Sharjah has been quietly improving its status as the entertainment hub of the UAE. Here are affordable indoor activities in Sharjah to make the most of Sharjah’s summer on a budget…
01
Rain House
Rain room
The Rain Room in Sharjah is a permanent art installation. You can walk through the dark wind and rain without an umbrella, but you can stay dry.
This site-specific installation uses 2,500 liters of self-cleaning recycled water, is controlled via a networked 3D tracking camera system, and is cleverly designed to capture artistic side shots.
Information:
Al Sharq,Al Mujarrah
Saturday to Thursday 9 am to 9 pm, Friday 4 pm to 10 pm
AED 25 per person, free for children under 5, rainroom.sharjahart.org
02
Prison Island
Prison Island
In the heart of Sharjah Zahiya City, there is an opportunity to live out your prison escape fantasy.
This is a series of crystal maze-style escape rooms that require the use of muscles, brains and problem-solving skills to defeat iron bars, perfect for team-building activities.
Information:
City Center Al Zahia Sharjah
From AED 99, prisonnisland.ae
03
Sharjah Planetarium
Sharjah Planetarium
The Sharjah Planetarium is star-studded, presenting charming local and distant scenes in the cosmic estate.
With educational exhibits, a meteorite collection, a laser show, and a dome-projected theater show covering topics like black holes and the birth of the Earth, there’s enough to leave deGrasse Tysons of any age in awe.
Information:
University City
Monday to Thursday, 9am to 3pm, saasst.ae
04
Adventure Park
Adventureland
The Adventure Park is located in the Sahara Center in Sharjah. It is an indoor amusement park with various rides, including rock climbing walls, bowling, arcades, zip lines, trampoline parks, soft games, mirror mazes, VR games and ice rinks.
Slide to your heart’s content on the ice, resist the sweltering heat of summer, and explore visual and virtual wonders amidst flashing lights and blaring horns.
Information:
Sahara Centre,Adventureland,Al Nahda Interchange
Sunday to Thursday 10am to 11pm, Friday 1pm to 12pm, Saturday 10am to 12pm, adventurelanduae.com
05
Sharjah Science Museum
Sharjah Science Museum
Nothing inspires young minds like hands-on science, and that’s exactly what the Sharjah Science Museum delivers.
With more than 50 interactive exhibits, children can learn more about the laws of nature, thermal physics, physiology, aerodynamics and electricity, making this one of the best family outings in Sharjah.
Information:
Al Abar area on Sheikh Rashid Bin Saqr Al Qasimi Road
Saturday to Thursday 8am to 8pm, Friday 8am to 4pm, Sharjahmuseums.ae
06
Nur Island
Al Noor Island
Sharjah’s Khalid Lagoon is home to Al Noor Island, known for its gardens and outdoor art installations.
One of the main attractions is the Butterfly House, which houses hundreds of colorful and exotic butterflies from around the world.
Visitors can stroll through the enclosed exhibition hall, which is designed to reproduce the natural environment of butterflies. Visitors can also learn about the life cycle and living habits of butterflies.
The island’s landscaping is designed to create a peaceful, relaxing atmosphere, with plenty of benches and seating areas where visitors can sit and enjoy the views.
Information:
Al Noor Island
Butterfly House opening hours – 9am to 6pm, alnoorisland.ae
07
Sharjah Aquarium
Sharjah Aquarium
The aquarium consists of 21 tanks and houses more than 100 species of marine life, including clownfish (Nemo), seahorses, moray eels, sea rays and reef sharks. The aquarium also runs a sea turtle rehabilitation program.
Information:
Al Khan Old area
Saturday to Thursday 8 am to 8 pm, Friday 8 am to 4 pm
08
Haifaya Mountain Conservation Center
Al Hefaiyah Mountain Conservation Center
The Al Hefaiyah Mountain Conservation Center is located at the foot of Mount Hajar not far outside Kalba. The center is mainly dedicated to protecting the mountainous habitats in the area.
In the center, visitors can see a wide variety of flora and fauna, and can expect to see cheetahs, Arabian camels, Arabian rock iguanas, Arabian wolves, deer, hyenas, and more.
Information:
Tuesday to Thursday 9 am to 6:30 pm, Friday 2 pm to 6:30 pm, Saturday and Sunday 11 am to 6:30 pm, closed on Monday
09
Sharjah Discovery Center
Sharjah Discovery Center
Sharjah Discovery Center is a learning-oriented edutainment place, divided into experience areas such as water world, airport, construction town, driving town, sports world and TV studio.
Children can participate in a series of interactive challenges and have tons of fun while learning a lot.
Information:
Airport Road
Saturday to Thursday 8 am to 8 pm, Friday 8 am to 4 pm
10
Yala Bowling
Yalla Bowling
The old-fashioned 10-pound knockout, the strikeout, the walk-through — no matter how you describe it, bowling has become a popular pastime.
Yala bowling is a particularly popular event at Magic Planet in the heart of Sharjah Zahiya City.
Information:
City Center Al Zahia Sharjah
11
Smart Home
House of Wisdom
House of Wisdom is a romance novel about words.
The 12,000 square meter space was commissioned by His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of the Emirate of Sharjah.
Information:
Al Juraina 1,Sharjah
Daily 10am to 8pm, 06 594 0000
12
Sharjah Mosque
Sharjah Mosque
The Sharjah Mosque is an icon of historic Islamic architecture and a beautiful tribute to Türkiye’s bygone era of Ottoman architecture. The mosque is open to all.
The mosque houses a library with an extensive collection of Islamic books, and there is even a separate entrance and prayer room for non-Muslim visitors.
The architectural style of the mosque is exactly the same as the Blue Mosque in Turkey and can accommodate 5,000 believers.
Information:
Sharjah Mosque,Al Riqaibah
Every day from 4:30 am to 6:00 am, 11:40 am to 9:00 pm