All about holidays in Sharjah. The best excursions from Sharjah The approximate schedule is as follows
So let's continue. In the first two parts of my story, I told you about preparing for a trip to the UAE and about the most popular emirate - Dubai, whose name has already become a household name. Today I will talk about the other, more or less famous emirate of Sharjah and the dwarf emirates that are very little known among tourists - Ajman, Umm al-Quwain and Ras al-Khaimah. What was Sharjah like for me before visiting the UAE? Transfer point. Flying low-cost AirArabia from this emirate, I repeatedly had connections at Sharjah International Airport. This time, as I already said, I flew to this airport again and received a car rented there for the entire duration of my stay. What else did I know about Sharjah? The fact that it is a neighboring emirate, closest to Dubai, with the strictest traditional norms of Islam.
In fact, these “strict restrictions” turned out to be effective only in relation to the circulation of alcohol; in other respects (for example, the presence of women on the beach in swimsuits) the emirate is no different from others. Also, I knew that Sharjah, the third largest emirate (235.5 sq. km) after Dubai and Abu Dhabi, borders Ajman and Dubai, but in fact it is difficult to notice the border between the emirates: the skyscrapers of Dubai smoothly flow into the skyscrapers of Sharjah.
If you do not live in Sharjah, then be sure to take into account the fact that the majority of the population works in neighboring Dubai, which leads to a huge traffic jam from Sharjah to Dubai in the morning, and in the evening in the opposite direction. Be sure to take this fact into account when visiting or transiting through this emirate. As I said, the border between Sharjah and Dubai is very arbitrary, but crossing it is charged by a taxi service; when moving from Sharjah to Dubai and back, 20 AED is added to the cost of the trip, so most hotels in Sharjah provide their guests with free shuttles to one of the Dubai malls.
Sharjah is well developed and contains a large number of recreational areas, shopping centers and other recreational facilities. Compared to the backdrop of central Dubai, it certainly looks a little pale, but overall it is a good choice for a holiday destination if a relaxing holiday with moderate shopping and spending time on the beaches is more your thing. Among the famous beaches, Al Corniche Beach can be noted. This narrow but long sandy beach is located next to the Coral Beach Hotel. The coast is clean, the waves are safe. A good place. Also, Al Khan Beach is very popular among tourists and is located near the ancient village of the same name. Good sand and nice smooth waves. There are a lot of Sharjah residents here on weekends. If you are not embarrassed by crowds of Indians walking around you in order to “look” at a woman’s body, then you can safely go here any day. Otherwise, you will ruin your mood. In general, this is what a beach holiday in Sharjah is like. Quite decent, but significantly inferior to Dubai.
There are attractions in Sharjah, mostly of a historical, ethnographic and religious nature. There are more than 600 active Islamic places of worship in Sharjah.
The main attraction of the emirate is the King Faisal Mosque. This is one of the largest mosques in the East, it can accommodate more than 3,000 worshipers. The personality of King Faisal is interesting. A real medieval thriller in the 20th century. King Faisal is the former ruler of Saudi Arabia, his successful reign earned him popularity among the Saudis. But in 1975 he was killed by his nephew, who took revenge on him for the death of his brother, who died during a demonstration in 1965, i.e. revenge took place 10 years later.
Construction began in 1976, the project architect was Vedat Dalokaya, who defeated 43 applicants. The cost of the project is 120 million dollars. The mosque was completed 11 years later in 1987. The total area of the building is 12,000 sq.m. The King Faisal Mosque has an extraordinary design that is unlike other mosques. Unfortunately, visiting the mosque by non-Muslims is prohibited, so all that remains is to admire it from the outside.
Fans of historical antiquities should visit the Merezah area, also noted in guidebooks as the Heritage Area. In this area, surrounded by modern high-rise buildings, there is an ancient fort built in 1820, which belonged to Sharjah's ruling Al Qasimi family. This area is better known to locals as Sharjah Hisn. Once inside the fort's massive fortified walls, you can see how Sharjah's dynasty of rulers lived before the advent of the oil age. The narrow streets of Meredzhi are already a tourist attraction themselves (despite the huge amount of remodeling), because the appearance of traditional Arab life is still maintained here. In tiny shops, or even just on trays, you can buy oriental dishes in bulk, stumble upon memorable souvenirs in the form of copper jugs, mortars, lamps at an affordable price, choose or order traditional Arabic clothes from a tailor - dishdasha, kandura or khutra.
Many Muslims, as well as some tourists, travel to Sharjah specifically to see the Monument to the Holy Quran. These are two huge open pages of the Muslim holy book. Its height is 7 meters - this is approximately the size of a two-story house. Agree, it is impossible not to pay attention to such a monument.
There are a lot of museums in Sharjah - the National Heritage Museum, the Art Museum, the Archaeological and Science Museums, with historical finds from Mereja. The largest of all is the Museum of Islamic Civilization. Entrance ticket – 5 AED. This museum opened in 2008, and previously housed a market in this building, with traditional Arabic decor and design. The exhibition features ancient handwritten Korans, models of the world's most famous mosques, as well as ancient household items, furniture, clothing, dishes, weapons and jewelry.
If you live directly in Sharjah, you will be interested in visiting the shopping areas of Sharjah. Al Fahda Shopping Street (many boutiques and small shops), King Faisal Road - many banks, restaurants and cafes, this street leads directly to the Central Market Blue Souq.
Al Wahda Road is the longest street in the city with shops, restaurants and fast food cafes and, of course, the well-known Sharjah City Center shopping center, which is worth visiting Sharjah. This street comes straight from Dubai and takes you to Sharjah.
Al Arouba Road. An area with many shopping centers (Rolla Gold Center, Rolla Mall, Lulu Center, Atlas Mall). The prices here are very reasonable. Lots of electronics. The best resort area of the emirate is Khorfakkan, located on the coast of the Indian Ocean, geographically related to Sharjah, although located 137 km from it and surrounded by the emirate of Fujairah. For some reason, we are rarely visited by our compatriots. All conditions for beach holidays and diving are created here. There are some historical objects. We didn’t get to it, so I’m talking about its presence rather for reference.
Of the places we visited, I was very impressed by the vintage car museum. I have never seen so many auto classics in one place before. The exhibition is very large and continues to expand.
Everything about Sharjah.
Now about dwarfs. There are three such emirates - Ajman, Umm All Qwain and Ras Al Khaimah.
Ajman is the smallest emirate (occupies only 0.3% of the country's total territory) and is located 8 km north of the city of Sharjah and is completely surrounded by this emirate. This is the only emirate on whose territory oil has not been discovered. The emirate has been known since ancient times as a producer of sea vessels and first-class pearls. In addition, there are very famous mineral springs on its territory. The water from them is bottled and supplied to all countries of the Persian Gulf.
Ajman's main attractions are the square watchtower and the huge fort in the city center. The fort has a National History Museum. The museum's exposition includes archaeological and ethnographic sections, and a collection of weapons. There are rooms dedicated to the history of the Emirates Police. An interesting reconstruction of the life of the past and traditional crafts using “wax figures”.
Next to the museum is the old sheikh's palace, which is still the residence of the emir. The famous Ajman shipyard is interesting, where traditional Dhow sailing ships and modern fiberglass yachts are still produced using ancient technologies. You can visit the Al-Nuami mosque (newly built, but very beautiful), camel racing track, beaches. Ajman also includes two enclaves: Masfoot, 110 km to the southeast on the border with Oman, and Ajman Manama, 60 km to the east (not to be confused with Manama, the capital of Bahrain. Probably, that’s all about Ajman. See there is nothing special there, but there is a very interesting, main “attraction” of this emirate, which attracts many visitors - an alcohol shop.
As I said in the first part of the story, there is no prohibition in the UAE, but there are serious restrictions on its acquisition. You can’t buy swill in a regular store, and neither can you buy it in a restaurant next to the hotel. There are still bars and restaurants in expensive hotels, but these options are expensive, as you understand. However, all these restrictions serve one purpose - to protect local residents from poison, which is forbidden to them by the Almighty. How do expats live? They are not used to washing down lamb with mango juice. It turns out that everyone who comes to work in the UAE is issued a license to purchase alcohol, which is sold in specialized alcohol shops. I found a total of five such establishments in the UAE (there are about a dozen in total). Ajman is the closest for holidaymakers in Sharjah and Dubai. This corner of the achievements of European (and not only) distillation is located right behind the Ajman Beach hotel. The store is rich in an assortment of strong drinks: whiskey, cognac, vermouth, champagne, original Russian vodka for those who miss you. The store has a wine shop with a simply amazing selection of Chilean, French, Spanish, Italian and South African wines. A good assortment of beers of all known brands and a bunch of unknown ones. There is even Baltika. I bought a couple of pallets of the famous Thai "Singha". Alcohol prices are lower than in duty free. Store opening hours are from 15:00 to 23:00 daily. Everything is decent and civilized.
There is another store in Ajman, but it is a little further from Dubai and Sharjah - next to the seaport, but I have not visited there.
The next small emirate is Umm al-Quwain. The name translates as the Source of two forces (sea and desert). It occupies only about 1% of the country's territory and has a highly indented coastline (24 km along the coast). In the capital of the emirate, the Main Fort with three watchtowers is interesting. The fort houses a historical museum. As in any emirate, it is interesting to visit the Old Market area with wind towers. The entire coast of the peninsula on which the city is located is surrounded by a very beautiful embankment. Umm al-Quwain has the best camel racing stadium in the country (unfortunately, I was not able to see it and it was not possible to find out when they were held). For relaxation, the date park-garden in the oasis of Falaj Al-Muala, surrounded by high sand dunes, is good. Most of the emirate's visitors come here to visit one of the country's most popular water parks, Dreamland, with an 18-meter-high artificial volcano and a complete simulation of an eruption, as well as numerous water attractions. A popular boat trip to the bird island of Al Sharyah is popular.
Like all dwarfs, there are alcohol shops. It is located at the exit towards the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah and is located on the territory of the Barracuda Hotel. The hotel is next to the Dreamland water park, opposite the shooting club. Look at the boards and signs. This store even had “Stary Melnik” beer in stock. Prices are approximately the same as in Ajman. It makes sense to visit this liquor store with a very good assortment together with a visit to the water park; it is not advisable to go there just like that from Dubai and Sharjah.
The next and last emirate for today is Ras al-Khaimah (Top of the Tent). The capital of the emirate is considered the oldest city in the country - since 695 AD. e. on this site was the city of Julfar, the largest pearl trading center in the Persian Gulf. The city is divided into two parts by the bay of the same name. In the Old Town, interesting is the Old Fort, which is in a dilapidated state. The Jazirah Al Hamra Mosque is very unusual, built from coral blocks. Like all other emirates, there is a National Museum, located in a fort that is called new and restored. In my opinion, an ordinary remake. Fort Falayya is beautiful, as are the old watchtowers on the outskirts of the city. The Emir's Palace is located in the new district of Al Nakheel. There's nothing else to see there.
This emirate has the largest and most modern theme water park in the Middle East, Ice Land Water Park, next to which are the Planet Earth Amusement Park, Mall of Ras Al Khaimah and several hotels. All these entertainment areas make up the large-scale complex “WOW RAK”, designed for family recreation. The theme of the water park is the onset of a new Ice Age. The building occupies an area of 120 hectares and serves 15 thousand people per day. The water park has the largest artificial waterfall in the world, 36.5 m high and 164.5 m wide. About 400 thousand liters of water flow from the waterfall every minute. Entrance to the water park is 150 AED for adults and 99 AED for children (below 1.2 m).
But many tourists are attracted not by the capital and the water park, but by natural and historical attractions that are located in the area surrounding the capital. A huge number of tourists come to the hot springs of the balneological resort of Khatt Springs. I can’t say what they are, because... we decided to visit similar springs in Al Ain. I'll talk about this later. The ancient city of Digdaga is very interesting. The city is the oldest in the UAE. Its main attraction is the large fort in the center. The fort building is very unusual and beautiful. In the fort there is a museum of the emirate - Ras Al Khaimah Museum. As a museum, it does not stand out in any way from similar historical museums in other emirates.
The various springs (Wadi) and the oases surrounding them are very interesting.
Wadi Bih reaches a height of more than a kilometer. It is called the Grand Canyon of the Emirates. From its highest point there is one of the most beautiful views in the whole country. The area is famous for hiking and cycling.
Wadi Asimah is also a popular excursion destination. The oasis is located on the edge of the desert. Valleys, gorges, gardens. Azima Village is a beautiful, clean village where time almost stands still to provide unforgettable moments. It is extremely pleasant to see happy children playing on the street, old people in snow-white clothes, leisurely talking while sitting in the shade of fruit trees.
Al jazeera Al Amrah or the Red Island is the last true (non-tourist) traditional island city remaining in the United Arab Emirates. Previously, it was inhabited and had autonomy and independence. He fought wars with Portugal and Ras al-Khaimah. With the discovery of oil fields, the population moved to other areas, and the original appearance of an Arab village has been preserved here. This island is of unique historical value, showing us all the elements of a traditional Arab city. A fortress, several mosques, houses of various architecture. Jazirat Al Amra is an ideal place to study the traditional coral and stone architecture used throughout the Arabian Gulf coast.
The Musandam Peninsula is a vibrant, unspoiled recreation area. With magnificent landscapes, clean sea and air. This place is called the Fjords of the Middle East. Everything here is stunning in its grandeur, the mountains rising above the clouds fall sharply into the Strait of Hormuz. In the cliffs you can find ancient settlements, figures carved from rocks, and abandoned tombs, many of which date back to the Stone Age.
Here you can find mangrove gardens, salt flats, desert landscapes combined with majestic mountains and the famous Arabian Fjords, where cliffs descend into the clear waters of the Strait of Hormuz. You can visit Khasab Fort, Khor Najd Beach, and also take an unforgettable trip along the coast of the bay.
The only trouble for us, tourists who have only a single-entry visa to the UAE, is that most of Musandam is located on the territory of the Sultanate of Oman. If you cross the border into Oman (you will be allowed there without a visa), your UAE visa will be canceled and you will not be able to return to the UAE. And the most beautiful places are located just beyond the borders of the emirates. We were somewhat upset, but we decided to enter Oman from the UAE along the eastern coast of Musandam. There they do not cancel visas at the border. I will tell you about this trip in a report on the emirate of Fujairah.
Well, about the alcohol shop. The local store is located on the territory of the Al Hamra Yacht Club&Marina, next to the new city quarter Al Hamra Village. Focus on the shields. The store belongs to the official African&Eastern chain.
This is where I end today's story. Next, I will introduce you to the capital emirate of Abu Dhabi and the magnificent desert oasis of Al Ain.
Sharjah is a beautiful city in the UAE, which is considered the cultural capital of the country. The city is famous for its excellent museums, stunning architecture, traditional Arabic flavor and numerous entertainment options. There is the famous oriental market, many shopping centers and restaurants where you can try traditional Emirati dishes. There are also beautiful sandy beaches and excellent conditions for diving. However, despite all the charms of this city, excursions to the UAE from Sharjah are also popular among tourists.
While in Sharjah, you can always visit other emirates, see numerous attractions and easily find entertainment to your liking. Tourists from here often go to Abu Dhabi, visit a water park and numerous amusement parks, and go on desert safaris and sea hunting. The choice of entertainment is really wide, so you definitely won’t be bored!
Where to buy excursions from Sharjah to the UAE
When planning our vacation to another country, each of us tries to plan our trip so as not to lose a single minute looking for the entertainment itself, and to use all the time as rationally as possible. This also applies to the choice of excursions, since a regular beach holiday can get boring in a couple of days and you always want to see a new country with its many attractions. You can find excursions to the UAE from Sharjah while already in the emirates, but this may take a lot of time. In addition, offers from hotels and local travel companies are usually unreasonably expensive. And you can book an excursion online, and inexpensively, even before flying to the emirates, through the services and TEZ Tour.
All excursions presented on these tourist services are conducted by a Russian-speaking guide, so there can be no difficulties with walks and sightseeing. By booking excursions for 2019 in advance, you will be able to plan your vacation in detail and see all the places that interest you in the UAE. Now you know where to buy excursions around the UAE from Sharjah, all you have to do is choose the right offer and you can safely fly to the UAE!
Find more detailed information about the Sputnik service in ours, and read about excursions from Tez Tour.
Prices for excursions from Sharjah for 2019
Many tourists traveling to the UAE are interested in the question of how much excursions from Sharjah cost in order to allocate the necessary amount in advance. Current prices for excursions from Sharjah for 2019 are indicated in the description on the above-mentioned services, often in US dollars, and when choosing a particular excursion you can always immediately find out and take into account its cost. Prices for excursions from Sharjah in 2019 may vary significantly depending on the entertainment program, duration of the tour, the number of tourists in the group, vehicles used and other features of the excursion.
The cost of excursions from Sharjah to the UAE starts from $30 per person. This is, for example, the price of the “” program. Prices and descriptions of excursions from Sharjah in 2019, presented on Sputnik or Teztour, will help you choose the ideal offer and have an exciting time in this fabulous country.
Group excursions from Sharjah
Among the excursion offers, a large part consists of group excursions from Sharjah, thanks to which you can get acquainted with various interesting places in the country and spend a minimum of money on the tour. The price of such excursions is traditionally less than the cost of individual ones, but due to the large number of tour participants, the guide will not be able to pay attention to each guest. However, this is unlikely to stop you from seeing the best sights of the country, having a great rest and experiencing the flavor of the Arab world in 2019. The most popular group excursions to the UAE from Sharjah are presented in the corresponding sections of the TEZ Tour and services.
Private excursions from Sharjah
In contrast to group offers, individual excursions from Sharjah offer greater comfort, since you and several of your friends go on a walk together with an experienced guide. And it is precisely thanks to the small size of the group that each participant can not only ask all the questions of interest to the guide, but also simply communicate with him, learn about the country, its customs and life in the modern world in the process of a relaxed, friendly conversation. Prices for individual programs are indicated not separately for one tourist, but for the entire excursion. A fairly large selection of individual programs is presented on the travel services we mentioned above in the relevant categories, which you can always familiarize yourself with by clicking on the appropriate links - and Teztour.
If this is your first time in the UAE or you have very little time to get to know both the emirate of Sharjah and the famous cities of the country, a sightseeing tour from Sharjah is suitable for you. By boarding a comfortable bus or car, you can quickly get acquainted with the main attractions of the region, diversifying your vacation. The Sputnik service presents several sightseeing tours popular among tourists from the CIS countries, which will certainly interest you. You can get acquainted with current excursions.
The most famous city in the UAE is definitely Dubai, which many call a real futuristic wonder with numerous unique structures and artificial wonders of nature. "" will introduce you to this extraordinary city, you will see its most famous “business cards”, including Marinad Jumeirah, the famous beautiful Atlantis. You will admire the famous fountains and take in the vast city from the height of the 124th floor of the Burj Khalifa. You can buy one ticket for this excursion program in 2019 for $76 per person.
Dubai is a real jewel of the country, where numerous tourists from different parts of our planet come to see all the man-made and natural splendor that fits into a relatively small area. An excursion to Dubai from Sharjah is a great opportunity to get to know this incredible city. These excursions are very popular:
- Sightseeing tour of Dubai.
During the group excursion, you will get acquainted with the main “business cards” of Dubai, you will be able to enjoy the view of incredible ultra-modern buildings and futuristic landscapes. You will see the famous Parus Hotel, visit the traditional market and stroll along the artificial island of Palma. Also, tour participants will be treated to another attraction - a giant shopping center, where you can not only be surprised by the large assortment of all kinds of goods and entertainment, but also admire the singing fountains and an excellent huge bright aquarium. The tour ends with a visit to the incredibly tall Burj Khalifa skyscraper. Prices for excursions to Dubai from Sharjah in 2019 – $45 per person.
- Private tour of Dubai with cruise and Burj Khalifa.
A qualified guide invites guests to immerse themselves in the glitz and luxury of Dubai, see its best attractions and feel its atmosphere. During this individual excursion you will see the Palm Jumeirah Islands, which were created by man, with the very beautiful Atlantis Hotel, the famous Parus Hotel, the image of which is on many tourist posters, stroll through the large oriental market and visit the giant Dubai Mall - a shopping center with a large aquarium and beautiful singing fountains. You will see the beautiful city from the Burj Khalifa observation deck, located on the 124th floor of the building. The city tour will end with a boat ride and dinner. This excursion is worth $850 per group up to 3 people.
Abu Dhabi is not only the capital of the UAE, but also the cultural, economic and industrial center of the country with many very beautiful and fascinating architectural attractions. Therefore, it is not at all surprising that many excursions to the UAE from Sharjah are aimed at getting to know Abu Dhabi. We present to your attention two popular offers from the TezTour service:
- Sightseeing tour of Abu Dhabi from Sharjah.
This excursion to Abu Dhabi from Sharjah will give you the opportunity to admire the incredibly beautiful capital of the UAE, you will see the most famous and most beautiful places in the city, including the magnificent Sheikh Zayed Mosque, the presidential residence, and the beautiful Etihad Towers. You will also stroll along the beautiful Corniche promenade and see the unique Ferrari Park. You will have time not only to see the main “business cards” of the city, but also to take pictures against their background, and a Russian-speaking guide will tell you about the history of the city and its attractions. You can buy a ticket for this excursion for $70 per person.
- Private tour of Abu Dhabi from Sharjah.
The capital of the UAE, Abu Dhabi, can easily be included in the list of the main wonders of the world, since the city has a lot of magnificent sights created by human hands. By choosing this excursion program, you will see the most famous places of the city, stroll along the picturesque Corniche, see the Etihad Tower complex, admire the beautiful view of the famous Emirates Palace hotel and see the delightful Ferrari theme park. You will also experience the color and splendor of a traditional Arab market, after which you can enjoy delicious local cuisine. In addition, in 2019 you will get to know the majestic and incredibly beautiful Sheikh Zayed Mosque. Excursion price – from $650 per group up to 3 people.
Excursion to the Indian Ocean from Sharjah
Getting to know the numerous architectural and natural attractions of the UAE should be alternated with a beach holiday, since being in this amazing country and not admiring the magnificent view of the ocean is a real crime! An excursion to the Indian Ocean from Sharjah will allow you to relax on the shore and admire the incredible scenery. One of the most popular excursion programs with a beach holiday is “Journey to the Indian Ocean”, during which you will travel to the eastern part of the country to the shores of the Gulf of Oman, which merges with the Indian Ocean. You will have the opportunity to admire a very beautiful mountain gorge, and already on the territory of the hotel you will find a full range of beach and water activities. Trip price $70 for one tourist.
While in Sharjah, you can admire the local beauty and go on walks throughout the country. But you will undoubtedly be interested not only in various excursions to the UAE from Sharjah, but also to neighboring countries. For example, an excursion to the Arabian Fjords will reveal to you the magical mountains of the Sultanate of Oman. "" will give you real pleasure and unforgettable emotions! You will travel to the northern part of Oman to the Musandam Peninsula to a small colorful town called Dibbu. Beautiful landscapes and a bewitching view of majestic mountains, as well as a wonderful underwater world await you. Price of this trip $100 per person.
Sharjah is a unique emirate and holidays here are also special. Its proximity to Dubai makes Sharjah a good base for excursions, and the presence of hotels with private beaches positions Sharjah as a good beach destination. However, the emirate also has many shopping centers, markets, museums, attractions and entertainment venues. So you can have a great time in Sharjah if you plan your holiday properly.
When planning a holiday in Sharjah, it is worth considering that this is a unique emirate. Therefore, you need to know some features of holiday in Sharjah.
Firstly, in Sharjah, like in no other emirate, Sharia law is observed. This means that outside of hotels you should try to behave as if you were a local. Tolerance towards tourists in Sharjah is probably the lowest in the entire UAE.
Secondly, in Sharjah almost all hotels offer free transfer to some shopping center. So you don't have to go all-inclusive or even half board, as you can take the shuttle to the mall and eat at one of the restaurants or buy groceries at the supermarket.
Thirdly, Sharjah has a lot of interesting places, including many museums. Therefore, we advise you to first get acquainted with the sights of Sharjah, and only then plan excursions to other emirates.
As we said above, in Sharjah you should behave like a local. Only on the hotel premises can you feel more or less relaxed. Basic rules for holidays in Sharjah include no alcohol and an adequate dress code.
Remember that drinking alcohol in Sharjah can even land you in jail. A hotel room is the only place where you can safely drink alcohol, but after drinking it, it is still better not to appear in society, especially if you have drunk too much. In addition, we advise you to put bottles in a bag or other place away from the eyes of cleaning staff and other hotel staff.
As for the dress code, you can even wear a swimsuit inside the hotel, but going outside the hotel in such a suit is fraught with serious consequences. Even if your hotel is across the street from the beach, you will need to get dressed before going from the beach to your room. Outside the hotel, men can walk around in shorts and a T-shirt, especially during the day, but if you want to go into a shopping center or restaurant in such clothes, you most likely will not be allowed. Below-the-knee shorts and a collared T-shirt are already considered appropriate attire for visiting many places in Sharjah. Women are advised to always dress appropriately when outside the hotel premises. It’s better to forget about short skirts and shorts.
Sharjah is considered one of the cheapest places for a beach holiday in the UAE, as a hotel room with its own beach can be booked for as low as $50 during the low season. Even 5-star hotels on the first line sell for prices starting from $70 per night during the low season.
A beach holiday in Sharjah will definitely appeal to those tourists who want to relax in a relatively quiet and peaceful hotel, where there are no crowds of heavily drunk people. However, you should understand that such hotels can be quite boring, because there are practically no animators in them, and in the evening there are no shows or discos.
You can also enjoy a beach holiday in Sharjah even if you stay in a city hotel. Still, many city hotels offer their guests a transfer to the beach (mostly to some paid beach). In addition, Sharjah has several public beaches where you can relax in the company of local residents.
If you want to spend as little money as possible on your holiday in Sharjah, then you can do it. In general, a budget holiday in Sharjah is not a myth, but a reality, despite all the claims that holidays in the UAE are very expensive. With proper planning of your holiday in Sharjah, you can relax without spending very little money.
What do you need to organize a budget holiday in Sharjah? First you need to find an inexpensive hotel with a good location. If you are planning to save money, then it is important that there are shops and inexpensive cafes near the hotel. Almost all Sharjah city hotels meet this requirement.
You also need to look at how much it costs to stay at a hotel with breakfast and with half board and other meals. For example, if the difference between half board and breakfast only is 400 rubles per day, then you should probably choose the half board option, since for 400 rubles (that’s about 20 dirhams at the current exchange rate) you are unlikely to be able to have dinner alone, let alone already about two adults or even two adults and a child.
Another important point of an economical holiday in Sharjah is the use of free transfers. Yes, a taxi ride to the beach from your hotel will be inexpensive, but if your hotel offers a free shuttle, why not take advantage of it and save an extra 15 dirhams in your pocket? The same goes for trips to shopping centers.
If you want to take several excursions during your holiday in Sharjah, then in order to save money, it would be worth taking the time to find a company that offers low prices for excursions. In this case, you can save a lot of money, and if there are two, three or more of you, then the money saved will be quite large.
Well, the last piece of advice for those who are interested in a budget holiday in Sharjah is that you should not buy souvenirs and other goods in the first days of your holiday, especially in a store in or near the hotel. Put off all your purchases until the last few days, as during your vacation you will be able to better understand the prices and find several inexpensive stores. In addition, during your vacation you will be able to think carefully and are unlikely to end up buying an unnecessary thing.
Sharjah is a good destination for families with children. While Sharjah's hotels may not be ideal for families, you can still find some child-friendly hotels here. We talked about some of these hotels in a separate article.
As a rule, tourists with children choose hotels on the first line in Sharjah with their own beach. All beach hotels in Sharjah have a relatively small area and a small range of amenities and entertainment for children. So it is quite possible that your children will get bored at the hotel, especially if you have previously vacationed in good family hotels in Turkey and Egypt.
However, Sharjah and neighboring Dubai have many interesting places to visit with children. Sharjah, for example, has a water park, an aquarium, a Ferris wheel, fountains and many interesting museums. Dubai also has several water parks and a wide variety of activities for children, including KidZania at the Dubai Mall, where children can try themselves as doctors, firefighters, police officers or other professions.
Also from Sharjah you can go on an excursion to the famous Ferrari World theme park, which has many attractions for children and adults.
All hotels in Sharjah can be divided into 3 groups: hotels with their own beach, hotels on the first line and city hotels.
Hotels with their own beach are mainly chosen by tourists who plan to spend most of their time on the beach. But you must remember that these hotels do not have a large area and such a wide range of amenities and services as similar hotels in Turkey or Egypt. Basically, these are quite simple hotels with a small area, a swimming pool and a well-equipped beach.
Hotels of the second group, although located on the first line, do not have their own beach. As a rule, these are compact and inexpensive hotels that are located across the street from the public beach. These hotels are mostly popular with locals, although budget tourists who want to stay close to the beach also often choose these hotels.
Sharjah city hotels are suitable for those who want to spend a lot of time on excursions, shopping and walking around the city. At the same time, staying in a city hotel does not mean that you have to forget about a beach holiday. Almost all city hotels in Sharjah offer free transfer to the beach (this can be either a paid or free beach). In any case, you can take a taxi yourself to any beach in Sharjah and even to the beaches of the neighboring emirates of Dubai and Ajman.
It is difficult to imagine a holiday in Sharjah without excursions. The emirate of Sharjah itself has many interesting places, including mosques, museums, parks, etc. So we advise you to take at least one day to explore Sharjah. You can, for example, go on a sightseeing tour of Sharjah on a double-decker bus. This is an inexpensive but very interesting excursion, during which you will see many interesting places in Sharjah.
Of course, almost all tourists who come to the UAE for the first time plan to visit Dubai. If you want to go on an excursion to Dubai during your holiday in Sharjah, you should think carefully about which places in Dubai you most want to see. The fact is that there are a lot of interesting places in Dubai, so there are several excursion programs.
What other excursions can you visit while on holiday in Sharjah? A lot depends on what exactly interests you. For example, excursions to Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Oman and desert safaris should appeal to lovers of history, culture and nature, while trips to the Ferrari World theme park and water parks are more suitable for fun-seekers and tourists with children.
At the end of the article about holidays in Sharjah, I would like to say a few words about prices. As we said, Sharjah is one of the cheapest holiday destinations in the UAE. If you wish, of course, you can spend a lot of money in Sharjah, but if you wish, you can also make your vacation very budget-friendly.
Hotels in Sharjah are very cheap. During the summer, you can book a room for two in an inexpensive hotel for only $35, and this price will include breakfast. Even a 5-star hotel with its own beach can be booked during this period from a tour operator at a price of $60-70 per day. During the high season, hotel prices are, of course, noticeably higher.
As for food, the cost of a meal in a Sharjah cafe is relatively low, the price range for most dishes is 15-30 dirhams. At the same time, you can always walk or take a taxi to the nearest grocery store and buy some products there.
In general, in Sharjah you can spend no more than $100 per day on a vacation for two, and this includes hotel accommodation. If you really want to, then the cost of a vacation in Sharjah can be completely reduced to $80 for two per day.
Might be interesting
I continue my story about my recent trip to the emirate of Sharjah, where I was invited by the Ministry of Tourism of Sharjah and
Air Arabia. Do you want to know what the desert on the Arabian Peninsula is like, what impressed me most about the UAE and what souvenirs you should bring to your family? Then we go:
On the morning of the 2nd day, on the way to the Sharjah Maritime Museum and Aquarium, we stopped at the beach for half an hour to get some air and say hello to the water. The public beach is clean, simple and quite wide. There are several cafes, changing rooms and that’s it) But this was enough to rejoice and meditate for a couple of minutes)
Sharjah Aquarium is small, located on the ocean. There are 250 species of marine life collected here - sharks, stingrays, giant turtles, various fish of all colors of the rainbow - I’m sure that children will really like it here. There is also a cafe and a small souvenir shop with various plush crabs and sea postcards. Entrance to the museum, like most museums in Sharjah, is 10 dirhams.
Very close to the aquarium there is a maritime museum. Various restored boats and pearl mining artifacts are presented here. It was interesting for me to see not only the boats themselves, but also the various tools of pearl divers. Shada (our guide) said that even though the fishermen were considered eligible bachelors, life was not at all sugar for them - most of the money was received by boat owners, assistants, and intermediary merchants, sometimes they did not receive anything at all, and there was a risk of not emerging/damaging their health or simply getting off crazy was very great. Samya lived on the money left over from the sale of pearls until the next season.
I recommend visiting it - it’s interesting, there’s something to see and learn something new.
At the museum you will be given Arabic coffee (one of the best of the entire trip) and treated to chocolate-covered dates.
There are 600 mosques in Sharjah and there is only one where tourists are allowed (outside prayer times). It was to this beautiful Al Noor Mosque that we went after the museum. Very pleasant atmosphere, interesting facts about the structure of the room, customs and folk costumes. The mosque made a strong, perhaps the most pleasant impression on me. A must visit!
Unfortunately, I didn’t remember the name of the woman who gave us the tour - but she conveyed everything so easily, positively and clearly that I just wanted to hug her goodbye - a mega bright person!!! It's a pity we didn't have much time - I would have been happy to just sit here for a while.
Immediately after Al Noor we went to Mleiha tpip to see the Arabian desert, visit the archaeological center, ride jeeps and see Fossil Rock.
The desert is the most powerful experience for me on this trip - an incredible, simply fabulously beautiful sight. Even despite a small sandstorm, we managed to walk on the sand and feel like a speck in this big world.
You walk along the dunes and feel like you’re on Mars or a Star Wars hero - but definitely in some other dimension). We had a cool safari jeep in our program - we stormed the dunes, stirred up the sand and ourselves inside the cars) Fun, fun!!!
We walked a bit through the mountains, which consist of shell rock (or something similar from the bottom of the world's oceans), I even managed to climb into a thorn bush, but fortunately there was no blood))) We went directly to the archaeological excavations where there were supposed to be caves, although in reality they turned out to be just the gorges are small (in our imagination we drew something fantastic)))
After an active trip through the desert, we had lunch at a small cafe-bistro located in the center of Maleiha and, having already rested, visited the museum. There are several interactive installations, a cinema hall, I liked the projection of the horse's anatomy onto a life-size model (last photo). There are both real objects and replicas (the most interesting, unfortunately, are replicas) After the desert, we returned to the hotel, where we had dinner and then took a taxi to Dubai (115-130 dirhams)
We were already there at night - but still - we managed to walk around the Marina district - there are skyscrapers and yachts and a million restaurants/cafes/hookah bars - but in all honesty I admit that I am a supporter of a more relaxing holiday) Although here is the metro (like the train itself so and stations) I really liked, well, Bursh Khalif is a very beautiful building, I certainly wouldn’t have paid in the 80s for an elevator ride up to the observation deck, but from below it’s very impressive!!!
After the desert, my camera died - either the sand or the jeep ride - but unfortunately I could no longer take photographs.
It turned out to be very difficult without a camera - I felt without hands and without eyes - unusually creepy.
The last day of our tour was half free - so Lena, Seryozha, and I went for a walk and at the same time bought souvenirs. At the old market, I was looking for national men's clothing, but not white - I found it only for 325 dirhams (almost 100) and changed my mind) However, in the evening they told us that right behind the old market there is a regular market for locals and you can look there - in the end I bought myself a gray one - a beige men's outfit for 70 dirhams and I was more than happy) So here's my advice - don't buy anything at the tourist market - look where the locals buy!
The second half of the day was devoted to the Sharjah food festival, which has been taking place for 3 years and is constantly gaining momentum.
In several central districts of the city, for 10 days starting from March 31, food festival zones are located where you can watch culinary competitions, participate in various competitions, and, of course, eat a variety of food. There are points with a national menu, and some with a European one. I really liked the Turkish gelato - for 5 euros but it was definitely worth it)
There were points with falafels, shawarma, kebabs, sweets, again dates, nuts, etc. It’s a pity I don’t have a photo, but believe me - a real holiday - both for the local population and for tourists! Finally, I took a ride on the Ferris wheel to admire Sharjah from a height of 60 meters, and every cabin has air conditioning - can you imagine?
Before returning to the hotel, I managed to meet a friend who has been living with his family in Dubai for 1.5 years and chatted with him. He took us to a local large supermarket where Arabs shop, for which we are very grateful to him)
The photo shows the same installation with a projection of the anatomy of a horse that I mentioned above.
Traditionally, some advice for those who are going to the UAE:
1-There is no alcohol in Sharjah, in Dubai - only in establishments
2-Choose more modest clothes - below the knees and with covered shoulders - this is not only “just right” but also a sign of respect.
3-There are trash cans everywhere (for organic waste, paper and plastic) - so don’t litter or you may be fined
4-women cannot be photographed, men must be photographed with permission
5-Haggle even if you're bad at it
6-You can get from Sharjah to Dubai by bus and metro - much cheaper than a taxi, although it takes longer
7-Commission for withdrawing money from an ATM in some places is 10%, not in large shopping centers
8-Apply cream - you can easily burn
9-Buy a larger volume of water - it will be cheaper. Here, water is really more expensive than gasoline (1 liter of water can cost up to 2 euros, while 1 liter of gasoline costs 40 cents)
10-Try not to walk in the sunshine
11-Friday and Saturday days off
12-You must enter the mosque barefoot
13-Sharjah is a cozy, family-friendly, quiet emirate; you can go to Dubai for nightlife entertainment.
14- Sockets in the emirates are English - keep this in mind. You can ask for an adapter at the hotel reception.
And this is a cultural country, so if you behave accordingly, your vacation will be wonderful! Be sure to look at the fountains, visit the Museum of Islamic Civilization, the local market, the desert and the maritime museum, eat hummus, hot bread, falaver, vegetables, drink coffee and fresh juices, taste dates and enjoy the calls to prayer.
Well, now let's talk about what you can bring with you:
1-National clothes - practical cotton clothes - 50-100 AED - at the market for locals or if you have time to find a tailor - they will sew you an outfit from any fabric for a sutri or two (unfortunately, I found out about this late)
2- Oils and perfumes - 15-20 AED per bottle - at the local market
3-Dates - either at the vegetable market, or if you don’t like to bargain, go to the CARREFOUR supermarket and enjoy the variety there at a fixed price - from 5 to 25 AED per pack
4-Spices (cardamom - green/black, dried lemon, sumac, nutmeg, etc.) - all for a very reasonable price in the supermarket
5-Pistachios - 20-30 AED per package - supermarket
6-Rose water - 6 drx - supermarket
7-Arabic coffee - 17-20 AED for 250 g of ground coffee - supermarket
8-Scarves (note that they are made in India) - 2-3 central market
9-Magnets in duty free - 2-3 ye
10-Jewelry and all kinds of decorations - it depends on your wallet and ability to bargain)
11- Dishes - plates from 5 ue and above - to be honest, I didn’t buy any because I was afraid that I wouldn’t deliver it intact
Thank you very much Ministry of Tourism Sharjah and
My holiday in Sharjah took place at the end of November 2016. The weather at this time seemed ideal for a comfortable stay on the beach. Firstly, the water in the Persian Gulf does not have time to cool down overnight, the nights are still quite warm, and secondly, even the midday sun does not seem unbearably scorching, it is quite possible to be on the beach from the morning until two or three in the afternoon. Personally, I managed to get a great tan in 6 days. After three days the sun begins to set quickly, and local residents come to the city beach, looking displeased at the tourists lying in swimsuits, they relax on the beach and enjoy the sunset. This applies to the city beach, where many tourists relax, whose hotels do not have their own beach. Every morning, cars clear the coastline of the city beach, despite this, cigarette butts sticking out of the sand are somewhat embarrassing, and the tide brings plastic bottles and candy wrappers to the shore in the afternoon. There are no runoff waters near the city beach, so the water is quite clean, especially at low tide, even locals do not hesitate to swim here. There are no showers, toilets, drink stalls or umbrella rentals on the Sharjah city beach. Therefore, you need to take all equipment for relaxing under the sun with you. In 2016, the beach was equipped with towers, lifeguards and buoys for bladeless recreation. For vacationers in city hotels there are buses that pick up tourists back according to schedule. I rested on the second line in an inexpensive triple, so the walk to the beach was 10 minutes.
You could walk to the nearest Sharjah CO-OP Society supermarket. This chain of stores is state-owned, so prices are strictly regulated; locals buy all their food, baked goods, and household chemicals here. I picked up inexpensive souvenirs here - creams, honey, halva as gifts. A bottle of water in a supermarket costs 1-2 dirhams (20-40 rubles). A box of fresh halva can be purchased for 9 dirhams (162 rubles), baked goods are also not expensive, fresh cookies in a box are about 150 rubles. Please note that payments are made both in local currency and in dollars. However, it is more profitable to look for places to exchange dollars for dirhams, at least for taxi rides and for purchasing local souvenirs. In a taxi, for a trip from the beach to the central part of the city they will charge you 10 dirhams (180 rubles), but if you only have dollars, the taxi drivers will not stand on ceremony and will not count, they will simply quote an inflated price in dollars and will not let you out of the taxi until you pay, for example , will ask for 5 dollars (300 rubles) for the trip. Taxi drivers are bad at arithmetic, or they are very cunning. Also at the gold bazaar (trains), local traders sell twice as much in their native currency, but always try to confuse us in dollars. The price they ask for the product can be safely divided by 2. So, a local seller gave me a handmade stole for 200 dollars, but in the end I bought it for 100. The souvenir (cat) cost me 5 dollars, the seller gave it to me for 25. it must be said that he offers a high price, and that the seller in another department gave the goods for a lesser amount. This way they become more accommodating. Also at the Gold Souk Search Results (Blue Souk) on the first and second floors in the middle they sell oils with perfume aromas of famous brands. For 10 dirhams (180 rubles) you can buy your favorite scent of the Italian brand. The main thing is to tell the seller your favorite brand and not to smell everything, otherwise he will start offering his local perfumes, but they stink sickeningly. There are some wild sellers at the market who invite you into their departments, mostly on the 2nd floor; the main flow of tourists is only on the first floor. On the second, the goods are not at all cheaper, but the sellers may turn out to be more accommodating, you just need to not be shy about bargaining. There is a wonderful supermarket in Sharjah, Sahara Mall, you can walk in it all day, it’s huge with many brands and departments, the main thing is to dress warmly, it’s cold from the air conditioning.
Sharjah is not a drinking emirate, but there are a couple of restaurants here that can sell beer. For example, the Kazan restaurant, on the second coastline of the Al Khan district. They serve Russian food here and you can order beer, however, I didn’t dare order pilaf for 9 dollars, it’s a little expensive, in my opinion. In the evenings, many tourists always gathered here; there was nowhere to have fun in Sharjah, so tourists gathered in this restaurant.
Mostly families with children go to Sharjah for a quiet holiday, and not young people for noisy parties. Lovers of a relaxing family holiday will find it comfortable to spend their holidays here.