Nowhere does next-level opulence like the United Arab Emirates, and in our perpetually moving world, simply savouring silence has become the next sought-after luxury.
To the untrained eye, Sharjah is just a seamless extension of its glitzy next-door neighbour, Dubai, and all the glamour (and grudges) that tag along with it. However, Sharjah stands its ground, and few places straddle the line of the past and progress quite so well. This uber-accomplished emirate has some serious culture cred on its CV: Cultural Capital of the Arab World in 1998, Islamic Culture Capital in 2014, and Capital of Arab Tourism in 2015.
With this culture seems to come a certain type of calm: feet quietly shuffling through an under-visited museum; a steaming cup of karak chai, that ubiquitous milky black tea spiced to perfection with cardamom and saffron, best enjoyed under an enveloping blanket of desert stars; or simply standing still long enough to baffle a building full of butterflies. Whether you are looking to take the pace down a notch from the high of Dubai or just need a healthy dose of peace and quiet, these spots in Sharjah promise to bring you tantalisingly close to zero decibels.
Peer into the Past at the Mleiha Archaeological Site
No matter how glitzy the cities are, the Emirati soul will forever be found in the desert. As it turns out, some of our own ancestral underpinnings, whether Arab or not, emerged from these sands in Sharjah. One of humanity’s first settlements outside Africa was located around Mleiha, a hushed, Martian-looking desertscape far removed from the emirate’s urban hum. Archaeological excavations have unearthed a bounty of ancient artefacts, including 125,000-year-old stone hand axes, indicating that early humans thrived here. These findings have rewritten our own history, as researchers now believe that early humans could have left Africa 20,000 years earlier than previously thought.
Start your exploration at the visitors centre, unveiled in 2016, for a crash course in the history of humanity. Excavations are strewn across the surrounding desert, so opt for a tour and choose your mode of transport for trailing the footsteps of your ancestors: 4WD, mountain bike, or your own two feet. Moreover, the true highlight of this site is staying for sunset and beyond, allowing you to overnight amongst the desert dunes. Before settling for the night, open a window into the past on a dune-driving 4WD excursion to Fossil Rock, a landmark stone embedded with countless creatures. You can also ponder existence with a stargazing session: the visitors centre provides sophisticated telescopes to view constellations, the moon, and our planetary neighbours, plus – if it’s a clear night – galaxies far, far away.
Weather the Storm at Sharjah’s Rain Room
A permanent downpour has arrived in the desert with the opening of the Rain Room art installation, which has settled in Sharjah after a round-the-world tour. Nearly 3000 litres of water drip from the ceiling of a nearly pitch-black room, pierced only by a horizontal beam that seems to train the spotlight on each individual drop. In the Rain Room, your body is your umbrella; a sophisticated system of networked cameras tracks your movement – step slowly to stay dry and move quickly at your own risk. While the falling pitter-patter of rain isn’t decibel-free, the natural noise is music to the ears. Groups inside the Rain Room are limited to six people.
Find Stillness Amongst the Butterflies on Al Noor Island
Attached to the mainland by a single meandering thread of a bridge, Al Noor Island is a wonderfully lush retreat from the high rises of Sharjah city. Walkways, some of which transform unannounced into pavement-wide trampolines, encircle the isle, designed by Austrian artist André Heller. The central attraction is its modern but nature-inspired glass-paned butterfly house, home to hundreds of peacefully fluttering specimens. Partially obscured by a sunlight-bright metal ‘wave’ that looks like traditional mashrabiya, this island is particularly tranquil at night when 1200 fiberglass bulbs light up the ‘glimmering meadow’, swaying like fireflies in a magical display.
Stay Off the Grid or in the Middle of It All
Because of its close proximity to Dubai – and an alcohol ban that seems to frighten some people – Sharjah receives only a fraction of overnight visitors, so travellers who opt to stay are in for a treat. New boutique hotels that promise to conserve local culture, heritage, and natural ecosystems are popping up across the emirate in some unexpected places. In the Heart of Sharjah, a restored heritage district in the centre of the city, hides Al Bait, low-rise luxury digs built on the foundations of old houses (Al Bait means ‘house’ in Arabic). The traditional architecture aims for peak privacy, with suites clustered around quiet courtyards.
Nestled in the red-streaked sands near the archaeological site of Mleiha is a secluded spot worth seeking out. Al Faya Lodge features just five rooms fashioned from an abandoned 1960s-era medical clinic and grocery store. The rooms have over-bed skylights prime for silent stargazing, and just off the modernist-style swimming pool is the unique ‘hands-free’ spa, where treatments are administered simply by relaxing. Experience sunset from the Himalayan salt inhalation room and wash off in the tropical shower, heading to the herbal ventilation area scented with chamomile, cinnamon, cloves, and frankincense.
Kayak Through Khor Kalba and Glamp Near the Beach
As the only emirate with real estate on both coasts, Sharjah makes the most of its stretches of sea. Leave the busy built-up western side for the eastern enclave of Khor Kalba, where you can paddle the calm coastal waters amid mangrove forests, spotting turtles and crabs as you float past in a kayak. For pure solitude at night, book into secluded Kingfisher Lodge, featuring just 25 safari-style tents on a private peninsula: glamping doesn’t get more glamorous than this. It’s worth waking early to salute the sun and watch the pastel hues emerge over the beach from your bed, personal plunge pool, or patio.
