Northern Emirates

Tours are available to the emirates north of Dubai-Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain and Ras Al Kaimah. Among the main attractions are the spectacular Sharjah souqs, Ajman’s dhow-building yards and palace museum and the fertile agricultural area of Umm Al Quwain’s Falaj Al Mualla. Ras Al Khaimah is an ancient seaport tourists can explore the old town, its picturesque museum, take in the beauty of the surrounding mountains and visit a number of Interesting archaeological sites.
 
Sharjah
A short trip outside of Dubai will bring you to Dubai’s neighbouring emirate Sharjah, and one of the best shopping experiences in the UAE. Sharjah Market, or Blue Souq is the biggest of the Sharjah markets and built according to Islamic design. The market, located at Al Majaz, at the end of the Corniche Road, close to Khaled Lagoon, comprises two wings connected with tunnels. One wing is dedicated to all kinds of goods, gifts and electronics, while the other specialises in a series of gold, gems and jewellery shops. The Souq offers 600 air-conditioned shops to discover and an expansive area to stroll around. Wide central stairways and a number of narrow staircases give access to the upper floors, which consist of close passages running along shop fronts. The upstairs atmosphere is that of a real bazaar as opposed to the open plan ground floor. And you can’t help feeling that you may well stumble across a real find. The upper floors (especially the ones closest to the Khaled Lagoon) are very popular with tourists.

There are a number of antique and pseudo antique shops, a large selection of fine rugs, silver jewellery, Omani and Yemeni antique jewellery and subcontinent curios, artefacts and more. The lower floors specialise in gold jewellery, precious stones, perfumes, textiles, cosmetics, cassettes, cameras, garments & other household items. New curio shops are opening all the time. As you cross the two bridges linking the Souq, you will find silver shops, engravers, Yemeni jewellery and more. The Blue Souq is open daily (except Friday) 9am to 1pm and 4pm to 11pm.
 
Click here to return to After Hours