The cultural capital of the Arab world keeps its best addresses within a short drive of Al Qasimiya Street.
Sharjah city centre is 1.6 km away and the nearest beach 1.2 km. Khalid Lagoon, the museum quarter and the souqs are each a short taxi ride — the front desk will call one for you.
The saltwater lagoon at the centre of the city, ringed by a walking corniche, dhow moorings and one of the tallest fountains in the region. Al Noor Island — a butterfly house and a sculpture park on the water — is reached by footbridge from the northern bank.
A converted souq beneath a golden dome, holding a thousand years of Islamic science, astronomy, calligraphy and craft — and the anchor of Sharjah's museum quarter on the Majarrah waterfront.
A canal cut between the two lagoons, lined with restaurants, galleries and the Eye of the Emirates observation wheel. Best after sunset, when the musical fountain runs and the terraces fill.
Ottoman in inspiration and the only mosque in Sharjah open to non-Muslim visitors, with guided tours from the Sharjah Centre for Cultural Communication. Luminous from the corniche after dark.
Island Water Park and Pearls Kingdom on a single site — slides, a wave pool and amusement rides. The reliable answer to a long family afternoon, and the reason many of our three-bedroom suites are booked.
Reef walks, a walk-through tunnel and the story of the emirate's pearling and dhow-building trades, at Al Khan beside the lagoon mouth.
Book a suite with its own kitchen and treat Sharjah as somewhere you live, rather than somewhere you visit.