Sharjah is one of the seven emirates of UAE. It is widely spread and is considered the third most populous emirate after Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The word ‘Sharq’ means ‘east’ in Arabic, which means it is in the east of Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Islamic tourists are attracted more to Sharjah because of its Muslim culture and vibe. There are many places worth visiting in Sharjah. I would like to name a few of my recommendations that I hope might greatly help you.
- AL-QASBA CANAL
Al-Qasba Canal is a long 1km long canal that runs through the center of Sharjah. The Qasba Canal is one of the most popular attractions for people living in the emirate. It is a picturesque waterfront community that Majaz Waterfront and Al Khan Corniche Street separate.
Al Qasba Plaza is connected by a bridge across the Al Qasba Canal where there are many activities to do. This place offers waterside entertainment activities which we enjoyed with our families. It has a self-driven boat which costs 50 AED for a family of 3 and 75 AED for a family of 4. The experience was surreal as we drove the boat alongside people walking through the walkway and surrounded by tall lit beautiful buildings.
We also spotted a plethora of restaurants to suit every taste bud. Some known joints were Nando’s, Dunkin Donuts, and Baskin N Robbins. There are Arabic and Lebanese eateries as well. There is a fun house where kids can enjoy soft play for AED 35 for 1 hour.
One of the prominent attractions here is Al-Qasba Mosque. I explored stalls selling abayas, scarves, kids’ clothes, toys, and more. Overall, it is a great place to spend a lovely evening by the waterfront with your loved ones.
2 . SHARJAH SAFARI PARK
Sharjah Safari Park is the world’s largest safari outside Africa. I would suggest that this should be definitely on your to-do list if you are in this emirate. At this 8000-hectare park, you get to experience fascinating lions, giraffes, birds, and sea animals.
Also, the widespread park is divided into 6 different regions: Savannah, Zanzibar Village, Serengeti, Baobab Avenue, Moremi Village, and Sahel. This park is home to more than 1000 animals and birds, including lions, gazelles, elephants, giraffes, crocodiles, deer, and many more African animals.
There were not only the different species of animals that surprised me but also the plants and trees planted and maintained beautifully on the widespread landscape. The journey of watching the animals so close on a safari is a treat to the eyes.
Also, there are three different kinds of entry tickets available:
Bronze( walking tour)
AED 40 for those aged 12 and above and AED 15 for kids aged 3-12
Duration: 2-3 hours
Regions covered: Into Africa
Silver (Exploring the safari in a bus)
AED 120 for those aged 12 and above and AED 50 for kids aged 3-12
Duration: 5-6 hours
Regions covered: All regions covered in a bus except Serengeti
Golden (Exploring the safari in a luxury vehicle)
AED 275 for those aged 12 and above and AED 120 for kids aged 3-12
Duration: 5-6 hours
Regions covered: All safari regions with a private guide.
3. AL-MAJAZ WATERFRONT
Al-Majaz Waterfront is located in the heart of the City of Sharjah. It is a great place to hang out with your friends for a quick brunch or if you are in for a scrumptious breakfast overlooking the beautiful scenic lagoon.
As I stepped inside, I was awestruck to see the beauty of this place. It attracts visitors because of its fun-filled atmosphere. This place has so much to offer. I spent most of my time looking at the scenery by the waterfront and its mesmerizing landscapes.
There are a bunch of international restaurants and cafes, a kids’ splash area with a children’s playground, and a spectacular mosque. I am a complete breakfast person who looks forward to weekend breakfast and my experience at Molten Chocolate Cafe did not disappoint me at all.
Some of my recommendations for restaurants and cafes are:
Al-Baik has become UAE’s residents’ favorite. Tim Hortons and Caribou Coffee are at the rescue for coffee lovers.
From Turkish, Lebanese, Arabian, and Indian, there are all types of mouth-watering cuisines to satisfy your tastebuds.
Also, one of their restaurant named Auberge, a Lebanese food joint would be a great place to dine in with your family with scenic fountain views.
Al Majaz Waterfront in Sharjah overall has its vibe and it attracts the visitor of all ages. With plenty of dining options and entertainment activities, this place has something for everyone. Overlooking the beautiful views of the Sharjah skyline, Al Majaz Waterfront is an exceptional place to spend time with your family and friends, relax, unwind from stress, and explore the astonishing beauty of Sharjah.
4. ZAWAYA WALK
Zawaya Walk is located near the University of Sharjah and is among the trending spots in Sharjah. A picture by the path lane centered by a lake-looking pool would be an ideal snap for your Instagram stories. It is surrounded by high-class eateries of different cuisines.
Zawaya Walk is a beautiful family-friendly location. As soon as I entered this place, it was decorated with lights, and small bridges over a lake-looking artificial pool with wooden benches aside. It is the perfect night spot to visit with your family and friends.
There is an air-conditioned children’s play area and a huge Carrefour Hypermarket. There are several restaurants to enjoy your evenings by the pool with beautiful lit garden terrace seating.
I would recommend having dinner at Silk restaurant serving authentic Lebanese food. This joint always surprises me with its warm hospitality and appetizing food. Be it hot falafels, juicy mixed grills, zataarr cheese, and hummus, all the dishes are delicious.
Tim Hortons, Baskin N Robbins, Starbucks, and Churros all are available here.
Overall, it is a perfect outing place. A fascinating spot to visit especially during winter.