07 September 2010 17:35 GMT
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Exploring the city
- Top sights |
- Restaurant picks |
- Hotel picks |
- Bar picks |
- For the family |
- Outdoors |
- Shopping |
If you fancy getting a bit of fresh air on your stopover, and the weather permits, it try some of these outdoor activities. Don't forget, it is not a good idea to be outside during the middle of the day between May and October when temperatures average above 40 degrees. The weather ranges between pleasantly warm and tolerably hot the rest of the year.
Stretching the legs
- Take a walk along the Buhairah corniche around Khaled Lagoon. The promenade is broad and paved with benches and grassy, shaded areas to sit on. Lots of people, young and old, stroll here in the evening but cycling and fishing are prohibited.
- Alternatively, take a stroll along the Qanat al Qasba (www.qaq.ae +971 (0) 6 55 60 777 ) canal that connects Khaled Lagoon with Al Khan Lagoon. The area is lined with cafes, restaurants and boutiques as well as the Eye of the Emirates, a 60-metre-high observatory wheel with air-conditioned cabins.
- The Al Khan Lagoon is popular with water sports enthusiasts. Mornings are quiet but afternoons are thick with skis and water-skiers. The beach can get crowded and is often littered.
- The sandy and palm-lined Corniche Beach has shaded seating areas and is popular with families. It stretches from the Sharjah Ladies Club to the Coral Beach Resort
- Head to the Sharjah Golf and Shooting Club (www.golfandshootingshj.com +971 (0)6 548 7777). It has a 9-hole course, pistol and rifle shooting facilities, tennis courts, a restaurant, a gym and a paintball park. The club is about 2 km from the airport and the taxi fare should be around Dhs 40-50 ($11-$13.60) and take no more than 15 minutes each way.
- Sharjah Equestrian and Racing Club offers horseracing and horseriding around 20 minutes from the city centre. The horseracing season runs from November to April and Friday races are free of charge. The riding school also offers lessons for all levels of ability at the club as well as Friday hacks. Call (+971 (0)6 531 1155) for details.
- If you have a day to spare, then a number of operators in the eastern enclaves of Sharjah - Khor Kalba and Khor Fakkan - offer trekking in the Hajar Mountains or scuba diving off the Indian Ocean coast, where there are some beautiful coral reefs. If you're lucky you might spot some turtles in this area and, if you're really lucky, you might see some sharks. Dive centres in the area include the Divers Down Centre at the Oceanic Hotel in Khor Fakkan (+971 (0)9 237 0299). For trips into the mountains or desert, check our Organised Tours section. Remember, the eastern enclaves are around a 90 minute drive from Sharjah proper each way, so do not attempt this trip unless you have plenty of time.
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