All about Madar, Aljada Sharjah
Madar at Aljada is the hottest new addition to Sharjah’s entertainment venues. The stunning recreational destination features everything from beautifully manicured gardens, well-maintained sports facilities and family-friendly attractions to trendy restaurants and live entertainment. Find out more about the attractions and things to do at Madar, Aljada.
Madar, Aljada: Sharjah’s Newest Entertainment Complex
Featuring a number of activities and attractions, Madar opened on February 27, 2020. Some of the man attractions at Madar Aljada Sharjah include an events hall, an amphitheatre, a children’s play area, a skate park and an amazing line-up of eateries.
This new entertainment complex has been designed by the world-renowned Zaha Hadid Architects and developed by Arada. Madar features a series of elliptical buildings surrounding the central promenade. In fact, this is what Madar literally means in Arabic a ‘path’ or ‘orbit.’
According to Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, the chairman of Arada, “this is the first opportunity for members of the public to experience a taste of Aljada, a project that is truly transformational for Sharjah.”
Attractions at Madar
Playscape at Madar
The children’s adventure zone Playscape is one of the most popular attractions at Madar. It is an immersive playground for kids with tower frames, swings, trampolines and slides. For the more adventurous young ones, Playscape at Madar also has a climbing wall and activity nets.
YourSpace
Another major attraction at Madar Aljada is YourSpace, a full-fledged indoor event space. Both individuals and companies can hire the venue for all kinds of events. And even when it is not booked, YourSpace will keep the community engaged, educated and entertained with exhibitions, markets, conferences and other similar events.
Madar Amphitheatre
One of the highlights of this new venue in Sharjah is the outdoor events space at Madar with a maximum capacity of 500 people. The amphitheatre will soon become the hub of arts and culture in the community with film screenings, musical performances and celebrations. The venue has already hosted the #AljadaWeekends in the second week of March 2020 where people enjoyed open-air theatres and instructive workshops.
Stakepark
The family-focused entertainment destination also has something for adrenaline junkies and sports enthusiasts. The Madar Skatepark is located right next to the play area.
AUS Pavilion
Adding to the architectural excellence of Madar is the AUS Pavilion designed by the students of AUS i.e. the American University of Sharjah. The pavilion serves as a shaded communal area within the complex for residents and visitors.
Aljada Discover Centre
Perhaps the central attraction of Madar is the Aljada Discovery Center (not to be confused with Sharjah Discovery Centre near the airport). It is a futuristic, elliptical building, which has also been designed by Zaha Hadid Architects. The centre showcases the city’s master plan and helps prospective property owners visualise what life in Aljada will be like.
Restaurants and Cafes in Madar, Aljada
Another notable attraction at Sharjah’s new entertainment complex goes by the name of Zad, which is a line-up of almost 20 trendy bistros and restaurants. Each of these outlets operates from a redesigned shipping container, similar to the restaurants in Boxpark, Dubai further adding to the unique architecture of Madar.
Here is a brief overview of all the eateries at Madar:
Vurger
If you fancy vegan burgers and shakes, Vurger is the place to be. It is the first Emirati vegan street food concept launched in collaboration with the top American and international vegan brands.
Sushi Station
For modern Japanese cuisine, you can head to Sushi Station. The casual eatery features amazing sushi as well as signature Japanese dishes at reasonable prices.
Slice & Bun
With a laid-back vibe, Slice & Bun invites true foodies to relish one of the best dining experiences in Sharjah. The trendy bistro features a selection of sandwiches, wraps and other light bites.
Retro 7
Coffee lovers can visit Retro 7, the only coffee shop in the country to offer seven varieties of single-origin beans. You can head to Retro 7 for the highest grade speciality coffee as well as a wide variety of signature beverages.
Project Chaiwala
The homegrown chai concept brings the best of organic tea leaves from Darjeeling to the urban hotspot of Aljada.
Musl
Seafood lovers shouldn’t feel left out at Zad, Madar. The Musl restaurant features a range of tasty seafood dishes along with popular mussel recipes.
Other outlets to check out at Zad include:
- Mr. Brisket
- Kullaj Omar
- Krush Burger
- Falafelz
- Dr Pasta
- Dookies
- Cupagahwa
- Cracked
- Chick’nCone
- Amorino
Moreover, Madar also has a Shaklan Minimart where you can pick up any essentials.
Madar At Aljada Location
The Madar Sharjah location is fairly easy to find. The entertainment complex is spread over 2 sq. km in the Muwaileh district and can be easily accessed from the University City Road/ S120.
Madar Aljada Opening Timings
Madar Sharjah opened its doors to the public on Thursday, February 27 at 03:00 pm. The opening hours for Madar Aljada are from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm weekdays. On weekends, Madar’s new entertainment complex is open from 10:00 am to 12:00 am (midnight).
The Zad food and drinks area is open from 11:00 am to 12:00 am (midnight). You can also avail of home delivery from Zad outlets from 09:00 am to 06:00 pm.
Madar Aljada Entry Fees
There is no entry fee and the park is open for residents and visitors. Moreover, you can also avail of free parking at Madar. There are over 800 parking spaces at the complex.
So that’s about it. Madar Aljada is the first phase of the megaproject Aljada by Arada. Upon completion, Madar will have almost 2 million sq.ft. of lush green spaces, water features, shaded walkways, public square, an extreme sports centre, community park, an 11-screen cinema, two retail zones and an ‘edutainment’ complex.
Those who wish to buy property in Sharjah or move to the emirate can consider investing in Aljada. It is one of the most sought-after off-plan projects in the city. It is also one of the best Sharjah expat areas.
Some of the best apartment complexes in Aljada include Areej Apartments and MISK, which offer views of Madar.
If you are looking for other entertainment destinations, you can visit the Al Shaab Village near Al Jazzat where you can find an amusement park, a ski lounge and a host of dining options.
Visitors to the emirate can also check out our ultimate list of things to do in Sharjah.
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Note that the cover image belongs to the Aljada Facebook page.
