A Weekend in Sharjah

A member of the luxurious Millennium Hotels and Resorts group, the Millennium Hotel Sharjah sits on the edge of the peaceful Khalid Lagoon in the centre of town. Views from many of the rooms take in the beautiful Buhairah Corniche that lines the lagoon. Rated five-star, the hotel features the unique Millennium Club Floor on the 17th floor, where guests enjoy a luxury stay with many extra amenities.

The 259 guest rooms in this hotel are stylish and modern without being bothered by too much traffic noise. There are plenty of taxis available in front of the hotel to get about the city, and the famous Blue Souq is just a short walk from the hotel.

There are three restaurants within the property. Shiraz comes highly recommended with its Iranian dishes. There is also a good-sized swimming pool within the hotel grounds.

Rates start at US$100 per room per night.

The Sharjah Science Museum is a unique experience for both children and adults. Its hands-on approach to learning makes it a fun trip for all ages. There are over 50 exhibits in the main hall and there staff on hand to demonstrate or explain each display.

Other activities in the museum include a visit to the Planetarium and an enjoyable magic show.

Entry is Dhs 5 for adults (about US$1.4) and Dhs 2 for children. There are special family packages available, too.

The Blue Souq has to be one of Sharjah's most famous landmarks. Its unique Islamic design featuring hundreds of thousands of blue tiles makes a visit here unforgettable. It is actually split into two wings, with a connecting undercover bridge.

The lower floor is open plan, with a wide avenue down the centre, and shops on either side range from jewellery to clothing to electronics. There are plenty of stands selling fresh juice and snacks.

The upper floor is more compact and has a more traditional souq feel to it. The shops here tend to sell rugs, antiques, and more traditional artifacts.

The shops are open from 9am to 1pm and then again from 4pm to 11pm. Most shops stay closed on Friday until the late afternoon, after 5pm.