Showing 1-13 of 13 results
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Arts Area
Tucked behind the textile shops and souqs on the opposite side of Burj Ave is the Arts Area, home to the country's most impressive art gallery, the Sharjah Art Museum.
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Bait Obeid al-Shamsi
The Bait Obeid al-Shamsi, opposite the art museum, is a restored house used as an international artists' studio; don't miss the intricate pillars on the upper level.
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Bait Sheikh Sultan Bin Saquer al-Qassimi
The splendid Bait Sheikh Sultan Bin Saquer al-Qassimi is a traditional house with wind towers set around a courtyard. Inside are wonderful displays of traditional costumes, jewellery, ceramics and furniture.
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Emirates Fine Arts Society
The Emirates Fine Arts Society displays the works of local artists.
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Heritage Area
The beautiful historic buildings in the Heritage Area, just inland from the Corniche between Burj Ave and Al-Maraija Rd, have been carefully restored and faithfully reconstructed using traditional materials such as sea rock, coral, and gypsum. First visit the imposing Al-Hisn Fort, with its fascinating historical exhibits inside, before making your way to the atmospheric Literature Square and the House of Poetry.
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Islamic Museum
Walking past the Sharjah National Theatre, you'll come to the Islamic Museum, with interesting exhibits including a large collection of coins from around the Islamic world and a number of beautiful handwritten Qurans. Friday evening is women only.
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Sharjah Archaeological Museum
This fascinating museum is housed in an elegant building set in manicured gardens, next to the Science Museum near Cultural Sq. The displays, accompanied by audiovisual interpretations, cover the earliest archaeological finds in the emirate (dating from 5000 BC) up to the present day, including coins, jewellery, pottery and weapons. Wednesday afternoon admission is for women only. A taxi here from the centre will cost around Dh7 to Dh10 .
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Sharjah Art Museum
Showing contemporary art by local and foreign artists, it has a small but interesting permanent collection, a stylish café and helpful staff. It is also home to the world-class Sharjah International Art Bienniale (www.sharjahbienniale.com) - widely recognised as an outstanding event with provocative arts; check it out if you're around when it's on.
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Sharjah Desert Park
This impressive park is home to what is perhaps the best zoo in the Middle East. The main attraction is Arabia's Wildlife Centre, a breeding centre as well as a zoo. One of the highlights is the indoor aviary, home to flamingos, Houbara bustards and Indian rollers. The outdoor enclosures house Sacred baboons, striped hyenas, Arabian wolves, and the splendid Arabian leopard. The restaurant overlooks an open range area featuring flamingos, Nubian ibex, Arabian oryx, ostriches and sand gazelles.
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Sharjah Heritage Museum
Next door to the Islamic Museum, the Sharjah Heritage Museum, has similar traditional exhibits to Bait Sheikh Sultan Bin Saquer al-Qassimi though without the wind towers, but it is still worth a look. Wednesday admission is for women only, all day.
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Souq al-Arsa
The atmospheric Souq al-Arsa, with its gorgeously restored areesh (palm leaf) roof and wooden pillars, is not far from the waterfront. The oldest souq in the UAE, it has a wonderful traditional coffeehouse, where you can stop for a reviving mint tea and plate of dates.
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University City
A cross between Oxford and Disneyland, this sprawling and somewhat surreal campus is artificially greened, with splendid fountains, expansive lawns and flowerbeds galore. Its architecture is truly stunning and it's a popular stop on most expat's visitor sightseeing tours.
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Very Special Arts Centre
The Very Special Arts Centre is a workshop and gallery for disabled artists.
Showing 1-13 of 13 results
