Things to see and do in Sharjah

Beyond its natural attractions of glittering deserts and sun-drenched shores, Sharjah is the most culturally-rich of all the emirates. You can find more than a dozen museums in Sharjah City alone and a wealth of heritage sites that give a good sense of the emirate's Arabian and Islamic history and identity.

With plenty of attractions and activities geared towards families, Sharjah is also one of the best destinations in the UAE for children. You can find water parks, aquariums, theme parks and wildlife centres dotted around the emirate that provide fun and entertainment for people of all ages.

Active travellers can enjoy activities in Sharjah's lagoons and desert hinterland too including the whole range of watersports, camel safaris and four-by-four adventures. Across the winding roads of the high Hajar Mountains, the emirate has three exclaves on the east coast including beautiful Khor Fakkan. It's worth visiting one of these little Sharjah outposts on a day trip as the drive reveals wonderful scenery and the beach at Khor Fakkan is said to be one of the best in the emirates.

Sharjah City and its resort suburbs have the added bonus of being sandwiched between the glamorous attractions of Dubai and the low-key luxury of Ajman, so travellers have plenty to explore further afield.
 

Shopping and leisure

Sometimes a simple stroll is the best way to get to know a place and fortunately Sharjah is a really pedestrian-friendly city with walkways rimming its trio of lagoons. For a leisurely scenic walk, head for the Al Khan corniche or the Khalid Lagoon trail that follows the green corridor around the lake with views of the fountains.

The trail links up with Al Majaz Park beside the lagoon, which is a verdant landscaped oasis with a Splash Park, a big play area for kids, and facilities to hire bikes and trikes. It's also the perfect location for viewing the spectacular fountain sound and light show at intervals after sundown, plus there are lots of places to eat nearby. From Al Majaz Park, the Corniche Street wraps its way around the lagoon, passing souks, squares, shops and eateries, and stretches all the way to Ajman Beach.

In-between Al Khan and Khalid lagoons, there's a pretty palm-lined creek that is fast becoming a hot tourist spot in Sharjah. Al Qasba, with pretty arabesque buildings either side of the waterway linked by little curving bridges, is a purpose-built recreation and entertainment centre for both locals and visitors. There are funfair rides and the huge Eye of the Emirates observation wheel, a musical fountain, and shops and restaurants spilling out from the arched alcoves onto the waterside walkway. The complex includes Maraya Art Centre, where you can see contemporary art from the emirates. You can also board boat tours or hire water carts from here to explore the creek and lagoons.

While you can enjoy high-street shopping at Sharjah's excellent malls such as the Sahara Centre, perhaps one of its most atmospheric Arabian experiences is offered at the Blue Souk. The large azure-tiled central market shelters hundreds of shops under its blue vaulted roof. Like Sharjah's other souks, it's situated near the Corniche Road that skirts Khalid Lagoon, and is the perfect place to go hunting for precious jewellery, local handicrafts and souvenirs. Stop at a cafe for refreshing mint tea and a plate of dates, as many locals do, and try bartering for a bargain as is customary in the Middle East.

Beyond the city, one of the emirate's chief attractions is the Desert Park and Arabian Wildlife Centre between Sharjah's capital and the city of Dhaid, an oasis city known for its fruit-growing. Close to the airport, the park is a haven for more than 100 rare Arabian creatures that are well cared for in spacious natural enclosures. The area also includes the fascinating Sharjah Natural History and Botanical Museum.

Sharjah's climate

Blazing sunshine and blue skies are very much the norm in Sharjah, which has a dry, desert climate with short clement winters and very little rain. Between May and September, temperatures can climb to 35 degrees Celsius or more, usually peaking in late July and August when most people crank up the air conditioning and avoid being outside for long periods. Even when it's frosty in the UK between December and February, in Sharjah it is t-shirt weather with temperatures hovering around a very pleasant 23 degrees Celsius.