Al Arab Mall Sharjah: Shops, Timings and Parking

Al Arab Mall is a shopping centre in Al Taawun, Sharjah (just off the Sharjah Expo Centre and right on the Dubai–Sharjah border). It has a Nesto Hypermarket and a number of retail shops selling clothing, household goods, personal care and the like. It’s a one-stop shop for your shopping and your everyday errands. Before you go, it’s always worth checking the current opening hours, parking fees and individual shop opening times, as these can change. Its location also makes it very convenient for people living in the surrounding areas. This article covers the mall’s address, the shops, the facilities, directions, parking and the surrounding area.

Where Is Al Arab Mall Located?

The centre is at the Al Mamzar Taawun Roundabout, Al Taawun, Sharjah, right next to the Sharjah Expo Centre. It’s located very close to the Dubai/Sharjah border so is very accessible to residents of the surrounding areas and people travelling between the two emirates.

Address

Al Mamzar Taawun Roundabout, Al Taawun, near Sharjah Expo Centre, Sharjah, UAE.

Nearby landmark

Sharjah Expo Centre (Al Ittihad Street and the Dubai–Sharjah border corridor being useful geographical references).

Main shopping attraction

Nesto Hypermarket, along with the clothing stores, the personal care outlets and all the other day to day retail.

Which areas are close to the mall?

Al Taawun is the immediate neighbourhood. Al Khan, Al Nahda and Al Mamzar are useful surrounding area names to bear in mind when checking directions (depending on where you are starting from of course).

The location is ideal for those who live or work near the Sharjah–Dubai border. For people coming from further afield, it’s worth checking your route prior to departure, as traffic on the major roads and at the junctions can have an impact on your journey time.

For accurate navigation, you need to enter the full name of the shopping centre into Google Maps or whatever navigation app you’re using. Make sure you’re actually navigating to the Al Taawun branch and not some other shopping centre that has a similar name.

Al Arab Mall Opening Hours

The published times usually show the shopping centre open from 8.00 AM to midnight every day. Individual retailers may of course, open later, close earlier or have different hours during the holidays and on special occasions.

These are the published listing hours (not a verified live schedule from mall management). Always check the times before you go, particularly on public holidays or if you’re going to a particular store.

What is the best time to visit?

The best time to go really depends on what you’re after. A morning visit can be ideal if you’re out for your usual shopping and running about, whereas an evening visit would be more appropriate for people coming in after work.

Weekends and public holidays will, of course, have an impact on traffic, parking demand and store schedules. If you need to go to a particular retailer, then it’s worth calling that business first rather than just assuming that they all operate on the same basis as the mall in terms of their opening hours.

Shops and Shopping Options

The mix is all about practical shopping rather than trying to position the centre as a luxury destination. You’ll find a good range of everyday retail, a supermarket and some service-type businesses (the actual mix of tenants will of course vary over time).

Clothing and Fashion

Clothing outlets make the centre very useful for people who want to buy their everyday clothing and some fashion. Depending on the current tenants, you’ll likely find something for casual wear, some accessories and so on.

Availability will vary from shop to shop. If you’re after a particular brand, size or a more specific item, then it’s worth checking stock first before you go, particularly if you’re planning a shopping trip around one particular purchase.

Cosmetics and Personal Care

Beauty products and personal care services are in the centre as well. That’s a convenient category for residents who may well want to combine their shopping with a bit of grooming or personal care.

Individual services, ranges and prices will of course vary depending on the business at the time of your visit. It’s always wise to check directly with the salon or retailer in question prior to assuming a particular service will be available.

Electronics and Mobile Accessories

Electronics and mobile-related retail has also been part of the centre’s mix of tenants. Those types of outlets would cater to the shopper looking for accessories and everyday tech.

For higher-value purchases, you should confirm the product model, the warranty, the return policy and availability with the seller. A general directory listing won’t necessarily mean that the item in question is currently in stock.

Household Products and Everyday Essentials

Visitors can shop at the supermarket as well as a number of other retail categories. This is ideal for people who are going to need groceries as well as basic household goods, clothing and personal care.

The benefit is convenience rather than the guarantee that every specialist item will be in stock. For furniture in particular (premium brands, specialist items etc) it’s worth checking the individual store’s catalogue before you make the trip.

Nesto Hypermarket at the Mall

Nesto Hypermarket is one of the main reasons people go to the centre. The one on Al Taawun Street in Sharjah is a full-on supermarket-type store, offering groceries as well as a wide range of non-food items.

What can you buy at Nesto?

The hypermarket is a sensible option for the family doing their regular shopping. Its reported product categories include:

• Fresh produce (fruits and vegetables).
• Dairy, frozen food and packaged goods.
• Meat and other normal day to day foodstuffs.
• Household cleaning products and kitchen essentials.
• Clothing, toys, accessories and selected electronic goods.

The availability of individual items is dependent on stock and the current range. If you’re looking for a particular brand, an imported product or a specialist item then it’s worth checking with the branch.

Is Nesto suitable for weekly grocery shopping?

Yes, it can be a sensible option for the shopper who wants to buy food, household goods and a range of non-food items in one trip. The principal benefit is that you have a supermarket in a larger retail park, so you can do several things in one go without having to travel to various separate locations.

Prices and promotions are subject to change. The best way to assess value is to compare unit prices, package sizes and dates of expiry rather than simply looking at the discount.

Nesto Hypermarket contact details

The branch is listed with the following contact information:

Telephone

+971 6 524 4232

Address

Al Taawun Street, Al Mamzar, Sharjah, UAE

Contact details are taken from the business listing. Always check the number and branch details before using them.

Read Also: Bawadi Mall Al Ain

Parking Facilities and Charges

Parking is obviously a major consideration for anyone coming by car. The mall directory that’s currently published talks of a car park with circa 600 spaces, Bayut’s older info lists different weekday rates and free parking conditions. All of that is of course historical in nature and should not be taken as a current price list.

What are the parking charges?

An older published breakdown lists the following rates:

These figures are from an older directory article and have not been independently verified as current. Please check the signs at the entrance and the payment machine for the current tariff, grace period and lost ticket charge.

Is parking free on weekends?

Older mall information stated that there was free parking on weekends and public holidays and that Nesto customers had up to two hours of free parking. That said, the situation may have changed and you can’t assume that free parking will be available on every visit.

Before you leave your car check whether the car park uses tickets, barriers, validation or some other system. If you’re shopping at the supermarket ask the staff if there’s any parking benefit available in relation to your purchase and what the conditions are.

Tips for a smoother parking experience

• Check the entry and exit signs prior to parking.
• Keep any ticket or payment receipt until you’ve left.
• Confirm that supermarket purchases are eligible for parking validation.
• Allow extra time during the weekends and during the busy shopping periods.
• Check the current rate before leaving your vehicle for several hours.

These simple checks will prevent surprise charges and reduce the likelihood of delays when you’re leaving.

How to Reach the Shopping Centre

The centre is situated right near the Taawun Roundabout and the Sharjah Expo Centre so it’s fairly easy to pick it out on a map. The best mode of transport will obviously vary depending on where you’re coming from and whether you’re going to be taking any groceries or other purchases with you.

By car or taxi

Driving is obviously the most convenient option for people coming in with shopping bags or people travelling with family. Just use the full address in your sat nav and check the traffic before you set off.

A taxi is another viable option for people in Al Taawun and the surrounding areas. When you book one, just be sure to state the shopping centre adjacent to the Sharjah Expo Centre as this will help to avoid any potential confusion with other similarly named locations.

By public transport

Visitors using buses should check out the current Sharjah public transport network and the nearest appropriate stop. The available routes, the points of interchange and the walking distances will vary depending on your starting point.

Some online articles suggest travelling to a central bus station and continuing by taxi, but this is not necessarily the quickest route for everyone. Use a current journey planner to compare connections before travelling from Dubai or another part of Sharjah.

Travelling from Dubai

For those coming in from Dubai the Dubai/Sharjah border area is a useful reference point. Journey times can vary quite significantly depending on traffic, especially during the commute times.

Check the route right up until you leave rather than go on the basis of a fixed travel time. If you’re making several stops in Sharjah, then it’s worth grouping the stops together in one trip to save time.

Food, Cafés and Other Services

The centre is mainly there for shopping and doing the everyday things you need to do, though the range of service businesses and cafés on site can make a visit to it quite convenient. The listings available indicate the presence of cafés as well as a broader range of retail and personal services.

Cafés and refreshments

Haya Cafe is on the ground floor so it’s an option for anyone doing their shopping who might want a coffee stop. The current menu, prices and opening times should be checked directly prior to visiting.

Don’t assume that every restaurant or food outlet referred to in the older articles is still in operation. Mall tenancies come and go and online directories can have very out of date information in them long after the business has moved or closed.

Everyday services

The general tenant descriptions include beauty services, mobile businesses, exchange services and other retail. The precise availability of any banking, exchange or specialist services should be confirmed with the respective provider.

If it’s a time-sensitive service (e.g. a currency transaction, a particular type of repair, etc.) it’s better to contact the business before your journey. It’s more reliable than just travelling on the basis of a generic category listing.

Places to Visit Near Al Arab Mall

After you’ve done shopping at Al Arab Mall, there are a number of leisure options around Sharjah for you to take advantage of, including the waterfront promenades, various family-oriented destinations and public beaches. You can eat, walk and just hang about outdoors. The times taken will of course vary depending on traffic and your point of departure, so be sure to check the directions prior to setting off.

Al Qasba

Al Qasba is a waterfront area with views across the canal, a number of restaurants and cafés and a good deal of pedestrian walkways. You can just walk along the water or have a meal after you’ve done your shopping. It’s a good place for a family or couple to go for an evening out.

Sharjah Aquarium

The Sharjah Aquarium has marine life from the coastal environments of the region (fish and other sea creatures). It’s a great educational visit for families with kids and for anyone interested in the marine environment. As always, check the current admission prices and opening times before you go.

Al Khan Beach

Al Khan Beach is a beach destination with views of the sea, a good spot for a walk along the beach and time spent outdoors. It’s a good option for those looking to get away from the indoor shopping. Always check the local conditions and facilities prior to visiting.

Al Majaz Waterfront

Al Majaz Waterfront is situated right next to Khalid Lagoon and provides waterfront views, dining and walking areas. The evening atmosphere is very much in evidence and it’s a popular spot for visitors who want to have a meal and then a walk. It’s also a good place for families to enjoy the surrounding public areas.

Al Noor Island

Al Noor Island has landscaped gardens, walking paths and a very peaceful setting, indeed away from the bustle of the shopping areas. You can wander around the island and take in the views over Khalid Lagoon. As always, check current ticket prices, attraction access and opening times prior to your visit.

Planning tip: these are separate attractions, not facilities within Al Arab Mall. Pick your destination according to how much time you have, what you’re interested in and the current traffic situation.

Is It Worth Visiting?

The best reason to go is convenience, really. It’s a hypermarket; it’s got all the everyday retail and it’s situated next to a number of residential communities, so it’s a very practical place to shop for the everyday things. It’s not a place you go to in order to be dazzled by the range of luxury brands or to go to for entertainment. It’s a place you go to shop.

It may be particularly useful for:

• Residents of Al Taawun and the surrounding areas.
• Families doing their weekly shop.
• Commuters who wish to run errands in the area near the Dubai/Sharjah border.
• Shoppers looking for everyday clothing, household goods and a selection of services.

Those looking for a huge range of international flagships, a whole host of entertainment or simply a full day out may well be better off comparing out other shopping centres in Sharjah first.

The point is to tailor the visit to your own requirements. If you’re just after some groceries and a few normal purchases, then a shorter visit may be all that you need. If you’re looking for a specific shop, then it’s worth calling in advance to check that it’s open and that it has what you’re after.

Conclusion

Al Arab Mall is a very practical shopping mall for people who want to do their supermarket shopping as well as their normal retail and services in Sharjah. Its location in Al Taawun is very convenient for the residents of the area and for those travelling along the Dubai–Sharjah corridor.

Before you go though, check the opening times of the shop you’re intending to visit and check the current parking situation. A bit of planning will go a long way to enabling you to get on with your shopping without having to resort to old prices, old tenant lists or old transport info.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Al Arab Mall located?

It’s in Al Taawun, Sharjah, close to the Sharjah Expo Centre and the Dubai–Sharjah border.

What are the opening hours?

Published listings show the shop open 8.00 AM to midnight each day. Individual shops may of course have different hours.

Which supermarket is inside the mall?

Nesto Hypermarket is the main supermarket (groceries, household goods and a selection of non-foods).

Is parking available?

Yes there is visitor parking. Check the on-site signage for current rates and parking rules.

Is parking free for Nesto customers?

The older listings refer to up to 2 hours of free parking. Check with the supermarket to confirm the current policy.

How can I reach the mall from Dubai?

You can get there by car or taxi via Al Taawun, Sharjah. Check the live navigation for the best route and traffic.

Are there cafés inside the shopping centre?

Haya Cafe is on the ground floor. Check its current opening times before you go.