Cultural Web

By: Pushpitha Wijesinghe
Set amidst the breathtaking landscapes of the southern shorelines of the Persian Gulf lays the sun kissed city of Sharjah. An ancient trade point and historic city of political significance, Sharjah is now a city that blends old world charm with modern progress in a cosmopolitan setting. As the third largest city in the United Arab Emirates, after Dubai and Abu Dhabi, Sharjah is also home to the royal palace of the city’s monarch.

Renowned as the cultural capital of the UAE, Sharjah is a melting pot of history, art and architecture. Owing to its rich heritage Sharjah has a staggering  seventeen museums in the city alone, including the  Sharjah Heritage Museum, Traditional Jewellery Museum , Sharjah Archaeology Museum and the Numismatics Museum. The Maritime Museum and the  Sharjah Natural History Museum and Desert Park are also worth the visit in addition to Arabian Wildlife Centre, and sprawling Aljazeera Park. The Sharjah Science Museum is another must-see attraction as it is the sole interactive museum in all of the UAE offering a wide range of activities including studying of the cosmos as well as opportunities to produce cartoons.

Ethnically diverse and vibrant, Sharjah is a food lover’s paradise. Why not sample some mouth-watering “khuboos” or the classic “shawarma” which is available all over the city. No matter where you go in Sharjah, one is sure to find a delicious meal at affordable prices.

Beach fanatics won’t also be disappointed in this sandy shored metropolis while Jet skiing opportunities are also available around the Khalid Lagoon.

The city also plays host to many cultural and sporting activities at different quarters of the year such as the F1 Boat Races, Date Festival and the Sharjah Biennial. When visiting Sharjah one must not forget to drop in to the stunning mosque of Qanat al Qasba also known as the “Eye of the Emirates”. Those who are looking for an ideal way to spend the evening can catch a ferry ride with spectacular view of Sharjah from Al Qasba.



Shopaholics can visit the” Blue Souq" shopping centre (Central Souq or Souq Al Markazi)  which houses over 600 shops selling wares from designer wear, jewellery to traditional trinkets and classic Arabic carpets. Ideal for souvenir hunters and collectors alike, it is also a place where one can mingle with the locals while looking for a good bargain.

Conveniently situated less than 30 minutes from Sharjah international airport, the Millennium Hotel Sharjah offers easy access all of Sharjah’s key attractions. Due to its advantageous location this Sharjah luxury hotel serves as the perfect base for holidaymakers and business travellers.