What is Al Noor Island?
A landscaped island with art installations, sculpture, a literature pavilion, children's play areas and a striking Butterfly House with hundreds of tropical butterflies under an intricately patterned dome. In the evening, light installations turn the island into a glowing garden.
Tickets
Prices vary between sellers, so check the official site.
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Tips
- Arrive in the afternoon: Butterfly House before 6 pm, then the island at dusk for the lights.
- Avoid weekend evenings if you want space.
- Summer is very hot: go late afternoon.
🔑 Free skip-the-line hack
Go when it’s quiet: see live crowds and the hourly forecast.
Getting there
It's in central Sharjah on Khalid Lagoon. From Dubai, it's about 30-45 minutes by taxi, depending on the notoriously heavy Dubai-Sharjah traffic. Avoid rush hours.
What to see
Al Noor Island is a small landscaped island in Khalid Lagoon, Sharjah, linked to the Corniche by a footbridge. It mixes gardens, art installations and a butterfly house, and it's especially pretty in the evening when the light installations come on.
- The Butterfly House: a domed, intricately patterned building with hundreds of tropical butterflies flying freely among the plants.
- Art installations: sculptures and light pieces by international artists along the paths.
- The Literature Pavilion: a shaded reading space.
- Night lights: the island becomes an illuminated trail after sunset.
- The children's play area and cafés with views of the Sharjah skyline.
Best time to visit
Visit the Butterfly House in the morning or early afternoon, as it closes at 6 pm, then stay for the island's lights after sunset. The cooler months (November-March) are the most pleasant for walking. Weekends, from Friday afternoon, are the busiest. Summer days are very hot, so come in the late afternoon.
Crowds by day and time
From the typical weekly visitor pattern for Al Noor Island, based on Google’s popular-times data.
Quietest time
Wednesday, 11 am-4 pm
Busiest time
Sunday, 4-7 pm
Combining it with Sharjah
Sharjah, the UAE's cultural capital, is quieter than Dubai and full of museums. Combine Al Noor Island with the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization, the Heart of Sharjah heritage area, the Blue Souk (Central Souk) and the Al Majaz Waterfront across the lagoon, with its fountain show in the evening.
Is Al Noor Island worth it?
Yes for families and photographers: it's peaceful, beautiful at dusk and inexpensive compared with Dubai's attractions.
FAQs
How much is Al Noor Island?
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About AED 35 for adults and AED 20 for children, more with the Butterfly House.
What are the opening hours?
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9 am-11 pm, until midnight at weekends. The Butterfly House is open 9 am-6 pm.
Where is Al Noor Island?
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On Khalid Lagoon in Sharjah, about 30-45 minutes from Dubai.
How long do you need?
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2-3 hours.
Is Al Noor Island in Dubai?
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No, it's in Sharjah, about 30-60 minutes from Dubai by taxi.
Heading to Al Noor Island?
See how busy it is right now and the quietest hours for your date, then walk in when the line is short.
Check live crowds →Sources
How we research: every guide is written by the BeatTheCrowd team from official sources and recent traveller reports, cross-checked against each other, and dated so you know how fresh it is. Last checked 29 October 2026. Prices and rules change, so always confirm on the official site before you book.
