Attractions in Sharjah & Northern Emirates
Culture, history, and family fun 🕌📚
Showing 50 attractions · Sorted by importance
Heart of Sharjah
📍 Sharjah City
🏰 CastleThe largest historical preservation project in the region, featuring restored traditional souqs, houses, and museums in a pedestrian-friendly district.
Khorfakkan Amphitheatre
📍 Khorfakkan
🏛 LandmarkA magnificent Roman-style open-air theatre carved into the mountainside, featuring an adjacent 45-meter man-made waterfall overlooking the Gulf of Oman.
Mleiha Archaeological Centre
📍 Mleiha
🏰 CastleA world-class visitor center exploring Bronze Age tombs and Iron Age forts set against a dramatic desert backdrop.
Sharjah Art Museum
📍 Sharjah City
🖼 Art GalleryOne of the largest art museums in the Gulf, featuring an extensive collection of modern and contemporary Arab art and rotating international exhibitions.
Sharjah Fort (Al Hisn)
📍 Sharjah City
🏰 CastleA restored 19th-century coral stone fortress that served as the residence of the ruling family and now houses a heritage museum.
Sharjah International Book Fair
📍 Sharjah City
🎭 EventEarly November, 11-day event, one of the world's largest book fairs with over 2.2 million annual visitors, features international author talks, publishing rights trading, and a massive dedicated children's cultural festival with hundreds of workshops.
Sharjah Mosque
📍 Sharjah City
🏛 LandmarkThe largest mosque in Sharjah, featuring stunning Ottoman-style architecture and welcoming visitors of all backgrounds to explore its gardens and library.
Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization
📍 Sharjah City
🖼 Art GalleryHoused in a stunning converted souq, this museum features significant galleries dedicated to Islamic art, including intricate calligraphy, ceramics, and textiles.
Sharjah Science Museum
📍 Sharjah
🔬 ScienceAn interactive space where children and adults explore the wonders of physics, space, and human biology through hands-on exhibits.
Ajman Corniche
📍 Ajman
⛱ BeachA four-kilometer esplanade with a pristine white-sand beach, vibrant cafes, and dedicated tracks for jogging and cycling.
Al Majaz Waterfront
📍 Sharjah City
⛱ BeachA premier family destination featuring a musical fountain, jogging tracks, and upscale dining along the scenic Khalid Lagoon.
Al Noor Island
📍 Sharjah
🌿 GardenAn award-winning destination featuring artistic landscape designs, a cactus garden, and lush tropical vegetation set within a lagoon.
Al Rabi Tower Trail
📍 Khorfakkan
🥾 Hiking & Cycling5.3km moderate 2.5-hour loop, 350m elevation gain. Winding mountain path from a 1915 watchtower offering panoramic views of the Gulf of Oman.
Children's Farm at Sharjah Desert Park
📍 Sharjah
🐄 FarmAn interactive petting zoo within a larger conservation complex where children can feed and learn about domestic farm animals and local species.
Islamic Botanical Garden
📍 Sharjah
🌿 GardenA unique themed garden featuring over 50 plant species mentioned in the Holy Quran and Sunnah, offering an educational and serene experience.
Khor Kalba Mangrove Center
📍 Kalba
🏔 Scenic ViewOne of the oldest mangrove forests in Arabia, offering bird-watching and scenic views of the Hajar Mountains.
Khorfakkan Beach
📍 Khorfakkan
⛱ BeachA stunning crescent-shaped beach on the east coast, framed by the Hajar Mountains and famous for its clear turquoise waters.
Mleiha Fossil Rock Hike
📍 Mleiha
🥾 Hiking & Cycling6km moderate 2-3 hour trek, 300m elevation gain. Trail traverses sand dunes and rocky ridges containing 80-million-year-old marine fossils. Bike rental available at Mleiha Archaeological Centre (discovermleiha.ae)
Sharjah Aquarium
📍 Sharjah City
🐠 AquariumThis major educational center features 20 large tanks recreating local marine environments, housing over 150 species including reef sharks, rays, and seahorses.
Sharjah Desert Park
📍 Sharjah
🌲 NatureA large conservation complex featuring the Arabian Wildlife Centre, where families can view indigenous animals in indoor and outdoor habitats that mimic the desert.
Sharjah Natural History and Botanical Museum
📍 Sharjah
🔬 ScienceLocated within Sharjah Desert Park, this museum offers an immersive look at the flora, fauna, and geological evolution of the Arabian Peninsula.
Sharjah Safari
📍 Al Dhaid
🐄 FarmThe largest safari park outside of Africa, offering vast savanna landscapes where thousands of animals roam across themed ecological zones.
Sharjah-Khor Fakkan Highway (S142)
📍 Sharjah City
🚗 Road Trip89km paved mountain highway (45-60 mins). A high-speed engineering marvel featuring five tunnels through the Hajar Mountains, including the 2.7km Al Sidra Tunnel. Key highlights include the turquoise Al Rafisah Dam, Shees Park, and the Al Suhub Rest Area located 600 meters above sea level.
Ajman Museum
📍 Ajman
🏰 CastleSet in an 18th-century fort, this museum showcases archaeological finds and traditional lifestyle displays from the emirate's history.
Al Hefaiyah Mountain Conservation Centre
📍 Kalba
🌲 NatureA scenic rural wildlife experience focused on mountain-dwelling species like the Arabian leopard, set against the dramatic Hajar Mountains.
Al Khan Beach
📍 Sharjah City
⛱ BeachA popular public beach offering a wide range of water sports, family picnic areas, and proximity to the Sharjah Aquarium.
Al Noor Mosque
📍 Sharjah City
🏛 LandmarkAn elegant landmark on the Sharjah Corniche, this Ottoman-inspired mosque is renowned for its guided tours that introduce visitors to Islamic culture.
Sharjah Biennial
📍 Sharjah City
🎭 EventFebruary to June (biennial in odd years), 4-month contemporary art festival, world-renowned for showcasing international artists from the Global South, features large-scale installations across historic heritage courtyards and restored traditional buildings.
Siniyah Island
📍 Umm Al Quwain
🌲 NatureA serene natural island sanctuary known for its archaeological ruins, gazelles, and the largest colony of Socotra cormorants in the United Arab Emirates.
Umm Al Quwain National Museum
📍 Umm Al Quwain
🏰 CastleLocated in a former fort that guarded the city entrance, this museum houses artifacts from the nearby Ed-Dur archaeological site.
Adventureland
📍 Sharjah
🎢 Theme ParkA massive indoor family entertainment center featuring a jungle-themed environment with roller coasters, thrill rides, and an extensive arcade.
Ajman Heritage District
📍 Ajman
🏘 Town / VillageCentered around a historic fort, this district showcases traditional Emirati crafts and architecture in a beautifully restored urban setting.
Al Mureijah Art Spaces
📍 Sharjah City
🖼 Art GalleryA contemporary art hub by the Sharjah Art Foundation, utilizing beautifully restored heritage houses and minimalist modern galleries to host avant-garde exhibitions.
Al Rafisah Dam
📍 Khorfakkan
🏔 Scenic ViewA stunning man-made lake nestled in the Hajar Mountains, offering boat rides and views of ancient ruins.
Al Rafisah Hiking Trail
📍 Khorfakkan
🥾 Hiking & Cycling7km moderate 3-hour round-trip, 580m elevation gain. Steep trail connecting the Al Rafisah Dam to the Al Suhub Rest House summit.
Al Zorah Nature Reserve
📍 Ajman
🧗 AdventureA lush mangrove sanctuary where tourists can enjoy guided kayaking tours through tidal lagoons rich in biodiversity.
Arabia's Wildlife Centre
📍 Sharjah
🦁 ZooAn indoor zoo showcasing the diverse fauna of the Arabian Peninsula, including the rare Arabian leopard and sand gazelles.
Buhais Geology Park
📍 Al Madam
🔬 ScienceAn architectural gem and outdoor museum exploring the region's prehistoric fossils and tectonic shifts through interactive displays.
Dreamland Aqua Park
📍 Umm Al Quwain
🌊 Water ParkOne of the region's largest family water parks featuring over 30 attractions and slides in a sprawling outdoor coastal setting.
Kholaiban Dam Loop Trail
📍 Masfout
🥾 Hiking & Cycling7km moderate 2.5-hour loop, 165m elevation gain. Scenic mountain trail encircling the Kholaiban Dam within the Hajar Mountains enclave of Ajman.
Mangrove Beach
📍 Umm Al Quwain
⛱ BeachA serene coastal area dedicated to eco-tourism, allowing visitors to explore dense mangrove forests and tranquil saltwater creeks.
Mleiha Desert Drive
📍 Mleiha
🚗 Road Trip65km paved route (45 mins) from Sharjah city into the archaeological heart of the UAE. The road is flanked by the iconic orange sand dunes of the Central Region. Major stops include the Mleiha Archaeological Centre, the Fossil Rock limestone formation, and Camel Rock.
Najd Al Maqsar Heritage Village
📍 Khorfakkan
🏘 Town / VillageThis restored mountainside village features traditional stone houses and craft demonstrations, providing a scenic look at the region's coastal history.
Sharjah Discovery Centre
📍 Sharjah
🔬 ScienceA vibrant educational hub designed specifically for children to learn about science, anatomy, and engineering through play-based zones.
Sharjah-Kalba Scenic Route (S116)
📍 Sharjah City
🚗 Road Trip120km paved route (1 hour 15 mins). This scenic drive transitions from desert dunes to the jagged Hajar Mountains via the Wadi Al Helo mountain pass. Highlights include the Hanging Gardens, Al Hefaiyah Lake, and the ancient Khor Kalba Mangrove Center on the Gulf of Oman.
Umm Al Quwain Fort
📍 Umm Al Quwain
🏛 LandmarkA historic defensive landmark and former seat of the ruling family, now housing a national museum with artifacts from the nearby Ed-Dur archaeological site.
Umm Al Quwain Mangrove Forest
📍 Umm Al Quwain
🏔 Scenic ViewA serene natural wetland area ideal for kayaking and spotting diverse marine and avian wildlife.
Wasit Wetland Centre
📍 Sharjah
🔬 ScienceA modern conservation and discovery center providing views of migratory birds and diverse wetland ecosystems in a restored coastal landscape.