Type: Art, Culture, History, Local Market, Scenic Drive
Length: 5 Hours
Walking: Difficult (walking long distances)
Mobility: NO wheelchairs
Guide: Licensed Guide
Language: English

Dubai, United Arab Emirates - This tour will show you why Sharjah is known as UAE's cultural capital. You visit the Heritage Museums district including the Bait Al Naboodah and the Museum of Islamic Civilization. Also included is time to visit a local market.

After meeting your guide at the pier in Dubai, you immediately depart for Sharjah. Upon arrival you enjoy a photo stop at the Al Hisn Fort, the renovated former residence of Sharjah's ruling Al Qasimi family, originally built in 1820.

A short stroll brings you to the Heritage Museums district where you visit Bait Al Naboodah. This former residence of a prominent pearl trader of yesteryears is an excellent example of old world Gulf architecture. The various artifacts and displays will provide a rare glimpse into the life and times of a bygone era.

From here you walk to Souk Al Arsah, one of the oldest and most traditional Arabic markets which is located in an open air courtyard between residential neighborhoods. You have some time to stroll the market and make a purchase if you wish.

Next you visit the newly opened Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization, the first of its kind in the country. Several galleries display carefully preserved and restored artifacts from around the Muslim world that celebrate the contribution of Islamic religion, art and even science to the body of world heritage works such as rare manuscripts, scientific instruments and working models of objects in ceramic, metal work and textiles ranging from the 16th century up to modern times.

After exploring these cultural aspects of the UAE, your guide will return you to the pier in Dubai.