If you want to take a trip down history lane, Sharjah is a good place to start!
Known as the cultural capital of the UAE, you will find everything from art galleries to museums and various events in this city. And, when it comes to museums, there’s one for everything in Sharjah! Cars, planes, science, technology, architecture, you name it!
There are around 13 museums in Sharjah that everyone should tour when visiting this beautiful city. However, we have picked out the top 6 best museums in Sharjah that every newcomer to the country should start with.
Top 6 Museums and Cultural Sites in Sharjah
Here are 6 of the top museums and cultural sites in Sharjah that are worth a cultural day trip from Dubai:
1. Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization
Ever wondered how Islam originated, evolved, and reached every nook of the world? You will find all your answers at the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization!
With a magnificent structure comprising 2 floors, the museum will take you through the history of Islam, its culture, faith, scientific accomplishments, and various other artefacts that will leave you wowed!
The ground floor has everything from the rituals of the religion to its impact on science, maths, and astronomy. The first and second floors have 1400 years of woodworks, ceramics, jewellery, textiles, and coin collections of different Islamic eras.
So, if you want to know about the roots of the Arab and Islamic culture and how it changed in all these years, the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization is a must-go place.
Timings for Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization
- Saturday to Thursday: 8:00 am to 8:00 pm
- Fridays: 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Entry Fees
- AED 10 for adults
- AED 5 for kids 2 to 12 years
- Kids under 2 can enter for free
For more information, please visit the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization.
2. Sharjah Natural History Museum and Desert Park
If you want to learn about the flora and fauna of the UAE and how several natural processes take place, the Sharjah Natural History Museum and Desert Park will help you understand everything in a fun and innovative way.
The museum and park comprise 3 sections: The Natural History Museum, the Arabian Wildlife Center, and the Children’s Farm.
At the museum, you will learn about how this Earth came into being and how micro-organisms and other species evolved. You will also find an impressive collection of all 52 plants mentioned in the Quran. There’s also a section dedicated to fossils and taxidermies of extinct animals.
The wildlife center has various Arabian wildlife in their natural habitat, while the farm has an indoor and outdoor area where children can interact with the animals, including donkeys, camels, Arabian horses, chickens, ducks, etc.
Timings for Sharjah Natural History Museum and Desert Park
- Sat – Wed: 9:00 am to 5:30 pm
- Thursday: 11:30 am to 5:30 pm
- Fridays: 2:00 pm to 5:30 pm
Entry Fees
- AED 15 for adults
- AED 5 for kids 12 to 16 years
- Kids under 12 can enter for free
3. Sharjah Classic Car Museum
If you’re into vintage cars, the Sharjah Classic Car Museum is just the place where you should be!
It has an impressive collection of the classic 4-wheeled beauties from the beginning of the 20th century, complete with how they were manufactured and their company stories. The oldest car displayed in the museum dates back to 1915!
Apart from the old-school cars, you will also find the evergreen masterpieces like Rolls Royce, Bentley, Chevrolet, Mercedes, and Ford. You can check out the interior of the vehicles, the engines and other specifications. Plus, there are many interactive activities for the visitors.
So, whether you’re visiting Sharjah or reside there, the Sharjah Classic Car Museum is one of the places you should definitely visit with your family.
Timings For Sharjah Classic Car Museum
- Saturday to Thursday: 8:00 am to 8:00 pm
- Fridays: 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Entry Fees
- AED 5 for adults (13 years and above)
- Kids under 13 can enter for free
For more information, please visit the Sharjah Classic Car Museum.
4. Sharjah Archaeology Museum
How about learning more about the UAE? How it came into being? Who were the early settlers? And how did it become what it is today? At the Sharjah Archaeology Museum, you will find out about the history of the UAE and its cities.
Visit this amazing museum and get a chance to travel 125,000 years back in time! In this place, you will find jewellery, pottery, weapons, and other historical artefacts that give you an insight into the lifestyle of the early inhabitants of this region.
The highlights of the Sharjah Archaeology Museum are a 2000-year-old bridle from Mleiha, skeletons of 500 nomads from a Stone Age graveyard, and several pieces of ancient Arabic art.
If you have kids, there are interactive displays, short films, and informative exhibits sure to grab their attention and keep them entertained.
So, plan a visit to this information-packed museum with your kids and get to know about the history of Sharjah!
Timings
- Saturday to Thursday: 8:00 am to 8:00 pm
- Fridays: 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Entry Fees
- AED 10 for adults (13 years and above)
- AED 5 for kids 2 to 12 years old.
- Kids under 2 and adults over 60 can enter for free
For more information, please visit the Sharjah Archaeological Museum.
5. Sharjah Art Museum
Sharjah Art Museum holds the title of being the largest museum in the UAE. It was built in 1997 and is a heaven for art lovers!
The museum has 72 galleries spread across 3 floors, with a selection of artwork that showcases the Arab culture. It has a permanent section that displays HH Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qassimi’s collection, along with the amazing watercolor art of Ali Darwish.
Then there’s the contemporary art section, which has over 300 pieces of breathtaking artwork by several Arab, local, and foreign artists.
So, if you’re a traditional and contemporary art fan, you should definitely put this museum on the list of places to visit in Sharjah.
Timings For Sharjah Art Museum
- Saturday to Thursday: 8:00 am to 8:00 pm
- Fridays: 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Entry Fees
For more information, please visit the Sharjah Art Museum.
6. Sharjah Maritime Museum
As Sharjah is a coastal city, it’s no wonder that it is home to the famous Sharjah Maritime Museum.
In this museum, you will find majestic ships from the past and the interesting stories connected to them. Also, you will get a chance to learn about the historical fishing methods and how the region’s early inhabitants used the sea for trade purposes.
The highlight of the Sharjah Maritime Museum is the huge Emirati ship displayed right at the front, which is open for exploration. So, if your kids accompany you, they’ll have a great time at this museum!
But that’s not all! The museum also houses precious Arabian pearls of the sea back from the day, collected by the early residents.
So, dazzle yourself with the fascinating marine history of Sharjah, and visit the Sharjah Maritime Museum!
Timings For Sharjah Maritime Museum
- Saturday to Thursday: 8:00 am to 8:00 pm
- Fridays: 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Entry Fees
- AED 10 for adults (13 years and above)
- AED 5 for kids 2 to 12 years old
- Free entry for kids under 2
For more information, please visit the Sharjah Maritime Museum.
These were the top 6 museums in Sharjah that are worth visiting; however, there are many other museums that you can visit on your trip to Sharjah.
Other Museums in Sharjah
Here’s a list of other museums in Sharjah that are as interesting and informative as the ones discussed above:
- Al Mahatta Museum: A museum displaying old aircraft.
- Sharjah Heritage Museum: A museum about the culture and tradition of early Sharjah inhabitants.
- Sharjah Fort: A museum about defence strategies from 196 years ago for safekeeping the city.
- Sharjah Science Museum: A museum about life, space, science, and technology.
- Sharjah Calligraphy Museum: A museum displaying calligraphic art by local and other Arab artists.
How to Get to Sharjah From Dubai
Sharjah is the Emirate immediately to the east of Dubai, the city centre is around 30 kilometres away by car, taxi or bus.
Driving your own car or a taxi will take approximately 20 to 30 minutes via E11 (though be prepared for fast-paced, and solid traffic).
If you go by bus, there are many different routes crossing between Dubai and Sharjah, terminating or passing through Al Jubail Bus Station. From there, you can catch local bus services to key attractions. The bus fare from Dubai can be purchased using your Nol card, expect to pay AED 10.
Once in Sharjah, the Hop on Hop Off Tourist bus is a great way of getting between Sharjah’s key attractions we’ve listed here.
Another alternative is to hire a guide and driver who will accompany you to several destinations on this list and will include a pick-up from your Dubai hotel.
If you’re a history buff, or simply enjoy learning more about the cultural side of the UAE, then a day tour to Sharjah is a must during your Dubai vacation.
Planning a trip to the museums in Sharjah is the best way to know about the region’s history, religion, culture, and traditions, as these museums are famous for the in-depth information displayed in an interactive way.
So, if you want to know more about the historical roots of the UAE without getting bored, tour these 6 best Sharjah museums and get ready to be blown away!
For more on UAE culture:
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