Shop, eat and play where merchants once traded

Souq Al Arsah used to be a market place for traders from Persia, India and Bedouin tribes . As one of popular Sharjah tourist places today, the souk is now a covered market with air-conditioned alleyways featuring solid wooden doors, beautiful coral brick walls and hanging lanterns that symbolise UAE culture. The quaint stores sell everything from pearl chests and copper coffee pots to jewellery, abayas and kandooras, which are important parts of the UAE traditional dress. You can also purchase perfume bottles and incense for the traditional oud scent. For heritage lovers, this souk should be high on the list of places to visit in Sharjah.

After a tour of the souk, you can review the day’s purchases over a cup of Arabic coffee at the café, and stock up on delicious sweets at the popular halwa shop. The souk is along the Sharjah corniche, close to the Heart of Sharjah. There are plenty of things to do with kids around, including the Sharjah Museum and Heart of Sharjah Sharjah Discovery Centre.