About Sharjah

As one of the seven emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Sharjah is the third largest Emirate and the only one to have land on both the Arabian Gulf Coast and the Gulf of Oman. Sharjah is a fascinating oasis on the coast of the Arabian Gulf. It combines the past and the genuineness of the present. Such amazing blend is revealed through the prestigious mixture between the old and the modern in a state of the art style. Sharjah is replete with a large number of monuments and touristic sites as witnesses of the different eras. Sharjah is a sunshine destination offering visitors a unique holiday experience and the opportunity to encounter Arabian hospitality and traditional heritage.

The Emirate of Sharjah has developed a unique reputation as a cultural, heritage and family tourist destination providing visitors with the ideal getaway at any time of the year. Holidaymakers can enjoy a break in the sun, relax on the beach, shop in the traditional souks and modern malls, explore the heritage sites and state of the art museums, admire the beautiful mosques and minarets, stroll around the lagoons, as well as experience the natural beauty of the Arabian desert, the mountains and the seas.

Sharjah has a lively history. Uniquely located on world trade routes and the only Emirate with direct access to both the Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, Sharjah has developed from a small trading town, relying on fishing and pearl diving, to one of the most modern, dynamic commercial and trade centers in the region.

From the early days around 5000 years ago, when the first settlement of the city began, the Emirate of Sharjah has always been at the core of regional development. It was the most important port on the lower Arabian Gulf from the time of the early trading with the East into the first half of the 19th century.

Sharjah was also the first place in the region to develop tourism and has been a growing destination in the Middle East since 1932 when international flights were operated out of Sharjah, now historic airport. Beautiful sandy beaches and the clear blue seas of the Gulf of Oman have made this coast a haven for swimming, diving, fishing and relaxing. The inland desert is quite spectacular with impressive red sand dunes.