Kalba Rock Art Centre To Open In 2026 With 400 Ancient Engravings In Sharjah

Kalba, that sleepy stretch on Sharjah’s east coast, is about to wake up. Shurooq (Sharjah Investment and Development Authority) has rolled out plans that could make this little town a surprisingly big deal in the UAE’s travel circuit. We’re talking ancient rock carvings, a beach that takes sustainability seriously, and a mountainside camp that’s more “eco-chic” than “rough and ready.” Kalba is gearing up for a major glow-up, with Shurooq rolling out the Rock Art Centre showcasing ancient carvings & more. 

Kalba Is Getting A Makeover With The Launch Of  The Rock Art Centre

 

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Let’s start with the one that really made me sit up, the Kalba Rock Art Centre, slated for 2026. Picture this: hundreds of engravings scattered across rocky hills, dating back thousands of years. Not quick sketches either, but detailed carvings of animals from the Neolithic, Bronze and Iron Ages. It’s like history carved into stone, literally.

And here’s the cool bit: Shurooq isn’t keeping this heritage locked away in dusty archives. They’ve teamed up with archaeologists and tech folks to digitally record the engravings. Which means even if you’re not in Kalba, you could “visit” the site online. For those who actually make the trip, expect interactive displays, a café with mountain views, and yes, a shop (because when do you ever leave a museum without one?).

Kalba Beach: More Than Just Sand

Now, beaches in the UAE? We’ve all seen plenty. But the new Kalba Beach, expected late 2026, wants to raise the bar. The plan is to stretch it over 700 metres and get it certified with Blue Flag status, which is basically the gold standard for clean, safe, eco-conscious beaches.

Restaurants, kiosks, play areas for kids, it’ll all be there. But here’s what makes it interesting: instead of just bringing in big-name brands, the project has space carved out for local entrepreneurs. That means small food joints, local cafés, maybe even a few family businesses. Finally, a beach that gives back to the community instead of just cashing in on tourists.

Nomad: Camping, But Not Really

And then there’s Nomad, the part that will probably make Instagrammers very happy. Opening in 2025, it’s a set of 20 luxury trailers tucked into Kalba’s mountain landscape. Solar-powered, equipped with private BBQ spots, and offering activities like yoga, stargazing and mountain biking, it’s not really “camping” in the rough sense. It’s more like bringing your city comforts into the wild, minus the traffic.

The trails around the site sound like half the fun: a moderate 5 km walk, a tougher 2.4 km climb, and nearly 5 km of biking paths. Add birdwatching into the mix and you’ve got yourself a weekend that actually feels like an escape.

Also Read: From A New Walkway To A Heritage Museum, Sharjah Ruler Launches 3 New Kalba Tourism Projects

Why This Matters

Shurooq isn’t just throwing in tourist traps. These projects feel like a mix, protecting Kalba’s heritage, creating jobs, and making sure visitors don’t trample the very things that make the place unique. It’s a balancing act, and whether they pull it off remains to be seen.

But one thing’s for sure: Kalba isn’t staying under the radar much longer. In a few years, you might not just drive past it on your way to Fujairah—you’ll be stopping here, staying here, and maybe even bragging about it after.

Cover Image Courtesy: Shurooq/Instagram