Al Qasba

Al Qasba is a cultural landmark and a premier leisure destination in Sharjah. It lies in the district of Al Khan – Sharjah’s southern waterfront suburb. The canal-side development houses two 150-metre complexes that face each other across the Qasba Canal. It is known for a variety of commercial properties such as shops, restaurants, office spaces and art galleries as well as several tourist attractions.

As an arts and culture hub, the development has been hosting many remarkable events in the city. Al Qasba Development Authority (AQDA), a member of Shurooq (Sharjah Investment and Development Authority), manages the development and promotes it as a major tourist and heritage area. It is also home to a growing number of collaborative art projects and a few off-plan properties.

• A major cultural centre of Sharjah
• Home to many commercial spaces
• The residential side consists of apartments
• A tourist hub with many waterfront restaurants, events and activities

Formerly known as Qanat Al Qasba, the neighbourhood is mostly a commercial area with limited choices in residential properties. The available residential options in the area are aimed towards individuals, couples and small families looking to live in a happening neighbourhood.

The two 4-floor podium complexes that sit opposite each other contain an art centre, a theatre space and many eateries. Moreover, they house a range of business facilities such as conference halls, self-contained offices and various event venues.

The residential properties in Al Qasba include rental apartments of various types. Some are unfurnished and others are partially or fully furnished. They range from 1 to 3-bedroom flats. Each unit offers a range of facilities such as en-suite bedrooms, well-equipped kitchens and spacious living areas. Most of the buildings come with a dedicated car parking facility also that accommodates residents and visitors.

Parking in Al Qasba Sharjah is not at all an issue. Thanks to the vast open spaces adjoining the development, which can accommodate multiple rows of vehicles.

People living in Al Qasba or visiting the area would have to rely mostly on private vehicles. Sharjah Taxi Service is also an option for transportation in Al Qasba. It provides multiple options that cater to different travelling needs of customers.

Lemara Supermarket near Al Qasba is the place to go for groceries and other daily necessities. For more extensive shopping, one can drive to the nearest chain of the renowned Lulu Hypermarket, accessible in about 6 minutes.

Located at the development’s south-eastern corner, Al Qasbah Mosque is a sacred facility for Muslims. The mosque is a remarkable one because its architecture is infused with beautiful details of Islamic art. The interiors are inscribed with Arabic calligraphy and geometric patterns, whereas the highlight of Al Qasbah Mosque is the beautiful chandelier that hangs from the dome ceiling.

Residents can access two churches near Al Qasba Sharjah. Situated adjacent, these are St. Michael’s Roman Catholic Church and Russian Orthodox Church, accessible in around 18 minutes.

Victoria International School is a non-profit co-educational school that follows the Australian curriculum for Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 12 students. The school is located in Al Taawun accessible within a 13-minute drive. Other schools near Al Qasba include Al Durrah International School and Mohammed Bin Khalid Al Nahyan School. A well-known language school, Babylon Institute offers over 2,000 language courses. It is situated on Al Taawaun Street, around six minutes away.

For higher education, students can drive to University City Sharjah which features several reputable universities.

There are numerous clinics and hospitals near Al Qasba situated in the adjacent Al Majaz district. Mulk Physiotherapy and Homecare Centre, Atlas Specialized Medical Centre and Kedar Dental Centre are at a distance of 8 minutes.

Those looking for a multispecialty healthcare facility can head to Medcare Hospital within a 13-minute drive. It is one of the best hospitals in Sharjah with state-of-the-art facilities and a qualified medical staff. Other hospitals nearby are Al Qassimi Hospital and Burjeel Speciality Hospital.

A neighbouring community, Al Majaz is a vibrant waterfront destination that is encircled by commercial and residential properties. It is home to numerous tourist attractions and landmarks such as Al Majaz Splash Park, Al Nakheel Oasis and Al Noor Mosque. Several prominent hotels such as Holiday International and Embassy Suites are situated in Al Majaz.

Towards Al Qasba’s northwest lies Al Khaledia Suburb and Al Layyeh Suburb. The former is home to several beach resorts and hotels as well as educational institutes, while the latter includes many government facilities such as the Sharjah Museum Authority and the Sharjah Economic Development Department.

The 3-storey Al Fardan Centre has a total rentable area of 80,900 sq. ft., which is divided between three levels. It includes well-known retail stores such as Mothercare and Carrefour as well as several lifestyle, cosmetics, electronics and pharmaceutical stores.

A 10-minute drive away, the City Centre Sharjah is one of the largest shopping destinations in the emirate. The mall has a broad selection of retail stores. Its leisure attractions include Magic Planet, a family entertainment area that features a range of rides and games and a 12-screen movie theatre called VOX Cinemas.

When it comes to choosing where to eat, there is a wide range of cafes and restaurants in Al Qasba. One can have snacks and beverages at Starbucks and Caribou Coffee Shop. The more versatile Bert’s Café offers different styles of frittatas for breakfast and various salads, sandwiches and burgers for lunch. On the other hand, Gerard Café is not just a coffee shop but also a patisserie.

There’s a Lebanese restaurant ‘Shababeek’ and the Indian ‘Masala Craft’. Seafood lovers could dine at Fish Corner while those who have developed a strong liking for sushi can go to Sumo Sushi and Bento. Other options are Yogurberry for frozen yoghurt and Dunkin’ Donuts for doughnuts.

Situated alongside the canal and bordering Al Khan Lagoon, Al Qasba itself is a waterfront destination. Al Khan Beach is a perfect spot for a picnic by the sea. With a drive to the northwest, one can easily access this beach near Al Qasba. It features sun-lounging areas, slides and water activities such as parasailing and surfing.

Al Qasba is a major leisure spot, there is no shortage of recreational areas for both adults and kids.

There is a dedicated zone for kids called Kids Fun House. An aquatic-themed soft play area, this funhouse features slides, ball pits, climbing frames and obstacle courses.

Offering a unique perspective of the city’s skyline, the Sharjah Boats Tour features a traditional ‘Abra’ boat ride that takes sightseers on a relaxing cruise over the lagoons. Another touring service is City Sightseeing Sharjah and Al Qasba is one of its stops. The open-top double-decker bus takes its passengers to the city’s top attractions and offers fascinating views of the architectural wonders and other highlights of Sharjah. These include museums, mosques and souks as well as monuments and artefacts at every corner of the city.

If one is into a little less travelling but still wants to enjoy the outdoors, there are a lot of options for them within Al Qasba. Located close to Al Khan Corniche Street, the Musical Fountain stuns the audience with its mesmerising water dances.

For someone who takes their outdoor recreational activities seriously, this canal-side development has much to offer in and around the area.

Providing 2-wheeler and 3-wheeler rental services, BYKY is available at Al Qasba. One can rent a go-kart and take an exhilarating tour around the walkways, either alone or in groups. Safe and easy to operate, children are also welcome to join in the fun.

Khalid Lagoon, located about 10 minutes away from Al Qasba, is the destination to enjoy watersports.

People looking for fitness programmes have numerous options located nearby. Located on a 3-minute drive down Al Khan Corniche Street, Unique Royal Club is the nearest fitness facility. A further 5-minute drive to the east via Al Intifada Street would lead one to Al Shams Gym and Life Change Fitness in European Sports Club.

As for salons, there are many in Al Majaz. These include Trimmers Hairdressing Salon & Spa, Noor Al Samaa Salon and Wahat Al Ameerah Beauty Salon.

Built on a 3-floor art space, Maraya Art Centre is a non-profit organisation based in Al Qasba. It conducts various public outreach activities such as seminars, workshops, exhibitions and book exchanges. It showcases emerging talent as well as works from leading Arab and international artists. Maraya Art Centre also features the Barjeel Art Foundation – a curated exhibition that displays the collection of an independent artist Sultan Sooud Al Qassemi.

With two sections located in the nearby Al Majaz Waterfront, Maraya Art Park showcases outdoor art projects through sculptures, educational activities and interactive games at different renowned destinations in Sharjah. Based on different art initiatives, some of its projects include Maraya Art Park, Maraya Project Space and 1971 Design Space.

Al Qasba has also been a venue for various festivals. It hosted a 12-day festival called Reflection that featured the best of fashion, art, photography and food. This included stargazing sessions at a planetarium by Dubai Astronomy Group as well as photography workshops held by Nikon.

Other events that were held at Al Qasba include the Sharjah Food Festival, Flowers Festival and FIFA Football World Cup Tent.

Al Qasba is where creative minds unite so its space offers a lot of opportunities to striving artists who are looking for exposure. The residential options are also specifically designed for them. Those planning to move must consider the limited residential options and availability of public transportation.

Al Qasba is a cultural landmark located in Al Khan, near Al Majaz.

The area offers a mix of residential and commercial properties available for rent and sale purposes.

• A short drive away from Al Taawun and Al Khaledia Suburb
• Around eight kilometres away from Sharjah – Dubai border
• Almost half an hour away from Sharjah International Airport