Sharjah Gold Souk Guide: Central Souq Timings, Location and Gold Prices
Quick answer: Sharjah’s main gold market is in the Central Souq, also called the Blue Souk, on King Faisal Street beside Khalid Lagoon. Gold shops are on the ground floor, and many open from about 9 AM to 1 PM and 4 PM to 11 PM, with shorter Friday mornings. At 12:30 UAE time on Wednesday, 4 November 2026, the world market price of 22K gold in the UAE is AED 436.01 per gram, AED 5,085.53 per tola and AED 4,360.10 for 10 grams, equal to US$118.72 per gram.
Gold Price in UAE Today (AED per gram)
| Karat | Purity | Per Gram (AED) | Per Tola (AED) | Per 10g (AED) | Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24K | 99.9% | 475.63 | 5,547.65 | 4,756.30 | Investment / Bars |
| 22K | 91.6% | 436.01 | 5,085.53 | 4,360.10 | Jewellery (most popular) |
| 21K | 87.5% | 416.17 | 4,854.12 | 4,161.70 | Traditional Jewellery |
| 20K | 83.3% | 396.34 | 4,622.83 | 3,963.40 | Jewellery |
| 18K | 75.0% | 356.72 | 4,160.71 | 3,567.20 | Designer / Affordable |
GoldRateUAE put together this Sharjah gold souk guide so visitors know where the gold shops are, when they open and how prices are set. The live table above shows today’s rate per gram, which Sharjah jewellers follow along with the rest of the UAE.
The Central Souq is one of Sharjah’s best known landmarks. Its blue tiles and wind towers are so well known that the building appears on the UAE’s five dirham banknote.
Where Is the Gold Souk in Sharjah?
The Central Souq stands on King Faisal Street, next to the “Smile You Are In Sharjah” roundabout and facing Khalid Lagoon. It is made up of two long connected buildings.
The wing overlooking the lagoon holds most of the gold and silver shops. The wing facing King Faisal Street is known for textiles and Persian carpets.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Official name | Central Souq, also called the Blue Souk |
| Street | King Faisal Street, Sharjah |
| Landmark | Facing Khalid Lagoon |
| Size | Two connected buildings with over 600 shops |
| Gold shops | Mainly on the ground floor |
When Did the Central Souq Open?
Construction began in 1978, and the souq was inaugurated in 1980. It was designed by the British firm Michael Lyell Associates, with a skyline of 20 wind towers inspired by traditional Arabian architecture.
Gulf News marked more than 47 years of the building in 2025. Khaleej Times has reported plans for a renovation of the landmark.
Central Souq Opening Hours
Hours are set by each shop, but many follow a split day with a break in the afternoon. Timings can change during Ramadan and on public holidays.
| Day | Typical hours |
|---|---|
| Saturday to Thursday | About 9 AM to 1 PM, then 4 PM to 11 PM |
| Friday | About 9 AM to 12 noon, then 4 PM to 11 PM |
| Ramadan | Shorter daytime hours, busier evenings |
Some shops stay open through the afternoon. If you are making a special trip, call ahead.
How Do You Get There?
Sharjah has no metro, so most visitors come by taxi, car or bus. From Dubai, intercity buses run from Al Ghubaiba and Union stations to Al Jubail bus station in Sharjah, in the same Al Jubail area as the souq.
Traffic between Dubai and Sharjah is heavy at peak hours. A weekday late morning or early evening visit is usually easier.
How Are Gold Prices Set in Sharjah?
Sharjah jewellers follow the same daily retail rate per karat as jewellers in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The rate moves with the world gold price and the US dollar, which the dirham is pegged to.
Our gold rate in Sharjah page shows the live Sharjah rate for 24K, 22K, 21K and 18K. The bill adds a making charge for each design and 5% VAT on jewellery, the same federal VAT rate as the rest of the UAE.
| Part of the bill | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Gold value | Weight × the day’s rate |
| Making charge | Craftsmanship of the piece |
| Stones | Priced separately |
| VAT | 5% on jewellery |
What Can You Buy in the Central Souq?
Gold shops sell 22K and 21K jewellery in Arabic and South Asian styles, 18K diamond pieces and 24K bars and coins. Upstairs, the souq is known for carpets, pashminas, antiques, coffee pots and silverware.
Investment bars and coins of at least 99% purity are zero rated for VAT. Our guide to gold making charges in the UAE explains how charges are set on jewellery.
A Worked Example: 21K Arabic Bracelet
Take a 15 gram 21K bracelet at an illustrative rate of AED 450 per gram, with a making charge of AED 12 per gram. The gold is worth AED 6,750 and the making charge is AED 180.
The subtotal is AED 6,930, and 5% VAT brings the total to AED 7,276.50. Use today’s live 21K rate for a current figure, or the gold price calculator for Dubai, which works for any emirate.
Sharjah Compared With the Dubai Gold Souk
The Dubai Gold Souk in Deira is larger and draws more tourists, while the Central Souq is a single covered building with gold on one floor. The gold rate is the same in both, so totals differ only by making charge and design.
Our Gold Souk vs Meena Bazaar vs malls guide covers the main Dubai shopping areas for comparison.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Blue Souk the same as the Central Souq?
Yes. The Central Souq in Sharjah is widely called the Blue Souk because of its blue tiled exterior.
Is gold cheaper in Sharjah than in Dubai?
The daily gold rate per karat is the same across the UAE. Totals differ by making charge, stones and design.
Is there VAT on gold in Sharjah?
Yes. Jewellery carries 5% VAT in Sharjah, as in all emirates. Bars and coins of at least 99% purity are zero rated.
Is there a metro to the Central Souq?
No. Sharjah has no metro, so visitors come by taxi, car or intercity bus from Dubai.
Planning a Visit to the Sharjah Gold Souk
Plan a visit to the Sharjah gold souk around the afternoon break, check the live rate before you go, and ask each shop for the making charge per gram. An itemised invoice with weight, karat, rate and VAT keeps everything clear.
This page gives general visitor information and is not financial advice. Opening hours are set by each shop and can change.
Sources: Sharjah Central Souq on Wikipedia, Gulf News on the Central Souq and Bayut guide to the Blue Souk.
