Kalba, Sharjah’s charming east coast enclave, has been getting a glow-up in recent years. Nestled about 120km from Sharjah city, where the mountains meet the mangroves, it’s become quite the tourist hotspot thanks to scenic attractions like the Hanging Gardens and Al Hefaiyah Lake.
But a wider transformation is underway.
Per Khaleej Times, Sharjah Ruler Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi has confirmed that several landmark projects will be inaugurated in December, bringing a wave of exciting new openings to Kalba before the end of 2026.
Nature lovers, mark your calendars for the Al Hiyar Lake and Rest Area, a scenic lakeside destination designed as a proper day-out spot, complete with dedicated parking for picnic trailers and commercial facilities.
Then there’s the new Shell Theatre (also known as Al Mahara Theatre), where visitors will apparently enter via an underwater corridor. The architecturally striking venue is designed to complement Kalba’s lush natural surroundings.
Culture fans will want to keep an eye on the Kalba Heritage Museum, described as a living, breathing space where traditional arts and crafts are actively practised rather than simply displayed. It will be fully air-conditioned and topped with an elevated restaurant. A heritage experience and a lunch spot in one.
For something scenic, the Al Furaish Lake project stretches roughly 750 metres, with trees being planted across the surrounding mountainside and waterfalls flowing down to the sea. It’s the kind of spot you’ll want to bookmark for a weekend wander.
Plus, this project, Above The Clouds, has certainly caught our eye. Set to open by the end of the year, the breathtaking new Kalba landmark sits 850 metres above sea level on Al Deem mountain. Spread over 4,700 square metres, the two-storey space features a restaurant and cafe with a reading area upstairs, while the ground floor will be dedicated to a multi-purpose hall, theatre, viewing platforms and a children’s play area.
More to come
Beyond December’s openings, the transformation of the area behind Kalba University into Khor Kalba City, a stretch of heritage houses converted into boutique lodges and hotels, with forts and mosques, promises to put this corner of Sharjah firmly on the UAE weekend-escape map.
Watch this space.
Lead image: Hanging Gardens, Kalba, for illustrative purposes
