Blue Souk in Sharjah
Sharjah has been a place for the traditional and cultural values of the Emirati people, with distinguished landmarks and colossal monuments to check out while spending time here. People come to Sharjah to taste the distinct adventure sports here, along with relaxing on the exotic sea beaches found across the region. Another important aspect of the Arabian culture reflects the numerous souks or markets available down the city. Individuals can find an amazing number of shops around the place selling distinct items and products.
Blue Souk in Sharjah is one of them, and the interesting facts and figures regarding the place along with the shops to visit are mentioned below for the readers to look at.
Introduction
The Blue Souk, or Central Souk in Sharjah, is an iconic structure that is constructed to suit the daily needs of the common people here. The place gets its name from the magnificent blue tiles embedded in the gigantic construction, with over 600 shops selling products and items for everyday use and also as assets. One important reason to recognize this magnificent architectural feat is that it is displayed over the 5-dirham note here in Sharjah.
History
The place was constructed under the leadership of Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi (source), who collaborated with the English architects Michael Lyle and Partners. Individuals can check out the distinct shops around the place and enjoy their bargaining skills over here. The entire premises are centrally air-conditioned, and there are a few food joints around that sell the best authentic dishes and refreshing beverages.
Points of Interest at the Blue Souk
There are numerous things to conclude while spending time at the Blue Souk in Sharjah. A few of the distinct things to do and places to check out in the Blue Souk are listed below for the audience.
1. Textile shops
Various textile shops around the market alleys sell bright and vibrant fabrics and outfits for personal use. Individuals can check out the wide variety of traditional dresses, including abayas and hijabs, with an amazing collection of rugs and Persian carpets on sale. Bargaining is pretty common over here, and individuals can strike a major deal at these shops according to their skills.
2. Gold and jewelry shops
Another main aspect of visiting the Blue Souk in Sharjah is the gold shops found along the region that sell artistically designed gold jewelry and ornaments along the marketplace here. Individuals can check the variety of designs and patterns of the ornaments here and buy them at cheaper prices than in the other regions available. Arabian gemstones, along with embellished turbans and crowns, can also be found at the gold souks here in this Sharjah marketplace.
3. The best time to visit the Blue Souk
The best time to visit the Blue Souk is from November to February, as the weather remains suitable for visitation purposes. This place cover under the Sharjah city tour from Dubai. The summertime is pretty hot here, and thus traveling and visiting places during that time can be a cumbersome task to engage in here.
Entry Fee & Timings
There is no entry fee imposed on visitors here, but individuals can lose a modest amount of money buying items from the shops here. The Blue Souk is open to visitors here all year around, and the proper timings are between 10 a.m. and 10.30 p.m. each day, while the place operates between 4 p.m. and 10.30 p.m. on Fridays only.
How to reach the Blue Souk?
Several buses plying at proper intervals can be used to reach the Blue Souk here in Sharjah conveniently. Private taxis and cabs can be used here to reach the place without any hassle. Bus services are also available from the Al Ghubaiba Station in Dubai to reach the Blue Souk affordably.
Final Word
To end with, these are a few important facts and ideas regarding the Blue Souk here in Sharjah and the ample number of things to do while spending time at the place. Individuals can check the various shops and stores for their necessary items or hang out with friends around the food joints available here.