Top 5 Hidden Gems to Explore in Sharjah, UAE

Mleiha Archaeological Centre

With a trip to Mleiha Archaeological Centre, history enthusiasts can move right back in time to an era almost 130,000 years ago. It is the only place in the UAE where you can learn about the history of the traditional Emiratis. Venture deep to know more about the region during the Paleolithic, Neolithic, Bronze, Iron, Pre-Islamic, Islamic, and Modern ages.

In addition to the rich history and cultural background, It is a great place for the family to visit as it hosts several activities such as; children’s play area, educational tour, sunset lounge, camel rock tour, off-road drives through Mleiha landscapes, backpack adventures, Polaris extreme adventures, thrilling cycling program, survival camp, paragliding & paramotoring, nighttime off-road tour, archaeological tours, and the Mleiha adventure. You can also do overnight campings in the desert, star-gaze, and catch the breath-taking view of the Fossil Rock. Take your rental car from UAE Rental Cars and venture deep into the deserts of Sharjah to uncover the culture through intriguing information, thrilling activities, and breath-taking landscape views.

Sharjah Art Foundation

Founded at the Sharjah’s Historical Art and Heritage area, the SAF is a collective of events and activities that connects both the international art community and the local audience. Exhibitions are held in Sharjah’s Heritage sites throughout the year, featuring performances, music festivals, film screenings of Arab and International artists along with educational art programs for every age. Spend some time exploring the Sharjah Art Foundation as there are about 18 museums in the area. You can even plan your trip during the Sharjah World Music festival that brings the most-celebrated musicians from all over the globe.

Noor Island

Al Noor Island in Sharjah is an innovative landscape and arguably one of the most Instagram-able spots in the city. Located in the Khalid lagoon near Buhaira Corniche, this hidden gem was designed to encourage art and spark creativity. Al Noor is set to be the first island in the region that fuses nature with art and entertainment. It is the perfect spot to relax with family and friends as the attractions include the metal-carved Butterfly House with over 500 exotic butterflies from the East Asia Region, a café to unwind, a literature pavilion for book lovers, a beautifully landscaped garden, and the OVO art-installation. Apart from this, the island also has a healthy cafe and playground.

Every year, Al Noor Island also hosts the International Storytelling Festival, where a celebration of fables and different stories is held both in English and Arabic.

Sharjah Centre for Astronomy and Space Sciences

The center for Astronomy and Space Sciences is located on Muwailih Street near University City. Its vision is to create a nationally recognized center working in the areas of astronomy and space sciences. It has attractions such as The Planetarium theater, exhibition halls of the (Astronomy, Space, the Universe in the Holy Quran), the Astronomical Observatory, and the Cosmic park. The theater also has a small food joint and a gift shop for astronomical and scientific souvenirs. And the best part is that this center is open to individuals, educators, students, researchers, and families of all age groups.

Wasit Nature Reserve

The Wasit Nature Reserve is also known as the ‘green lung’ of Sharjah as it is home to an ever-growing ecosystem of exotic reptiles, mammals, and lush greenery. This place allows visitors to be one with nature with its back-to-nature appeal and wetlands. The reserve is a delight for an avid bird-lover as it gives a perfect opportunity for bird-watching.