Sharjah Arts and Heritage

Sharjah took a different route from its neighbours, investing in museums, restoration and the arts rather than in skyline, and it has been recognised for it internationally as a cultural capital. The Museum of Islamic Civilization occupies a converted souq beneath a golden dome and holds manuscripts, astronomical instruments, ceramics and coins across a thousand years, laid out with unusual clarity. The Heart of Sharjah is an ongoing restoration of the old city, with coral-stone and mud houses, wind towers, courtyards and a restored souq. The Sharjah Art Foundation runs a serious contemporary programme across a set of converted buildings, including a biennial that draws an international audience. The emirate is dry, with no alcohol sold anywhere.

What to look for

• Museum of Islamic Civilization - manuscripts, instruments and ceramics under a gold dome.
• Heart of Sharjah - restored old city of coral-stone houses, wind towers and lanes.
• Sharjah Art Foundation spaces - contemporary galleries in converted heritage buildings.
• Souq Al Arsah - one of the oldest markets in the region, restored and roofed.

When to go

October to April for walking the old city comfortably. Museums are air-conditioned and work year-round. Note that the weekend and prayer times affect opening hours, and some museums close on Sunday mornings.

Practical notes

Sharjah is completely dry, with no alcohol available anywhere, which surprises visitors coming from Dubai. Dress codes are enforced more strictly than in neighbouring emirates. Traffic between Dubai and Sharjah is notoriously bad at commuting hours and can double the journey time. The restoration of the old city is ongoing, so parts are building sites.

Nearby

Dubai is adjacent; Ajman and the northern emirates continue up the coast.