Sharjah Markets: Fruity, Floral, Oriental

The markets of Sharjah are in no way inferior to the famous Dubai markets and offer travelers the opportunity to touch the mysterious and mysterious world of oriental bazaars. Despite the fact that the emirate was founded in the second half of the 20th century, trading life in these places was in full swing for several thousand years ago. Ancient buildings have practically not survived to this day, but many traditional places where merchants waited for buyers still fulfill their function. There are both specialized, for example, fruit or flower, and universal pavilions with a variety of goods – like the Blue Market. Those who travel during the month of Ramadan should keep in mind that trading does not start until after sunset.

Sharjah Blue Market

The largest and most famous market in Sharjah, Souq Al Markazi, has several names at once: Blue, Central or New. Locals come here for shopping, and tourists come to see the bright and attractive building, built in 1979. Carved windows, blue tiles that effectively blend with the sky and gave the name of the bazaar, floral ornaments on a golden background and amazing air conditioning with a system of vents – all this attracts the attention of travelers. Here you can buy carpets, silk, wool, clothes, jewelry and much more. And the vast departments of spices and gold are sometimes even separated into separate bazaars, although formally they are part of the New Market.

Address: King Faisal Road, Sharjah. Opening hours: 9:00-13:00 and 16:00-23:00 daily except Friday.

• < /p>Sharjah Blue Market

Sharjah Fruit Market

The Souq Al Jubajl fruit market is slightly less architecturally remarkable, but it still has an oriental feel to it. On the shelves are bright fruits and vegetables, mainly brought from distant countries, including exotic ones: sapodilla (or tree potatoes), longon, tamarind, dragon fruit, rambutans, mangosteens, various varieties of mango, lychee. But there are also more familiar ones – watermelons, melons, coconuts, apples, strawberries. It is more profitable to buy everything in boxes, and you definitely need to bargain! Directly adjacent to the fruit market are fish and meat markets, where they sell all types of fish and seafood, as well as varieties of meat allowed in the country.

Address: Al Jubail, Corniche Street, Sharjah, next to Blue, you need to cross Al Arouba Street. Opening hours: 6:30-22:30, break: 11:30-14:00 on Friday.

Flower Market

The Sharjah Flower Market is called the market of plants and pottery, as it sells not only flowers – cut and in pots, from tiny sprouts to large trees in tubs – but also numerous figurines, vases, amphoras and other garden decor. Even those who do not plan to buy anything should visit this place, as everything around is immersed in greenery and scents of flowers.

Address: Corniche Street, a little further than fruit. Opening hours: 6:30-11:30 and 14:00-22:30.

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Sharjah East Market

Travelers who want to feel the atmosphere of an old Arab market should head to Souq Al Arsah Oriental Bazaar. It is located in the historical quarter of Sharjah and attracts attention with the type of construction: it is a covered pavilion with numerous shops that are closed by heavy, wooden gates. It sells mainly fabrics, carpets, souvenirs and jewelry. Many shops do not work, but in some places trade continues. So you can buy something interesting and take beautiful photos.

Address: Al Sharq Street, Opp Old Souk, Shuwaihean, Sharjah. Opening hours: 9:00-13:00 and 17:00-20:00.

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• Shops in Sharjah: what to buy and where to go

< h2>Friday Market

The Souq Al-Juma Friday market is located between Sharjah and Fujairah, so it is believed that it belongs to both emirates. Once this bazaar worked only on Fridays, which is why it has such a name, but now, due to the large flow of tourists, it is open every day. Here they sell food, souvenirs, fabrics, carpets, ceramics, watches, jewelry and much more. The bazaar is famous for its low prices and not too pushy traders. It is not worth going here specifically, but you can look along the way. To get to the place, you need to move towards the town of Masafi along the E89 highway and immediately after it turn onto the E88.

Address: Souq Al-Juma, Sharjah. Opening hours: 8:00-22:00 aj/tl/ajtllm1g25sswkcccogogcc40.jpg” media=”(max-width: 549px)”>