Souk Al Arsah
Souk Al Arsah
3.5
09:00 - 13:00, 16:00 - 21:00
Monday
09:00 - 13:00
16:00 - 21:00
Tuesday
09:00 - 13:00
16:00 - 21:00
Wednesday
09:00 - 13:00
16:00 - 21:00
Thursday
09:00 - 13:00
16:00 - 21:00
Friday
16:00 - 21:00
Saturday
09:00 - 13:00
16:00 - 21:00
Sunday
09:00 - 13:00
16:00 - 21:00
About
The oldest market place in the country Souq Al Arsah is probably the oldest market place in the U.A.E. and was the meeting place for the Bedouins and their camels in the old days. Step into the souq and begin a journey back in time. Walk along the comfortably air-conditioned alleyways of the market designed with solid wooden doors, beautiful coral brick walls and hanging lanterns. The souq is home to numerous quaint stores selling local, new and antique handicrafts, wooden articles, Arabic bridal and pearl chests, copper coffee pots, ethnic and handmade jewellery, perfume bottles and incense, hand-made woven garments, palm-leaf baskets, medicinal herbs, carpets, shawls and novelties. The Halwa shop (sweets shop)in the discreet corner is a real olfactory celebration and will definitely tempt every passerby to taste the inimitable indigenous sweets. And when you are tired of walking, there's the public coffee shop in the centre of the souq serving Arabic coffee and Sulaimani (black tea)
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3.5
92 reviews
Excellent
21
Very good
34
Average
28
Poor
8
Terrible
1
Sarah Grace
London, UK7,376 contributions
Jun 2016 • Friends
Heritage district and souk (means market) tour in Sharjah was nice.
The Souk wasn't big but interesting enough. You need to bargain for your purchases.
We love the architectural aspect of the place and building. It's one of the oldest in this emirate.
The Souk wasn't big but interesting enough. You need to bargain for your purchases.
We love the architectural aspect of the place and building. It's one of the oldest in this emirate.
Written 4 June 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robert C
Orange Beach, AL2,702 contributions
Mar 2015 • Friends
We visited this souk while wandering through the heritage area in Sharjah. Most of the shops were closed but the architecture was interesting. Many of the shops seemed to sell the same things, antiques, rugs, old cameras and clothes. I enjoyed the Blue Souk much more but did enjoy walking through. we visited on a Sunday around four to five pm.
Written 30 March 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JimParkway
Toronto, Canada2,143 contributions
Feb 2020
This is just down the street from the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization. There is also the Heritage Museum in the same area, at the back. The shopping area may be good for some; but typical set up for tourist.
Written 15 January 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Liz F
York, UK27 contributions
Feb 2014 • Friends
Another excellent attraction in Sharjah. Takes you back to a bygone era, while offering lots of things to take back as souvenirs. The fact there are lots of locals taking coffee and chatting is always a good sign. A lovely place to visit
Written 8 July 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Janet S
London, UK69 contributions
Apr 2014 • Friends
Souq Al-Arsah in the heart of the Heritage Area of Sharjah gives visitors the taste of the historic Arabian Gulf. A wonderful place to do one's shopping (at a fraction of the cost in Dubai, incidentally). In the centre is the covered courtyard (Al-Arsah) with the traditional high benches on which men sat to pass the time of day. Nearby is the little restaurant serving the traditional Gulf lunch of fish and rice, followed by tea. A wonderful place to browse for an hour or so, have a simple meal or a cup of tea and soak up the atmosphere of local life.
Written 21 May 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DO430
Nashville, TN11 contributions
Nov 2019 • Couples
This is the oldest Souq in Sharjah and we had a hard time finding it. What we didn’t learn from any of the literature was that it was being renovated so there were just a couple of shops open. But the structure was really cool and the neighborhood had lots of shops and was lovely to walk around in.
Written 30 November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Manish K
Dubai, United Arab Emirates3,993 contributions
Oct 2019
Souk Al Arsah was a traditional souq (market) in Sharjah. Located very close to the Sharjah Creek, the souq served as a place where goods and spices were traded. This souq has now been restored in Sharjah's historical district.
The souq is rather small and is indoor, thus protected from the heat outside. There is a central area with benches for seating. Around are a few shops selling the usual stuff, such as carpets, lamps and curios for tourists. As such, there is not much one can do here.
It's a good illustration of the old Sharjah, but if one has seen the older souqs in Dubai, those are much larger and more vibrant than this souq. One can spend around 20-30 minutes here. Entrance is free
The souq is rather small and is indoor, thus protected from the heat outside. There is a central area with benches for seating. Around are a few shops selling the usual stuff, such as carpets, lamps and curios for tourists. As such, there is not much one can do here.
It's a good illustration of the old Sharjah, but if one has seen the older souqs in Dubai, those are much larger and more vibrant than this souq. One can spend around 20-30 minutes here. Entrance is free
Written 9 November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nisha and Vasudevan
Mumbai, India732 contributions
Feb 2017 • Friends
It is a covered souq but not air-conditioned. The heritage authorities have renovated the Arsa Souq in the now Heritage precincts of Sharjah just next door to Naboodah Home converted to the Sharjah Heritage Museum.
This is not a big souq but is historically very important.
Generally, the shops sell antiques, souvenirs, clothes, footwear, accessories and other knick-knacks. On one side is a large space with benches and a café where you can rest after shopping.
This is not a big souq but is historically very important.
Generally, the shops sell antiques, souvenirs, clothes, footwear, accessories and other knick-knacks. On one side is a large space with benches and a café where you can rest after shopping.
Written 7 May 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
subhashc1974
131 contributions
Aug 2015 • Friends
Nice place to buy old traditional items.
Near the harbour
Very old heritage
Have been there many many times.
Many arabic items to look and buy
Near the harbour
Very old heritage
Have been there many many times.
Many arabic items to look and buy
Written 16 July 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Blondedawg
East Wenatchee, WA375 contributions
Mar 2016
Unfortunately we arrived when some of the shops were not yet open but it's a great place to buy items made in Oman
Written 6 June 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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