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City guide

Sharjah, UAE

Sharjah is a major port city and the third-most populous city in the United Arab Emirates, after Dubai and Abu Dhabi. It is the capital of the Emirate of Sharjah and forms part of the Dubai-Sharjah-Ajman metropolitan area.

Type City

Why go

  • Capital of the Emirate of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.
  • Served by Abu Musa Island Airport (AEU).

History

Sharjah is a major port city and the third-most populous city in the United Arab Emirates, after Dubai and Abu Dhabi. It is the capital of the Emirate of Sharjah and forms part of the Dubai-Sharjah-Ajman metropolitan area. The emirate shares legal, political, military and economic functions with the other emirates of the UAE within a federal framework. Each emirate has jurisdiction over some functions such as civil law enforcement and provision and upkeep of local facilities. Sharjah has been ruled by the Al Qasimi dynasty since the 18th century.

Restaurants & places to go

Burger, Restaurant · Al Baik Restaurant and Drive Thru Opening hours: 10:00-03:00 · albaik.com
Indoor
Burger, Fast Food · Opening hours: 24/7 Features: takeaway · King Faisal Street, Sharjah · mcdelivery.ae
Indoor
Burger, Fast Food · Opening hours: 24/7 Features: takeaway, delivery, air conditioning · Bukhara Street · mcdonalds.com
Indoor
Coffee Shop, Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Su 08:00-00:00 Features: takeaway · arabicacoffee.ae
Indoor
Burger, Fast Food · Opening hours: 24/7 Features: takeaway · uae.hardees.me
Indoor
Pizza, Restaurant · Opening hours: 24/7 Features: outdoor seating · pizzahut.ae
Indoor
Indian, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-We,Su 10:00-24:00; Sa 10:30-24:00; Th-Fr 10:00-01:00 · biryaniwallaandco.com
Indoor
Chinese, Indian, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su,PH 06:00-00:00,00:00-02:00 Features: outdoor seating, halal · شارع سمرقند · desifirangi.me
Indoor

292 more places in the Ultimate edition. See the Ultimate edition →

Airports

Dubai International Airport (DXB) 12 km to the centre
Dubai, DU, AE — You board from the indoor waiting area — no need to plan for the weather. ✈ 83 airlines (Emirates, Fly Dubai, Qantas, Iran Aseman Airlines…) · direct flights to 188 destinations incl. Delhi, Jeddah, Kabul, London, Singapore… (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 83 airlines, 188 direct destinations

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

Indoor
Sharjah International Airport (SHJ) 9.9 km to the centre
Sharjah, SH, AE — You board from the indoor waiting area — no need to plan for the weather. ✈ 15 airlines (Air Arabia, Pakistan International Airlines, Air India Express, Air India Limited…) · direct flights to 78 destinations incl. Kochi, Calicut, Colombo, Peshawar, Trivandrum… (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 15 airlines, 78 direct destinations

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

Indoor
Abu Musa Island Airport (AEU) 71 km to the centre
Abu Musa, 22, IR — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day.
Indoor | Outdoor

Getting there by ferry

Ferry From Sharjah to Iran Bandar Abass Port
Ferry terminal · 4.7 km from the centre
Outdoor
Ferry From Sharjah to Iran Bandar Abbas Port
Ferry terminal · 4.9 km from the centre
Outdoor
Baniyas - water bus terminal
Ferry terminal · 14 km from the centre
Outdoor
Al Sabkha Abra terminal (North)
Ferry terminal · 15 km from the centre
Outdoor
Al Sabkha
Ferry terminal · 15 km from the centre
Outdoor
Al Seef Marine Transport Station
Ferry terminal · 15 km from the centre
Outdoor
Al Sabkha - Al Fahidi Marine Transport Station
Ferry route
Outdoor
Baniyas - Al Seef (Water Bus)
Ferry route
Outdoor
Dubai Old Souk - Al Sabkha (Abra)
Ferry route
Outdoor
Al Sabkha - Baniyas (Water Bus)
Ferry route
Outdoor
Dubai Old Souk - Baniyas (Water Bus)
Ferry route
Outdoor

Where things are

Full geo-intelligence in Better Mapping →
Local search powered by Geoverts and geo-intelligence by Better Mapping base map © OSM

Photographs

When to go

Tourist season
May – September

The warmer, longer-day half of the year is the safest bet for a first visit.

Shoulder season
April, October

Cooler and quieter, with fewer visitors and better value.

Worth avoiding
Deep winter

Short days and the coldest weather — check local conditions before travelling.

Getting there & around

Getting there. The nearest airport on record is Abu Musa Island Airport (AEU). Check rail and road links from the tourism sources below. By water: 6 ferry terminals within 20 km (nearest: Ferry From Sharjah to Iran Bandar Abass Port, 4.7 km); routes include Al Sabkha - Al Fahidi Marine Transport Station, Baniyas - Al Seef (Water Bus), Dubai Old Souk - Al Sabkha (Abra).

Getting around. Use the map above to orient yourself; nearby hotels, attractions and places to eat are listed from the live Ultimate data for Sharjah, UAE. Local transit details will be added as the guide is expanded.

Private aviation

On-demand charter, jet cards and the semi-private scheduled carriers that serve this city.

Charter · Airbus ACJ319 · Emirates' VIP Airbus for bespoke charters from Dubai.
Charter, management · Managed fleet · Dubai-based aircraft management and charter.
Charter · Boeing Business Jet, Global, Learjet · Abu Dhabi-based premium charter with the world's largest BBJ fleet.
Broker · Any aircraft via operators worldwide · Global charter broker with 30+ offices; private jets, group charters and cargo.
FBO, charter, management · Managed fleet · FBO network and management across Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific.

Tours & experiences

Sightseeing