Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization: A visitor guide

Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization covers Islamic faith, scientific achievements and material culture through objects dating from the 1st century AH (7th century AD) to the 14th century AH (20th century AD). The permanent collection appears in seven galleries and display areas.

The Abu Bakr Gallery of Islamic Faith explores the principles of Islam, the Qur’an, the five pillars, and the rituals of Hajj and Umrah. Its objects include a model of the Ka’aba, parts of its Kiswah and historical Qur’an manuscripts.

In the Ibn Al Haitham Gallery of Science and Technology, exhibits present achievements in astronomy, medicine, geography, mathematics, chemistry, marine navigation and engineering. Early Islamic coins are displayed in the atrium outside the Al Majarrah Gallery. That gallery also hosts temporary exhibitions twice a year.

The building itself has another chapter: it opened as Souq Al Majarrah in 1987. The museum first opened as the Islamic Museum in Sharjah’s Heritage Area on 6 November 1996, then reopened under its present name on 6 June 2008.

During Ramadan, the museum is closed on Fridays, and the evening shift is closed during the last 10 days of Ramadan.

Opening hours

• Monday to Thursday, Saturday and Sunday: 8:00–20:00
• Friday: 16:00–20:00

Last checked November 2026. Hours can change on holidays and for special events.

Admission costs AED 5 for children aged 2–12 and AED 10 for adults aged 13 and over; children under 2 enter free.

Free admission is available for people with disabilities and one companion, seniors aged 60 and over and one companion, school and university trips, and holders of an ICOM membership card. Entry is also free during Ramadan, on International Museum Day (18 May), and on UAE National Day (2 and 3 December).

Ordinary museum visits do not require advance booking. VIP groups, school visits, tourist groups and organization visits do require booking. Personal-use photography is allowed; photography or filming for projects, research, publishing or other purposes requires using the authority’s application process.

Backpacks, water bottles and snacks are permitted in most areas, but not inside museum galleries. Wheelchairs are available, and the museum has a mother-and-child room. Free parking and Wi-Fi are available at Sharjah Museums Authority museums.

Check the official site before you go for current hours, admission details and closure information.

The museum is in Al Majarrah, within the Heart of Sharjah, along the Al-Majarrah Waterfront.

Sharjah city centre is about 72 minutes on foot or about 10 minutes by car from Royal Hotel, a three-star hotel in Sharjah.

The museum visit can be planned as part of a wider trip around Sharjah.

For practical transport context from the hotel, getting around Sharjah from Royal Hotel covers the wider city.

Allow about 30–45 minutes for a general museum tour, or 60 minutes for the suggested tour of the Museum of Islamic Civilization. The longer allocation gives you more room to move among the galleries and display areas.

Families can also ask reception about the hands-on drop-in workshops for children aged 6–12 and their families, held every Saturday. Workshop details are available at the museum reception.