Mega Mall
A favourite with fashionistas, Mega Mall is shopping wonderland featuring popular brands such as Zara, Mango, Paris Gallery, Bhs, Nine West, Guess, Vero Moda, Aldo, Anotah and many more. Entertainment options include the 7-screenGrand Mega Mall Cinema and Antics Land family entertainment centre. megamall.ae
Sharjah City Centre
Dominating the city’s shopping scene, Sharjah City Centre offers the ultimate value oriented retail mix. Stores include Bhs, New Look, H&M, Aldo, Nine West, Aeropostale, The Body Shop, Adidas, Carters, Springfield, evi’s, Bossini, Splash, Baby Shop and Max Value amongst others. Magic Planet keeps the young ones happily occupied while the multicuisine food court helps maintain energy levels. sharjahcitycentre.com
Safeer Mall
Safeer is a popular shopper’s stop on Al Ittihad road which connects Sharjah to Dubai. Home to retailers such as Sharaf DG, Home Mart, Red Tag, Damas, Shoemart, Splash, Max as well as the Fitness First health club, Space City – Kids entertainment zone, food court and Safeer Hypermarket, the mall is a convenient mix of leisure and necessity. safeermall.com
Souks
The souks of the emirate are an integral part of its culture. Even today most residents prefer to get gold, spices, herbs and textiles from a traditional souk rather than an upscale mall.
Central Souk
Characterized by distinctive blue domes and tile work, the Central Souk is one of Sharjah’s most iconic landmarks. Reminiscent of traditional Arabic architecture, it is embellished with barjeel (windtowers) and mashrabiya (latticed windows). Arabic calligraphy can also be seen on the Souk’s walls. Set within lush manicured gardens and the crystal blue Khalid Lagoon, Central Souk is a captivating sight and has served as a muse for many photographers. The souk (which has two buildings interlinked by two bridges) houses over 600 shops which sell an assortment of goods such as exquisite gold jewelry, trendy silver accessories, antiques and souvenirs, pashminas, traditional Arab clothing, woolen and
silk carpets from Iran, Afghanistan and India. isitors will also find cosmetics, perfumes, textiles, readymade garments, watches and electronics here.
Souk Al Arsa
Souk Al Arsa (Courtyard Souk) is one of the oldest souks in the UAE. The old souk of Al Arsa dates back to more than half a century ago and was a popular stop for the merchant caravans from Persia and India. Designed with solid wooden doors, beautiful coral brick walls and hanging lanterns, the souk offers a number of small stores selling local, new and antique handicrafts, wooden Arabic bridal and pearl chests, copper coffee pots, ethnic and hand-made jewellery, perfumes and incense, hand woven garments, palm-leaf baskets, medicinal herbs, carpets, shawls and novelties
Rolla
Rolla is a bargain hunters delight – rows of small shops sell a plethora of goods, from suitcases and mattresses to bicycles and hi-tech gadgets. The centre piece of Rolla is the Al Ghuwair Market – renowned as the best place to buy textiles for curtains and garments. Al Ghuwair is also a popular local choice for accessories and toys. The Rolla Square is also a historical site in Sharjah and was named after the planting of the first Banyan tree (locally known as Rolla tree) by Shaikh Sultan Bin Saqr Bin Rashid Al Qasimi (1803-1866). The tree lasted for nearly 150 years until 1978.
Souk Al Bahar
This authentic old bazaar also known as Souk Mohamed Bin Saqr, runs parallel to the Sharjah Creek and traded in clothes and gold in the past. Stroll along the waterfront and explore the shops offering an assortment of products: spices and herbs, henna, clothes and textiles, perfumes and Sharjah | 63