The Clock Tower Sharjah, which is a part of the Al Jubail Roundabout, is one of the most famous landmarks in the emirate. The tower, which was constructed in the 1980s during Sharjah’s fast-paced urban development, stands at a pivotal point in the heart of the city, in the Al Musalla area and Rolla commercial zone, and has been an integral part of the city’s growth, serving as a navigation landmark and a symbol of development.
The tower’s symmetry, use of Islamic geometric motifs, and the ability to see four clock faces from all of the surrounding roads, among its other attractive features, are popular photography subjects at night. It’s not just a clock; it’s a place where people orient themselves every day, a place that’s referenced in addresses and directions, and a quiet piece of the city’s identity.
There are no tickets, queues, or restricted hours, like most tourist landmarks. The Clock Tower Sharjah is completely free to visit and is accessible from the surrounding pedestrian areas (any time of the day or night). The surrounding roundabout area is landscaped with trees and footpaths, and in the evenings is teeming with families, commuters, and visitors on the nearby streets.
Quick Overview
| Main landmark name: Clock Tower | |
|---|---|
| Location | Al Jubail Roundabout, near Al Musalla area, Central Sharjah |
| Built | 1980s — during Sharjah’s rapid urban development period |
| Type | Public landmark / roundabout monument — free to visit |
| Open | Viewable 24 hours — best visited in the evening |
| Entry fee | Free — public outdoor landmark |
| Nearest area | Al Jubail, Al Musalla, Rolla Square — Central Sharjah |
| How to get there | Bus (SRTA routes serving Al Jubail) | Taxi | Walking from Al Jubail Bus Station |
| Best time to visit | October to April (cooler weather) | Evening for best lighting |
| Nearby attractions | Sharjah Heritage Area, Al Jubail Souq, Rolla Square, Blue Souq |
| Also in Sharjah | Kalba Clock Tower — newer, modern tower with restaurant (inaugurated 2022) |
Where Is the Clock Tower in Sharjah?
The clock tower is situated at Al Jubail roundabout in the center of Sharjah, close to Al Musalla and the Al Musalla commercial district. It is located at one of the main arterial crossovers in Sharjah, linking residential areas, government structures, and the old commercial areas of the city.
To get to the location for GPS navigation, search for ‘Clock Tower Sharjah’ or ‘Al Jubail Roundabout Sharjah’ on Google Maps. Located on a prominent road, the tower is easily visible from the surrounding areas and serves as a landmark for taxi services, bus lines, and delivery providers throughout central Sharjah.
It is a very easy place to reach from both sides of the Sharjah-Dubai road, with its distance from the Dubai border being about 25 minutes by car and the Sharjah Heritage Area and Blue Souq (Central Souq) being about 15 minutes walking.
When Was the Sharjah Clock Tower Built?
Built in the 1980s, when Sharjah was experiencing a period of rapid growth in the city, the Clock Tower Sharjah is a landmark that stands as a testament to the emirate’s history and development. The city of Sharjah had a major project underway at the time—a quest to establish a recognizable civic landmark—one which involved investing in road networks, government buildings, and urban identity markers, among them the clock tower.
A clock tower is a significant landmark in a city that cherishes its culture and history. It is a symbol of order, progress, and the notion that time and tradition progress together. From the day it was constructed, it was no longer only an infrastructure but had become a landmark in the lives of the people of Sharjah.
What Does the Clock Tower Look Like?
The design of the Clock Tower Sharjah is clean, symmetrical, and inspired by Islamic architecture, particularly Islamic architectural geometry. It has four clock faces (one in each cardinal direction), so it can be seen from all roads approaching it. The face of each clock is made of brown granite, and each clock is stainless steel.
It starts with a circular base and a square middle section and is capped by a golden tiled dome, which is supported by bronze arches and columns. The dome is the most prominent feature, reflecting sunlight by day and glowing by night, providing a warm aura that makes the tower easily visible from afar in the center of Sharjah.
The after-dusk view of the illuminated clock faces and dome is one of the most unique visual features of the city. The tower is often featured in photographs, whether for its architectural symmetry or as a contrast to the darkened Sharjah skyline, with its warm lights. The roundabout design has open views from all directions, and pedestrian access allows the visitor to easily walk around the boundaries.
What Can You Do at the Clock Tower Sharjah?
The clock tower is a public outdoor monument, and you cannot go inside the main central tower of Sharjah; however, the area around the tower is really pleasant and is very important, as it has been lit up in the evening when the weather is pleasant.
The most popular attraction is photography. The tower is also one of the most symmetrical and lit-up landmarks in Sharjah, making it a popular spot for photography enthusiasts. Early mornings are great for clean shots as there aren’t many people around or traffic. Evening provides the lit-up tower, with a darkening sky, which is a popular shot for photographers and tourists alike.
It’s easy to immerse yourself in the daily life of central Sharjah by walking around the roundabout and the surrounding streets. Retail shops, local restaurants, and small businesses line the surrounding blocks, providing a direct “neighborhood” experience from the ground up that is not available in more “touristic” neighborhoods.
Most visitors spend time here by combining it with the nearby attractions. The clock tower is conveniently located near the Sharjah Heritage Area, Al Jubail Souq, and Rolla Square, ideal starting points for a day exploring central Sharjah.
What Is Near the Clock Tower in Sharjah?
The clock tower is located in the heart of some of Sharjah’s most interesting neighborhoods. Here are those that you can reach:
- Sharjah Heritage Area (15-20 minutes walking) — Sharjah’s wonderfully restored historic area, where you will discover the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization, the Sharjah Heritage Museum, Al Hisn Fort, and various traditional souks. The clock tower area is a great place to start, as it’s one of the most rewarding cultural experiences in the UAE.
- Al Jubail Souq (5 minutes on foot) is one of Sharjah’s most ancient and bustling traditional souks, offering a wide range of fresh produce, spices, and common household items at affordable prices. Much quieter than Blue Souq and a real shopping experience with the locals.
- Rolla Square (10 minutes on foot) — Sharjah’s historic commercial heart, surrounded by shops, money exchanges, and everyday urban life, which has been the norm in this area of Sharjah for decades.
- Central Souq (Blue Souq) (10 minutes by car) — Sharjah’s famous market, which features two towers clad in blue tile, and is a shopper’s paradise for carpets, jewellery, and traditional crafts. Amongst the most impressive buildings in Sharjah.
- Al Noor Island (10mins by car) — a wonderfully designed leisure island with the renowned Butterfly House and well-maintained garden walks. Excellent for families.
How to Get to the Clock Tower in Sharjah
The city is well connected with public transport, and the clock tower is easily accessible from both sides of Dubai and central Sharjah. Several bus services pass through Al Jubail:
- By Bus: Several buses run from Sharjah and go to Al Jubail. The tower is close to Al Jubail Bus Station (10 minutes walking). Users should consult the latest routes and schedules via the Sharjah Roads and Transport Authority (SRTA).
- By Taxi / Careem / Uber: Give the driver the name of either of the two facilities (Clock Tower Sharjah / Al Jubail Roundabout); both are easily known. The charges for taxi fares depend on the traffic situation, route, and the time of travel. Before travelling, they can see real-time fare pricing on Careem and Uber.
- Car Rental: Available from either Al Wahda Street or King Faisal Street. Near the roundabout, there is parking, and on neighboring streets (free parking for most side streets). Try to avoid rush hour on Friday evenings.
To get to Dubai via the metro, use the red line to the Centrepoint metro station and then take a bus to Sharjah. It takes about 50-70 minutes to reach the center of Dubai.
When Is the Best Time to Visit the Clock Tower in Sharjah?
The best time to visit is from October to April when the temperature in Sharjah falls between 18°C and 28°C, and it becomes comfortable to do outdoor activities and photography. In summer (May to September), the days are often very hot, above 40°C, and it is impractical to visit during the day.
It is especially recommended to visit the park in the evening. The tower turns on its lights, the temperature drops, and evening activities are in the surrounding streets, around 6:00 PM. It’s the time to take the best photos and to enjoy the most authentic experience of the region.
The early morning time (before 8 am) is the best time to take a good photo, as it is quiet and nobody is around. The golden hour light shines beautifully onto the dome and clock faces of the tower, and the roads are relatively quiet enough that you can take a photo of the tower without cars in all of the pictures.
Difference Between Sharjah Clock Tower and the Kalba Clock Tower?
This article refers to the historic landmark of the 1980s that was the Clock Tower at Al Jubail roundabout in central Sharjah. Accessible to the public, this is an outdoor monument without admission fees, and also functions as a navigation landmark and heritage icon.
The Kalba Clock Tower is not the same and is much newer. It was opened in March 2022 by Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi and is 60 meters tall in Kalba, an enclave on the east coast of Sharjah near the border with Oman.
It is designed in a modern Islamic fashion, has a gold-tiled dome, bronze arches, and a restaurant on the fifth floor at 33 meters above sea level, as well as a viewing deck at 46 meters high, which provides views of Kalba Lake, Kalba Mangroves, and the surrounding Hajar Mountains. It is surrounded by 12 fountains for hours and 60 fountains for minutes, and there is a footpath below the fountain, with representations of Kalba’s history.
If you are looking for the Kalba Clock Tower, it is situated at Al Wahda Street and Corniche Street in Sharjah (east coast), Kalba. It has been available to the public since 2022 and can be found on the coastal road from Fujairah or the inland road from Dhaid.
Final Thoughts
The Clock Tower Sharjah is one such landmark that can easily be missed on a tourist’s agenda, yet is a part of daily life in Sharjah. It doesn’t push at you with entry fees or ticketed attractions; it simply sits at the heart of a city, ticking off the hours, orienting people, and holding the city together.
The area around the clock tower is a good place to start exploring central Sharjah on foot. Mix it with a stroll to Al Jubail Souq, a visit to the Heritage Area, and a meal at one of the local restaurants in the vicinity, and you can explore, enjoy a stroll through the busy commercial and cultural hub of Sharjah, delve into local markets, and discover the attractions and restaurants of the Heritage Area.
Read More:
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Clock Tower Sharjah located?
Near the Al Musalla area and Rolla commercial district at the Al Jubail roundabout in central Sharjah. Use Google Maps to search for ‘Clock Tower Sharjah’ or ‘Al Jubail Roundabout’.
Is Clock Tower Sharjah free to visit?
Yes – it’s accessible to the public and is free to see at any time. No charge for admission and no “closed” hours.
When was the Sharjah Clock Tower built?
Built in the 1980s during a period of rapid urbanization in Sharjah under the rule of His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi.
What are the best timings to visit Clock Tower Sharjah?
For the lit tower and nice weather, the evening time (after 6:00 PM), or the early morning time (before 8:00 AM) is less crowded for photos. Best time of year: October-April.
How do I get to Clock Tower Sharjah by bus?
The tower is close to Al Jubail Bus Station (10 minutes walking). The routes and schedules should be checked with the Sharjah Roads and Transport Authority (SRTA) for the latest information.
What is near Clock Tower Sharjah?
Al Jubail Souq (5 minutes’ walk), Rolla Square (10 minutes’ walk), Sharjah Heritage Area (15-20 minutes’ walk), Blue Souq (10 minutes by car), Al Noor Island (10 minutes by car).
Is there a restaurant at the Clock Tower in Sharjah?
Not at the main clock tower of Al Jubail (central), Sharjah. The Kalba Clock Tower (on the east coast of Sharjah), however, has a restaurant on the 5th floor, 33 meters high.
What is the difference between the Sharjah Clock Tower and the Kalba Clock Tower?
There are two structures that are distinct from each other. The free public roundabout landmark of central Sharjah is the main Clock Tower Sharjah (1980s). The Kalba Clock Tower is a modern 60m-tall tower with a restaurant and observation deck in Kalba on the east coast (opened in 2022).
