Sharjah
If there is one thing I would tell anyone visiting Sharjah to prioritise above everything else, it is this: go to the Sharjah Grand Mosque.
Our trip to Sharjah will always hold a very special place in our hearts — because it was the place where our son took his very first steps. We travelled as a large group — family, children, the beautiful chaos of a multigenerational holiday. And Sharjah, which we had approached with a little uncertainty (it was summer, and we had heard how hot it could get), turned out to be one of the most genuinely wonderful trips we have taken together.
A Mosque I Will Never Forget
If there is one thing I would tell anyone visiting Sharjah to prioritise above everything else, it is this: go to the Sharjah Grand Mosque. Please do not skip it.
We visited during our trip and it left me completely speechless. The mosque is vast — it can hold up to 25,000 worshippers — and yet what struck me most was not its size but its beauty. The interior is adorned with the most breathtaking Quranic calligraphy, and the chandelier above the main prayer hall is something I will not forget. Mashallah. It is truly one of the most beautiful mosques I have ever been to in my life.
What made it even more special was the setting and the atmosphere up there. The breeze was extraordinary — cool and steady even in the summer heat — and there was a serenity to that place that is very hard to put into words. It felt removed from everything. Peaceful in the truest sense.
If I went back to Sharjah tomorrow, the Grand Mosque would be my very first stop. No question.
About the Heat
Yes, it was hot. Very hot — we travelled in summer, which is not the obvious choice. But we were prepared, and after a few days our bodies adapted more than we expected. The rhythm that worked for us was simple: mornings and evenings outside, afternoons in the shade or indoors. Once we found that balance, the heat stopped feeling like an obstacle.
Where We Stayed: Coral Beach Resort
We stayed at the Coral Beach Resort, and it was a wonderful fit for our family holiday. The resort is not enormous — and that turned out to be one of its greatest strengths. Travelling with a large group and many children, the compact size meant we were always close to each other. There was a real sense of togetherness to the stay that a larger, more sprawling resort might not have offered.
But what truly set it apart was the food. I do not say this lightly — it was some of the best hotel food any of us had ever experienced. The chef at the time was exceptional. The menu leaned into Indian and Arabic cuisine, with an abundance of beautifully prepared dishes, extraordinary variety, and desserts that were genuinely difficult to walk away from. We came home a little heavier, all of us. Absolutely worth it.
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Why Sharjah Felt Right
Of all the Emirates, Sharjah stands apart. It is notably more conservative than its neighbours — and for us, that was a draw rather than a limitation. There is no alcohol, even in the hotels. There is no party atmosphere. The pace is calmer, the environment more grounded. Walking through Sharjah in the evenings felt genuinely pleasant — relaxed, family-friendly, and aligned with our values in a way that we quietly appreciated every single day.
Evening Walks, Running Tracks and Abaya Shopping
Some of our favourite moments were the simplest ones: evening walks along the waterfront. Sharjah has invested in dedicated paths for jogging and walking — a rubberised track running along the seafront, the kind you find around athletic stadiums. We followed it often, sometimes walking, sometimes even running. Along the way, we discovered the local markets. The clothing here is exceptionally well priced, and the selection for Muslim women is outstanding. Abayas in every style, fabric, and colour — at prices that made it very easy to buy generously. Most of the abayas I own today came from Sharjah. If modest fashion shopping is something you love, set aside real time for the markets here.
Would I Go Back?
Without hesitation. But if I am honest, the first thing I would do is go straight back to Al Noor Mosque. That place stayed with me. The cool breeze, the domes, the stillness up there above the water — it is the kind of beauty that reminds you of what matters.
Sharjah is a destination I would recommend warmly to any Muslim family: halal food, no alcohol, a calm and conservative atmosphere, excellent modest fashion shopping, and a family resort experience that genuinely brings people together. And somewhere in between all of it, if you are lucky, your one-year-old might just decide that today is the day he is going to walk. Inshallah, we will be back.
A Few Practical Notes:
Prioritise a visit to Al Noor Mosque — it is unmissable
Go prepared for the heat in summer — mornings and evenings are the best times to be outside
Coral Beach Resort is excellent for families, especially larger groups
The food at the resort is exceptional — come hungry
Sharjah is alcohol-free across the board — a genuine plus for Muslim travellers
The waterfront running and walking track is perfect for evenings
The local markets are outstanding for modest fashion and abayas
A daily hotel shuttle connects to Dubai and nearby destinations
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