29 July 2010 14:21 GMT
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Exploring the city
- Top sights |
- Restaurant picks |
- Hotel picks |
- Bar picks |
- For the family |
- Outdoors |
- Shopping |
If you do have plenty of time on your hands, why not explore some of the main sights listed below. If you decide to leave the airport between flights, then always make sure you have your return transport organised in advance – finding a taxi or an ATM in Sharjah is not always easy. And, as always, ensure you're back at the airport a good two hours before your next flight.
- If you do any sightseeing in Sharjah, this is should be it. A morning wandering around the historical buildings of the compact Heritage Square is one well-spent as the traditional windtower houses once inhabited by the city's rich merchants have now all but disappeared. Several of these old houses have been converted into museums that take visitors through Sharjah's turbulent seafaring history. Be sure to pop into the Beit al Naboodah and the Sharjah Heritage Museum (+971 (0) 6 568 0006). You can also see a traditional house as it would have been 150 years ago though the extensive renovation gives the area the air of a model village rather than a historic centre. Note that these sites are closed on Friday mornings, opening from 4pm to 8pm but areopen 8am to 8pm the rest of the week.
- A good starting point for a wander around the Heritage Square is the Al Hisn, or Sharjah Fort (+971 (0)6 568 5500). Built in 1820, the fort was once the home of the Sharjah ruling family. Once the dominant building in the area, the fort now contains displays that trace the history of the emirate.
- Just a short distance from the Iranian souk is the Art Area, the artistic heart of Sharjah. If you see anything in this area it should be the Sharjah Art Museum (+971 (0)6 568 8222), the largest art museum in the Gulf, with 68 halls and perioidic exhibitions Also worth a visit is the Sharjah Museum of Contemporary Arab Art (+971 (0)6 569 5050). If you are feeling particularly cultural, step into one of the handful of art galleries that are housed in these restored historic buildings, some of which date back to the 18th century. The Art Area museums are closed on Mondays and Friday mornings. They open 9am to 1pm and 5pm to 8pm in the rest of the week.
- For a wide range of attractions, including periodic art exhibitions and concerts, visit Qanat al Qasba (www.qaq.ae +971 (0)6 556 0777 ). This attractive waterfront area includes a canal, on which you can ride in a traditional abra boat, as well as cafes, restaurants, boutiques and the Eye of the Emirates, the highest observatory wheel in the region. There is also a grassy children's play area nearby. It's in central Sharjah and takes around 30 minutes from the airport.
- Shop at the Central Souk, which is open every morning and evening (many shops close between about 1pm and 4pm) The souk is in a modern building but boasts a good range of carpets, mostly good silk or wool creations from Iran and Central Asia, as well as jewellery, scarves and souvenirs. It's in central Sharjah and should take around 20-30 minutes to reach from the airport.
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