Souks & Bazaars

For an exciting and different cultural and shopping experience lose yourself in the time-honoured souks and experience the contrasts, colours, sounds and aromas to be found in Sharjah’s historic shopping areas. Renovated in the ‘old’ style, combining the comforts of modern life with the old custom of Arabic hospitality, they create the ultimate retail thrill for sightseers, shoppers and photographers alike.

Although the prices can vary according to the quality, bargaining or getting the best price when haggling is recommended and can be an exhilarating experience. Shop around and check the prices before you commit to a purchase.

• Most souks open from 9/9.30 am - 1.30 pm and 4.30 - 10.30/11 pm

The Central Market or Blue Souk, Khaled Lagoon

Think of ‘shopping in Sharjah’ and the Central Souk springs to mind. Open since 1979, the legendary Central Souk is the most famous souk in Sharjah and is a definite destination for all shoppers. Discover an extraordinary collection of handicrafts, brilliant in colour and magnetic in appeal. Delve into a maze of more than 600 exciting and intriguing shops split between two levels with spacious corridors that take you from store to store, to uncover unusual treasures and traditional gift items, handmade goods and regional imports. You will find a mixture of shops selling gold, silver, authentic jewellery, precious stones, beautiful modern jewellery, to impressive collections of Oriental carpets and rugs, arts, crafts and attractive ornaments, cameras, models of traditional Arab dhows (sailing vessels) in silver; Indian, Pakistani, Indonesian and African hand-carved furniture and products, precious Arabic perfumes and cosmetics, textiles, beaded bags, exquisite Afghani embroideries, shawls in brilliant colours, embroidered Syrian table cloths, antiques and copper trays in all sizes and much more. The Central Souk has one of the best selections of oriental carpets in the UAE. Many outlets specialise in carpets, kilims, elegant silk carpets, carpetbags and wall hangings, which come from Afghanistan, Turkey, Iran, Kashmir, Pakistan and anywhere between Central Asia and China. Most of the carpet sellers are knowledgeable about their trade and they will order you a traditional cup of tea or coffee and happily unroll carpet after carpet until you find the one you want.

In between shopping and discovering relax and enjoy a snack in the friendly cafés followed by a walk around the scenic Khaled Lagoon.

Souk Al Arsah

Step back in time and visit the peaceful air-conditioned alleyways of the covered market, probably the oldest market place in the UAE, designed with solid wooden doors, beautiful coral brick walls and hanging lanterns. The shopkeepers are friendly, helpful and more than happy to relate stories about their particular craft or business whilst sharing a glass of suleimani (spicy tea with a delicious sweet flavour) or a mint tea. The souk offers a number of small stores selling local, new and antique handicrafts, wooden Arabic bridal and pearl chests, copper coffee pots, ethnic and hand-made jewellery, perfume bottles and incense, handmade woven garments, palm-leaf baskets, medicinal herbs, carpets, shawls and novelties.

Souk Al Bahar

This authentic old bazaar also known as Souk Mohamed Bin Saqr, runs parallel to the Sharjah Creek and traded in clothes and gold in the past. It is an old market that expresses the originality of the town and history of commerce and trade development in the area. Stroll amid the hustle and bustle along the waterfront and explore the shops offering an assortment of products: spices and herbs, henna, clothes and textiles, perfumes and oils, spices and fragrances, palm leaf baskets, Sheesha (water pipes) and flavoured tobaccos. There are also larger stores selling Arabic style clothing and accessories, cosmetics and perfumes, and a number of ladies’ tailors specialising in national, bridal and beaded clothes. This area is ideal for those in search of an authentic ambience and it is particularly attractive to photograph.

Souk Al Ghuwair

This shopping area located in Rolla is divided into markets selling an odd mix of products - gold, saris, textiles, clothes, shoes, suitcases and bags; hardware, paints and key cutting outlets; electrical items, fans, plugs, switches; mirror work and carpets. Always open late, it is a handy and useful place to know. It gets very busy in the evenings and traffic congestion can be expected.

Other Souks

The souks specialising in fruit, vegetables and fish are also well worth a visit to view the enormous selection of imported and home grown produce and to shoot great photographs. Wander through the lively Fruit & Vegetable Souk and sample the produce - an explosion of colours and aromas await you. The nearby Plant & Pot Souk offers an extensive array of outdoor and indoor plants and look out for the round clay moneyboxes, a fun gift for children. The busy Fish Souk is a great market for cooks and shoppers, and to discover and learn about the variety of fresh fish caught in the Gulf waters.