Less than a 30 minutes drive from Dubai you can find another emirate that is not known to many people. This emirate is called Sharjah and there it’s definitely worth a visit because there is a lot to see and do in Sharjah. The emirate Sharjah is one of the smaller emirates and surrounded by water, in the west by the Persian Gulf and in the east on the Gulf of Oman, the northern neighbor state. Sharjah city is only nine kilometers located from Dubai city. You can see Sharjah city from various places in Dubai and people often think that Sharjah belongs to Dubai. Sharjah and Dubai are connected to each other by a motorway and therefore it’s easy to reach. Many people who work in Dubai live in Sharjah because Sharjah is more affordable.
Dubai has got the Ain Dubai, the biggest ferris wheel of the world, but Sharjah has got a huge ferris wheel as well, called the Eye of the Emirates. This wheel with a height of 60 meters gives you a beautiful view of the city. Near the Eye of the Emirates you can visit Al Qasba where you can find terraces and shops with a view at the water. Another fun attraction in Sharjah is the beautiful, ultramodern planetarium, where you can learn about the universe in a fun way. It’s a perfect place for families, because kids will also enjoy themselves here. The Al Majaz park is also worth a visit. This beautiful park is located along the water and designed to relax. You will find terraces, fountains, recreational areas, playgrounds and water attractions.
Sharjah is a cultural city and very different from Dubai. Sharjah is much smaller with approximately 500,000 people and is best known for its beautiful museums. It’s easy to explore Sharjah on foot, although the temperatures might be too hot to walk. There are various walking tours offered to show you the most beautiful places of the city. The special Arts Heritage and Culture tour is focused on the cultural part of the city.
Restaurants in Sharjah are often quieter and more intimate than the restaurants in Dubai. Therefore it might be a good experience to eat in Sharjah, even if you are staying in Dubai. Quality prevails and in addition to Arabic cuisine you will find many other kitchens such as Thai, Mediterranean and even Japanese.
Close to Sharjah you can find the village Khor Fakkan. This coastal town is known as a beautiful place for snorkelers and divers. Shark Island sounds more dangerous than it is: swimmers, snorkelers and divers can marvel at the beautiful underwater world with many (harmless) fish. You will also find a luxurious four-star hotel here if you want to stay a little longer.
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