Heart of Sharjah
Largest heritage restoration project in the region, old souks, coral-stone houses and Sharjah Heritage Museum.
03 / 07 · The Cultural Capital
Sharjah الشارقة
Sharjah is the UAE's cultural heart, named Cultural Capital of the Arab World by UNESCO in 1998 and home to 20+ museums, the Sharjah Biennial and the world-famous Sharjah International Book Fair.
Cultural capitalmuseumsHeart of SharjahMleihaKhor FakkanKalbauniversities
Now in Sharjah32°CCloudy · 26° / 34° · 63% humidity
About
The emirate
Sharjah is the UAE's cultural heart, named Cultural Capital of the Arab World by UNESCO in 1998 and home to 20+ museums, the Sharjah Biennial and the world-famous Sharjah International Book Fair.
It is the only emirate with territory on both the Arabian Gulf (Sharjah City) and the Gulf of Oman (Khor Fakkan, Kalba, Dibba Al Hisn).
Sharjah is family-oriented and conservative: it is a "dry" emirate (no alcohol sales) and has a modest-dress code in public places.
Key facts
At a glance
- Capital
- Sharjah City (with Khor Fakkan, Kalba & Dibba Al Hisn on the east coast)
- Ruler
- HH Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi
- Area
- 2,590 km²
- Population
- ≈ 1.9 million
- Coastline
- Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman
- Joined the union
- 2 December 1971
- Government portal
- sharjah.ae · Portal.shj (Digital Sharjah)
- Utilities
- SEWA, Sharjah Electricity, Water & Gas (991)
- Heritage title
- UNESCO Cultural Capital of the Arab World, 1998
- Known for
- Museums, universities, family attractions, Mleiha archaeology
- Airport
- Sharjah International Airport (SHJ)
- Note
- Dry emirate, no alcohol; modest dress in public
- Average rent (2BR apt)
- AED 35,000-65,000/year, much cheaper than Dubai
- Utilities provider
- SEWA, Sharjah Electricity, Water & Gas Authority
- Health insurance
- Mandatory, employer-provided or private plans
- Internet & TV
- etisalat by e& · du
- Popular residential areas
- Al Nahda, Al Majaz, Al Khan, Muwaileh, Aljada
- Commute note
- Many residents work in Dubai, budget for peak-hour traffic
Places
What to see
Landmarks, heritage, nature and days out in Sharjah.
Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization
5,000+ Islamic artefacts in a converted souk on the Corniche.
Blue Souk (Central Souq)
Iconic blue-tiled twin market halls, gold, carpets, antiques.
Al Noor Island
Lagoon island with butterfly house, art installations and illuminated gardens.
Al Majaz Waterfront
Musical fountain, mini-golf and restaurants on Khalid Lagoon.
Mleiha Archaeological Centre
Bronze-Age tombs, desert safaris, fossil hunting and stargazing in the dunes.
Khor Fakkan
East-coast crescent beach, the Roman-style Amphitheatre, Al Rabi hiking trail and Shees Park.
Kalba
Mangrove reserve (oldest in Arabia), Hanging Gardens, Kalba Bird of Prey Centre and Al Hefaiyah mountain lake.
Sharjah Art Museum & Rain Room
Leading art museum and the immersive Rain Room installation.
Souq Al Arsah
One of the oldest souks in the UAE, heritage shops and cafés in the Heart of Sharjah.
Al Qasba
Canal-side destination with the Eye of the Emirates wheel, cafés and theatres.
Directory
Who to call in Sharjah
Emirate-level services. Nationwide numbers such as 999 work everywhere.
Emergency number 5
Sharjah Police (emergency)Also Najeed service 800 151 for community reports
SEWA, utilities emergenciesElectricity, water & gas faults
Sharjah MunicipalitySanitation, food safety, public health
Sharjah Health AuthorityHealthcare regulation & complaints
Child & women protection (Sharjah)Sharjah Social Services hotline
Online portal / app 7
Hospital 8
Al Qassimi HospitalPublic (EHS), main tertiary hospital
Kuwait HospitalPublic (EHS)
Al Dhaid / Khor Fakkan / Kalba / Dibba hospitalsPublic (EHS) hospitals across the emirate
University Hospital SharjahTeaching hospital of University of Sharjah
Al Zahra Hospital SharjahPrivate multi-specialty
Zulekha Hospital SharjahPrivate
Medcare Hospital SharjahPrivate
NMC Royal Hospital SharjahPrivate
School 7
Sharjah English SchoolBritish curriculum
International School of Choueifat, SharjahSABIS curriculum
Delhi Private School SharjahIndian CBSE
GEMS Millennium School SharjahIndian CBSE
Victoria English SchoolBritish curriculum
Our Own English High School SharjahIndian CBSE (GEMS)
Wesgreen International SchoolBritish curriculum
University 5
Court / legal 3
Sharjah Judicial Department, CourtsCivil, criminal & personal-status courts
Sharjah International Commercial Arbitration Centre (Tahkeem)Commercial arbitration
Sharjah Rental Disputes CommitteeTenancy disputes
Transport 4
SRTA Mowasalat busesCity & intercity routes · Sayer card
Sharjah taxisMetered, SRTA app or street hail
Intercity to DubaiE303/E306/E307 frequent services to Union & Al Ghubaiba
Sharjah-Dubai ferrySeasonal marine transport between the emirates
Free zone 6
Sharjah Airport International Free Zone (SAIF)Trade, logistics, light industry
Hamriyah Free ZoneIndustry, maritime, oil & gas services
Sharjah Media City (Shams)Media, creative & freelancer licences
Sharjah Publishing City (SPC)Publishing & printing, first free zone of its kind
Sharjah Research, Technology & Innovation Park (SRTIP)R&D, deep tech, university-linked startups
Sharjah Healthcare CityMedical & wellness businesses
