Exploring Sharjah: House of Wisdom

I lived in Dubai all my life and even though Sharjah is the closest Emirate to Dubai, and is the third largest city in the UAE, I never really thought about exploring more of what the place had to offer. Ever since I moved though, I realized that there were so many hidden gems that’s waiting to be discovered.

House of Wisdom, for example, is dubbed as Sharjah’s new “iconic cultural hub.” The place was built in order to promote reading and to provide free knowledge and information to everyone.

The library was stunning and it gives off a vibe that’ll make you come back for more. You can find almost anything that you’re looking for at their library; books from business, to science, fiction, non-fiction, magazines, food, cooking, coffee, children’s book etc. The list is endless! 

They even have a children’s section where the little ones can enjoy getting lost in books while being comfortable in the the little nooks they built.

One of my favorite spots at the library was the Ladies Diwan. It’s a secluded ladies only section with tables and bunk beds!!! You can literally rest or take a nap if you need to!

They have what’s called the wisdom square which is essentially a small nature area in case you need to give your mind a break.

While you’re there, you’re also free to use all regular facilities like their charging stations and wi-fi. You can borrow and read their books for free within the establishment. However, if you want to take the book home, I think there’s a fee involved. They have meeting rooms as well, and a place called Al Jazri Lab equipment that provides 3D printers and laser cutters; all these come at a price and you can inquire all about it from their reception or online.

A few things to keep in mind while you’re at House of Wisdom:

Water is allowed but outside food & other drinks aren’t. They do have a restaurant and a cafe but I have to be honest, they’re a little overpriced and there weren’t a lot of options. There’s McDonald’s 3 minutes away from HoW, so that’s an option. That’s what we did 😁

You can explore and take photos, but respect the people around you. Majority of the visitors at HoW are there to work and study. So be courteous and keep the peace and quiet.

Last but not the least, have fun! Get yourself immersed in books and knowledge and explore everything you can. If one day isn’t enough, you can always come back for more!