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City guide

Sharjah, UAE

Sharjah is a major port city and the third-most populous city in the United Arab Emirates, after Dubai and Abu Dhabi. It is the capital of the Emirate of Sharjah and forms part of the Dubai-Sharjah-Ajman metropolitan area.

Type City

Why go

  • Capital of the Emirate of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.
  • Served by Abu Musa Island Airport (AEU).

History

Sharjah is a major port city and the third-most populous city in the United Arab Emirates, after Dubai and Abu Dhabi. It is the capital of the Emirate of Sharjah and forms part of the Dubai-Sharjah-Ajman metropolitan area. The emirate shares legal, political, military and economic functions with the other emirates of the UAE within a federal framework. Each emirate has jurisdiction over some functions such as civil law enforcement and provision and upkeep of local facilities. Sharjah has been ruled by the Al Qasimi dynasty since the 18th century.

Where to stay

Heart of Sharjah - 79 Corniche St - Al Shiokh - Hay Al Gharb - Sharjah - United Arab Emirates · ghmhotels.com
Indoor
Al Muntazah Street,Sharjah Corniche - Sharjah - United Arab Emirates · hmhhotelgroup.com
Indoor
Blue Souq - King Faisal St - Al Majaz 1 - Al Majaz - Sharjah - United Arab Emirates · all.accor.com
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Al Meena St - Al Khalidiya District - Sharjah - United Arab Emirates · barcelo.com
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Al Taawun St - Al Khalidiya District - Sharjah - United Arab Emirates · pullman-sharjah.com
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Al Wahda St - Bu Shaghara - Hay Al Qasimiah - Sharjah - United Arab Emirates · citymaxhotels.com
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993Q+PXR Rolla Area - Al Rolla St - beside DAMAS 2000 - Al Ghuwair - Hay Al Gharb - Sharjah - United Arab Emirates · nejoumalemarate.ae
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Al Buhaira Building - Corniche St - Al Majaz 1 - Al Majaz - Sharjah - United Arab Emirates · holidayinternational.com
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Buhaira Corniche Road - Al Majaz 1 - Sharjah - United Arab Emirates · marbellaresort.com
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Al Fardan Center, Buheira Corniche - Corniche St - Sharjah - United Arab Emirates · sharjah.goldentulip.com
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3930 Corniche Rd - Al Majaz 3 - Al Majaz - Sharjah - United Arab Emirates · corniche-hotels.com
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Sultan Bin Saqr - Sheikh Mohammed Bin Saqr Al Qasimi St - opp. Umm Al Qura Mosque - Al Qulai'aah - Sharjah - United Arab Emirates · khalidiah.ae
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8CV3+QH4 Behind mega mall - Sheikh Saqr Bin Khalid Al Qasimi St - Bu Danig - Halwan - Sharjah - United Arab Emirates · rayanhotel.com
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Al Estiqlal St - Al Nad - Hay Al Qasimiah - Sharjah - United Arab Emirates · albustangroup.com
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Arabian Gulf St - Al Naba'a - Sharjah - United Arab Emirates · aldarhotel.com
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Jamal Abdul Naser St - Al Majaz 2 - Al Majaz - Sharjah - United Arab Emirates · hilton.com
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Al Nad - Hay Al Qasimiah - Sharjah - United Arab Emirates · almaharegency.ae
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King Faisal St - Al Nad - Hay Al Qasimiah - Sharjah - United Arab Emirates · marriott.com
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Al Buhaira Road - Corniche St - Al Majaz 3 - Al Majaz - Sharjah - United Arab Emirates · millenniumhotels.com
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Ittihad road - behind Adnoc petrol station - Al Nuaimia 1 - Ajman - United Arab Emirates · alainhotelajman.com
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Abdul Salam Aref Street - 27 Abd Essalam Arif Street - Al Majaz 2 - Al Majaz - Sharjah - United Arab Emirates · cphmajaz.com
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Hafiz Ibrahim street - Nuaimiya St - Ajman - United Arab Emirates · thesajhotel.com
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Buhairah Corniche, Al Noor Island - 110 Street - Al Majaz 1 - Al Majaz - Sharjah - United Arab Emirates
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89QP+QM8 Water front - Corniche St - Al Majaz 1 - Al Majaz - Sharjah - United Arab Emirates
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898J+VR9 - Jamal Abdul Naser St - Al Majaz 2 - Al Majaz - Sharjah - United Arab Emirates
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Hafiz Ibrahim St - Al Nuaimia 1 - Ajman - United Arab Emirates
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124 Arabian Gulf St - Al Ghuwair - Hay Al Gharb - Sharjah - United Arab Emirates
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New Al Taawun Rd - Waterfront - Sharjah - United Arab Emirates
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44 St Al Majaz Northern Pk St - Al Majaz 2 - Al Majaz - Sharjah - United Arab Emirates · almajazpremiere.com
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AL JAWAZAT -IMMIGRATION- ROAD - next to Mega Mall - Bu Danig - Hay Al Qasimiah - Sharjah - United Arab Emirates · tulip-inn-sharjah.goldentulip.com
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9FJ7+8J9 - Al Ittihad Road - Ajman Industrial 2 - Ajman - United Arab Emirates
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Restaurants & places to go

Burger, Restaurant · Al Baik Restaurant and Drive Thru Opening hours: 10:00-03:00 · albaik.com
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Coffee Shop, Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Su 08:00-00:00 Features: takeaway · arabicacoffee.ae
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Pizza, Restaurant · Opening hours: 24/7 Features: outdoor seating · pizzahut.ae
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Indian, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-We,Su 10:00-24:00; Sa 10:30-24:00; Th-Fr 10:00-01:00 · biryaniwallaandco.com
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Chinese, Indian, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su,PH 06:00-00:00,00:00-02:00 Features: outdoor seating, halal · شارع سمرقند · desifirangi.me
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French, Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Th 08:00-23:00; Fr-Su 08:00-24:00 · labriocheuae.com
Indoor
Chicken, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 10:00-02:00 · شارع غرناطة · joeanns.com
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Sushi, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 12:00-00:00 Features: takeaway, delivery · Sharjah · instagram.com
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Sandwich, Burger, Middle Eastern, Chinese, Fast Food · Opening hours: 08:00-02:00 · Police Street 1, عود المطينة · eatanddrink.ae
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Arab, Breakfast, Chicken, Chinese, Coffee Shop, Curry, Fish, Fish And Chips, Ice Cream, Indian, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 07:00-00:00 · Maliha Road · familypalaceuae.com
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Regional, Pizza, Burger, Sandwich, Coffee Shop, Chicken, Chinese, Kebab, Indian, Asian, Ice Cream, Seafood, Arabic, Restaurant · Opening hours: 24/7 Features:… · online.fliphtml5.com
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Thai, Japanese, Restaurant · Opening hours: 12:00 - 23:45 · Heera Beach, Thai Gate - Al Muntazah - Sharjah, sharjah · thaigate.org
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Ice Cream, Ice Cream · Opening hours: 24/7 · طريق المدينة الجامعية
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Donut, Coffee Shop, Fast Food · Features: takeaway · dunkindonuts.com
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Cafe, Bakery, Cafe · Opening hours: 09:00 - 23:00 · شارع جمال عبد الناصر, Sharjah · hilton.com
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Mediterranean, Restaurant · Opening hours: 06:30 - 00:00 Features: outdoor seating, step-free access, air conditioning · شارع جمال عبد الناصر, Sharjah · hilton.com
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Cake, Coffee Shop, Donut, French, Sandwich, Cafe · Cake/Coffee Shop cafe · europeanbakery.ae
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Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 06:00-24:00 · ajmanded.ae
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Tea, Burger, Juice, Cafe · Opening hours: 24/7 Features: delivery · 118 Brahim Mohammed Al Medfa'a Street, Sharjah
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African, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 12:00-24:00 · دبي
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Turkish, Lebanese, Persian, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 11:00-00:00 Features: takeaway, delivery, vegetarian options, halal, air conditioning
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Ethiopian, Restaurant · Ethiopian restaurant · mesobrestaurantdubai.com
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Dessert, Fast Food · Features: takeaway
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Kebab, Fast Food · Features: takeaway
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Frozen Yogurt, Ice Cream · Features: takeaway
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Tex-Mex, Restaurant · Tex-Mex restaurant
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Asian, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 08:00-02:00 · Bukhara Street
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Breakfast, Indian, Tea, Restaurant · Opening hours: 24/7 · 221 building muwailah commercial
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Fast Food · fast food · fryouae.com
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Malaysian, Restaurant · Malaysian restaurant · Itthiad Road, Dubai
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Egyptian, Restaurant · Egyptian restaurant
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Pakistani, Restaurant · Pakistani restaurant
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American, Burger, Wings, Fries, Milkshakes, Restaurant · American/Burger restaurant · Shop#1 Areej 1 Al Jada, Sharjah
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Filipino, Restaurant · Filipino restaurant
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Moroccan, Restaurant · Moroccan restaurant
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South Indian, Restaurant · Features: vegetarian options
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Middle Eastern, Restaurant · Middle Eastern restaurant
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Pastry, Coffee Shop, Cafe · Pastry/Coffee Shop cafe
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Waffle, Restaurant · Waffle restaurant · Sheikh Ammar Street
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Seafood, Restaurant · Seafood restaurant
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Bubble Tea, Cafe · Bubble Tea cafe
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Kerala, Restaurant · Kerala restaurant
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Italian, Restaurant · Italian restaurant
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Falafel, Fast Food · Falafel fast food · Anas Bin Malik Street
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Lebanese, Restaurant · Lebanese restaurant · Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Street
Indoor

405 more places in the Ultimate edition. See the Ultimate edition →

Airports

Dubai International Airport (DXB) 12 km to the centre
Dubai, DU, AE — You board from the indoor waiting area — no need to plan for the weather. ✈ 83 airlines (Emirates, Fly Dubai, Qantas, Iran Aseman Airlines…) · direct flights to 188 destinations incl. Delhi, Jeddah, Kabul, London, Singapore… (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 83 airlines, 188 direct destinations

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

Indoor
Sharjah International Airport (SHJ) 9.9 km to the centre
Sharjah, SH, AE — You board from the indoor waiting area — no need to plan for the weather. ✈ 15 airlines (Air Arabia, Pakistan International Airlines, Air India Express, Air India Limited…) · direct flights to 78 destinations incl. Kochi, Calicut, Colombo, Peshawar, Trivandrum… (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 15 airlines, 78 direct destinations

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

Indoor
Abu Musa Island Airport (AEU) 71 km to the centre
Abu Musa, 22, IR — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day.
Indoor | Outdoor

Getting there by ferry

Ferry From Sharjah to Iran Bandar Abass Port
Ferry terminal · 4.7 km from the centre
Outdoor
Ferry From Sharjah to Iran Bandar Abbas Port
Ferry terminal · 4.9 km from the centre
Outdoor
Baniyas - water bus terminal
Ferry terminal · 14 km from the centre
Outdoor
Al Sabkha Abra terminal (North)
Ferry terminal · 15 km from the centre
Outdoor
Al Sabkha
Ferry terminal · 15 km from the centre
Outdoor
Al Seef Marine Transport Station
Ferry terminal · 15 km from the centre
Outdoor
Al Sabkha - Al Fahidi Marine Transport Station
Ferry route
Outdoor
Baniyas - Al Seef (Water Bus)
Ferry route
Outdoor
Dubai Old Souk - Al Sabkha (Abra)
Ferry route
Outdoor
Al Sabkha - Baniyas (Water Bus)
Ferry route
Outdoor
Dubai Old Souk - Baniyas (Water Bus)
Ferry route
Outdoor

Where things are

Full geo-intelligence in Better Mapping →
Local search powered by Geoverts and geo-intelligence by Better Mapping base map © OSM

Photographs

When to go

Tourist season
May – September

The warmer, longer-day half of the year is the safest bet for a first visit.

Shoulder season
April, October

Cooler and quieter, with fewer visitors and better value.

Worth avoiding
Deep winter

Short days and the coldest weather — check local conditions before travelling.

Getting there & around

Getting there. The nearest airport on record is Abu Musa Island Airport (AEU). Check rail and road links from the tourism sources below. By water: 6 ferry terminals within 20 km (nearest: Ferry From Sharjah to Iran Bandar Abass Port, 4.7 km); routes include Al Sabkha - Al Fahidi Marine Transport Station, Baniyas - Al Seef (Water Bus), Dubai Old Souk - Al Sabkha (Abra).

Getting around. Use the map above to orient yourself; nearby hotels, attractions and places to eat are listed from the live Ultimate data for Sharjah, UAE. Local transit details will be added as the guide is expanded.

Private aviation

On-demand charter, jet cards and the semi-private scheduled carriers that serve this city.

Charter · Airbus ACJ319 · Emirates' VIP Airbus for bespoke charters from Dubai.
Charter, management · Managed fleet · Dubai-based aircraft management and charter.
Charter · Boeing Business Jet, Global, Learjet · Abu Dhabi-based premium charter with the world's largest BBJ fleet.
Broker · Any aircraft via operators worldwide · Global charter broker with 30+ offices; private jets, group charters and cargo.
FBO, charter, management · Managed fleet · FBO network and management across Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific.

Tours & experiences

Sightseeing