Arabian capital of culture

Most of the tourism development in the emirate is centred on Sharjah City and its beach and lagoon suburbs. A city of parks and culture with special quarters dedicated to heritage and the arts, it is a pleasure to explore on foot, unlike other places in the UAE. Though very clean and modern, it has a certain authenticity and sense of heritage that's sometimes missing in UAE cities.

The city first grew up around a creek, and today many of the traditional homes have been restored and the buildings converted into museums showcasing Emirati customs and Arabian culture. Known as Sharjah's Heritage Area, it contains the heritage museum, archaeology museum and it's also home to Al Hisn Sharjah Fort, a 19th-century royal residence turned local history museum.

Housed in a beautiful old souk, the Museum of Islamic Civilization is a real highlight and gives a marvellous insight into the region's heritage and culture. The exhibitions take you from the dawn of science and technology in the Islamic world to the present day, deftly demonstrating how progressive Islam was, with interesting artefacts such as ancient compasses and water raising devices. The history of creativity and craftsmanship is also shown with intricate and beautiful examples of vases and rugs.
Travellers interested in Arabian artwork and the modern UAE art scene should not miss a visit to Sharjah's wonderful art museum, part of the city's Arts Area, which is the largest of its kind in the Gulf. It gives a great overview of eastern, Arabian and Islamic art through the centuries to the present day, and there are temporary exhibitions showcasing works by regional contemporary artists.

There's a hop-on hop-off city sightseeing bus tour that's ideal to see all these fascinating places in one go.

World-class watersports and desert adventure

Sharjah's large sea-facing lagoons have become a hub for motorized watersports enthusiasts. With shores dotted with resorts and hotels, both Al Khan and Al Mamzar Lagoons have excellent facilities for water-skiing and jet-skiing in particular. Families looking for fun aquatic activities and themed rides can visit the Al Montazah Amusement Park on the mid-lagoon Flag Island that's geared towards young children. To explore Sharjah's lagoons without getting wet, there are some fantastic boat tours on traditional abra boats that can be taken both during the day and at sundown to see the city lit-up at night.

The east coast of the Arabian Peninsula is well known for its sub-tropical dive sites, and Sharjah can boast some of the best bases for diving in the UAE at its little enclaves of Khor Fakkan and Al Dibba. Scuba divers can explore rich coral reefs and spot turtles, sharks, moray eels and many more marine species. Shark Island, off Khor Fakkan, is a popular dive destination, while there are other fantastic underwater sites up and down the east coast. The area is also a great place for whale and dolphin spotting with more than a third of the world's species frequenting its waters.

Tourists hankering for a spot of desert adventure can find a whole host of tours in Sharjah offering dune-bashing safaris and camel rides through the desert. One of the best places for desert driving is the Fossil Rock area, and there are a range of safaris available of varying lengths, some with overnight camping included.
 

Rest and relaxation

If you are in need of some rejuvenation and relaxation after a long flight to Sharjah, the huge Body and Soul Health Club and Spa in the Al Qasba area is ideal. Its skilled contingent of courteous staff includes skincare specialists and massage therapists ready to help you indulge in high-quality beauty, wellness and relaxation treatments. Alternatively, stay at the new Sheraton Sharjah Beach Resort and Spa to enjoy its fabulous signature Shine Spa, or choose from a selection of other Sharjah hotels with their own on-site spas.

Of course, one of the main reasons to visit the emirate is to kick back and relax in the sunshine on its fine sandy beaches. The Al Corniche and Al Khan beaches are ideal for some peace and quiet, as no motorized watersports are allowed. Al Mamzer Beach Park's trio of sandy bays facing the open ocean offers an idyllic setting with plenty of facilities, but for a real away-from-it-all feel, the natural sandy bay of Khor Fakkan, on the east coast, is said to be the emirate's most beautiful.
 

Ideal twinned with Dubai

Sitting side-by-side and with less than an hour's travel time between them, Sharjah and Dubai make perfect partners for a twin-centre holiday. In fact, may expats live in quieter and more cultured Sharjah and commute to glitzy Dubai for work. With Sharjah's slower pace and more authentic Arabian feel than its flashy neighbour, a holiday split between the two strikes the perfect balance between beach bliss and authentic culture, and over-the-top luxury shopping with a futuristic skyline.
As a dry emirate, there's no alcohol served in Sharjah, so it makes sense to team cultural sightseeing and a refreshing detox at the beach in Sharjah, with wining and dining and indulging in the glamour and luxury of Dubai.