Sharjah is one of the seven emirates in the United Arab Emirates, and is located next to Dubai, making it easy to travel between the two. Sharjah is an intriguing blend of old and new. It has one of the UAE’s most popular traditional markets, the Blue Souk, as well as a handful of ultra-modern shopping malls. Overall, Sharjah is a very green city with a number of large parks both in and just outside the city limits.

There’s a lot to see and do in Sharjah. It has great beaches where you can lounge on the sand or rent jet-skis for more excitement. The clear waters are teeming with tropical fish and coral reefs, making for great scuba diving conditions. The desert is also a major component of Sharjah. Excursions into the sandy desert come in many forms and can be guided or self-catered.

Plenty of modern museums present the heritage and culture of the Arabic world in wonderful detail. Sharjah boasts the Gulf’s largest art museum as well as a heritage district with a charming old fortress at its centre. Qanat Al Qasba is another major hub of leisure life in Sharjah. This huge culture and entertainment complex is crisscrossed by canals and has plenty of diversions.

The lodging in Sharjah tends towards the upper categories, with some real beauties along the Sharjah Lagoon or at the beach. There are, however, a handful of mid-range and even a few budget hotels to ensure everyone can find a room within their budget. Booking online in advance is recommended to avoid disappointment.

Sharjah has an international airport, and Dubai’s major air hub is 15 kilometres away, so there are plenty of air options to get to Sharjah. Both airports provide easy transport by shuttle or taxi to your hotel, or you can always rent a car at the airport and create your own transportation.

Sharjah enjoys some of the finest weather on the planet. It is warm and sunny nearly every day of the year here, and those clear desert skies help to cool things down nicely after dark. Since it rarely rains in Sharjah, low humidity is the norm except for July and August, when temperatures often crack 45^oC and humidity levels can reach 100 per cent. This is the peak of the hot summer season from May through September, when you can expect temperatures above 40^oC.

November through April is the time to visit Sharjah. Temperatures range from 18^oC to 30^oC, and nights are wonderfully cool. The winter season is also when any rain will likely fall, especially during January, February and March. Some storms can be quite strong so bring a rain jacket if you visit in the winter. You’ll also want to have a warm jumper for the nights and the early mornings. Keep in mind, however, that even in the hottest weather conservative dress is expected by Sharjah’s society. Displays of flesh are simply not tolerated in the UAE.