Museums in Sharjah – The Complete Guide

Sharjah is one of the United Arab Emirates‘ seven emirates and most importantly regarded as the country’s cultural capital. When it comes to high-tech advances, Sharjah may not be on par with Dubai or Abu Dhabi, but one thing is certain: Sharjah is the best of the three when it comes to the UAE’s cultural history. As a result, some even refer to Sharjah as the city of museums.

If Sharjah is your go-to Emirate for learning about the UAE’s history, facts, and heritage, you are certainly going to the right place. The emirate has a plethora of museums ranging from science to archaeology, as well as culture to maritime technology. Meanwhile, mosques, parks, beaches, and shopping malls are great places to spend time but museums are the place where you will find true culture and heritage. Not to mention some true national museums that will certainly teach everything you need to know about the country’s cultural heritage. Moreover, pack your passport and visa, let’s hop in.

Top 13 Museums in Sharjah

In this article, you will find the worth visiting museums to know more about Sharjah’s history as well as culture. Note, timings might change depending upon the national holidays. In other words, contact the museum before going.

1. Sharjah Heritage Museum

Firstly, a visit to the Sharjah Heritage Museum will provide you with all the information you require about the Emirate’s rich culture and life many years ago. You’ll learn about Bedouin culture and how the Emiratis lived in this region of the Arabian Peninsula. The Sharjah Heritage Museum is an excellent venue to learn about Sharjah’s history and to see examples of traditional Emirati life.

Location: Sharjah Heritage Area, across Al-Asrah Souq, Sharjah, UAE

Opening Hours:

• Sat to Thurs: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
• Fri: 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Total Time Required: 1:30 Hrs

Entry Fees:

• Children: 5 AED
• Adults: 10 AED
• Children under 2 and Seniors above 60: Free

For more information, visit here.

2. Mleiha Archaeological Center

Secondly, several important archaeological monuments can be found at the Mleiha Archaeological Center. The Mleiha Archaeological Center is inaugurated by Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, the Ruler of Sharjah, in 2016. It is archaeology as well as a history museum dedicated to the Mleiha hamlet and its environs. The center is built around a well-preserved Umm Al Nar era tomb. It describes the discoveries and excavations made at Mleiha and nearby areas like Jebel Faya, Al Thuqeibah, Jebel Buhais, and Al Madam over the last 40 years. The Faya North East, in particular, records anatomically modern humans. People lived in the Mleiha area between 130,000 and 120,000 years ago. Isn’t it fascinating?

Location: Near the Faya Mountains, South of Al David, Sharjah, UAE

Opening Hours:

• Sat to Wed: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
• Thurs and Fri: 9:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Total Time Required: Depends upon the activities.

Entry Fees:

• Children (below 13): 15 AED
• Adults: 25 AED
• Children under 3: Free
• Family: AED 55 (for 3 children and 2 adults)
• Schools: AED 10 per head

For more information, visit here.

3. Sharjah Art Museum

Thirdly, the Sharjah Art Museum has 111,000 square meters of modern art, including Sultain bin Muhammad Al-famed Qasimi’s private collection, which is the museum’s only permanent exhibit. Oil and watercolor paintings by famous Middle Eastern artists such as J.C Fraser and Ali Darwish are also on display at the museum.

Location: Al Shuwaihean, Sharjah Heritage Area, Sharjah, UAE

Opening Hours:

• Sat to Thus: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
• Fri: 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Total Time Required: 1 Hrs

Entry Fees:

• Children: 5 AED
• Adults: 10 AED
• Children under 2 and Seniors above 60: Free

For more information, visit here.

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4. Sharjah Science Museum

Next in the list of museums in sharjah is the Sharjah Science Museum is a fun-filled educational museum that appeals to both children and adults, especially schools. It features a vibrant display of science, innovation, as well as technology. The museum has over 50 educational installations, so you may spend your time there studying physics, the universe, chemistry, and a variety of other topics. Young people, particularly science aficionados, enjoy coming here since they get to explore many of the subjects they dreamed of as children.

Location: Sheikh Rashid Bin Saqr Al Qasimi Street, Sharjah, UAE

Opening Hours:

• Sat to Thus: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
• Fri: 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Total Time Required: 1: 30 Hrs

Entry Fees:

• Children: 5 AED
• Adults: 10 AED
• Children under 2 and Seniors above 60: Free

For more information, visit here.

5. Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization

This museum may as well be Sharjah’s largest museum since it is an excellent venue to learn more about Arab as well as Islamic culture’s ancient origins. The museum houses a collection of scientific and religious documents, as well as Islamic art from the 7th to 19th centuries. An exhibit of many varieties of clay, pottery, glass, and metallic handicrafts is also on display.

Location: Majarrah Waterfront, on the Sharjah Creek, Sharjah Heritage Area, Sharjah, UAE

Opening Hours:

• Sat to Thus: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
• Fri: 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Total Time Required: 1: 30 Hrs

Entry Fees:

• Children: 5 AED
• Adults: 10 AED
• Children under 2 and Seniors above 60: Free

For more information, visit here.

6. Sharjah Art Foundation

Then in the list of museums in sharjah is the Sharjah Art Foundation in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, is one of the most prominent places for contemporary artists from all over the world to display their work. The Sharjah Art Foundation’s purpose is to promote the arts as well as literature in the UAE so that natives and ex-pats alike can participate in these activities. It was founded in 2009 by Hoor Al Qasimi, the daughter of Sultan bin Muhammad Al-Qasimi (the current ruler of Sharjah). The Art Foundation’s purpose was to provide support to artist communities in Sharjah and around the world through a number of means.

Location: Al Shuwaiheen, Arts Square, heritage house Bait Al Serkal, Sharjah, UAE

Opening Hours:

• Sat to Thus: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
• Fri: 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Total Time Required: 2 to 3 Hrs

Entry Fees: AED 10

Rain room prices:

• Schools: 15 AED
• Adults: 25 AED

For more information, visit here.

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7. Sharjah Archaeology Museum

According to history, humanity began to settle in what is now known as the United Arab Emirates some 125,000 years ago, and the Sharjah Archaeology Museum will take you that far. The museum, which is located behind the Sharjah Television Building, is a great spot to learn about the country’s archaeologists as well as the ancient history of Sharjah and its surrounding cities.

Location: Sheikh Rashid Bin Saqr Al Qasimi Road, behind the Sharjah Television building, Sharjah, UAE

Opening Hours:

• Sat to Thus: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
• Fri: 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Total Time Required: 1: 30 Hrs

Entry Fees:

• Children: 5 AED
• Adults: 10 AED
• Children under 2 and Seniors above 60: Free

For more information, visit here.

8. Sharjah Maritime Museum

Next in the list of museums in sharjah is the Maritime Museum, located in Sharjah’s Al Khan District, houses wonderful and unique collections on traditional wooden dhows, as well as pearl gathering and fishing, which were once the most prominent trades in the UAE. The Maritime Museum’s exhibitions feature a collection of gleaming pearls, including what is thought to be the world’s oldest pearl and a lovely wooden dhow that sits directly outside the museum.

Location: Near Sharjah Aquarium, Al Khan, Sharjah, UAE

Opening Hours:

• Sat to Thus: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
• Fri: 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM

Total Time Required: 2:00 Hrs

Entry Fees:

• Children: 5 AED
• Adults: 10 AED
• Children under 2 and Seniors above 60: Free

For more information, visit here.

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9. Sharjah Classic Cars Museum

If you are a car enthusiast, there is just one spot where you can experience the true beauty of antique cars: the Sharjah Classic Cars Museum. Over 100 restored automobiles from all over the world, including Rolls Royce, Mercedes, Ford, and many others, can be found here. The museum is divided into five rooms, each of which highlights a distinct historical period in the history of automobiles, including the 1915 Dodge, which is the museum’s oldest vehicle.

Location: Airport Road between the 4th and 5th crossings, Opposite Sharjah Discovery Center, Sharjah, UAE

Opening Hours:

• Sat to Thus: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
• Fri: 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Total Time Required: 1: 30 Hrs

Entry Fees:

• Children: 5 AED
• Adults: 10 AED
• Children under 2 and Seniors above 60: Free
• Schools: Free

For more information, visit here.

10. Sharjah Calligraphy Museum

It is a fantastic museum that showcases magnificent Arabic calligraphy created by local and Middle Eastern artists. You may learn everything there is to know about the history of Arabic calligraphy at this museum, which features both historical as well as contemporary exhibits. A visit to this museum will heighten your appreciation for the Arabic language’s beauty.

Location: Sharjah Heritage Area, Sharjah, UAE

Opening Hours:

• Sat to Thus: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
• Fri: 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Total Time Required: 1: 30 Hrs

Entry Fees:

• Children: 5 AED
• Adults: 10 AED
• Children under 2 and Seniors above 60: Free

For more information, visit here.

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11. Al Mahatta Museum

Next in the list of museums in Sharjah, this museum was created to commemorate the UAE’s as well as the region’s aviation history. It was the region’s first airport, completed in 1932 and converted into a museum in 2000. The history of development and aviation is extensive, and this museum is particularly noteworthy because it contains information on man’s first effort to fly as well as the first lunar landing.

Location: Al Estiqlal St, Al Qasimia Area, Opp Sharjah Mega Mal, Sharjah, UAE

Opening Hours:

• Sat to Thus: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
• Fri: 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Total Time Required: 1: 30 Hrs

Entry Fees:

• Children: 5 AED
• Adults: 10 AED
• Children under 2 and Seniors above 60: Free

For more information, visit here.

12. Sharjah Fort

The Sharjah Fort, also known as Al Hisn, is located near Sharjah Heritage Area. The museum, which was erected over 200 years ago, functioned as a defensive structure for Sharjah as well as the traditional residence of Sharjah’s ruling dynasty. The Sharjah Fort’s halls contain exhibits that trace Sharjah’s history as well as the town’s prominence as part of the Gulf’s commercial network.

Location: Al Hisn, Sharjah Heritage Area, Sharjah, UAE

Opening Hours:

• Sat to Thus: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
• Fri: 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Total Time Required: 1: 30 Hrs

Entry Fees:

• Children: 5 AED
• Adults: 10 AED
• Children under 2 and Seniors above 60: Free

For more information, visit here.

13. Sharjah Discovery Center

Last in the list of museums in sharjah is the Sharjah Discovery Center is a learning-oriented entertainment center for kids aged 3 to 12. By touring the facility, they receive a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to examine the world genuinely as well as understand how science and technology have made it a better place to live. The location is completely secure, and young children can get answers to their questions while having a good time in a bright environment. The entire space is divided into seven sections, each of which provides information to children on a specific topic. This agenda piques their interests as well as motivates them to learn more about the topic that they are most passionate about.

Location: Al Dhaid Road, Near Sharjah International Airport, Sharjah, UAE

Opening Hours:

• Sat to Thus: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
• Fri: 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Total Time Required: 2 – 3 hours

Entry Fees:

• Children: 5 AED
• Adults: 10 AED
• Children under 2 and Seniors above 60: Free

For more information, visit here.

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