Al Noor Mosque
A mosque on the edge of Khalid Lagoon built in an Ottoman style, with a central dome and tall minarets. It is best admired from the outside; visitors should check local rules about entry.
Sharjah
Sharjah, near Dubai, is the UAE's cultural capital; traditional souks, a restored heritage area and museums of Islamic art are found there.
Attractive locations
King Faisal Mosque
A big white mosque with a prominent dome, among the larger mosques in Sharjah. It is a place of worship, so visitors should check local rules about entry.
Sharjah Art Museum
A museum in the Arts Area with paintings and drawings by Arab and international artists, including works that show the region as seen by European travellers.
Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization
A museum in a former souq building on the Sharjah waterfront, with galleries on Islamic science, art, calligraphy and coins.
Sharjah Archaeology Museum
A museum telling the long history of the emirate through finds from the Stone Age to the Islamic period, including tools, pottery, jewellery and burial objects.
Al Qasba
A waterfront district built around a canal, with cafes, restaurants, a theatre and a large observation wheel. It is a relaxed place for an evening walk.
Mleiha Archaeological Centre
A heritage site in the Sharjah desert interior with a museum, ancient tombs and fort remains. Tours also cover the surrounding desert landscape.
Airports
Dubai International Airport DXB
It is about 11 km in a straight line from Sharjah.
Sharjah International Airport SHJ
It is about 11 km in a straight line from Sharjah.
Al Maktoum International Airport DWC
It is about 55 km in a straight line from Sharjah.
Scams and safe taxis
Taxi and scam advice for this country is on the United Arab Emirates (Dubai, Abu Dhabi) page
Weather by month
Each month shows its average temperature in °C and its mm of rain per month.
- Jan20.1 °C23 mm
- Feb21.1 °C10 mm
- Mar23.7 °C16 mm
- Apr27.5 °C6 mm
- May31.5 °C1 mm
- Jun34.1 °C2 mm
- Jul35.7 °C1 mm
- Aug35.7 °C1 mm
- Sep33.7 °C1 mm
- Oct30.8 °C2 mm
- Nov26.4 °C8 mm
- Dec22.4 °C14 mm
Driest months: May, Jul, Aug, Sep. Wettest months: Jan, Mar, Dec.
Costs
Prices here are about 63% of US prices (World Bank, 2024). This compares a country's overall prices, not the cost of a trip.
Who can help
Emergency
Police 999. Ambulance 998. Fire 997.
local government
UAE Police emergency number (999)
Helps with: The UAE government portal lists 999 for police, callable from anywhere in the country.
Who qualifies: Anyone in the UAE, including visitors, who needs police help in an emergency.
Phone: 999
local government
UAE ambulance (998) and Civil Defence (997)
Helps with: The UAE government portal lists 998 for an ambulance and 997 for the fire department (Civil Defence). This listing gives the ambulance number.
Who qualifies: Anyone in the UAE, including visitors, who needs an ambulance.
Phone: 998
embassy
Foreign embassies and consulates in the UAE (official directory)
Helps with: For a lost passport or serious trouble, contact your own country's embassy or consulate. The UAE foreign ministry's directory lets you pick a country to see its missions' locations and contacts.
Who qualifies: Citizens of each country, through their own embassy or consulate.
See all information for United Arab Emirates (Dubai, Abu Dhabi)