A bit about Sharjah

Known as the Pearl of the Gulf, Sharjah is something of an undiscovered treasure in the UAE, just 30 minutes' drive north of the much more famous Dubai. A land of golden sands washed by warm ocean currents, the culturally rich emirate encompasses some of the best bits of the UAE. It is divided into a large area facing the Persian Gulf, between the emirates of Dubai and Ajman, and three exclaves on the east coast of the Arabian Peninsula including the pretty bay of Khor Fakkan.
The emirate's attractive waterfront capital, Sharjah City, is considered the cultural capital of the UAE. In fact, it has also been named Arab Capital of Culture by UNESCO for its heritage, abundance of museums and vibrant souks. Aside from its excellent sightseeing potential, Sharjah has a coastline speckled with sandy beaches, many with great hotel-based facilities. It's the ideal destination for a combination of cultural exploration and beachside relaxation.
 

Beach breaks and escapes

Al Khan and Al Mamzar

Two landscaped lagoons facing onto the ocean, Al Khan and Al Mamzar are popular for all kinds of watersports and lie close to the border with Dubai. The Al Khan area contains an old village and new resort developments overlooking a splendid stretch of sand that gently shelves into calm warm seas. Sharjah Beach Hotel is a good midrange accommodation option with balconied rooms, a pool, and tasty food right beside the beach. It also has a spa and sauna where guests can unwind, and helpfully runs a daily shuttle to Dubai and downtown Sharjah City making it easy to explore the two emirates.

As well as being very close to the heart of Sharjah City, the area's other plus points include Sharjah Aquarium and Maritime Museum, at the entrance to Al Khan lagoon. Meanwhile, the neighbouring lagoon and resort area of Al Mamzar is rimmed with a wide arc of sand and has its own landscaped beach park with three little bays beside the open sea.
 

Al Corniche

The Al Corniche area is centred around a soft golden beach lined with palms on the border with the neighbouring emirate of Ajman. An Arabian-style building that resembles a giant elegant sand castle rising from the beach, the brand new Sheraton Sharjah Beach Resort and Spa is a high-quality addition to Sharjah's hotel scene. The resort sports all the luxury all-inclusive bells and whistles including two infinity pools, Shine Spa for Sheraton, several gourmet restaurants and a kids club.
At the other end of Al Corniche, close to the neck of Khalid Lagoon and Sharjah City's downtown corniche, the Radisson Blu Resort Sharjah has the best of both worlds being close to the city centre and also boasting its own wide beachfront grounds. As well as four swimming pools and other great facilities, it runs a free shuttle bus down town and further afield to Dubai.
 

Khor Fakkan

Known for its picturesque natural beaches, Khor Fakkan is a tiny enclave of Sharjah on the east coast of the UAE beyond the jagged peaks of the Hajar mountains. The spacious Oceanic Hotel and Resort has a prime position above the quiet fine sands and emerald waters of Khor Fakkan bay, flanked by high headlands and specked with palms. It's an idyllic location for those who really want to get away from it all and enjoy scenic peaceful surroundings.
 

Sightseeing and culture

The city of Sharjah sits directly beside Ajman to the north and Dubai to the south so that the three emirate capitals almost blend together. A compact city known for its cultural heritage and appealing family atmosphere, Sharjah City is well worth exploring, with plenty of parks, museums, restaurants and shops. The attractive waterfront, corniche and heritage areas around Khalid Lagoon and the creek can be explored on foot, while a hop-on, hop-off bus stops at all the city's main attractions.
The five-star Hilton Sharjah, rising beside the vast Khalid Lagoon, has a great position for exploring the city within walking distance of the Al Majaz waterfront and the long corniche that skirts the water. The stylish 72 Hotel is another good option for travellers who prefer a smaller place to stay in a bustling location right on Al Majaz Park waterfront by plenty of modern restaurants and shops. Closer to the cultural sights of the heritage area, the Premier Inn Sharjah King Faisal Street is a reliable and affordable place to stay for those who want to be near the heart of the city.
 

How orthodox is Sharjah?

Sharjah is arguably the most orthodox destination in the UAE, having strict rules about matters such as dress, and being the only 100 per cent alcohol-free location on the emirates. For visitors, this typically only means showing respect for local customs by behaving and dressing appropriately. For example, all visitors need to make sure their knees, backs, stomachs and chests are covered at all times. Plus, swimming clothes are strictly only for beaches and pools - and with the former, it's usually safest to stick to private resort beaches too. If you are travelling with your partner, avoid any overt displays of affection in public, particularly if you're not married - while you're unlikely to run into any trouble, it's safest to be cautious.