Pearl Merchants and Palm Trees: A Self-Guided Tour of Sharjah
Sharjah prides itself on being the steady-as-she-goes emirate, but don’t let that dissuade you. It's confident, worldly, multi-dimensional, interesting, and definitely less noisy than its cousin down the road.
- 1 hour
- Mobile voucher
Sharjah prides itself on being the steady-as-she-goes emirate, but don’t let that dissuade you. It's confident, worldly, multi-dimensional, interesting, and definitely less noisy than its cousin down the road.
Join me on a wander down the shaded laneways and in and out of old houses and new spaces. Together we'll explore what remains of the old part of town. There are houses and mosques, museums and galleries, palm trees and pearl merchants, all waiting for you.
You'll enjoy
• peeking inside traditional houses
• contemporary design inspired by Sharjah's craft heritage
• souqs for shopping
• hidden little alleyways.
And you'll hear fun stories about
• what you can do with your leftover goat hooves
• who has a PhD in piracy studies
• coral farming
• how to order the perfect lime and mint juice drink
The exact route can be seen upon downloading the tour or previewed in the app, and it works offline. It's a self-guided audio tour that can be listened to anytime.
Tickets will be delivered post-booking by email or physically delivered to your hotel
VOICEMAP CODE
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Please check your email at the address you provided when you made this booking. VoiceMap has sent you an eight character code you'll need to redeem your tour.
This code can be used by every member of your party. If you've booked for three people, for example, three people can download this tour using the same code.
DOWNLOAD INSTRUCTIONS
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Once you've received your code, please follow these steps:
- Install the VoiceMap Audio Tours mobile app
- Create an account
- Select Tour Codes from the menu, then select Enter Codes
- Enter your code then select Download Now
PLEASE NOTE
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• You can download the tour at any time, before or after your booking date. It’s best to download the tour before you set off for the starting point.
• This tour follows a set route and includes turn-by-turn directions. It works best if you start it in the right place and follow the directions from one location to the next.
• When the download completes, you’ll see a screen with a photo of the starting point and directions to it. The red start button will become active when you are at the starting point.
• Remember to bring your own headphones, unless you have booked a driving tour.
SUPPORT
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For technical support and other queries, please email support@voicemap.me
Guide options
- Audio guide (English)
Prices
Included
- VoiceMap App for Android and iOS (3)
Not included
- Tickets or entrance fees to any museums or other attractions en route (4)
Tips
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Route
- 1
Heart of Sharjah
There are houses and mosques, museums and galleries, palm trees and pearl merchants, all waiting for you in the old Sharjah town. Join me on a tour and I will tell you all about it.
- 2
Art Area of Sharjah
In among the heritage buildings, you will discover exciting contemporary art from the MENASA region in unusual places. Some of these are hidden away, so you will need to keep a look-out for them.
- 3
Fen Cafe & Restaurant - 06 Mall
A good opportunity to enter traditional houses, and enjoy some refreshments in a courtyard under a shady terrace.
- 4
Sharjah Heritage Museum
Inside the museum, you will find both everyday and precious objects that illustrate community practices and traditions that are ages old. Many of these have been passed down through the generations from times long ago, and still, resonate in contemporary Sharjah.
- 5
Sharjah Calligraphy Museum
Discover why calligraphy is one of the most prized art forms in the Arab world. Even if you don’t read Arabic, the swirls and curls will still grab you.
- 6
Bait-al-Naboodah Museum
The former home of an internationally successful pearl trader who brought wealth and grand ideas to Sharjah. We share some stories of his international life at the dawn of the 20th century.
- 7
Heart of Sarjah discovery centre
Learn all about the vibrant history of Sharjah and this old neighbourhood in the Majlis Al Naboodah. The old photos are great windows into a time not all that long ago.
- 8
Souk Al Arsah
As you walk around the stalls today it is not hard to imagine a time in the past when it was filled with pearl traders and buyers, cargo and camels, all jostling for space, attention and a good deal.
- 9
The Chedi Al Bait, Sharjah
A gorgeous new development which seamlessly merges all the modern luxuries of a five-star resort with that of a conservation project. Stay the night or just pop in for some refreshments. I recommend a lime and mint juice for quenching your thirst.
Location
Start point
Meeting point
You must make your own way to the start point
Start points:
- The start of our tour is on Corniche Street (coordinates: 25.357515, 55.380436). Before arrival, install the VoiceMap app and use the code provided on your ticket. This is a self-guided audio tour that you can start, pause, or restart any time and complete at your own pace.
- 55 S101