Bait Al Naboodah is a restored heritage house museum in the Heart of Sharjah, located in the Al Mareija area opposite Souq Al Arsah. It was built in 1845 by Obaid bin Eissa bin Ali Al Shamsi, known as Al Naboodah, a wealthy pearl merchant who traded with India, Africa and France. Today the Sharjah Museums Authority runs this two storey coral stone house as a museum, where you can walk through its courtyard, teak columns, carved plaster, restored family rooms and a pearl collection that shows how Sharjah lived before oil. It opens Saturday to Thursday from 8 AM to 8 PM and Friday from 4 PM to 8 PM, and adult entry is AED 10.
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Índice
Bait Al Naboodah at a glance
| Detail | Información |
|---|---|
| Ubicacion | Al Mareija area, Heart of Sharjah, opposite Souq Al Arsah, Sharjah, UAE |
| Calidad | 1845, expanded in phases as the family grew |
| Dueño original | Obaid bin Eissa bin Ali Al Shamsi (Al Naboodah), pearl merchant |
| Gestionado por | Autoridad de Museos de Sharjah |
| Opened as a museum | 14 November 1995, reopened after restoration on 8 April 2018 |
| Horas de apertura | Saturday to Thursday 8 AM to 8 PM, Friday 4 PM to 8 PM |
| Horas de Ramadán | Saturday to Thursday 9 AM to 2 PM, closed on Friday |
| Cuota de entrada | Adultos AED 10, niños de 2 a 12 años AED 5, under 2 free |
| Tiempo necesario | Acerca de 45 a 60 minutos |
| Ideal para | Families, history lovers, photographers and first time visitors to Sharjah |
History of Bait Al Naboodah
The house belonged to Obaid Al Naboodah, one of the most successful pearl merchants of old Sharjah. He lived here with his family, and the house grew in several stages as the family got bigger. It became one of the largest homes in early Sharjah and a fine example of a grand coastal house in the Gulf.
Al Naboodah’s business reached far beyond the UAE. He spent years living in India, and his partner and son in law Humaid Al Kamel ran an office in Paris. According to La Dirección Nacional de, the pearl trade that built this fortune collapsed in the 1930s when Japanese cultured pearls flooded the market. The house tells that story through the everyday life of one trading family.
Bait Al Naboodah first opened as a museum in 1995. After careful renovation, it reopened in 2018 with new galleries about the family, the house and the pearl trade.
What to see inside Bait Al Naboodah
The museum is small and easy to explore. Here is what you should not miss:
- The central courtyard: the whole house is built around a large open courtyard framed by coral stone walls and tall teak columns.
- Malaqaf wind scoops: instead of the usual barjeel wind towers, the house uses wind scoops built into the walls to cool the rooms.
- Carved plaster and wood: geometric and floral patterns show Arabian, Indian and Persian influences. One gallery displays the moulds and tools the craftsmen used.
- Restored family rooms: see the majlis where guests were received, the kitchen, storage rooms and even an old bathroom.
- The saltwater well: still on site, it supplied water for cleaning, washing and bathing.
- The pearl collection: the highlight of the museum, explaining how pearls were found, graded and traded, with a chance to try on traditional jewellery.
- Drop in workshops: daily hands on activities for children aged 6 to 12 and their families.
Bait Al Naboodah tickets and opening hours
The prices below follow the official Sharjah Museums Authority page for Bait Al Naboodah. Prices and timings may change, terms and conditions apply, and the final price is confirmed during booking.
| Visitante | Bait Al Naboodah ticket | Heritage ticket (five museums) |
|---|---|---|
| Adultos (13 años y más) | AED 10 | AED 20 |
| Niños (2 a 12 años) | AED 5 | AED 10 |
| Niños bajo 2 | Free | Free |
| Seniors 60+ with one companion | Free | Free |
| Personas de determinación con un compañero | Free | Free |
Free entry days and closing days
Entry is free during Sharjah Heritage Days, on International Museum Day (18 May) and on UAE National Day (2 and 3 December). The museum closes on the 29th and 30th of Ramadan, the first day of Eid Al Fitr, the 9th of Dhul Hijjah and the first day of Eid Al Adha.
Instalaciones
You will find restrooms, a prayer room, a mothers room with a baby changing table, a museum shop, free WiFi, a visitors majlis and a wheelchair accessible entrance.
Where is Bait Al Naboodah and how to get there
Bait Al Naboodah is in the Al Mareija area of the Heart of Sharjah, the restored old town near the Sharjah Creek, right opposite Souq Al Arsah. From Dubai, the easiest way is by taxi or private car, and the drive usually takes 30 to 60 minutes depending on traffic. Public parking is available around the Heart of Sharjah, and the museum is a short walk from the other heritage museums.
If you are flying in for a short UAE holiday, White Sky can arrange servicios de traslado al aeropuerto to your Sharjah or Dubai hotel so you can head straight to the old town.
Tips for visiting Bait Al Naboodah
- Visit in the morning or after 4 PM in the cooler months, as the courtyard is open to the sky.
- Buy the Heritage ticket if you want to see Sharjah Fort and the other heritage museums on the same day.
- Dress modestly, covering shoulders and knees, as this is a traditional Emirati heritage site.
- Wear comfortable shoes for the old floors and the walk around the Heart of Sharjah.
- Leave time to browse Souq Al Arsah opposite the museum, one of the oldest markets in the UAE.
- Families can ask at reception about the daily drop in workshops for kids.
Places to visit near Bait Al Naboodah
Make a full Sharjah day out of your visit. After the museum, enjoy the fountain shows and restaurants at Paseo marítimo de Al Majaz, explore the art and gardens of Al Noor Island in Sharjah, or take the kids to see sea life with our Sharjah Aquarium review. If the pearl gallery sparks your interest, you can see real pearl diving at Granja de perlas de Suwaidi en Ras Al Khaimah.
Plan your Sharjah trip with White Sky Travel
White Sky Travel and Tourism, a Dubai based travel agency, can plan your Sharjah day trip, hotel stay and transfers in one place. You can spread the cost with Tabby, Tamara or UAE credit card installments for up to 12 months, and we can also help with Reserva de hoteles en los Emiratos Árabes Unidos a plazos. Message our team on WhatsApp at +971 4 220 2133 para planificar su visita.
Artículos Relacionados
Planning more of your UAE trip? These guides will help:
- Paseo marítimo de Al Majaz: Las mejores cosas que hacer y ver en Sharjah
- Al Noor Island, Sharjah’s Hidden Oasis of Art and Nature
- Reseña del Acuario de Sharjah: Sumérgete hoy en las maravillas marinas.
- Parque Nacional de Sharjah: Principales atracciones y guía para visitantes
- Cascadas de Khorfakkan en Sharjah
- Al Dhaid Sharjah: Principales atracciones y guía de viaje
- Pueblo Patrimonial de Fujairah: Un viaje al pasado en la costa este de los Emiratos Árabes Unidos.
- Atracciones turísticas de los Emiratos Árabes Unidos cerca de mí
Frequently asked questions about Bait Al Naboodah
Where is Bait Al Naboodah located?
Bait Al Naboodah is in the Al Mareija area of the Heart of Sharjah, opposite Souq Al Arsah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.
Is Bait Al Naboodah in Dubai or Sharjah?
Bait Al Naboodah is in Sharjah, not Dubai. It sits in the Heart of Sharjah heritage district and is about a 30 to 60 minute drive from Dubai depending on traffic.
What is Bait Al Naboodah famous for?
It is famous as one of the largest traditional houses of old Sharjah, known for its coral stone walls, teak columns, carved plaster, malaqaf wind scoops and its pearl trade collection.
Who built Bait Al Naboodah?
The house was built in 1845 by Obaid bin Eissa bin Ali Al Shamsi, known as Al Naboodah, a pearl merchant with trade links to India, Africa and France.
What are the Bait Al Naboodah opening hours?
Saturday to Thursday from 8 AM to 8 PM and Friday from 4 PM to 8 PM. During Ramadan it opens Saturday to Thursday from 9 AM to 2 PM and closes on Friday. Timings may change.
How much is the Bait Al Naboodah ticket?
La entrada es AED 10 para adultos y AED 5 for children aged 2 to 12, and free for children under 2. A Heritage ticket for five Heart of Sharjah museums costs AED 20 for adults. Prices may change and terms and conditions apply.
How long does a visit to Bait Al Naboodah take?
Most visitors spend about 45 to 60 minutes inside. Plan half a day if you add the other Heart of Sharjah museums and Souq Al Arsah.
Is Bait Al Naboodah good for kids?
Yes. Children enjoy the courtyard, the pearl displays and the daily drop in workshops for ages 6 to 12, and the museum has a baby changing table and a mothers room.
Can White Sky Travel arrange a trip to Bait Al Naboodah?
Sí. White Sky Travel can arrange your Sharjah day trip, transfers and hotel, with Tabby, Tamara o pagos a plazos con tarjeta de crédito de los EAU hasta por 12 meses. Envíenos un mensaje por WhatsApp al +971 4 220 2133.
Conclusión
Bait Al Naboodah is one of the best places in the UAE to see how a wealthy Emirati family lived in the pearling days. In about an hour you can explore its coral stone courtyard, carved teak and plaster, restored rooms and a fascinating pearl collection, all for a small ticket price in the Heart of Sharjah. Pair it with the nearby heritage museums and Souq Al Arsah for a rich cultural day out, and let White Sky Travel take care of your transport, hotel and flexible payments. Message us on WhatsApp at +971 4 220 2133 para empezar a planificar.
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