evenings, the island is a good option for an after-dinner family stroll, as after dark, the art installations amid the island's gardens are lit up, creating a charming, fairy-tale world. Be aware, though, that the butterfly house is closed after dark, so you may need to make two visits to enjoy the full charm of Al Noor Island.

Address: Khalid Lagoon, Sharjah

Official site: https://www.alnoorisland.ae/

Sharjah Maritime Museum

As a settlement, Sharjah has always been linked closely to the water, and the Aquarium and Maritime Museum highlights the importance of the sea in the city's and the emirate's development.

For kids, the aquarium is the main attraction, and hosts around 150 species of sea life, including reef sharks and stingrays.

The connected Maritime Museum hosts interesting exhibits on traditional wooden dhows, as well as pearl collecting and fishing — all once important to the economy here.

Highlights include the collection of glimmering pearls (including what is thought to be the oldest pearl ever collected in the world) and the beautiful wooden dhow docked outside the museum.

Address: Al Meena Street, Al Khan district, Sharjah

Souk Area

Sharjah's huge, covered Souk Al-Jubail is an excellent way to experience the bustle of traditional Arabian shopping in a modern setting.

Join local shoppers as they do their weekly rounds at the fish souk — a stinky and busy mix of noise and color — and then dive into the fruit and vegetable souk, which is always crowded with vendors shouting out their prices and customers bargaining for good deals.

As well as being a prime opportunity to capture some vibrant photos of daily Sharjah life and see a shopping souk that hasn't been dressed up for the tourists, this is a great place to pick up gifts of local produce to take back home, such as dates and local honey.

Address: Corniche Road, Sharjah

Sharjah Archaeology Museum

Sharjah Archaeology Museum has exhibits tracing the wide-arcing history of humanity in the area.

Displays in the Stone Age section include numerous flint pieces reflecting the technology of that period, and old seashells. There are also ornamental gems and pottery shards from the Ubaid period that were found in Al Hamriyah and confirm the trade exchange of this age with Mesopotamia (present-day Iraq).

The Bronze Age Hall features archaeological finds of pottery, metals, stone, and jewelry, while the Iron Age Hall is home to two of the museum's prize pieces: a camel statue and a ceramic dome that both come from the Muweilah archaeological site.

The museum has done a good job of making its exhibits user-friendly, and children will be kept entertained by a variety of hands-on games.

Next door is the Sharjah Science Museum, the only interactive hands-on museum in the United Arab Emirates.

The Exhibition Hall includes state-of-the-art elements, which have been designed to get children interested in science. You can test your flexibility, grip strength, and balance; make a cartoon; use a music synthesizer; build a puzzle of the human body; or visit Playspace (which caters to younger children).

The on-site Planetarium takes you on a tour of the universe, from the Sharjah sky to deep space.

Address: Sheikh Rashid bin Saqr Al Qasimi Street, Sharjah city

Official site: http://www.sharjahmuseums.ae

Kalba

The most southerly village in the United Arab Emirates, Kalba is a tiny exclave of the Emirate of Sharjah on the eastern coast.

About 112 kilometers east of Sharjah, it's a charming place for a stroll that is worth the trip for the Al-Hisn Museum (built as a fort 200 years ago) and the fully restored House of Sheikh Saeed bin Hamad Al-Qassimi with its displays of musical instruments and traditional furniture.

Just south of the village is the Khor Kalba Conservation Reserve containing a vast mangrove forest.

This is a bird-watcher's paradise, especially during spring and autumn migrations.

Visitors can spot the rare white-collared kingfishers that breed here, as well as reef herons and booted warblers. Trips to the reserve are by boat or kayaking tours.

On the outskirts of Kalba town is the Al Hefaiyah Mountain Conservation Center, a nature reserve with 30 desert and mountain species.

The large internal enclosure houses smaller animals such as reptiles, while outdoors, the large natural habitat style enclosures are home to desert lynx, Arabian leopards, caracal, and wolves.

Al Qasba

This waterfront quarter, alongside the Al Qasbah Canal, is Sharjah's top nighttime destination with plenty of cafés and restaurants rimming both sides of the canal.

It's a favorite place for promenading families in the evening, and there is plenty of kid-focused fun to be had in this district.

There are both outdoor and indoor children's entertainment parks within the quarter, featuring a variety of rides, a go-cart center, and a soft-play area to keep little ones busy.

Head here also for evening boat rides, which launch from the canal out into Khalid Lagoon to see Sharjah's skyline lit up after dark.

Beautiful beach at Khor Fakkan

Khor Fakkan is the second largest town on the east coast and an exclave of Sharjah. It's 109 kilometers east of Sharjah city.

Although the main feature of town is the thriving and less-than-picturesque container port, it's surrounded by a long stretch of beach that trails along the shore.

Khor Fakkan is only home to one mid-range older resort (Al Aqsah, just up the coast in Fujairah gets most of the east coast's beach-going tourists), but the sand here is good for a stop-off if you're road-tripping down the coast.

In the center of Khor Fakkan is one of Sharjah's newest tourist attractions, a huge manmade waterfall and a theater built in Roman-style overlooking the sea.

Al Noor Mosque

The Al Noor Mosque is the only mosque in Sharjah open to non-Muslims.

Anyone interested in digging a bit deeper into the heritage of the United Arab Emirates and wanting to learn a little about Islamic beliefs would find a visit here a worthy addition to their Sharjah itinerary.

Non-Muslims can visit the mosque on a tour, which takes place every Monday at 10am and includes a discussion on Islamic and Emirati history, culture, and traditions.

The mosque itself is a modern construction (built in 2005) and modeled on classical Ottoman style, with slender, pointed minarets, typical of Ottoman mosque architecture.

Sharjah Rain Room

This immersive art installation, recreating a continuous flow of torrential rain, was previously exhibited in London, New York, and Shanghai but has found a permanent home in Sharjah.

The installation, set in a darkened space, with 2,500 liters of water recycled and looped through the ceiling, uses sensor technology so that visitors can walk through the rain without getting wet themselves.

Visiting the installation is very popular with UAE locals, who see little real rain throughout the year, but even those from wetter climes will appreciate the cleverness of the technology that allows you to wander through a downpour without getting soaked.

Address: Al Andalus Square, Al Mujarah, Sharjah

Official site: http://sharjahart.org/sharjah-art-foundation/projects/rain-room

Eye of the Emirates observation wheel in Sharjah

Al Montazah Island (also known as Flag Island) is a top spot in Sharjah if the kids need to let off some steam.

This small island in Khalid Lagoon is home to both a theme park with roller coasters and other rides plus a water park with plenty of water slides to beat the heat and have some fun.

The island's big attraction, though, is the 60-meter-high Eye of the Emirates observation wheel. Head up on this big wheel to get a soaring perspective over the city. Views from the top can stretch for 50 kilometers. It's particularly good for nighttime shots of Sharjah's lights and many illuminated buildings.

Hotels are spread throughout Sharjah with a scattering of resorts along the beachfront and plenty of high-rise hotels near the Corniche, facing Khalid Lagoon, in the city center.

Luxury Hotels:

  • The Hilton Sharjah, near the Al-Qasba area, overlooks Khalid Lagoon and offers a complimentary shuttle to a nearby private beach. There is a great rooftop pool area.
  • If you want the sand, the Radisson Blu Resort is in Sharjah's beachfront area and features a private beach and swimming pools, a gym, and a spa.
  • Also in the beachfront area, Coral Beach Resort Sharjah rims a clean sweep of beach and offers plenty of pools and restaurants with a swag of kids' activities for family-friendly holidays.

Mid-Range Hotels:

  • A popular option for longer stays in the city, Ramada Sharjah has a great central location opposite a shopping mall and near the lagoon and corniche. Its one- and two-bedroom apartments come with full kitchens and laundry facilities.
  • TIME Ruby Hotel Apartments has solid facilities and friendly staff and a good central city location, while Lou Lou'a Beach Resort , right on the oceanfront, is an affordable beachfront district option with a great pool area overlooking the sea, and good-sized rooms.

Budget Hotels:

  • With a pool as its focal point, Sharjah Beach Hotel offers great value, considering its prime location on the beach less than 10 minutes' drive from the Heritage Area. The pool area is big, and rooms have balconies facing the sea.
  • In the city center, Spark Residence is convenient for longer stays, with its one- and two-bedroom suites.

More Related Articles on PlanetWare.com

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More Cities: Dubai is the United Arab Emirate's main tourist destination for its high-rise architecture, beaches, and shopping malls. It's only a short hop from central Sharjah. If you've enjoyed visiting Sharjah's museums, don't miss Abu Dhabi , home to the Louvre Abu Dhabi.

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More Cultural Destinations: Check out Al Ain for its museums and the Hili Archaeological Site or head to Fujairah to visit its coastal forts and the beautiful Al Bidya Mosque.

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The best things to do in Oxford: exploring the university and beyond

Tasmin Waby

Jan 3, 2022 • 14 min read

Oxford has lots of quirky little pubs to while away a day in

Oxford has lots of quirky little pubs to while away a day in © Guerilla / Getty Images

It’s hard to think of Oxford without conjuring up images of academics in billowing black gowns breezing through honey-colored cloisters, and crowds of starry-eyed students crammed into cavernous lecture theatres.

It may be true that Oxford’s prestigious university is the city’s defining feature, but stray a little beyond the educational institution’s hallowed grounds and you’ll stumble upon intriguing museums, labyrinthine bookstores, and excellent historic pubs to while away an afternoon like the writers of yesteryear did. There's a lot more to this golden-hued city than austere and solemn academia. Here are the top things to do in Oxford, a centuries-old city full of modern inspiration.

Wander historic university colleges

Oxford University can be traced back to the 11th century. Within 200 years, it had taken shape as a loose association of independent colleges, still housed (for the most part) in their original historic buildings scattered around the city. Pick a couple of colleges to visit depending on your interests and get inspired by the intellectual heritage of this institution.

Merton College is where JRR Tolkien wrote much of The Lord of the Rings in its magnificent medieval library. Trinity College boasts a beautifully restored Baroque chapel, and Lincoln College alumni include Dr Seuss (Theodore Geisel) as a Rhodes scholar. However, the more popular colleges with visitors are Magdalen College , where C S Lewis was a fellow, for its 15th-century tower and cloisters; All Souls College , founded in 1438, for its eye-catching Gothic towers; and Christ Church college, which doubles as Hogwarts during multiple scenes in the cinema adaption of the Harry Potter books.

A Venetian-style bridge built over a small road in Oxford

Photograph classic Oxford landmarks

No doubt Oxford’s most photographed landmark is Radcliffe Camera , a dome-topped sandy-gold edifice built between 1737 and 1749 in grand Palladian style, then known as Radcliffe Library. It was demoted to a “camera” (room) in 1860 when it became the reading room of the neighboring Bodleian Library. The only way for non-members to see the interior is on the extended 1½-hour tour of the Bodleian.

Close to Radcliffe Camera, you’ll also see people milling about to snap a picture of the iconic Bridge of Sighs (a skyway joining two parts of Hertford College over New College Lane). Completed in 1914, it's sometimes erroneously described as a copy of the famous namesake bridge in Venice, but it looks more like Venice’s Rialto Bridge.

Tour the Bodleian Library

At least five kings, dozens of prime ministers and Nobel laureates, and luminaries such as Oscar Wilde, CS Lewis and JRR Tolkien have studied in Oxford's Bodleian Library , a magnificent survivor from the Middle Ages. Wander into its central 17th-century quadrangle, and you can admire the buildings for free. The neighboring Weston Library displays a revolving selection of “Bodleian Treasures” – ranging from manuscripts by the likes of Mary Shelley to the original Magna Carta – that are also free to visit.

However, if you’re a proper library fan you’ll probably want to get on one of the guided tours of the Bodleian. Starting in the ornate medieval Divinity School, the university's earliest teaching room, tours visit Convocation House which hosted the English Parliament three times, plus the Chancellor’s Court, in which Oscar Wilde and Romantic poet Percy Bysshe Shelley went on trial (for debt and promoting atheism, respectively).

A view of the many book-lined shelves in Blackwell's Bookshop, Oxford.

Indulge your love of bookshops

After that book-lovers pilgrimage to the Bodleian Library, you can continue your literary love affair at the many bookshops of Oxford. Next door to Weston Library is a Blackwell’s with its basement lined with 3.5km (2.1 mi) of shelves. Popular children's murder mystery writer Robin Stevens worked as a bookseller here.

Along Broad Street you’ll find a branch of Waterstones and up in Summertown, Daunt Books has a footprint in Oxford. For secondhand books there is the Oxfam bookshop in St John, while Jericho, the museums center of Oxford, is famous for the Last Bookshop . Here discounted stock on everything from poetry to psychology to politics, largely from academic publishers, can be found. And finally, theologians and philosophers should head to St Philip’s Books on St Aldates, which specialises in rare, secondhand and antique books on the Christianity, medieval studies, spirituality and philosophy.

Treasures and afternoon tea at the Ashmolean Museum

Britain’s oldest public museum, Oxford’s wonderful Ashmolean Museum , is surpassed only by the British Museum in London for size and volume of world treasures. You could easily spend a day exploring this magnificent neoclassical building and its collection. Family-friendly pamphlets draw kids into select exhibits. To the museum’s credit, the curators are engaging with how displays are presented in the age of postcolonial understandings of museum collections. For example, a recent exhibition focused on the links between the British custom of drinking tea and the exploitation of enslaved people producing sugar in the West Indies.

The rooftop restaurant is also a great shout. It’s run by the Benugo chain and a proper English afternoon tea is a speciality here, including a vegan menu. Floor to ceiling glass windows open out onto a large terrace with deckchairs on the fake-grass “lawn” in the summer months – head up to enjoy views of the picturesque spires of Oxford.

Enter the Victorian era in the Pitt Rivers Museum

If exploring an enormous room full of eccentric unexpected artefacts sounds like your idea of the perfect afternoon, welcome to the amulets-to-zithers extravaganza that is the Pitt Rivers Museum .

Tucked behind Oxford’s natural history museum, and dimly lit to protect its myriad treasures, it’s centred on an anthropological collection amassed by a Victorian general, and revels in exploring how differing cultures have tackled topics like “Smoking and Stimulants” and “Treatment of Dead Enemies”. Wandering its three balconied floors, you may come across anything from Mesopotamian temple receipts to Japanese Noh-theatre masks or a warrior’s helmet made from the skin of a porcupine fish.

The grand interior of Christ Church Cathedral in Oxford, England. Pews line the walls of the ancient building.

Hear Christ Church Cathedral Choir at Evensong

Christ Church Cathedral doubles as Christ Church college’s chapel and the city’s cathedral. It was the site of an Anglo-Saxon shrine of St Frideswide, Oxford’s patron saint, since the 8th century. Later the 12th-century priory church became part of Cardinal Wolsey’s new Cardinal College in 1525. And Henry VIII made the church a cathedral when he renamed it Christ Church in 1546.

Christ Church Cathedral is also famous for its incredible choirs – four in total and each with its own distinctive identity. Described as "one of the finest choirs on Earth", the Cathedral Choir can be heard on some award-winning recordings with international orchestras and soloists, as well as the TV themes for The Vicar of Dibley and Mr Bean (you’re going to look those up now aren’t you?).

As a working Anglican cathedral, there’s no charge to visit for private prayer or to attend a service. ​​Evensong, a 470 year-old meditative service of sublime music and readings, is celebrated at 6pm most days.

Overnight at Oxford Castle and Prison

As a visitor site, Oxford Castle and Prison provide an interesting overview of the city’s extraordinary history, especially on a guided tour. Little now remains of Oxford Castle, which was built for William the Conqueror in 1071, and largely destroyed after the English Civil War. But entertaining theatrical tours led by costumed guides lead through the parts that survive.

St George's Tower, where the tours begin, is Oxford’s oldest building, erected to keep the Vikings out around 1009, as one of four towers on the city walls. Tours continue to the 11th-century crypt of St George's Chapel and the 18th-century Debtors' Tower, where you’ll learn about the grisly lives, daring escapes and cruel punishments of various Victorian inmates.

Today you can also opt to bed down in the former prison for a night, at Malmaison Oxford Castle . Centring on a turreted tower of Oxford’s castle, this is infact a sophisticated contemporary hotel with plush interiors, sultry lighting and polished service. Accessed via classic prison catwalks, each of its 95 slick rooms occupies three former cells (generous, we know) and contains a proper bed (no hard prison cot for you).

Oxford’s Botanic Garden and Arboretum

Founded in 1621, Oxford's small, peaceful botanic garden is the oldest of its kind in England celebrating its 400-year birthday in 2021. With over 5000 plant species, it remains a department of the university and is run more for research than pleasing the public. However, it’s a lovely spot beside the River Cherwell to escape the city streets, especially in peak tourism season. There is an admission fee (except for university staff and students) and pre-booking is strongly encouraged. 

Greenhouses and open beds hold displays like “Plants That Changed The World” which includes potatoes, pineapples and cannabis. And at its southern end you’ll find the bench that Lyra and her extra-universal lover Will vow to visit once a year in Exeter College-alumni, Phillip Pullman's His Dark Materials.

A view looking down on a group of people punting on the River Thames in Oxford. One person stands in the boat, using a long pole to propel it across the waters, while the others lie back and enjoy the scenery.

Punting under Magdalen Bridge

Directly across the road from the Botanic Gardens, also on the Cherwell, you’ll spot Magdalen Bridge where you can go punting from the boathouse . An iconic Oxford experience, punting is all about lounging back in a flat-bottomed boat and sipping Pimms (a classic English summer beverage) as you watch the city’s glorious architecture drift by. 

To achieve that blissful state, you must first master punting’s greatest skill – persuading someone else to do all the hard work. The actual act of punting, propelling a boat along a river by repeatedly poking a long pole into the muddy bottom, is far more difficult than it appears. If you just want to relax, consider renting a professional to take you on a tour. Most punts hold five people, four of them sprawled on cushions and the punter standing at the back. 

The Alice in Wonderland Shop

Oxford has many links to Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland stories, but this tiny 500-year-old shop on St Aldate’s is one of the most tangible that remains. It was operating as a grocery and sweets shop when the real Alice, Alice Liddle (the inspiration for the storybook character) used to shop here 150 years ago. 

The fabled shop was transmuted into the “Old Sheep Shop” in the 1871 novel Through the Looking-Glass. On leaving the shop at the end of the chapter, Alice says: "Well, this is the very queerest shop I ever saw!". Today it’s a treasure trove of gifts, souvenirs and memorabilia from jigsaws to jewelry that commemorates this beloved character. Even the biggest Wonderland fan will not be disappointed.

Perhaps because opinions of the author have undergone a dramatic revision in recent years, Oxford is big on celebrating its connections with Alice, the character. In July, the city commemorates the anniversary of the Liddle family and Charles Lutwidge Dodgson’s Thames rowing trip where the story that became Alice in Wonderland began with Alice’s Day. Another Alice sight still standing is the “Treacle Well” (referenced during the Mad Hatter’s tea party) near the 12th-century Church of St Margaret of Antioch , half a mile west of the Thames in Binsey. 

Leave a memento to give thanks for Lord of the Rings 

At the gated Wolvercote Cemetery, 2.5 miles north of Oxford city centre, is the final resting place of John Ronald Reuel (JRR) Tolkien (1892–1973) and his wife, Edith Mary Tolkien, who passed two years before him. Their gravestone bears the names Beren (for him) and Lúthien (for her), referencing the love between a mortal man and an elf maiden who gave up her immortality to be with him. 

When you enter the main gates a series of small signs points visitors to the grave which is usually covered in offerings of flowers, plants and sometimes jewellery. We assume these offerings are a way to say thank you from fans of the writer’s contribution to the world. There’s also a campaign running to transform his home into a center for creativity.

The Head of the River Pub, Oxford. The river-side pub has a beer garden that is full of people drinking and socialising.

Drink a pint on the bank of the River Thames

Oxford is also renowned for its excellent pubs, several with delightful river views that perfectly complement a lovely afternoon pint. The Perch is thatched roof village pub with a sprawling beer garden that’s tucked down a magical footpath just off the Thames.

The Trout sits next to a cascading mill stream on the river – a favourite spot of Lewis Carroll and C.S Lewis during their years at Oxford University. And with boats moored on the towpath outside and rowers passing up and down stream, Isis River Farmhouse , has excellent river views from its beer garden as well as live music. Closer to Oxford city centre, Head of the River offers a good selection of beers and great views.

Dissect the History of Science

Housed in the lovely 17th-century building that held the original Ashmolean Museum, this wee museum is not just for science fans. Learn more about the development of scientific inquiry and the instruments that facilitated that quest. It is stuffed with astrolabes, orreries and early electrical apparati. 

Displays include cameras that belonged to Lawrence of Arabia and a radio receiver invented by Guglielmo Marconi in 1896. Plus a blackboard that was covered with equations by Einstein in 1931, when he was invited to give lectures on relativity. Einstein's scientific legacy of innovation continues with a recent addition to these displays – a glass sculpture of a nanoparticle of the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine. The museum is understandably proud of the key role Oxford-based scientists played in the development of this life-saving drug – thankfully the sculpture is one million times the size of an actual nanoparticle so you can see it in all its glory.

Enrich your imagination at the Story Museum

A thousand years of Oxford’s storytelling history, from ancient myths and legends to classics of children’s literature, are celebrated at this child-friendly museum . Move through the sprawling complex, exploring Britain's storytelling heritage. 

Rooms honour the likes of Lewis Carroll, Phillip Pullman and Wallace and Gromit, and the Whispering Wood is a man-made forest where every tree has a secret to reveal. The museum also hosts an ever-changing program of storytelling sessions and live shows. Check the website for details.

Dinosaur skeleton displays inside the Natural History Museum in Oxford.

Admire Oxford University’s Museum of Natural History

It’s worth visiting this charming museum just to admire its light-filled, glass-roofed Victorian Gothic home. The cast-iron columns, flower-carved capitals and a soaring glass roof make a superb showcase for some extraordinary exhibits. Specimens from all over the world include a 150-year-old Japanese spider crab.

However, it’s the dinosaurs that really wow the kids. As well as a towering T-rex skeleton – ‘Stan’, the second most complete ever found – you’ll see pieces of Megalosaurus, which was the first dinosaur ever mentioned in a written text in 1677. Another visitor favourite is the (stuffed) dodo that was immortalised by Lewis Carroll in Alice in Wonderland. The unfortunate bird was stunningly revealed in 2018 to have been shot in the head, rather than having died peacefully in captivity, as previously believed.

Visit the birthplace of Winston Churchill at Blenheim Palace

It’s a 10-minute drive from Oxford city but totally worth the journey. One of Britain's greatest stately homes, and a Unesco World Heritage Site, Blenheim Palace is a monumental baroque fantasy, designed by Sir John Vanbrugh and Nicholas Hawksmoor, and built between 1705 and 1722. Queen Anne gave the land, and funds, to John Churchill Duke of Marlborough, as thanks for defeating the French at the 1704 Battle of Blenheim. Sir Winston Churchill was born here in 1874, and Blenheim (blen-num) remains home to the 12th duke.

Beyond its majestic oak doors, the palace is stuffed with statues, tapestries, sumptuous furniture, priceless china and giant oil paintings in elaborate gilt frames. The palace features in a number of films from Harry Potter to James Bond, and if you’ve watched the latest Cinderella film starring Camila Cabello, James Corben and Pierce Brosnan, you might recognise those floor to ceiling shelves in the Long Library. For a full experience, make sure you allow enough time to enjoy an indulgent afternoon tea in the Orangery and then head for a postprandial walk of the lavish gardens and parklands. They’re not to be missed.

You might also like: Bards and Roman baths: best places in England Best things to do with kids in England Literary Oxford - a book lover's guide to the city of dreaming spires

This article was first published October 2021 and updated January 2022

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    Next door to Weston Library is a Blackwell's with its basement lined with 3.5km (2.1 mi) of shelves. Popular children's murder mystery writer Robin Stevens worked as a bookseller here. Along Broad Street you'll find a branch of Waterstones and up in Summertown, Daunt Books has a footprint in Oxford.