Pearl Merchants and Palm Trees: A Self-Guided Tour of Sharjah

Duration45m - 1h

Instant confirmationYour booking is confirmed right away

TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted

LanguagesEnglish

Private tourOnly your group will participate

Overview

Sharjah prides itself on being the steady-as-she-goes emirate, but don’t let that dissuade you. It's confident, worldly, multi-dimensional, interesting, and definitely less noisy than its cousin down the road.

Join me on a wander down the shaded laneways and in and out of old houses and new spaces. Together we'll explore what remains of the old part of town. There are houses and mosques, museums and galleries, palm trees and pearl merchants, all waiting for you.

You'll enjoy
• peeking inside traditional houses
• contemporary design inspired by Sharjah's craft heritage
• souqs for shopping
• hidden little alleyways.

And you'll hear fun stories about
• what you can do with your leftover goat hooves
• who has a PhD in piracy studies
• coral farming
• how to order the perfect lime and mint juice drink

The exact route can be seen upon downloading the tour or previewed in the app, and it works offline. It's a self-guided audio tour that can be listened to anytime.

What's included

VoiceMap App for Android and iOS
Lifetime access to this tour in English
Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata

Tickets or entrance fees to any museums or other attractions en route
Smartphone and headphones
Transportation
Food and drink

What to expect

Heart of Sharjah
Pass by

There are houses and mosques, museums and galleries, palm trees and pearl merchants, all waiting for you in the old Sharjah town. Join me on a tour and I will tell you all about it.
Art Area of Sharjah
Pass by

In among the heritage buildings, you will discover exciting contemporary art from the MENASA region in unusual places. Some of these are hidden away, so you will need to keep a look-out for them.
Pass by

A good opportunity to enter traditional houses, and enjoy some refreshments in a courtyard under a shady terrace.
Sharjah Heritage Museum
Pass by

Inside the museum, you will find both everyday and precious objects that illustrate community practices and traditions that are ages old. Many of these have been passed down through the generations from times long ago, and still, resonate in contemporary Sharjah.
Sharjah Calligraphy Museum
Pass by

Discover why calligraphy is one of the most prized art forms in the Arab world. Even if you don’t read Arabic, the swirls and curls will still grab you.
Bait-al-Naboodah Museum
Pass by

The former home of an internationally successful pearl trader who brought wealth and grand ideas to Sharjah. We share some stories of his international life at the dawn of the 20th century.
Heart of Sarjah discovery centre
Pass by

Learn all about the vibrant history of Sharjah and this old neighbourhood in the Majlis Al Naboodah. The old photos are great windows into a time not all that long ago.
Souk Al Arsah
Pass by

As you walk around the stalls today it is not hard to imagine a time in the past when it was filled with pearl traders and buyers, cargo and camels, all jostling for space, attention and a good deal.
Pass by

A gorgeous new development which seamlessly merges all the modern luxuries of a five-star resort with that of a conservation project. Stay the night or just pop in for some refreshments. I recommend a lime and mint juice for quenching your thirst.
Souq Al Shanasiyah
Pass by

A modern outdoor souq built on the foundations of an older one that served Sharjah for generations. Come and explore the predecessor of the modern-day mall with me.

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

The start of our tour is on Corniche Street (coordinates: 25.357515, 55.380436). Before arrival, install the VoiceMap app and use the code provided on your ticket. This is a self-guided audio tour that you can start, pause, or restart any time and complete at your own pace.

End point

The start of our tour is on Corniche Street (coordinates: 25.357515, 55.380436). Before arrival, install the VoiceMap app and use the code provided on your ticket. This is a self-guided audio tour that you can start, pause, or restart any time and complete at your own pace.

Additional information

Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Cancellation policy

All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.