Exploring the UAE: 10 things to do in Sharjah

A cultural centre in the UAE, Sharjah has for the past three decades acted as a safekeeper of heritage and the arts. Voted Unesco’s cultural capital of the Arab world in 1998, it is a treasure trove of discoveries, from its souqs to its historical forts, and an essential destination if you want to better understand the UAE’s past and present.

Here are some of our favourite reasons to visit the northern emirate and its far flung enclaves.

Khor Kalba Conservation Reserve

Mangrove swamps in Khor Kalba. Photo: Duncan Chard / ArabianEye

The Kalba Conservation Reserve is home to an array of flora and fauna, and is set in the breathtaking landscapes of eastern Sharjah, near the border with Oman. A diverse ecosystem, the area offers three main experiences: the Kalba Bird of Prey Centre, where falconry is the highlight of the day; Al Hefaiyah Mountain Conservation Centre, which offers a range of hiking trails; and Al Hafiya Picnic Park. There are also stunning mangroves nearby where active adventurers can get on the water and keen campers can pitch up under the stars.

Wadi Shees

This is a well-kept secret among the country’s avid hiking community. Wadi Shees is located on the far east coast of the UAE, where the water is more reminiscent of the Indian Ocean than the Gulf, and hiking in the area offers a trip back in time.

Several tracks are available around Shees Valley, where the shade of the dramatic Hajar Mountains and its stunning waterway offers welcome respite from the heat. Along the route, look out for the old village and local farms for a real taste of a bygone era that is still very much alive and well in these parts. Local plants and animals dot the paths and a palm oasis is the perfect resting spot along the way.

Khor Fakkan Beach

The Khorfakkan coastline. Photo: Sarah Dea/The National

The sleepy town of Khor Fakkan near the Oman border is undergoing a beautiful revival, with its souq and corniche now boasting a range of shops, cafes and trendy street art. The three-kilometre crescent-shaped beach offers a range of water sports, from fishing and diving to parasailing and kayaking. There is also sailing, scuba diving and snorkelling near Shark Island, which is a short boat ride from the beach. The coastline here is like nothing else in the UAE.

Mleiha Archaeological Centre

A demonstration of the ancient ‘baliya’ burial practice, which involved the immolation of camels and horses after their owner had died. Victor Besa for The National
While the discoveries were made more than 30 years ago, the Mleiha archaeological and eco-tourism venture was launched by Shurooq (Sharjah Investment and Development Authority) in January this year, with new activities slowly being added to the project. Victor Besa for The National
Tandoor ovens and millstones were found indicating cereal processing and bread baking dating back to the 1st century CE. Victor Besa for The National
While mostly looted by grave robbers, archaeologists managed to uncover some incomplete human skeletons and bones, as well as a number of personal adornments from this time period, including necklaces, bracelets, beads, copper pins, rings, tools and weapons. Victor Besa for The National
Ajmal Hasan, the centre’s education manager. Photos by Victor Besa for The National. Victor Besa

One of the emirate’s treasures, the Mleiha Archaeological Centre is located in Sharjah’s central region. Offering a slice of history and activities for all ages, it is also one of the most beautiful spots in the emirate, with its rolling red and golden sand dunes.

A gateway to the country’s Bedouin past, the area is home to the Umm an-Nar tomb, a circular Bronze Era grave, as well as the famed Fossil Rock, a huge rock formation brimming with marine fossils. Activity seekers will find some spectacular hikes as well as quad biking and paragliding over the undulating peaks of Mleiha, while campers can sleep under the stars. A museum houses a collection of several ancient artefacts and offers interactive displays and activities for children.

Souq Al Arsah

Believed to be the UAE’s oldest market, Souq Al Arsah was once a hub for traders from Persia and India. Now a covered space with air-conditioned alleyways, it still features the traditional wooden doors, coral brick walls and hanging lanterns of old. Visitors can find an array of quirky items in the quaint stores, from pearl chests and copper coffee pots to jewellery, perfume and incense. Located on the corniche in central Sharjah, it is close to several of the city’s other popular souqs, such as Souq Saqr, Souq Al Jubail and Souq Al Shanasiyah.

Museum hopping

The Sharjah Heritage Museum. Pawan Singh / The National

The emirate now boasts 16 museums, including the Sharjah Calligraphy Museum, Sharjah Maritime Museum, Sharjah Heritage Museum and Sharjah Islamic Museum, celebrating the history of Sharjah and the region. The beauty of the museums in Sharjah is that many are within walking distance so, on a cool day, it can be a beautiful way to enjoy the city by foot.

Sharjah Archaeology Museum, the Natural History and Botanical Museum and Bait Al Naboodah Museum are also worth adding to the list, each offering something unique in content and architectural design.

Al Rabi Tower and Hiking Trail

Al Rabi Tower, part of the Al Rabi Mountain Trail in Khor Fakkan. Photo: Nada Badran

Blending culture and adventure, Al Rabi is a great day trip. The tower marks the start and end of a breathtaking hiking trail overlooking Khor Fakkan and its bay, and is accessible even for beginners. It zigzags up to a 395-metre summit with panoramic views. The structure was built in 1915 as a watchtower to protect the enclave of Khor Fakkan and offers a fascinating window into recent history.

Al Qurm Nature Reserve

Kingfisher Retreat is full of nature and wildlife. Photo: Sharjah Collection By Mantis

Out on the border with Fujairah, this remote destination offers more than 500 hectares of protected mangroves, a rich natural habitat where rare birds, sea turtles and mammals are in abundance. You might spot an endangered Arabian-collared kingfisher flying over the mangroves, or hawksbill and green turtles nesting on the nearby beach. Though expensive, an overnight stay in one of the 20 luxury tents at Kingfisher Retreat is a real treat, with mangroves on one side and the ocean on the other.

Al Montazah Water Park

The emirate’s favourite water park, Al Montazah, offers a fun day out for the family, and is spread across 126,000 square metres, offering two separate experiences: Pearls Kingdom and Island of Legends. Pearls Kingdom offers adventures across 25 rides, with pirates and princesses galore. Over at Island of Legends, visitors can travel back in time to the steam-powered days of the 18th century. Spread across nine different nations, the experience offers something for all ages.

Classic Cars Museum

Even those who are not car lovers can’t help but enjoy the emirate’s Classic Cars Museum, where more than 100 vintage vehicles from around the world are on display as an ode to the automobile. Prized treasures of collector Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah, include a 1915 Dodge and a 1969 Mercedes-Benz 600 Pullman.

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Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.

Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.

“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.

“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.

Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.

From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.

Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.

BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.

Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.

Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.

“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.

“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.

“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”

The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”