Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates has a rich legacy of arts, heritage and culture. Under the leadership and patronage of His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah and Member of the Supreme Council, Sharjah has preserved its natural and cultural heritage across the Emirate in the form of historic buildings, museums and nature reserves.

The Sharjah Museums Department was established in 2006 by His Highness the Ruler as an independent government department affiliated to the Ruler’s Office. The Sharjah Museums Department oversees and links the current and future museums of Sharjah. The Sharjah Museums cover the arts, Islamic culture and history, heritage and history of Sharjah and the region, archaeology, science, children’s learning and natural history.

Al Eslah School Museum
The mission of the Al Eslah School Museum, the first formal school in the Emirate of Sharjah, is to enable the generations of the past and of the present to meet and to maintain Emirati customs and traditions regarding the Arabic language, religion and Islamic education.

Established in 1935 and the first formal educational institute to be opened in Sharjah, this school welcomed pupils from all over the Gulf region.

Experience school life as it was some 70 years ago while sitting at the wooden desks in the shaded classrooms and imagine attending an Islamic school. See images of the people that brought education to life and visit the Headmaster's Room to admire the Holy Quran stands made from palm wood. During term time, students from overseas would spend their nights in the upstairs dormitory.

Al Mahatta Museum
Al Mahatta was the first airport in the Gulf region. The mission of the museum in the airport's buildings is to illustrate especially to younger generations the importance of the airfield in the history of aviation and in the development of traditional society in the Emirate of Sharjah.

In 1932 the first airport in the Gulf opened in Sharjah, used as a staging post for commercial flights en route from Britain to India. From man's first attempts to fly to landing on the moon, explore the history of flight and the development of aviation in this region at the museum which is located in Sharjah's first airport building. Watch an interesting film about the daily life at the airport and Sharjah Town during the 1930's and experience first hand this fascinating period of Sharjah's history. Four of the original propeller planes, fully restored, stand guard in the hangar alongside the original refueling tanker.

Sharjah Archaeology Museum
The Sharjah Archaeology Museum is the permanent archive for all archaeological material recovered in the Emirate of Sharjah. The mission of the museum is to preserve, interpret, and exhibit its collections and to disseminate knowledge about them in a manner that encourages appreciation, learning, and enjoyment of Sharjah's archaeological heritage.

Uncover the stories of Sharjah's very early history, brought alive in this interesting museum.
Explore the changing environments experienced by the region's inhabitants from the Stone Age to the present day through displays of artefacts, coins, jewellery, pottery and ancient weapons. Investigate a dig in progress, explore models of burials, houses and tombs and see the first forms of writing in this area.

Sharjah Art Museum & Contemporary Arab Art
The mission of the Sharjah Art Museum is to enrich the cultural life for the Sharjah community and its regional, national, and international visitors through its art collections, programmes, and facilities.

Walk into a world of artistic excellence and expression. Opened in April 1997 this is the largest art museum in the Gulf with both temporary exhibitions and permanent collections by renowned artists.
Explore the history of the region through the Orientalist painters of the 18th and 19th centuries, as well as gallery after gallery of stunning landscapes, cityscapes and portraits painted in oil, watercolours and acrylics, created by both local and internationally renowned artists.
Enter three floors of galleries dedicated to modern creative expression. Focusing on exhibitions and collections of over 300 works of art, you will see graphic displays exhibiting an amazing array of styles and interpretations created by artists from the Arab world, in a variety of media. Encounter painting and sculptures to capture and cultivate your imagination. Throughout the year the museum holds special exhibitions.

Library
The Fine Art Library located at Sharjah Art Museum consists of over 4000 titles written in Arabic, English, and other languages along with visual and audio materials. Activities of the library includes internet access, Reading room, children corner and search corner for the visitors.

The library contains also daily newspapers and fine art related publications. Photocopy is available at the library .

Shop
Located within the reception area of the Museum, the shop offers a wide range of museum and art inspired gifts, art materials and a well stocked book section

Cafe
Located opposite the museum library and adjacent to the reception area, the Museum Café offers a variety of cakes, sandwiches, coffees and teas, as well as the perfect place to reflect on the works of art in the Museum

Bait Al Nahboodah
Bait Al Naboodah is a unique example of the traditional Emirati house and preserves the values of society in Sharjah. Its mission is to use this outstanding example of local architecture to recall and revive old Emirati traditions and make them known to the world

This former residence of the pearl trading Al Shamsi family welcomes you through its grand doorway to explore a distinctive culture.

Here at this charming two-storey house from 1845, you can admire traditional Gulf architecture in an age before air conditioning. Built around a large courtyard you can see walls made from coral, admire innovative methods of ‘air conditioning' and unique decorative carvings, in both plaster and wood. Learn about daily family life and routines through displayed work by Arabian craftsmen in a bygone era. A guide book for this museum is available in several different languages.

Bait Khalid Bin Ibrahim
Bait Khalid bin Ibrahim, the house of one of the leading pearl merchants (Tawaweesh) in the Gulf, reflects Bahraini architecture and design. Its mission is to introduce visitors to this architectural style as being distinct from that of other traditional houses.

Follow the life of an esteemed pearl merchant and his family, who made their home in the ‘Heart of Sharjah' over 100 years ago. As you wander from room to room, you can appreciate a time without the luxuries of today but one full of ingenuity and imagination. See a traditional kitchen and typical living areas, rich bridal attire, ornate swords and daggers, baskets made from palm, rosewater containers and a decorative wooden pearl chest.
A guide book for this museum is available in several different languages.

Bait Sheikh Saeed Bin Hameed Al Qasimi
The Bait Sheikh Said Bin Hamad al Qassimi at Kalba aims to strengthen the link between society and its heritage by preserving and interpreting the history and traditions of the east coast of Sharjah in one of its traditional houses, and to enrich the cultural experience for younger generations.

No trip to Sharjah is complete without exploring the Emirate's East Coast. Sandy beaches, scenic mountains, lush mangroves and heritage sites await you.
In the traditional fishing village of Kalba, you will find a charismatic old fort and the prominent beachside residence of H.E. Sheikh Saeed bin Hamed Al Qasimi, both fully restored to display items of Islamic heritage and lifestyle, archaeological finds, weapons, agricultural equipment, in addition to a collection of musical instruments. Inland, in a beautiful setting overlooking the mangroves is Al Ghail Fort.

Sharjah Calligraphy Museum
The Sharjah Calligraphy Museum, the only museum in the Arab world devoted entirely to calligraphy and located in one of the cultural capitals of the Arab world, aims to instil the art of calligraphy in the people and visitors of Sharjah and to set new standards both locally and internationally.

Enter this museum and you embark on a fascinating journey of discovery across centuries of Arabian heritage in the form of beautifully written script. Created by local artists and well-known international calligraphers, significant works of art from the Arab world demonstrate the complexity of this vibrant art form and its historical and Islamic foundations. Arabic calligraphy seen on canvas, wood, paper and ceramics will inspire you with its positive and living energy.

Sharjah Discovery Centre
The Sharjah Discovery Centre is an interactive 'hands-on' facility, designed for young children where they can discover, learn through play, explore the world around them, and understand that science and technology are part of their daily lives.

This children's centre is a great day's outing for the whole family with seven themed areas, packed full of ‘hands on activities' and plenty of fun.
Filled with action and entertainment, enter a colourful arena exploring the dynamics of water, the five senses, the art of travel and the mechanisms of building, become a star on TV, climb the wall and ‘shop till you drop' in the children's supermarket.

Cafe
Located adjacent to the reception area, the Museum Café offers a variety of cakes, sandwiches, coffees and teas, with prices to suit everyone.

Sharjah Heritage Museum
The Sharjah Heritage Museum conserves and displays the rich traditional customs and culture of Sharjah as a source of pride and inspiration to Emiratis and to visitors to the UAE.

Begin a journey of discovery through Sharjah's rich and diverse heritage and explore traditions that have endured the test of time. You will see handcrafted works of art and objects that date back to a time when local people relied solely on fishing and pearling. Trace the development of education, currency and early postal system. Discover the traditional skills and crafts relating to jewellery, costumes, and the herbal medicines, music and folklore. A guide book for this museum is available in several different languages.

Sharjah Maritime Museum
The mission of the Sharjah Maritime Museum is to preserve and interpret the stories and material evidence of the Emirate's rich maritime heritage.

The sea has played a key role in Sharjah's development and was the primary reason for the first settlers choosing this site over 6,000 years ago.
In the museum you can explore traditional wooden seafaring dhows used for fishing, trading and pearling, each designed according to their use. See genuine Arabian pearls, discover how they were collected, measured and weighed. Admire the powerful wooden pulley blocks used to raise and lower sails and discover the local traditions for catching fish.

Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization
The mission of the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilisation is to display, interpret, research and further develop the museum's collections for a wide range of local, national and international audiences, and to stimulate knowledge, appreciation and enjoyment of Islamic art, history, science and culture.

Welcome to Sharjah's Museum of Islamic Civilization, the first of its kind in the UAE. Situated right at the historical heart of Sharjah on the Majarrah Waterfront, this fascinating Museum started its life as a traditional Middle Eastern souq or indoor market.

Sharjah's Natural History & Botanical Museum
The mission of the Sharjah Natural History and Botanical Museum is to disseminate knowledge of plants and animals through collection, research and display and to inspire in all our visitors a respect for the natural world.

Take an incredible journey through time at this interactive, high tech museum. Different halls show the region's natural history, with displays of desert and marine ecosystems. Go back in time to encounter dinosaur models, erupting volcanoes, prehistoric fossils and meteorites from outer space.

Sharjah Botanical Museum
On the same site as the Natural History Museum, learn about the development of plants and the complex relationship between humans and botany.

Cafe
Currently located at the end of the Marine Gallery, the Museum cafe offers a variety of snacks, coffees and teas.

Sharjah Science Museum
The Sharjah Science Museum is dedicated to promoting interest, learning and creativity in order to make the discovery of science enjoyable and fun. It inspires innovative learning environments and tools for exploration using imaginative and enjoyable experiences to help visitors of all ages, backgrounds and origins to understand science.

Bringing science to life, this museum has so many exhibits and interactive displays designed to stimulate and inspire the visitor. Whatever your age, have fun discovering science with hands-on experiments and illusions, exploring colour, aerodynamics, cryogenics and physiology. Take part in electrifying demonstrations, probe the secrets of space and test your reactions and strength. Even toddlers can discover their curiosity about the world around us, in their very own play area.

Cafe
Located adjacent to the reception area, the Museum Cafe offers a variety of cakes, sandwiches, coffees and teas, with prices to suit everyone.

Sharjah Aquarium
The mission of the Sharjah Aquarium is to encourage the people of the Emirate of Sharjah and all its visitors to cherish and conserve the beauty and wealth of the oceans

Submerge yourself in the colourful, rich and diverse undersea world that is home to a variety of marine life native to the seas around us. With over 250 species there is so much to see from the smallest clown fish and delicate seahorses to moray eels, rays and reef sharks. Take a journey underwater and discover everything from the larger ocean creatures to the smaller marine life to be found in the rock pools, coral reefs, lagoons and mangroves.

Sharjah Hisn
The mission of Sharjah Hisn is to use the historic fort to explain to residents and visitors the history of the Emirate of Sharjah, the Al Qasimi ruling family and Sharjah's society and governance.

Visit this stunning fort, the former residence of the Al Qasimi Ruling family and appreciate traditional architecture and artifacts. Built in 1820, this large, majestic, double storey fort houses priceless objects, fascinating old photographs, classic weapons and trading tools tracing 200 years of Sharjah's history. Al Muhalwasa Jail, the Sheikh's bedroom and the date collecting store offer you insights into a unique Arabian heritage, set within the solid walls of this imposing stronghold.

Majilis Al Madifaa
The mission of Majlis Al Midfaa is to explain the functions of a majlis as a library and meeting place for local residents, scholars and merchants to discuss poetry, literature and politics, thus maintaining social and cultural communication among the educated people of Sharjah.

The most peaceful meeting place is renowned for its remarkable round windtower, the only one of its kind in the UAE.

Step back in time and enter a world where the men of the family and their male guests would gather to discuss affairs of the day. Amongst the many interesting items donated by the family, you will see a carved pearl chest, old books and manuscripts and a silver dagger with gold leave decoration.