Sharjah is a city near Dubai that makes a day trip focused on museums, art and regional history. Start with the free Sharjah Art Museum, then plan transport and timing around its opening pattern.
- Focus: Sharjah’s museums and cultural heritage
- Featured stop: Sharjah Art Museum in the Arts Area
- Admission: free at Sharjah Art Museum
- Transport: intercity buses and the Dubai–Sharjah ferry
Choosing a Sharjah focus for the day
Sharjah’s museums cover a range of subjects, while the Sharjah Art Museum gives a day focused on art and local history a clear anchor.
The Sharjah Museums Authority oversees 16 museums covering Islamic civilisation, arts, culture, heritage, science, archaeology, marine life, and Sharjah and regional history. You can centre your itinerary on one museum or choose a theme, such as archaeology or marine life, before deciding which stops fit your day.
The Sharjah Art Museum is in the Arts Area, Al-Shuwaihiyeen, near Al-Corniche post office and Heart of Sharjah. It first opened on April 17, 1997. Its collections and exhibitions include regional history, local painters and Arab artists, and its Art Library holds more than 4,000 titles in Arabic, English and other languages.
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How can you travel between Dubai and Sharjah?
You can travel between Dubai and Sharjah by intercity bus or ferry, but check current route details before choosing a departure.
Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) operates intercity bus services connecting the emirates, including routes E100, E101, E201, E303, E306, E307, E307A, E315, E400, E411, E16 and E700. Dubai Bus operates from 04:00 to 01:00 the following day.
For your specific journey, use the RTA’s current timetable to confirm the route and departure time. For more on getting around Dubai from the hotel area, consider how your local journey connects with the intercity leg.
The Dubai–Sharjah ferry, route FR5, runs between Al Ghubaiba Marine Station in Dubai and Sharjah Aquarium Marine Station. The RTA gives adult one-way fares of AED 15 for Silver and AED 25 for Gold; children under 5 and People of Determination travel free. Passengers should arrive 15 minutes before departure.
Dubai Internet City station is about 13 minutes on foot from Grand Bellevue Hotel Apartment Dubai. The Dubai Internet City Metro station guide covers this nearby connection.
Ferry departure times may change, and individual bus departure times should be confirmed for your travel date. Check the official site before you go: use the RTA site for transport information and the Sharjah Museums Authority site for museum details.
Planning visits around opening times
The Sharjah Art Museum’s regular opening pattern gives you a longer daytime window from Saturday to Thursday and a later start on Friday.
It is generally open Saturday to Thursday, 9:00 AM–8:00 PM, and Friday, 4:00 PM–8:00 PM. During Ramadan, hours differ: Saturday to Thursday, 9:00 AM–2:00 PM and 9:00 PM–11:00 PM; Friday, closed. The museum also closes on specified religious holidays and dates in the Islamic calendar.
Sharjah Museums Authority says individual visitors do not need advance booking. VIP groups, school visits, tourist groups and organization visits do require advance booking. The Sharjah Art Museum and Al Eslah School Museum are free to enter.
If you want to visit other museums, the authority’s general hours are Saturday to Thursday, 8:00 AM–8:00 PM, and Friday, 4:00 PM–8:00 PM, with Sharjah Aquarium and Sharjah Maritime Museum exceptions. Check the relevant museum’s hours before you set your schedule.
Returning to Dubai
Plan your return around the current bus or ferry timetable, rather than assuming a departure time from the general operating window.
For the ferry, check the RTA’s current FR5 departure times and allow time to reach the station ahead of departure. For buses, confirm the Sharjah service and its timing on the RTA timetable. If you drive, public parking rules and fees vary by emirate, area, parking type and duration; payment and timing details are shown at parking payment booths.
FAQs
Is the Sharjah Art Museum free?
Yes. Admission to the Sharjah Art Museum is free.
Do you need to book museum visits in advance?
Individual museum visits do not require advance booking, according to Sharjah Museums Authority. VIP groups, school visits, tourist groups and organization visits need to book ahead.
Does a ferry run between Dubai and Sharjah?
Yes. FR5 runs between Al Ghubaiba Marine Station in Dubai and Sharjah Aquarium Marine Station. Check current departure times with the RTA before travelling.