Al Arsa Market is one of the oldest markets in the UAE. It is rightly considered the heart of old Sharjah. It is also known as Al Masduf or the Coal Market. Since ancient times, local Bedouins have traded coal with overseas merchants here among the oases. The coal was exchanged for rice and other all sorts of goods brought by merchants from India and Iran. Nowadays, you can buy anything you want in the quiet alleys of the old bazaar. It is a pleasure to stroll in the shade of the palm roofs of the market stalls.
The décor of the Al Arsa market is also impressive - coral walls, huge wooden doors, hanging lanterns, a massive roof made in the traditional style of wooden poles "arisha" wrapped with palm leaves. All this creates a fantastic and unforgettable impression. In total, there are over 100 market stalls in Al Ars. The owners of the shops are always happy to welcome guests, offer them their help and can tell a lot of interesting things about their business and craft over a glass of spicy drink "Suleimani" or mint tea.
At Al Ars market you can buy almost everything: various handicrafts, beautiful souvenirs, silver jewellery, daggers, traditional items. Particularly popular with tourists are wooden Arabian dress chests and jewellery boxes, painted shawls, silky carpets, palm leaf baskets, copper coffee pots, handmade knitted items, healing herbs, perfume and incense bottles, musical instruments, antique items and much, much more.
There is a cosy coffee shop in the Al-Arsa market, where, according to tradition, everyone hurries to have a cup of fragrant coffee before going home.
Today, Al Arsa Market is not only an amazing place to shop, but also one of Sharjah's historic landmarks.
