Blue Souk Sharjah
Located in Sharjah, the Central Souk or the Blue Souk is a market steeped in Arabian tradition. Both locals and visitors to Sharjah flock to this souk, home to more than 600 shops selling everything from clothing to electronics. The blue-tiled façade of the building is what gives the souk its name and it’s a very prominent landmark in Sharjah today.
The British architects Michael Lyle and Partners designed the building on the guidance of HH Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi which was opened to the public in the year 1978. Standing on the shores of the Khalid Lagoon, the Blue Souk looks beautiful when the sun sets. There are two central buildings with bridges connecting them.
The exuberance of the vaults and the 20 tall wind towers give the Blue Souk a majestic look. Standing on a total area of a mammoth 80,000sqm, the Blue Souk is today a top attraction in Sharjah for the various items one can pick up here. Work on your bargaining skills, for if you can exploit them well, you can bag yourself a really good deal here.
The Shops at the Blue Souk
There are more than 600 shops spread over the two levels of the Blue Souk. You may pick some fine souvenirs here since the shops sell everything from cute trinkets to the latest of watches. Yes, the variety in the items the many shops at the Blue Souk sell is mind blowing. The upper floor houses shops selling beautiful carpets, traditional hand woven textiles and killims. The handicraft and other art and craft items sold here are of exquisite beauty.
The section of the Blue Souk by the lagoon has a row of shops glittering in the sparkle of jewelry like precious stones and stunning Bedouin diamonds. What make the Blue Souk so very popular are the many gold shops selling beautifully crafted gold jewelry. The craftsmen here gladly make jewelry customized for you if you share a sketch with them. Could there be any gift better than gold jewelry specially made for your special one?
What You Can Expect at the Blue Souk
The Blue Souk is a wonderful place where you can experience the Middle East in its most authentic form. The various shades of vibrant colors you see at the Blue Souk leave you spellbound. The hustle and bustle at the Blue Souk all day makes you feel like being in a busy Arabian market. The Blue Souk comes alive in the night and you’ll love the vibrancy and the exuberance the place oozes. Check the Sharjah city tour that cover majority of mentioned places.
Timing
The Blue Souk is on the King Faisal Road by the Khalid Lagoon close to the Al Etihad Square. There are no entry fees at the Blue Souk. You can visit the souk between 6:30am and 10:30pm every day except Fridays when it’s open from 6:00am to 11:30am and then from 1:00pm to 11:00pm.
How to Reach the Blue Souk
The most convenient way to reach the Blue Souk is of course by hailing a cab that shall drop you right at the souk’s doorstep. If you have to avail public transport, you can catch a bus from the Deira stand. The buses run frequently and are air-conditioned as well as comfortable. The city service buses meant to cater to tourists also drop you very close to the Blue Souk. If you opt for the metro, you’ll have to catch one of the Green Line.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The Blue Souk’s a very popular place in Sharjah. The bustling bazaar is a dazzling and vibrant display of the colorful cultural canvas of the Middle East. If you are looking for exquisitely crafted gold jewelry, this is the place to be in.
There are more than 600 shops spread through two floors at the Blue Souk.
Well, you should be asking what isn’t sold at the Blue Souk. From things as simple as trinkets to the most expensive of watches, you’ll find it all here at the Blue Souk.
Well, it’s a large market covering all of 80,000sqm. Depending on how exciting you find the place, you can spend an entire day here or maybe, just a few hours.
Sure you can! In fact, the Blue Souk is a fine place to hone your bargaining skills at. Hard bargaining can help you bag some really good deals here.
You should land at the Blue Souk just before sunset since the majestic building by the Khalid Lagoon looks stunning when the sun sets. This is also the time of the day when the market is bustling with life.