About Ras Al Khaimah

Ideal Trip Duration: Full Day

Nearest City to Ras Al Khaimah: Ras Al Khaimah, Dubai (92 Kms)

Best Time to Visit Ras Al Khaimah: October to March

Peak Season: December to February

At a distance of 72 km from Ajman, 75 km from Sharjah, 89 km from Fujairah, 92 km from Dubai, and 224 km from Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) is one of the seven emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Also transliterated as Ras al-Khaimah, the city of Ras Al Khaimah is the capital of the emirate and among the most scenic destinations to visit as part of the Dubai Packages.

Ras Al Khaimah is located in the UAE's northernmost region and is a famous weekend escape place for the neighboring Dubai people as the emirate offers quiet and pristine beaches, as well as mountains with scenic views of the emirate. Located in the east of the Arabian Gulf, Ras Al Khaimah literally means 'the peak of the tent'. The emirate borders Oman's exclave of Musandam and occupies part of the same peninsula. It covers an area of 2,486 sq. km and has 64 km of beach coastline.

Inhabited since the 3rd millennium BC, Ras Al Khaimah is the new name of the emirate - it used to be known as Julfar over the ages. Historical documents say that Julfar was located in the Shamal area and occupied by the Azdan Arabian tribe. In the early 18th century, Al Qawasim (the current ruling tribe of the emirate) set up base in Ras Al Khaimah. However, the British naval force launching an invasion and gaining control of vast areas of the emirate with a view to putting an end to the maritime influence of powers such as Al Qawasim tribe in the early 19th century. Like the rest of the emirates, Ras Al Khaimah signed the General Maritime Treaty with Britain in 1822. Later in 1972, Sheikh Saqr bin Mohammad al Qasimi joined Ras Al Khaimah to the United Arab Emirates.

Without the presence of oil fields, Ras Al-Khaimah has evolved itself as a prominent business hub by encouraging innovation, dynamism and entrepreneur culture. It has one of the most diverse economies in the Gulf Cooperation Council region, with no one area exceeding more than 20% of total GDP. The main economic sectors are real estate, building materials, and the pharma industry. Ras Al Khaimah is considered the largest producer of cement in the country and also the largest ceramics producer in the world.

Offering magnificent landscapes, breathtaking coastlines, and rich desert planes, the emirate has firmly established itself as one of the most authentic destinations in the Middle East. With year-long sunshine and 64 kilometers of white sandy beaches, just 45 minutes from the busy metropolis of Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah offers an entirely unique experience from its neighboring emirates. Ras Al-Khaimah Beach, Ras Al-Khaimah National Museum, Dhayah Fort, Jazirat al-Hamra, Khatt Springs, Shimal, Ras Al Khaimah Pearl Museum, Ras al-Khaimah Zoo, Saqr Park, Al Sawan Race Track, and Jebel Jais are the top places to visit Ras Al Khaimah.

The Ras Al Khaimah culture mainly revolves around the religion of Islam and traditional Arab culture. Ramadan and Eid Al Adha are the main religious festival celebrated in Ras Al Khaimah. Besides, the city also celebrates many, festivals like the UAE Awafi Festival, Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon, United Arab Emirates' National Day and Ras Al Khaimah Fine Arts Festival. The objective behind these events was to propagate the local culture in Sharjah and also to attract tourists.

Ras Al Khaimah International Airport (RKT) offers cargo and passenger services to a variety of destinations covering the Middle East, North East Africa, Central Asia, the Indian Subcontinent and Europe. It serves as a hub for low-cost carrier Air Arabia. Other airport options are Sharjah (75 km), Dubai (92 km) and Abu Dhabi (224 km). Ras Al Khaimah is connected to the other emirates by taxis and buses which embark from the Bus station located at RAK Transport Authority Headquarters. One can move around by local buses and metered taxis within Ras Al Khaimah.

October - March is the best time to visit Ras Al Khaimah while December-February is the peak tourist season owing to its comfortable weather and low humidity. The summer months of May-August are all about scorching heat and humidity with temperature scale going up to 45 degrees Celsius. Escalation of heat and humidity makes it uncomfortable for outdoor activities and sightseeing during this time. Besides, strictly avoid visiting Ras Al Khaimah during Ramadan as most of the places are closed.

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Other Info
Internet Availability: Good
STD Code: 00-971-7
Languages Spoken: Arabic, English, Hindi, & Urdu
Major Festivals: Eid ul Fitr, Eid Al Adha, & UAE Awafi Festival
Notes/Tips:
None

How to Reach Ras Al Khaimah

By Air

Nearest Airport: Ras Al Khaimah - Ras Al Khaimah International Airport (1 Kms)

By Train

Nearest Train Station: Dubai (96 Kms)

By Bus

Nearest Bus Station: Ras Al Khaimah Bus Station (23 Kms)

Top 10 Places to Visit in Ras Al Khaimah

Museum

#1 of 17 Places to Visit in Ras Al Khaimah

At a distance of 24 km from Ras Al Khaimah International Airport, the Ras Al-Khaimah National Museum is a museum located on Al Hisn Road in the Old Town area of Ras Al Khaimah city, UAE. It is one of the popular museums in UAE and among the must-visit places in Ras Al Khaimah.

The Ras Al-Khaimah National Museum is situated in a fort called ' Late Fort'. The fort served as the residence of the ruling Quwasim family until 1964, when the late Ruler, H.H. Sheikh Saqr Bin Mohammed al-Qasimi, moved to a modern building in Mamoura. Later it became a police headquarters and a prison before it was finally converted into the National Museum in 1987. Reflecting on an eventful history, it has been continuously enlarged over time, displaying a rich diversity of traditional architecture. Today the 'Late Fort ' exhibits historical, ethnographical and archaeological material relating to the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah and provides an interesting insight into the history and traditions of this area.

The .....

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Heritage

#2 of 17 Places to Visit in Ras Al Khaimah

At a distance of 7 km from Al Rams and 37 km from Ras Al Khaimah International Airport, the Dhayah Fort is an ancient hill fort situated to the north of Ras Al Khaimah city, UAE. Located off the Al Rams Road, it is one of the popular forts in UAE and among the must include places in Ras Al Khaimah Tour Packages.

With a backdrop of steep mountains, the 16th-century Dhayah Fort was built in a strategic hilltop position facing the gulf to defend the region from attack by the British. As a defensive military tower, the Dhayah Fort played an important role in the history of Ras Al-Khaimah. Made out of mud and brick, this fort has served as the last point of resistance during the British attacks in 1819 against the tribes of Ras Al Khaimah. After the 1819 destruction, it was restored (in the 1830s) to its present form on the remains of the old fort and was used by the Sheikh until 1964. Later, the fort served as a prison before opening its doors to the public in 2001 as an archaeological .....

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Heritage

#3 of 17 Places to Visit in Ras Al Khaimah

At a distance of 31 km from Ras Al Khaimah International Airport, Jazirat al-Hamra is an abandoned fishing village situated to the south of Ras Al Khaimah city of UAE. Popularly known as the Ghost Town of Ras Al Khaimah, it is one of the top places of heritage in the emirate of Al Ras Khaimah.

Jazirat al-Hamra is a small rustic fishing village exhibiting the lifestyle of the region before the discovery of oil. Abandoned and left to the work of nature, it is also one of the most well preserved and oldest coastal villages of UAE with roots dating back to the 16th century. It has remained almost unchanged since the inhabitants left in 1968. It's incredible to think that they've withstood the tests of time, through hundreds of years of blazing sun, biting sandstorms and tribal conflicts.

The town of Jazirat Al Hamra was originally a tidal island and, by 1830, was home to some 2000 people mostly occupied in pearl fishing. At the time, it was a dependency of Sharjah. In Arabic, the .....

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Museum

#4 of 17 Places to Visit in Ras Al Khaimah

At a distance of 23 km from Ras Al Khaimah International Airport, Pearl Museum is a museum located in the city of Ras Al Khaimah. It is a relatively new museum and among the well-known places to visit in the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah.

One-of-a-kind museum, the Pearls Museum in Ras Al Khaimah shows visitors the history of Pearl Diving, the major occupation of the emirate since early times. The museum is a tribute to the Arab people to their old traditions and rich culture. This museum exhibits several types of equipment along with the information that narrates the complete story about pearl diving and the role it played in the economy of the emirate.

The two-story museum belongs to RAK Pearls Holding, a company that has been farming cultured pearls since 2005 in the Al Rams creek area of Ras Al Khaimah. On the first floor is a historical journey, including a detailed showcase of tools and gear worn by pearl divers, such as special gloves, nose clips, protective clothing, and .....

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Beach

#5 of 17 Places to Visit in Ras Al Khaimah

At a distance of 21 km from Ras Al Khaimah International Airport, Flamingo Beach is a public beach located in Ras Al Khaimah. It is one of the popular public beaches of Ras Al Khaimah and among the must-visit places for beach lovers while holidaying in UAE as part of Dubai Tour Packages.

Characterized by its two huge Flamingo statues, this is one of the most visited public beaches of Ras Al Khaimah. It is a clean beach with clear blue waters of the Persian Gulf. The beach is well known for its charming scenic views, green areas, and tourist resorts. There are Interlock walkways built across the beach so that the public can easily walk to the sitting areas instead of wading in the sand.

It might not have the longest beachfront, however, Flamingo beach is great for families because of its location. It is surrounded by trendy cafes and restaurants and it is serviced with a large parking lot for the ease of access. Just a few .....

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Beach

#6 of 17 Places to Visit in Ras Al Khaimah

At a distance of 35 km from Ras Al Khaimah International Airport, Jazirat Al Hamra Beach is a public beach situated at Jazirat Al Hamra Old Town in the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah. It is one of the popular public beaches of Ras Al Khaimah and among the must-visit places for beach lovers while holidaying in UAE as part of Dubai Tour Packages.

As the name suggests, the Jazirat Al Hamra Beach is the strip of Ras Al Khaimah shoreline bordering the western side of the Jazirat Al Hamra old town. The beach offers a pristine stretch of unobstructed golden sands speckled with colorful seashells. The beach still remains less visited as most visitors enjoy luxury stays and private beaches at the resorts.

Presently, there are no beach facilities that you might expect at the beach near Jazirat Al Hamra. This is the perfect place for those who want to take a swim in the warm waters of the Persian Gulf, lay out a towel on the sand and soak in the sun. The leisure stroll along the shore and .....

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Adventure | Nature

#7 of 17 Places to Visit in Ras Al Khaimah

At a distance of 70 km from Ras Al Khaimah International Airport, Jebel Jais is a mountain of the North-Western Hajar range in the Musandam Governorate of Oman and also in Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates. It is the tallest mountain in the UAE and among the must-visit Ras Al Khaimah Tourist Places.

Situated at 1,934 m above sea level, the Jebel Jais is part of the spectacular Hajar mountain range that was formed over 70 million years ago in the eastern part of Ras Al Khaimah, the United Arab Emirates, and Oman. On the Omani side, the mountain is largely undeveloped, inaccessible, and far from any development, however, on the United Arab Emirates side, there has been a lot of development in recent years. A 30 km road has been built on the UAE side, which features eight hairpins and countless sharp corners, making it one of the best routes in the world. The road is 3 lanes, with 2 going up and going down.

Near the top of the road, a series of landscaped terraces with viewing .....

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Park

#8 of 17 Places to Visit in Ras Al Khaimah

At a distance of 11 km from Ras Al Khaimah International Airport, Saqr Park is a public park located in the Al Kharran area of Ras Al Khaimah. It is the largest and one of the most popular public parks in Ras Al Khaimah.

Saqr Park was initiated under the guidance of El Sheikh Saqr bin Mohammed Al Qasimi in 1989 and was completed in 1991. Since then it has been a favorite among the locals as well as the tourists due to its green spaces. Visitors spend hours enjoying its tranquil beauty and calm environment. The park has an artificial lake with man-made waterfalls and other stunning features. Boating is a popular activity in this RAK park with visitors. The Land of the Garden is a unique highlight of the park which boasts multiple palm trees, making it quite a distinct sight, especially for those who travel to the UAE for the very first time. It is one of the best family parks in Ras al Khaimah.

Saqr Park is a children's favorite as there are three arcades that contain many .....

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Miscellaneous

#9 of 17 Places to Visit in Ras Al Khaimah

At a distance of 7 km from Rak Zoo and 15 km from Ras Al Khaimah International Airport, Al Sawan Camel Track is a race track located in Digdaga area of Ras Al Khaimah. It is the perfect attraction for visitors who want to experience Ras Al Khaimah's culture.

Al Sawan Camel Track is measuring 10 kilometers where locals and tourists alike come to see the ancient tradition of camel racing. Camel racing is a time-honored sport much like horse racing. Locals love to place bets on what camel will prevail, and tourists appreciate the culture and history the sport represents. At Al Sawan Camel Track, there are no professional jockeys but Robotic jockeys control camels during a race. Up until 2002, children were the chosen jockeys for racing camels. However, the United Arab Emirates became the first location to ban the use of children under the age of 15 as jockeys.

Mainly a winter pastime, the camel races are held early mornings from 6. 30 to 9. 30 AM on Fridays & Saturdays during .....

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Miscellaneous

#10 of 17 Places to Visit in Ras Al Khaimah

At a distance of 36 km from Ras Al Khaimah International Airport, Marjan Island is a man-made island in the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah. It is one of the popular places to visit in Ras Al Khaimah.

Al Marjan Island is a group of 4 coral-shaped islands in a man-made archipelago located in the Persian Gulf. The island is set against the picturesque backdrop of the Arabian Peninsula and enclosed by the Yanis and Jais Mountains. Started as a tourism enterprise, the five-year construction development started in 2013 now harbors a quasi-metropolis, fully equipped with a developed residential area and hospitality industry, as well as adjoining infrastructure.

Administered by the Al Marjan Island Company, the Island extends a vast 4.5 kilometers into the sea and covers an area of 2.7 million square meters. The island group consists of Breeze Island, Treasure Island, Dream Island and View Island. Breeze Island counts with several hotels and 2,000 m of waterfront with a promenade while .....

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