Hanging Garden Kalba, Sharjah’s newest nature attraction in the eastern region, opened its doors in March 2024. This garden features a stunning 100,000 trees and plants spread across terraced landscapes with a centerpiece waterfall dropping from mountain heights. Perfect for families, nature lovers, and adventure seekers, this Kalba destination combines natural beauty with modern amenities for a full-day experience.
Hanging Garden Kalba
Nestled among mountains near Al Hafiya Lake, Hanging Garden Kalba stands as Sharjah’s newest eco-attraction. The garden spans a vast area with lush greenery arranged in terraced formations, climbing up mountainsides.
The star attraction is a massive waterfall that creates a surprisingly cool zone even during hot UAE summers. Water flows down multiple levels through carefully designed channels, creating small pools and streams throughout the space.
The garden blends natural landscapes with careful design. Rock formations blend with planted areas, creating spaces that feel both wild and planned. Walking paths wind through different sections, letting visitors explore at their own pace.
Hanging Garden Kalba is both a conservation effort and a popular tourist spot. You’ll find native plants growing alongside ornamental varieties, reflecting the UAE’s commitment to creating green spaces.
The location also offers mountain views, making it a photographer’s dream. Morning light hits the cascading water, creating rainbow effects, while evening visits showcase dramatic sunset colors against the mountain backdrop.
Getting There & Hours
Getting to the Hanging Garden Kalba is easy. The garden sits off the Sharjah-Kalba Road, with a clear exit before the Al Heyar Tunnel. Look for directional signs after passing Kalba city center when coming from Sharjah.
By car from Dubai, the journey takes about 90 minutes. From Sharjah city, expect a 45-minute drive. The route passes through mountain scenery, making the trip part of the experience.
Parking spaces accommodate hundreds of vehicles with dedicated areas for buses and tour groups. The main entrance connects directly to the parking area with a short walking distance to the ticket booths.
Public transport options are limited. Visitors without personal vehicles can use taxi services from Kalba city center or arrange tour packages from major UAE cities that include transportation.
The garden opens daily from 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM, with extended hours until 11:00 PM on weekends and holidays. Early morning visits (9:00 AM – 11:00 AM) offer cooler temperatures and smaller crowds.
Ticket prices are reasonable: 25 AED for adults and 15 AED for children under 12. Family packages cost 60 AED for two adults and up to three children. Annual passes cost 200 AED per person, offering unlimited visits.
Features and Attractions
The main waterfall drops from a height of 50 meters, creating a cooling mist that visitors can feel from viewing platforms. This man-made waterfall uses a recirculating water system to be eco-friendly and conserve water.
Beyond the waterfall, Hanging Garden Kalba offers many attractions:
- A network of hiking trails with difficulty levels from easy to moderate
- A dedicated sports walkway for joggers and fitness enthusiasts
- A skating arena popular with younger visitors
- Mini-train tours circling the entire garden
- Multiple viewing platforms at different elevations
- Rest areas with seating throughout the garden
- Dining options include cafes and restaurants
- A children’s play area with nature-themed equipment
- Educational displays about local ecosystems
Paths and bridges connect different garden zones. Some areas feature dense plantings that create shaded retreats, while others open to panoramic mountain views.
1. The Heart: Waterfall & Terraces
The waterfall forms the heart of the Hanging Garden Kalba. Unlike natural waterfalls, this one runs on a schedule, with the full cascade running hourly for 15 minutes. This conservation approach saves water while still giving visitors the full experience.
Surrounding the waterfall, terraced gardens rise in layers. These terraced plantings are inspired by ancient farming but are purely decorative here. The design allows visitors to walk alongside the water as it flows down through the garden.
Plant species in these terraced sections include drought-resistant varieties alongside decorative flowering plants. This thoughtful combination ensures year-round greenery with seasonal color changes.
Viewing platforms positioned at strategic points let visitors photograph the waterfall from multiple angles. The main observation deck sits directly across from the falls, providing the most dramatic views.
2. Trails, Trains & Activities
Beyond passive enjoyment, Hanging Garden Kalba offers active experiences. A network of trails ranges from flat, paved paths to more challenging routes with elevation changes. Trail markers indicate difficulty, distance, and estimated completion time.
The garden’s train tour provides a good overview for first-time visitors or those with mobility limitations. These electric-powered trains run every 30 minutes, making a complete circuit with commentary about garden features.
For families, the children’s adventure zone combines play equipment with educational elements about nature and conservation. Weekend workshops teach kids about plants, water conservation, and local wildlife.
Fitness enthusiasts appreciate the dedicated sports track, which includes exercise stations along its 2.5-kilometer length. Morning hours see residents using these facilities for daily workouts.
Evening activities include occasional cultural performances at the garden’s amphitheater. Check the official website for scheduled events during your visit.
Plan Your Visit
A little planning makes your visit smoother, especially during peak tourist season (November-April). Weekends see the highest visitor numbers, with Friday afternoon being particularly crowded.
What should you bring? Comfortable walking shoes, sun protection, and water bottles top the list. While water fountains exist throughout the garden, carrying your supply helps during longer walks.
You’ll find quick snacks at kiosks or sit-down meals at the main restaurant. Outside food is permitted in designated picnic areas but not in the main garden sections.
Restrooms are located throughout the garden. All include accessible options and baby-changing stations. Prayer rooms near the main entrance accommodate religious needs.
Photography is allowed and encouraged throughout Hanging Garden Kalba. Professional photography or filming for commercial purposes requires advanced permission through the management office.
The garden maintains wheelchair-accessible paths to major attractions, including the main waterfall viewing platform. Electric carts can be reserved for elderly or mobility-impaired visitors at an additional fee of 50 AED per hour.
Staff speak Arabic and English, and some know other languages too. Information boards throughout the garden use multilingual descriptions.
The Garden’s Story
Hanging Garden Kalba is part of Sharjah’s vision for sustainable tourism development. Planning began in 2019, with construction starting in late 2021.
The garden’s design drew inspiration from famous terraced landscapes worldwide while adapting to local conditions. Engineers faced challenges integrating water features into the desert environment, resulting in innovative conservation solutions.
Before becoming a garden, this area consisted of an untouched mountain landscape. Developers carefully preserved natural rock formations while building the garden. Much of the site’s original topography remains intact.
The name “Hanging Garden” references the historical Hanging Gardens of Babylon, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. While not attempting to recreate that legendary site, designers sought to capture its spirit of engineering merged with natural beauty.
Local communities helped shape the garden through consultation programs. Some garden features, particularly educational components, reflect input from nearby schools and community organizations.
Since its March 2024 opening, Hanging Garden Kalba has welcomed thousands of visitors, quickly becoming one of Sharjah’s must-see attractions. Future expansion plans include additional hiking trails and nighttime illumination displays.
Insider Tips for Your Visit
Want to capture the best photos? Visit between 7:00-9:00 AM when morning light hits the waterfall, creating dramatic effects. Another prime time comes at sunset when golden light bathes the terraced gardens.
For maximum enjoyment:
- Visit on weekdays to avoid crowds
- Start from the upper sections and work downward
- Take the train tour first for orientation
- Check the waterfall schedule at the entrance
- Bring a light jacket even in summer (the waterfall area stays cool)
- Download the garden map from their website before arriving
Hidden spots worth finding include a small meditation garden behind the main restaurant and a secluded viewpoint accessed via a short trail marked “Panorama Point.”
Look for seasonal flower displays – spring (March-May) is the most colorful. During winter months (December-February), special lighting enhances evening visits.
Want to avoid tour groups? They typically arrive mid-morning (10:00 AM) and depart by late afternoon (4:00 PM). Planning your visit outside these hours provides a more relaxed experience.
For visitors with children, morning hours work best when energy levels remain high. The children’s play area offers shade throughout the day, making it usable even during hot months.
Local wildlife, including birds and small mammals, appears more active during quiet periods. Bring binoculars to spot mountain birds that nest in the garden’s higher sections.
Combine your visit with other nearby Kalba attractions if you’re traveling from further away. Nearby points of interest include Al Hafiya Lake, Kalba Mangrove Reserve, and the restored Kalba Fort, all within 15 15-minute drive.
Conclusion
Hanging Garden Kalba blends stunning nature with smart design, creating a unique UAE experience. Whether seeking a family outing, photography opportunity, or peaceful retreat, this garden delivers an experience worth the journey. With its mountain views, impressive waterfall, and plenty to do, it offers something for everyone, any time of year.
