Al Majaz

Introduction

Al Majaz is a mixed-use district in Downtown Sharjah, and it holds several of the city's notable landmarks within its bounds. You can base yourself here and reach City Centre Sharjah for shopping, Al Noor Island, Al Qasba, Al Majaz Waterfront and Al Montazah Parks without leaving the district.

Because the area is large and combines these attractions, it suits travellers who want Sharjah's waterfront and family-oriented draws close at hand rather than spread across the city.

Getting around

Al Majaz has no dedicated visitor transport of its own, so you get around the same way residents of Sharjah do: by bus, taxi, ride-hailing and on foot. Sharjah has no metro or tram, and the Dubai Metro across the emirate boundary is useful mainly as a connection into or out of Sharjah rather than for moving around Al Majaz itself. Buses are the main form of public transport serving the area. The direct Dubai RTA route E306 runs from Al Ghubaiba Bus Station 14 in Dubai to Al Wahda Center on Al Wahda Road, the arrival point for Al Majaz Park; note that it leaves from Station 14 rather than Station 1, and that as an inter-emirate route it takes longer than a purely local trip. If you prefer to stay on public transport the whole way, take the Dubai Metro from Al Ghubaiba to Stadium, then bus F24 to Sahara Center, then bus 8 to Al Wahda Street — more changes, but no gaps.

For the landmarks scattered around Khalid Lagoon — Al Majaz Waterfront, Al Majaz Amphitheatre Island, Al Noor Island, Al Qasba and the parks — short taxi or ride-hailing hops are the most direct approach, and a taxi is considerably quicker than the bus for the inter-emirate leg, though it costs more. The waterfront stretches around the lagoon, including Al Majaz Waterfront and Al Qasba, are the most naturally walkable parts, and walking is a pleasant way to link nearby attractions on the same stretch. But the area is large, spread across Al Majaz 1, 2 and 3 and several islands, so walking alone won't cover everything; expect to combine it with taxis or buses for longer legs, and remember that reaching an island such as Al Noor Island or the Amphitheatre Island means a crossing rather than a simple stroll. Plan your journeys as Sharjah city trips rather than movements within a single resort complex, and allow extra time whenever you cross between Dubai and Sharjah.

Three days in Al Majaz

Day one: Start in Al Majaz and get your bearings along Al Majaz Waterfront, where the promenade faces Khalid Lagoon and the Al Majaz Amphitheatre Island sits offshore. Wander into Al Majaz Park for shade and a slower pace, then cross to Al Noor Island for its gardens and quiet corners. In the evening, return to the waterfront as the lagoon lights come on.

Day two: Head into Downtown Sharjah to see the city's heritage core, then shop at City Centre Sharjah. In the afternoon, move on to Al Qasba, where the canal-side walk and the bridge over the water make an easy place to spend a few hours. If you are travelling with children, Al Montazah Parks next door offers rides and green space.

Day three: Take the Dubai Metro to Al Ghubaiba Station, then walk to Al Ghubaiba Bus Station to catch a bus back toward Sharjah. Buses along Al Wahda Road and Al Wahda Street connect you to Al Wahda Center and, further out, Sahara Center. Plan your last stop around Al Majaz so you finish where you started, with a final walk along the lagoon before you leave.