Sharjah, the UAE’s third most populous city, has long stood as the nation’s cultural heart. Once a vital trading hub on the Silk Road, it carries a history that continues to shape its identity today.
Home to some of the Emirates’ most captivating museums and heritage sites, Sharjah embodies the spirit of Arab culture. Sharjah’s recognition as UNESCO’s Capital of Arab Culture in 1998 cemented the city’s reputation as a custodian of tradition and a hub for cultural dialogue. In this tour, we explore the museums that reveal the essence of a city devoted to preserving Arab identity.
Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization
The museum highlights Sharjah’s role as a crossroads of Islamic civilization, housing more than 5,000 artifacts across seven galleries on two levels. Its collection spans over half a million years — from astrolabes, manuscripts, ceramics, textiles, jewelry, and coins to one of its most prized treasures: the gold-embroidered curtain once covering the door of the Holy Ka’ba.
Sharjah Art Museum
Sharjah Art Museum is one of the Gulf’s largest, showcasing over 500 works across three floors. Its permanent collections and rotating exhibitions highlight Arab and international artists, while its library of 4,000 titles offers valuable research resources. A key destination for exploring the region’s artistic heritage and creativity.
Sharjah Heritage Museum
Located in Sharjah’s old town, the museum features six galleries dedicated to Emirati life and heritage. Covering landscapes, daily life, celebrations, livelihoods, traditional knowledge, and oral traditions, each display is presented with labels in both Arabic and English. The museum first welcomed visitors in 2005, but by 2012 it had been relocated to Bait Saeed Al Taweel Al Shamsi, a landmark nestled at the center of Sharjah.
Sharjah Calligraphy Museum
Calligraphy has long been one of the most cherished elements of Arab heritage — not merely writing, but an art form requiring the skill and craftsmanship of painting. Established in 2002 and located in the house of Hamad Al Midfaa in the Sharjah Heritage Area, the museum preserves this tradition while documenting its history and providing a platform for calligraphers.
Sharjah Archaeology Museum
Sharjah Archaeology Museum covers half a million years of history, with collections ranging from Umm Al Nar pottery and early Islamic coins to remarkable finds such as a 2,000-year-old gold ring and a golden bridle discovered in Mleiha. Finds from a Stone Age graveyard with 500 skeletons reveal the lives of the region’s earliest inhabitants, while interactive displays and a children’s section make the museum engaging for all ages.
These sites and landmarks not only embody Sharjah’s rich cultural legacy, but also express its vision for the future — a future where past, present, and tomorrow intersect in pursuit of collective well-being and prosperity.
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