All About the Flying Saucer in Sharjah

Sharjah is a cultural hub with so many iconic landmarks, reflecting its rich history. One such historical landmark is Flying Saucer Sharjah, a patisserie transformed into a culture and exhibition centre. Known for its star-shaped dome, you can easily spot the centre from far away. Curious to explore the centre in detail? Let’s dive deeper into its history and renovation.

• Overview and History
• Location
• Opening Hours
• Contact Information
• Getting Here
• Renovation and New Additions
• Nearby Communities
• Nearby Restaurants
• Nearby Attractions
• FAQs

Overview and History

Sharjah has no shortage of cultural and historical landmarks and the Flying Saucer is another addition. The currently famous art centre was once a patisserie and a supermarket. Let’s look at a brief timeline of its evolution from a patisserie to an art centre:

• Established in 1978 as a star-shaped building, the centre was home to a French patisserie.
• In the 1980s, it was home to a renowned supermarket.
• Flying Saucer Sharjah was home to the Sharjah Cooperative Society branch in the 1990s.
• In the early 2000s, it served as a restaurant appealing to a wide audience.
• Sharjah Art Foundation took charge of this landmark in 2012 after which it was converted into an exhibition space.
• The foundation started a renovation project that was completed in 2020. This included the transformation of Flying Saucer Sharjah into an art centre, housing a library, café, exhibition spaces and more.

Location

The Flying Saucer is located in a prime spot in Sharjah, easily accessible from other parts of the city. It is connected to Sheikh Zayed Street, Al Wahda Street and Sheikh Humaid Bib Saqr Al Qasimi Street.

Opening Hours

• Saturday to Thursday: 09:00 am to 09:00 pm
• Friday: 04:00 pm to 09:00 pm

Contact Information

Visitors can contact the Sharjah Art Foundation for any queries related to the Flying Saucer. Here are the contact details:

• Phone: +971-6-548-1381
• Email: info@sharjahart.org

Ticket Price

Entry to the Flying Saucer is free, however, visitors have to purchase tickets at the time of visit. To skip the long lanes, visitors can also book the tickets in advance.

Getting Here

Commuting to this art centre is hassle-free with Sharjah public transport options. You can use taxis or public buses for a convenient travel experience. Some of the bus stops nearest to the centre include:

• Rolla Square Park Bus Stop: 10 minutes drive
• SRTA Bus Stop 58: 10 minutes drive
• Sharjah, Al Jubail Bus Station: 12 minutes drive

Travelling From Dubai

Residents of Dubai can travel to Sharjah via E11 road and reach the emirate within 38 minutes. Or, take an intercity bus from Global Village 1 bus stop to Sharjah, Al Wahda Road, City Centre bus stop. From there, the centre is just an 8-minute drive. You can review this complete guide on how to travel to Sharjah from Dubai.

Renovation and New Additions

In 2012, the Sharjah Art Foundation acquired the Flying Saucer. The foundation mainly worked on rehabilitating the original design. This is why a renovation project was started, in collaboration with Space Continuum Design Studio. The renovations were completed in September 2020 and changed the following:

Renovation and Dome Restoration

A major part of the renovation was focused on restoring the dome’s visibility, similar to how it appeared originally. This was achieved by removing the false ceiling and internal partitions that had been added over time.

Architectural Features

Key design elements include a circular dome that appears to float above a ring of eight columns, a star-shaped canopy extending beyond a panoramic façade, and a bright interior supported by V-shaped pillars.

New Additions

The Flying Saucer now includes two significant new features:

1. Outdoor Platform

An open-air platform designed to host art installations and events.

2. Launch Pad Community Space 

This underground space includes several sections:

Green Crater

A sunken courtyard filled with lush vegetation and natural light.

Curated Library

The Flying Saucer houses the first public art library in Sharjah. The library is open to the public and offers a wide range of materials, including Foundation publications, artist books, catalogues, and reference materials in both Arabic and English. The library is designed with long tables for readers and researchers to enjoy a productive atmosphere.

Fen Café

Fen Café offers a creative space with an eclectic menu featuring fusion cuisine made from local and international ingredients. Visitors can enjoy inventive dishes, along with excellent coffee and tea. The café is open from Saturday to Thursday: 09:00 am to 09:00 pm and Friday: 04:00 pm to. 09:00 pm.

Nearby Communities

Although the art centre is in a prime location, the residents of the following communities enjoy quick access:

• Dasman: 3 minutes drive
• Al Ghubaiba: 4 minutes drive
• Al Mansoora: 7 minutes drive
• Al Quoz: 8 minutes drive

Nearby Restaurants

Feeling hungry after an art exhibition at the Flying Saucer? There are some top-rated restaurants in Sharjah near the destination:

• Lafair Restaurant: 6 minutes drive | South Indian, Chinese and Seafood
• Al Nawab Restaurant: 9 minutes drive | Pakistani
• Chili’s: 10 minutes drive | American
• Fakhr Al Pakistan Restaurant: 14 minutes drive | Pakistani cuisine
• Ushna: 15 minutes drive | Indian

Nearby Attractions

Want to explore the cultural or joyful side of Sharjah? You can visit the following attractions nearby:

• Sharjah Science Museum: 5 minutes drive
• Al Fahya Park: 5 minutes drive
• Sharjah Archaeology Museum: 5 minutes drive
• Cultural Square: 6 minutes drive
• Antics Land: 9 minutes drive

FAQs

The Flying Saucer Sharjah is a hub for learning and creativity. Whether you want to read a new book or attend an art workshop, the centre caters to every need.

Art enthusiasts can also consider visiting the Dubai International Art Centre.

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