Plan your journey from Sheikh Zayed Road
From Sheikh Zayed Road, it’s just a 40-minute drive to Sharjah. The pedestrianised Heritage Area, made up of two linked neighbourhoods – Al Sheyoukh and Al Maraija – is the perfect place to start your tour.
Culture lovers should head to the Sharjah Heritage Museum, featuring five separate galleries – each focusing on a different element of local life. The Sharjah Art Museum and the city’s Science Museum are also both worth visiting. While you’re in town, be sure to spend time at the colourful, chaotic Souk Al Arsah. Once camels would have been tied outside, waiting to carry supplies for their owners. Today the atmosphere is more modern, although it still retains much of its old character.
To escape the sun, head to the Sharjah Aquarium – home to a number of sea creatures including moray eels, reef sharks and jellyfish.
For family fun, visit Al Majaz Waterfront – featuring a mini-golf course, a choreographed fountain with lights and a musical night show, plus a selection of food outlets.
From Sheikh Zayed Road, you’re just a 20-minute drive from Dubai too. Full of luxurious and glitzy hotels, the city also boasts an array of cultural attractions. The Bastakia Quarter reveals a glimpse of the city’s ancient atmosphere, while the nearby Dubai Museum offers a unique look at desert life. The Grand Mosque, featuring the city’s tallest minaret, is another must-see, as is the Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum House. This architectural marvel is also a museum chaptering life in the region before the oil boom.
In search of family fun? Head to Wild Wadi Water Park, featuring 30 adrenaline-inducing slides.
The sights of the Dubai-Sharjah metropolitan area are yours to discover from the comfort of your hire car. Buckle up and sit back.