Sharjah has something to offer everyone this summer: amazing shopping opportunities with exciting discounts and packages, fun indoor and outdoor activities including games, sports and theatrical shows, a huge range of culinary flavours, acres of beaches and intriguing, unusual attractions such as Al Noor Island and the Rain Room. There is no better time to enjoy Sharjah’s many charms with the whole family.
Visitors will discover that Sharjah’s Summer Festival, taking place from July 11 to end of August, is a major draw with a huge range of exciting events. Take the chance to enjoy the Summer Festival shopping discounts at Sharjah’s large malls. During August, the malls are also the stage for the on-going Summer Festival parade. Talented performers in stunning costumes will captivate audiences with stilt walking, juggling and interactive carnival-style acrobatics. Selected hotels in the emirate are also offering room, food, beach and spa discounts at this time. Meanwhile, the beaches are the venue for truly exciting events with various water games and floating play areas installed in the sea, allowing beach visitors even more activity options to enjoy in the water. In addition, the beaches will be set up for competitions and games such as beach volleyball to play on the sand.
Visitors who would like to experience the emirate’s attractions, should make sure to check out one of the most exciting new additions; the Rain Room, a dark chamber where constant rain dazzles in spotlight-like strings of light. Visitors will be immersed in a cocoon of rain; motion sensors allow you to walk through without getting wet. After stints in London, New York, Shanghai and LA, the installation has found a permanent home in Sharjah. It is also environment friendly - all its 1,200 litres are continuously recycled and cleaned.
The Rain Room in Sharjah is a dark chamber where constant rain dazzles in spotlight-like strings and what’s more, motion sensors allow you to walk through without getting wet
Continuing the water theme is the Al Montazah Amusement and Water Park (The Pearl Kingdom), Sharjah’s latest destination for family fun and outdoor adventure. There are thrilling rides, an adventure park with three different challenging courses, and recreational activities for all age groups. Inspired by the myth of ‘Princess Pearls’ who builds a brand-new water world using her special knowledge of precious sea stones, Pearl’s Kingdom offerings include 35 new attractions, including a world-class wave pool, a slide tower and a new kids’ slide with a capacity of 100 children between the ages of 4 to 14 years. In addition, the Eye of the Emirates wheel, one of Sharjah’s most famous landmarks, has recently been transferred to Al Montazah to offer supreme panoramas over the city's major attractions and famous markets.
Visitors preferring quiet and serene should head to Al Noor Island, designed to enable young and adult visitors alike to enjoy nature, art and literature in a beautiful setting. One of the popular go-to places on the Island is The Butterfly House, which houses around 500 exotic butterflies from East Asia. The structure of The Butterfly House is an architectural beauty itself, inspired by the ‘Mashrabiya’ – traditional Arab latticework over windows. The nearby unusual and lovely Literature Pavilion, where a soothing fountain plays, invites you to relax and read a book.
Those who are interested in authentic Arab history and culture will also find it in the emirate. Sharjah is home to over 22 award winning museums, educating visitors in fun interactive ways on every aspect of Arab culture and history from calligraphy at the Sharjah Calligraphy Museum to Islam at the Sharjah Islamic Civilisation Museum, to art with a whole arts area and the Sharjah Art Foundation.
Visit Sharjah this summer, to experience a unique and memorable holiday that will remain with you far beyond the days you spend in this captivating emirate. Learn more about Sharjah at www.visitsharjah.com
* Advertiser’s Content