Maleha, Sharjah

Maleha, also known as Mleiha is a residential district in Sharjah located at the south-eastern side of the emirate. It is home to several significant sites such as pre-Islamic forts and Bronze Age tombs. The discoveries from these sites were kept in Maleha Archaeological Centre, a popular tourist attraction in the city. Umm Al Quwain – Al Shuwaib Road (E55) and Sharjah – Kalba Road (E102) allow easy commuting to the nearby areas.

• A residential area in Sharjah
• Home to Maleha Archaeological Centre
• Located close to the Oman-UAE border
• Umm Al Quwain – Al Shuwaib Road and Sharjah – Kalba Road run alongside the community

The natural beauty and archaeological and historical landmarks make Maleha a must-visit area. With the completion of the first phase of Maleha Archaeological Centre in 2016, the area has become an attractive site for visitors and investors. When it comes to residential properties in Maleha, the area offers apartment buildings with 2-bed units and villas with the 3-bedroom layout. Residents will find a range of amenities and facilities within the area including supermarkets, schools and healthcare facilities.

Properties in Maleha, Sharjah include villas and apartments. Villas in the residential district have covered areas ranging from 2,566 sq. ft. to 3,000 sq. ft. These villas have a spacious living area, a well-equipped kitchen, an attached bathroom, a maid’s room and a balcony. The private car parking area and garden are other features of these villas.

Apartments in the residential area come in 1 and 2-bedroom configuration spread over an area of 1,205 sq. ft. These apartments have a living area, an attached bathroom and a built-in closet in the bedroom, a fitted kitchen and a balcony. The shared facilities of the apartment building include parking facility, gym and concierge.

Apartments for rent in Maleha are available in 2-bedroom configuration. The annual rent for a 2-bedroom flat in Maleha is AED 47k. Those looking for larger residential units can find spacious villas for rent in Maleha.

Investors and end-users will find investment options in the community as well. The price range of villas for sale in Maleha range from AED 1.2M to AED 1.8M.

Investors can also find some apartments for sale in Maleha at a reasonable price.

Al Faya Retreat in Maleha, Sharjah is a boutique hotel. It features five rooms and offers an authentic Arabic hospitality experience. Each room has floor-to-ceiling windows, a private bathroom and a wardrobe. The spa in Al Faya Retreat is the highlight of the hotel featuring a salt inhalation room, a herbal sauna, a shower walk and an outdoor saltwater pool. Other facilities in the hotel include a restaurant, barbecue area, library and rooftop terrace.

Al Barari Atmosphere Farm is another boutique hotel in Maleha, Sharjah featuring several rooms equipped with high-end facilities. Families can choose from Signature Tent, Classic 1 and 2-Bedroom Tent or Garden Tent. All the units come with a private pool, a garden view, a balcony, a minibar and a bathroom. The hotel also offers a family deal that can accommodate 35 people in seven different types of tents.

Residents will find ample parking spaces in Maleha for their cars. The apartment buildings offer dedicated parking spots on the ground floor or in the basement. Visitors can avail street parking facilities outside the residential building.

It is preferred to use taxis for commuting as there are limited options for public transportation in Maleha, Sharjah.

There are several supermarkets in Maleha from where residents can stock daily essentials including groceries, healthcare and beauty products. Al Istijabah Supermarket, Abdullah Lehamadi Grocery and Bab Al Maliha Supermarket. The neighbourhood also has a branch of Sharjah Cooperative Society, which is one of the best supermarkets in Sharjah offering quality products at affordable prices.

Muslim community members can offer their daily prayers in Shabiyat Bin Suhail Mosque, Al Bustan Masjid, Maleiha Mosque and Shabiyat Al Khattmah Mosque in Maleha. The neighbourhood is also home to a large Eid Prayer area.

Christian and Hindu residents will have to drive for around 45-minutes to visit churches and temples near Maleha. The churches are concentrated in Oud Metha and Al Yarmook areas while temples are located in the Bur Dubai area.

Schools in Maleha include Al Haritha Bin Noman Primary School and Al Maleha Kindergarten School. Other schools nearby the community include Al Thameed School Elementary and Secondary School, Kadra Secondary School for Girls and Al Sabah Indian Private School. All these schools are located within a 20-minute drive from the neighbourhood.

Those looking for higher education options can head to the University of Sharjah and Etisalat University College in 20 to 25 minutes.

Al Maliha Medical Centre is the private healthcare centre in the area providing services for dental treatment, obstetrics and gynaecology. It also has a laboratory, ultrasound scan and X-ray facilities as well to facilitate the patients.  Other hospitals nearby are Zayed Military Hospital, Al Dhaid Hospital and Masafi Hospital.

Since the community is located on the outskirts of Sharjah, it will take a 30-minute drive to visit nearby areas. Al Awir is located towards the west of Maleha while Al Madam, Lahbab and Nazwa are located to the south. Residents can visit the central city in a 40-minute drive via Maliha Road.

Zero 6 Mall is the nearest shopping facility for residents of Maleha. It is one of the best malls in Sharjah offering a wide range of retail shops, dining options and entertainment facilities. The popular stores of the mall are Damas, Mothercare, Mumuso, Hind Al Oud and Louzan Fashion LLC. The shopping mall also has Spinneys, NStyle Beauty Lounge, Medi Prime Pharmacy and Fitness First. It will take a half an hour drive to reach the shopping malls. Other shopping malls nearby are Al Safeer Mall and Sahara Centre.

There are several local eateries, cafeterias and restaurants in Maleha offering different cuisines. These include Al Tawaq Cafeteria, Al Khatwa Cafeteria, Al Maleha Restaurant and Rashid Bin Ali Restaurant. Other dining options near the community include Al Zaytoon Restaurant, Al Ikhtiar Al Awal Restaurant and Hang Out Café. Foodies can also dine at some of the best restaurants in Sharjah after driving for around half an hour towards the west. These include Black Salt, Italiere, Jimmy’s Shack and Maraheb.

Residents must prepare themselves for a long drive to visit beaches in Sharjah as the coastline is located far away from Maleha. The nearest options include Khorfakkan Beaches and Al Khan Beach.

Mleiha Archaeological Centre launched by the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority’s (Shurooq) is a popular tourist attraction for nature lovers, adrenalin seekers and archaeological buffs. It was nominated by UNESCO as a World Heritage site reflecting the cultural heritage of the area. The Mleiha Fort, The Palace Mleiha and the Umm an-Nar Tomb are a few of the impressive archaeological sites in the centre. Visitors can also encounter the centuries-old fossils and ruins from the Palaeolithic, Neolithic, Bronze, Iron, pre-Islamic and Islamic times.

For adventure seekers, the archaeological centre also has a wide range of activities including desert safari, horse riding, trekking, dune buggy riding and desert biking. Those who want to spend a night under the star-filled skies can opt for overnight camping in the facility.

Souk Al Juma Park spread over an area of 3,000 sq. ft. features children play area, walkways and seating area for families. Sports Complex of Mleiha Sports and Cultural Club is another recreational facility in the area. The 2-storey building has a range of sports facilities such as swimming pools, football and basketball courts and karate classes for beginners. Those looking for fitness centres with professional trainers can head to Royal Fitness Centre and Mojeeb Gym near Maleha.

Ladies can find several salons in Maleha providing premium beauty care treatments. These include Al Maleha Beauty Centre and 63 Beauty Centre.

Mleiha Archaeological Centre hosts different events throughout the year. Some of the popular ones are Mleiha Farmer Market, Sharjah International Paragliding Championship and other cultural festivals.

Mleiha Archaeological Centre and Eco-Tourism Project is under development for its second phase. The investment for the project is expected to reach AED 250 million. The second phase of the centre entails the construction of Mleiha National Desert Park and an astronomy observatory with the help of the Sharjah Centre for Astronomy and Space Sciences. The project will also include the construction of restaurants, hospitality facilities and other recreational facilities.

Maleha is a self-contained community offering family-friendly amenities including retail shops, educational institutes and dining options. However, those planning to move should keep in mind that it is located far away from the central city. This means getting around will be convenient with private conveyance only.

• Sharjah International Airport is located at a 30-minute drive
• A 40-minute drive to University City Sharjah
• An hour away from the emirate of Dubai