Sharjah is an easy day trip from Dubai: about 30-45 minutes by road outside rush hour, with museums that cost about AED 10 each. Spend the morning in the Heart of Sharjah and the Museum of Islamic Civilization, the late afternoon in the Blue Souk, and the evening on the lagoon. Sharjah sells no alcohol and expects modest dress. This guide covers what to see, the hours (shorter on Fridays), how to get there, a day plan and how it pairs with our Old Dubai walking tour.
By SB Excursions · Published 29 October 2026 · Updated 29 October 2026
Tour on this route: Old Dubai Walking Tour — From $35 per person, 3-4 hours.
Is Sharjah worth a day trip from Dubai?
Yes, if you like museums, old buildings and quieter souks. It is about 30-45 minutes from central Dubai outside rush hour, the main museums cost about AED 10 each, and one full day covers the old town, a museum, the Blue Souk and the lagoon.
This guide also answers:
- How far is Sharjah from Dubai, and how do I get there?
- What are the opening hours of Sharjah's museums?
- How much do Sharjah's museums cost?
Six places worth the trip to Sharjah
#1
Heart of Sharjah and Al Hisn Fort
The best single reason to come. The restored old quarter has Al Hisn, the stone fort with its round tower, small museums and heritage houses, and Souk Al Arsah. Recent reports give about AED 10 for the fort and about AED 20 for a combined ticket to several of the area's museums, so check the Sharjah Museums Authority.
#2
Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization
The museum is housed in a striped stone building with a golden central dome and holds galleries on Islamic science, art and the Hajj. Recent reports give about AED 10 for adults, and opening hours of 8 AM to 8 PM Saturday to Thursday and 4 PM to 8 PM on Fridays. Allow 1.5-2 hours and check the hours before you go.
#3
The Blue Souk (Central Souk)
Two long, blue-tiled buildings with wind towers hold shops selling gold, jewellery, carpets, crafts and souvenirs. Many shops close for a midday break and reopen in the late afternoon, so plan to be here after 4 PM. Prices are open to bargaining, and the Blue Souk is usually calmer than the souks in Deira.
#4
Al Majaz Waterfront and Khalid Lagoon
A promenade with small dancing fountains, play areas and restaurants beside the lagoon, best from late afternoon when the air cools. Al Noor Island and its Butterfly House are across the footbridge, with the white Al Noor Mosque on the lagoon's edge. It is the natural end to the day before the drive back.
#5
Sharjah Aquarium
A walk-through acrylic tunnel with fish overhead and a themed harbour exhibit. It is a smaller, calmer alternative to the big Dubai aquariums and suits younger children. Check the opening days and ticket price on the aquarium's website before you plan around it, because they differ from the museums.
#6
The Rain Room and the Sharjah Art Foundation
The Rain Room is a permanent installation where rain falls around you and sensors stop it where you stand. It belongs to the Sharjah Art Foundation, whose galleries fill the old town's courtyards. Hours and booking arrangements change, so check the foundation's website before you go and treat it as an extra, not the anchor of the day.
Sharjah day trip from Dubai: the short answer
Sharjah is worth a day if you like museums, old buildings and quieter souks, and it is about 30-45 minutes from central Dubai by road outside the rush hours. It is a separate emirate on Dubai's north-east edge, with no border control between them, and it is often called the UAE's cultural capital: the old town, the Museum of Islamic Civilization and the lagoon are the three things to see. Entry to the main museums is about AED 10 each, and the Blue Souk is free to walk. It suits culture, families and anyone who finds Dubai too shiny.
Sharjah is also stricter than Dubai. No alcohol is sold anywhere in the emirate, dress is more modest and the Friday opening hours are shorter. If you want beaches, rides or nightlife, stay in Dubai and use the time better. Our guide to getting from Dubai to Sharjah has the bus and taxi details, and the best day trips from Dubai shows where Sharjah sits among the alternatives.
What to see, in the order that works
Everything is spread along a few kilometres, so the sensible plan is one area at a time. The table gives the order we would use, with the hours and prices from recent reports. They change, so check the Sharjah Museums Authority before you go.
| Place | Time to allow | Hours and price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heart of Sharjah and Al Hisn Fort | 2-3 hours | About 8 AM-8 PM Saturday to Thursday, 4-8 PM Friday; fort about AED 10, a combined ticket about AED 20 | Start here in the cool of the morning |
| Museum of Islamic Civilization | 1.5-2 hours | The same hours; about AED 10 for adults | Indoors, so good at midday |
| Blue Souk | 1-1.5 hours | Free to walk; many shops reopen around 4 PM | Go in the late afternoon |
| Al Majaz Waterfront and the lagoon | 1-2 hours | Free to walk | Best from late afternoon to dinner |
| Sharjah Aquarium | 1-1.5 hours | Check the aquarium's website | Optional; good with young children |
| Rain Room | About 1 hour | Check the Sharjah Art Foundation | Optional; hours and booking change |
Prices and hours are rounded from recent reports and change; the Sharjah Museums Authority has the current list.
Two museums and the old town fill a day comfortably. If you try to add the aquarium and the Rain Room, you will spend more time in the car than looking at anything.
How to get there from Dubai
The Dubai Metro does not reach Sharjah, so the choice is between a taxi, a bus and a car. The right one depends on how many of you there are and where in Dubai you start. Our Dubai to Sharjah guide goes deeper; this is the summary.
| Option | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Taxi or ride-hailing | Two to four people, the easiest day | Door to door, 30-45 minutes outside rush hour; check the fare in the app before you start, because it is higher from the Marina and the Palm |
| RTA inter-emirate bus | Budget travellers with time | Services run from stations such as Al Ghubaiba and Union to Sharjah's Jubail bus station; slower, cheapest, paid with a Nol card |
| Rental car | Flexibility, a family of four or more | Salik tolls and parking apply; see our guide to renting a car as a tourist |
| Staying in Sharjah | Quiet, lower hotel prices | Hotels are often cheaper than Dubai's; our tours with hotel pickup collect from Sharjah |
Journey times are rounded and depend on the time of day.
Traffic is the main trap. The roads between Dubai and Sharjah are heavy in the weekday rush hours, roughly 7-9:30 AM and 5-8 PM, and a 30-minute trip can double. Leave Dubai after about 9:30 AM and leave Sharjah before 5 PM or after 8 PM. From the Marina or the Palm, allow 45-75 minutes each way even at quiet times. Our guide to getting around Dubai and the car rental guide cover the rest.
Rules and dress: what is different in Sharjah
Sharjah applies the UAE's laws more conservatively than Dubai, and a few points catch visitors out. For the final word, check the Sharjah Police and Sharjah Museums Authority guidance or ask your hotel.
- No alcohol. It is not sold anywhere in Sharjah, including hotels and restaurants, so leave any duty-free bottles in your Dubai room.
- Dress modestly. Cover shoulders and knees, for men and women, in the old town, museums and souks.
- Keep affection discreet. Public displays of affection can cause offence; behave as you would in a place of worship.
- Ask before photographing people, and do not photograph government buildings or police.
- Mosque visits are not automatic. Al Noor Mosque is easy to admire from the lagoon, but visiting hours for non-Muslims change, so check before you plan to go inside.
- Friday is different. Museums open only in the afternoon, and many shops close until late afternoon, so Saturday to Thursday is the better day.
Our guides to the dress code for tourists and alcohol laws cover the UAE-wide rules in more detail.
A day plan, hour by hour
This plan is for a Saturday to Thursday in the cooler season, when sunset is at about 5:30 PM and the evening on the lagoon is at its best. In summer, shift the souk and the waterfront to the evening and spend the midday in the museums.
| Time | What | Where |
|---|---|---|
| About 9:00 AM | Leave Dubai after the morning rush | By taxi or car |
| About 9:45 AM | Al Hisn Fort, the old houses and Souk Al Arsah | Heart of Sharjah |
| About 12:30 PM | Lunch at a café in the old town | Heart of Sharjah |
| About 1:30 PM | Museum of Islamic Civilization | The Corniche |
| About 4:00 PM | The Blue Souk, when the shops reopen | Central Sharjah |
| About 5:15 PM | Walk at Al Majaz Waterfront as the light turns gold | Khalid Lagoon |
| About 7:00 PM | Dinner by the water, then drive back before the late rush | Corniche |
A flexible plan, not a timetable; museum closing times (8 PM) are the real limit.
Budget roughly AED 20-40 for tickets, plus transport and food. Meals are often cheaper than in Dubai's malls, but we have not priced them item by item.
Sharjah and Old Dubai: how they fit together
Sharjah's old town and Old Dubai are similar in spirit and different in scale: Sharjah's is bigger, quieter and more museum-like, while Old Dubai is a compact, lively mix of the Creek, the wind-tower quarter and the souks. Do them on different days. If you only have one, choose Sharjah for museums and calm, and Old Dubai for the abra, spices and street food.
Our Old Dubai walking tour is from $35 per person (or $55 with street-food tastings) and takes 3-4 hours with a local guide. It includes an abra ride across Dubai Creek, the Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, Al Seef, the Spice Souk and the Gold Souk, plus Arabic coffee or tea, dates and water. You meet near Sharaf DG Metro station, full prepayment confirms your place, and you can cancel or change the date free up to 24 hours before. It is a good second-day pair with Sharjah, and our Old Dubai guide covers the area on your own.
If you are staying in Sharjah, our full-day desert safari from $45 per person picks up from hotels in Sharjah as well as Dubai and Ajman, with no prepayment, and the Abu Dhabi city tour from $45 starts at 8:00 AM with an earlier pickup from Sharjah. The guide to the desert safari from Sharjah and Ajman has the times. We do not run a Sharjah day tour, so this trip is a do-it-yourself day.
FAQ
Is Sharjah worth a day trip from Dubai?
Yes, if you like museums, old buildings and quieter souks. It is about 30-45 minutes from central Dubai outside rush hour, the main museums cost about AED 10 each, and one full day covers the old town, a museum, the Blue Souk and the lagoon.
How far is Sharjah from Dubai, and how do I get there?
Roughly 30-45 minutes by taxi or car from central Dubai outside rush hour, and 45-75 minutes from the Marina or the Palm. The Metro does not go to Sharjah. Use a taxi, a ride-hailing app, an RTA inter-emirate bus or a rental car.
Can you drink alcohol in Sharjah?
No. Sharjah does not sell or serve alcohol anywhere, including hotels and restaurants, so leave any bottles in your Dubai room. Dubai's own rules are in our alcohol laws guide.
What should I wear in Sharjah?
Modest clothes with shoulders and knees covered, for men and women, plus comfortable shoes for the old town. Light cotton works well; carry a scarf if you want to be sure about visiting religious sites.
What are the opening hours of Sharjah's museums?
Recent reports give 8 AM to 8 PM Saturday to Thursday and 4 PM to 8 PM on Fridays for the main museums. Hours change on holidays and in Ramadan, so check the Sharjah Museums Authority before you go.
How much do Sharjah's museums cost?
Recent reports give about AED 10 for adults at the main museums and about AED 20 for a combined Heart of Sharjah ticket. Prices change, so confirm them before you go.
Can I do Sharjah and Old Dubai in one day?
It is possible but rushed. The Old Dubai walk takes 3-4 hours, and Sharjah needs a full day. Put them on separate days, and if you only have one, choose Sharjah for museums and Old Dubai for the souks and the abra.
Recommended Dubai tours for this guide
Old Dubai Walking Tour
It is the Dubai that is walked rather than driven: the Creek where the city began as a trading port, the restored wind-tower quarter and the souks that still trade spices and gold. A local guide tells the story along the way. The $35 walk includes the abra, Arabic coffee or tea, dates and water; the $55 option adds street-food tastings.
- Duration
- 3-4 hours
- Area
- Old Dubai: Bur Dubai and Deira
- Format
- Shared group walk
- Best for
- first-time visitors, food lovers and anyone who wants the old trading side of Dubai on foot
From $35 per person Full prepayment
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Full-Day Desert Safari in Dubai
It is the slow-travel version of the classic safari: more time on the dunes, sunset without the crowds and a full evening programme at a premium camp with air-conditioned tents, unlimited drinks and a large BBQ buffet with vegetarian and gluten-free options. Everything is arranged from the hotel door — a licensed English-speaking driver, the 4x4, the camp and the shows.
- Duration
- 7 hours
- Area
- Lahbab Desert, Dubai
- Format
- Full-day desert safari
- Best for
- families, couples and first-time desert visitors who want the full evening programme
From $45 per person No prepayment
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Abu Dhabi City Tour from Dubai
It is the classic capital day in one organised loop: the mosque before the midday heat and crowds, the newly opened BAPS Mandir, the skyline from the Corniche, Bedouin history at Heritage Village and a photo op at Ferrari World. Transport, a licensed guide, mosque registration assistance and bottled water are included; the $45 shared tour covers all free-entry sites, and a private VIP car for up to 7 people is $245.
- Duration
- 9 hours
- Area
- Abu Dhabi, UAE
- Format
- Full-day guided city tour (shared or private)
- Best for
- families, seniors and first-time visitors who want the capital's landmarks in one day
From $45 per person No prepayment
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Photos: Heart of Sharjah and Al Hisn Fort — ZI Jony, CC BY-SA 4.0, Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization — SANIKA SAKHARDANDE, CC BY-SA 4.0, The Blue Souk (Central Souk) — Aleena Varghese, CC BY-SA 4.0, Al Majaz Waterfront and Khalid Lagoon — Janjua shj, CC BY-SA 4.0, Sharjah Aquarium — Jaseem Hamza, CC BY 3.0, The Rain Room and the Sharjah Art Foundation — Alexandermcnabb, CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons).