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Local markets in Sharjah are diverse. They play a significant role in Sharjah Emirate by enriching its economy, attracting visitors and tourists, and preserving its identity and legacy. The following lines describe the main traditional markets (souks), including their products and history.
Souq Saqr is called (Souk Al Bahar) in Sharjah due to its proximity to the sea. It is also known as (Souk Mohamed Bin Saqr) to locals. It was once a centre for gold and clothing trade. Sailboats used to anchor at its crowded waterfront to carry goods to India, Iran, and Pakistan.
Today, Souq Saqr is one of the authentic local markets in Sharjah. It is known for its traditional products, such as henna, incense, herbs, perfumes, oils, clothing, and palm frond baskets. In addition to the local shops, there are women's tailor shops in the market. They specialise in making local clothing, such as embroideries, abayas, and other traditional clothing.
Souq Saqr runs parallel to Sharjah Creek. It is located in the eastern part of the Heart of Sharjah heritage district. Its visitors can enjoy the traditional ambience, visit the various shops, and stroll along the waterfront.
It is open Saturday through Thursday from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm, and Fridays from 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm.
Known as one of the oldest and most vibrant souqs in the region, the current souq was built on the foundations of the old souq. Excavations carried out in the area between Sharjah Fort (Al Hisn) and the Corniche, as part of the Heart of Sharjah development project, revealed that the old souq dates back to the 1950s.
As a result, His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, commissioned the reconstruction of Souq Al Shanasiyah on the discovered ruins of the old souq.
The newly reconstructed souq has retained its old name (Souq Al Shanasiyah), which was named after the merchants of Shanas, an area located in the Sultanate of Oman.
In addition to a wide range of goods such as clothes, perfumes, Arab oils, and much more, the souq offers souvenirs and exquisite gifts made by local craftsmen. It also includes coffee houses and restaurants where visitors can sample Emirati food.
Souq Al Shanasiyah is now considered one of the emirate's top tourist attractions. It is located in the Heart of Sharjah district, at the junction of the Corniche Road and Al Hisn Street.
The souq is open Saturday through Thursday from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm, and Fridays from 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm, whereas its cafes and restaurants are open from 7:00 am to 11:00 pm daily.
Souk Sharq, also known as "Khorfakkan Old Souq", is the ideal destination for those looking to get a glimpse of the past, specifically before the oil era in Khorfakkan. The souk was reconstructed and renovated in the same style as the original market.
Souk Sharq has evolved into a tourist and cultural sanctuary reflecting the region's heritage and civilization. Its visitors can learn about the city's history through many stores that sell historical products and goods. They can also sample conventional Emirati cuisine.
The activities in Souk Sharq in Khorfakkan are not limited to shopping from the different stores selling various goods. Visitors can also walk between its alleyways to sense the traditional atmosphere prevailing there, visit the restaurants and cafes outside the market to enjoy an outdoor meal, and head to the covered market and the Traditional Craft's Museum.
This museum features sections with several conventional arts and handicrafts made of the local areas' raw materials, such as traditional medicine, the mutawa, carpentry, baker, the jeweller, and the market stall.
Souq Al Arsah, almost 180 years old, is one of UAE's largest and most significant old markets. It is considered an important shopping destination for handicrafts, artefacts, and souvenirs.
Souq Al Arsah was once a place for people to meet, a pearl trading place, and a centre for commercial transactions. More than half a century ago, it was a marketplace for Bedouin traders with camels laden with goods and merchants from India and Persia.
Due to its significance to the emirate of Sharjah, Souq Al Arsah was renewed recently. It features more than 70 specialty stores for selling traditional tools used in the past, local and international handicraft products, and antiques. Visitors can also find other products in the market, like copper coffee pots, traditional jewellery, incense, pearl-encrusted Arab caskets, and Omani daggers.
Additionally, Souq al Arsah's design is one of its distinctive features. It includes air-conditioned alleyways, hanging lanterns, coral brick walls, and wooden doors.
Aside from shopping, visitors can head to the local sweet shop in Souq Al Arsah to sample the traditional authentic "Halwa", or visit the local coffee shop in the middle of the souq to watch manifestations of everyday life. They can meet the locals, try Arabic coffee and red tea (Sulaimani tea), or eat traditional Emirati dishes.
Souq Al Arsa is behind the Al Bait Hotel in the Heart of Sharjah heritage area. It is open Saturday to Thursday from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm and Fridays from 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm.
This souq is visited by all those looking for colourful fabrics and first-class, high-quality clothing and furnishings.
Here, visitors will find the best textile stores selling bespoke, luxurious fabrics such as beaded fabrics, raw silk, the finest saris, and other textiles imported from different regions of the world.
Textiles Souq is near the Creek in Al Shuwaiheen area, around Rolla Square Park. After shopping at the various fabric stores, visitors can head to the Souq Al Soor textile centre opposite King Faisal Mosque and Al Shaab Village.
Located in Al Jubail area near the Central Souq, the fruit and vegetable market dates back to 1981. It is built over an area of about 4800 square feet with an estimated cost of around AED 6 million. The souq features 118 shops and 600 car parking spaces.
Souq Al Jubail is distinguished by its shop stalls showcasing fruits and vegetables, where visitors can find all kinds of fruit, vegetables, and dates. Its design is predominated by the Arab and Islamic style. This is embodied in its crescent-shaped entrances and walls decorated with Quranic verses and prayers said by Muslims before entering the souq.
Sharjah's 25-year-old Souq is most distinguished by its traditional ambiance, the old memories lingering in visitors' minds, and the variety of its stores, which offer several goods at reasonable prices. These goods include clothing, textiles, food, incense, oud, oils, spices, herbs, groceries, jewellery, and more.
The Old Souq in Sharjah is prominently located among ultra-modern buildings, emphasising its heritage and historical character. It also has some of the old market ruins dating back hundreds of years. Moreover, the Old Souq has several attractions worth visiting, such as Al Daleel Mosque, Sara Shopping Center, and Sharjah Gold Center.
It is located near Port Sharjah and Sharjah Creek, in Al Shuwaiheen area, near The Sharjah Art Museum, one of the most well-known museums in the emirate. It hosts, among other events and festivals, exhibitions of artworks from the private collection of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah.
Other traditional souks in Sharjah include:
Kalba Heritage Market underwent a significant transformation after being reconstructed along with its surroundings, including the old mosque and nearby residences. This renovation was part of a project aimed at reviving the old city centre and renovating the area without losing its authenticity and heritage.
Today, the market includes 104 shops characterised by their traditional exterior. It provides investment opportunities for productive families and entrepreneurs in Kalba City.
Additionally, it has five coffee shops, six local restaurants, and other facilities for visitors and tourists.
This souq is located in the Mleiha region near Al Dhaid City. It is strategically located in the centre of Sharjah, close to its cities and the other emirates of the UAE.
Souq Al Juma aims to provide citizens with the various needs and goods they require. It offers 45 stores with traditional exteriors and many other services and facilities, including fresh fruits and vegetables from the surrounding farms, carpets, pottery, and other local products.
Al Madam Homeware Market is located about 8 kilometres from the main road leading to the Al Madam region. It is considered a favourite destination for both locals and visitors to the Al Badayer tourist area.
At this market, visitors can buy trip supplies and household utensils such as tents, cooking utensils, gas, firewood, and charcoal.
[1] visitsharjah.com, Souks
[2] heartofsharjah, SOUQS
[3] worldscoolestwinter.ae, Souq AlShanasiyah
[4] Sharjah City Municipality, The Arsah Market
[5] Sharjah City Municipality, Fruit and vegetable market
[6] visitsharjah.com, Souk Sharq
[7] xsi.sdc.gov.ae, Shees Park
[8] xsi.sdc.gov.ae, Souq Kalba
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