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Sharjah
Visit Sharjah
The city of Sharjah is the third largest city in the United Arab Emirates and is unique for its being one of the more traditional Emirates. Having been under the reign of the Al Qasimi dynasty since 1972, it is known as the most cultural Emirate in the UAE and thus one of the more popular places to visit for tourists coming to the UAE.
Sharjah is located on the southern coast of the Arabian Gulf is flanked by the cities of Dubai and Ajman on its borders while Abu Dhabi is about 180 kilometres away. The geographical significance of Sharjah is emphasized by the fact that it overlooks the 16-kilometre long Arabian Gulf coastline and touches the Gulf of Oman coast on its eastern side wherein the terrain transforms into a rugged shore backed by high mountains. It is a fantastic coastline – and one to be seen.
As a city, Sharjah does not have any real public transportation system That is no real problem as one can either hire a car, take a taxi or just visit Sharjah through one of the many tours that are definitely worth considering. Taxis in Sharjah are plentiful. Many people working in Dubai live in Sharjah, due to the cheaper rents which accounts for the heavy rush of road traffic between the two cities during rush hour. There is a Government-operated inter-emirate bus service as well, located next to the Sharjah fish market and the Sharjah Fruit and Vegetable market. If visiting Sharjah as a tourist, try to avoid the rush hour.
Tourists who want to come directly to Sharjah could use the low cost airline Air Arabia flights as well which flies to Sharjah International Airport and are well connected to most of the Middle-East and Indian Sub continental cities. A better option, in our opinion, is to fly to Dubai and get to Sharjah take a taxi from there.
A trip to Sharjah is a must not just due to the endless shopping opportunities which it offers but also because it reflects its rich cultural heritage and traditions in every possible aspect of life. Sharjah really is the traditional cultural heartbeat of the UAE – and while Dubai and Abu Dhabi look to create their own cultural niches, no one will dispute that Sharjah, as a place holds truer to being intriguing from an Arabian standpoint.
As we have mentioned, the cost of living in Sharjah is lower compared to Dubai and many of the expats living in Sharjah have made it their home due its cultural focus, its slightly more conservative concentration on life and although the higher paying jobs are actually located in Dubai, Sharjah has more of a reality to those attracted by the buzz and glam of its neighbour
It would be natural for any foreigner to be enamoured with the city of Sharjah as it is an ideal showcase of rich Islamic heritage. From the museums, the traditional houses and the forts on to the artistically designed souks, a tourist could expect to be treated to a healthy dosage of history, tradition and art.