Sharjah

Best explored after sundown, the Al Majaz waterfront area draws you to its multiple restaurants and cafés, which offer front-row seats to the colourful fountain shows that happen several times a night. During the daylight hours, you are free to enjoy the public park, recreation areas, mini-golf course and well-equipped children's playgrounds.

The historic neighbourhoods of Al Sheyoukh and Al Maraija constitute Sharjah's main Heritage Area. They are compact in size, very walkable and contain a number of small museums that make for short educational and entertaining pit stops along the way.

With over five thousand exhibits, the Museum of Islamic Civilization offers you an extensive overview of Islamic historical and cultural artifacts, while also providing educating insights into the scientific discoveries and achievements of Arabic scholars over the ages.

Sharjah's newest attraction, the artificial Noor Island was opened to the public in 2015. It contains a Butterfly House with over 500 butterflies roaming free under the hall's ornate roof, and a Literature Pavillion, with plenty of quiet reading spots. There is a long walkway running across the island that takes you through its key pavilions, scenic areas, and multi-media installations.

Al-Qasba is a vibrant cultural and leisure hub, perfect for an enriching visit. This waterfront neighbourhood features a picturesque canal flanked by beautiful Islamic architecture, housing an array of restaurants, cafés, and bookshops. You can explore the Maraya Art Centre, enjoy performances at the Masrah Theatre, or take a serene boat ride around the lagoon. For families, there are fun play parks and indoor play areas, as well as go-karts and water taxis. The area comes alive with various festivals throughout the year, such as the Food Festival and Ramadan Nights.

The Arabian Wildlife Centre houses several venues, such as a Children's Farm, where the little ones can feed and ride horses and donkeys, a Botanical Garden and the Wildlife Centre itself. Multiple species of animals are on display, from carnivorous leopards to birds and harmless small rodents.

An amazing experience for the whole family, the Sharjah Aquarium ranks among the finest in the UAE, arguably outshining its Dubai competitors. The aquarium contains a variety of marine animals and creatures, including giant stingrays and sharks dashing through the water close enough to touch, just separated from viewers by transparent walls.

The Sharjah Classic Cars Museum is a must-see for old-timer car lovers. With its impressive collection of over 100 cars manufactured in the early years of the 20th century, alongside motorcycles and bikes, with the earliest model dating from 1917.