There are many places to visit in Sharjah, including shopping malls and historic attractions. But if you are looking for a truly unique experience where you can shop and observe the local culture, consider heading to Sharjah Fish Market.
Officially called Souq Al Jubail, but more popularly known as “Sharjah Fish Market,” this place is one of the biggest fresh produce markets in the region. Spanning an area of 37,000 square metres, it houses plenty of stalls selling meat, fruits, vegetables, and of course… fish! Let’s get to know more about Sharjah Fish Market!
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All About Sharjah Fish Market
Established in December 2015, Sharjah Fish Market overlooks the Sharjah Corniche and Flag Island, a famous landmark. Featuring several arches, the architecture is distinctively Islamic in design. The stalls are spread over two storeys, and the retail space is air-conditioned!
What can you expect to see at Sharjah Fish Market? Here’s a quick overview:
Variety of Seafood
First, there’s the seafood… a wide variety of fish including hamour, kingfish, mackerel, sea bream, tuna, and many more! There are many different types of clams, crabs, lobsters, oysters, prawns, and shrimps. Have you always wanted to try octopus? Well, you’ve come to the right place!
Take note, however, that unlike other markets, the prices at Sharjah Fish Market are fixed. This is because high quality and strict shopping standards are followed. Bargaining or haggling is not encouraged, so keep this in mind!
Friendly Sellers
Notably, the sellers in the market are polite, friendly, and extremely helpful. Aside from offering different types of fish, they are also very much willing to share delicious seafood recipes that you can try out for yourself!
Clean and Well-Ventilated
Due to its state-of-the-art waste management and ventilation system, you don’t have to worry about strong fish smells in the market. Special care is taken to ensure that the place is deep cleaned everyday, and sanitation is practiced to the highest standards.
As for fish cleaning, there are separate rooms for cleaning and gutting the fish, before these are packaged for customers to take home.
Daily Auction
Everyday, the market holds two auctions. The first one is held at around 6:00 am, and another session is done at around 4:00 pm. The “catch of the day” are laid within a blue enclosure, while many people — customers, traders, and restaurant owners — bid to get the best catch. If you’ve never witnessed a fish auction before, consider checking out the daily auctions in the market!
Meat, Fruits, and Vegetables
Currently, Sharjah Fish Market has more than 400 shops. More than half of them specialise in selling fish, while the rest offer a wide variety of meats, fruits, and vegetables, too. In other words, you can actually buy most of the things in your grocery list — all in one place!
Speaking of fruits, you may want to buy some dates, which are extremely popular not only in the UAE, but in the entire region. The fresh produce also includes broccoli, lettuce, peaches, pomegranates, yam, gooseberries, and much, much more!
Free Food and Drinks
Sharjah Fish Market is a pretty huge place, and shopping for fish, meat, and fresh produce can be rather tiring. Fortunately, the management offers free drinks and snacks, which customers are welcome to enjoy as they go about their shopping.
Fish Grill
Where there’s a fish market, there’s a fish grill, of course! The place includes Souq Al Jubail Fish Grill. As soon as you’ve bought fresh fish from the market, you can go the grill to have it weighed, prepared, and cooked. The chef will ask how you want it cooked (e.g. grilled or fried). Spices and ingredients are added, then all you have to do now is to wait as your fish is cooked!
Once your fish dish is finished, the staff will package it nicely. It’s now ready for you to pick up and take home! Enjoy!
Opening Hours
At Sharjah Fish Market, the stalls selling fish, meat, fruits, and vegetables are open daily, from 6:30 am to 10:30 pm. Meanwhile, the fish grill is open from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm everyday.
Video: Sharjah Fish Market
What can you buy at Souq Al Jubail, a.k.a. Sharjah Fish market? Here’s a video presenting some of the different types of fish that you can buy there!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Meanwhile, here are some commonly asked questions and answers about Sharjah Fish Market:
1. What is Sharjah Fish Market?
Sharjah Fish Market, or more officially — Souq Al Jubail — is one of the biggest fresh produce markets in the region
2. Where is it located?
The market is located between Corniche Road and Sharjah Creek, right across from Al Jubail Bus Station.
3. What time does it open?
The stalls selling fish, meat, fruits, and vegetables at Sharjah Fish Market are open everyday, between 6:30 am and 10:30 pm. Meanwhile, the Souq Al Jubail Fish Grill is also open daily, between 9:00 am and 9:00 pm.
4. What can I buy there?
Aside from a wide variety of seafood, you can also buy meat, fruits, and vegetables at Sharjah Fish Market.
5. Can I have my fish cooked?
Absolutely! After buying fish, you can go to the Souq Al Jubail Fish Grill to have weighed, prepared, and cooked to your liking.
6. How can I learn more about the market?
To learn more about Sharjah Fish Market, you can call the management by dialing +971 6 597 2444 or +971 6 544 4434, or by sending an email to sqaj.info@sam.ae.
Contact Information: Sharjah Fish Market
If you have any queries about Sharjah Fish Market, you can get in touch with the market’s administration through these contact details:
Address: Opposite Al Jubail Bus Station, Corniche St., Sharjah, UAE
Telephone: +971 6 597 2444 / +971 6 544 4434
Email: sqaj.info@sam.ae
Website: https://souqaljubail.com/home/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SouqAlJubail/
Google Map Location
Sharjah Fish Market is situated between Corniche Road and Sharjah Creek, opposite Al Jubail Bus Station. There’s a designated parking area, so you don’t have to worry about parking. Here is the market’s location on Google Maps, for your reference:
Summary
Fresh seafood, fresh produce, daily auctions, a fish grill — you can actually spend several hours at Sharjah Fish Market and you’ll never get bored! Plus, aside from buying fish and other products, you’ll get to enjoy a truly immersive experience!
In addition to buying seafood at Sharjah Fish Market, here’s a list of other fantastic things to do in Sharjah. We hope you have a great time!