Top 10 Things to Do in Ras Al Khaimah 2024

How to Get to Ras Al Khaimah

Ras Al Khaimah International Airport is connected to several major cities and countries around the world, making flying to the Emirate quite easy. On the other hand, if you want to travel to RAK from other Emirate cities, taking a cab would be the cheapest alternative. You can also rent a car and drive to the Emirates. Another option would be to book a Ras Al Khaimah sightseeing tour through a tour company, which would also take care of the transportation.

All About Ras Al Khaimah

One of the most popular things about Ras Al Khaimah is its stunning, contrasting landscape. It has untouched desert against the backdrop of towering Hajjar Mountains in the east, about 65 kilometers of stunning coastline along the Arabian Gulf in the west, and a super fertile verdant belt in the south. All these make it a haven for adventurists and nature lovers.  As it has the most percentage of the local population (as compared to Dubai and Abu Dhabi), Ras Al Khaimah is more rooted in its culture and traditions. This also means that you have to be aware of and follow the laws and traditions more carefully. Moreover, RAK is home to several archaeological excavations, which give you a peek into the history of the region.

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What to do in Ras Al Khaimah?

Right from sightseeing to thrilling activities, there is no dearth of things to do in this fascinating Emirate city of the UAE. To make it easy for you, we offer the top 10 things to do in RAK.

1. Enjoy the Views of Jebel Jais

At the height of 1934 meters, Jebel Jais is the tallest mountain in the whole of UAE. It is part of the Hajjar Mountain Range and offers incredible views. If you are interested in taking in the views, the best way is to go on a road trip to the summit through the 20 km long winding road. Do not forget to stop in between at the landscaped terraces, complete with viewing platforms, to enjoy the breathtaking views and sights of the place. If you are a photographer, the late afternoon is the best time to take some amazing pictures. It is also a great place for camping.

Timings: 24×7

Location: Hajjar Mountain Range, Ras Al Khaimah, UAE

Duration: As per your wish

Ticket Price: Free

2. Go Ziplining at Jebel Jais

If you want something more than mere sightseeing, Jebel Jais offers the ultimate adventurous experience. Jebel Jais Zipline stretches to 2.8 km and is the longest zipline in the world. Here, you would get to zipline at a speed of 129 km from the summit of Jebel Jais right down to the mountain. One of the most thrilling experiences here is landing on the mid-air suspended, halfway platform. If you want to make the entire experience, a little more adventurous, opt for Via Ferrata Jebel Jais, which involves climbing, canyoning and ziplining.

Timings: 9 AM to 4 PM

Location: Hajjar Mountain Range, Ras Al Khaimah, UAE

Duration: 60-90 minutes

Ticket Price: AED 258

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3. Climb the Dhayah Fort

Dhayah Fort is a place of utmost importance in the city of Ras Al Khaimah. Built-in the 18^th century, it was built for defending the city from the attack of the enemies. Moreover, it played a major part during the 1871’s battles with the British troops. The reason why Dhayah Fort is given so much importance is that the fort still stands strong while other forts, buildings, and military towers in the area were destroyed during the battles. To reach the top of the fort, you have to climb almost 242 steps. But the effort you take is definitely worth it, as you would be rewarded with splendid views of the surrounding areas from the top.

Timings: 9 AM to 5 PM (Friday and Saturday Closed)

Duration: 1-2 hours

Ticket Price: Free

4. Explore the Ghost Town of Jazirat Al Hamra

If you are tired of all the glitzy and glamorous places of Dubai and Abu Dhabi, RAK’s Jazirat Al Hamra would be like a breath of fresh air. Known as a ghost town, this is a well-preserved ancient village in the Emirate city. Interestingly, this deserted village was once a thriving pearl fishing village.  Almost 2000 people believed to have been living in the village, which was abandoned suddenly in the 1960s. The buildings were built in coral stone and you can see here houses, courtyards, schools, etc. Jazirat Al Hamra is not a typical tourist spot but is slowly gaining popularity as it is a window of the life of the Emiratis in the past. Moreover, there have been rumors about people experiencing paranormal activities in this old fishing town.

Timings: 24×7

Duration: As per your wish

Ticket Price: Free

5. Tour the Ras Al Khaimah National Museum

There is no better place to learn about the history of a place than visiting its local museum. The National Museum resides inside an old fort, which was the official residence of the royal family of RAK till the 1960s. Today, it includes numerous exhibits that trace the history of the land. A tour of the ethnographic exhibits would give you a glimpse of the region’s traditional lifestyle and occupations such as farming, pearl diving, architecture, fishing, and date growing. You must also visit the Qawasim Room, where you would be able to see traditional weapons, archaeological displays (from the time of the early settlers till the late Islamic period) and a collection of manuscripts, documents, and treaties signed between RAK’s rulers and Great Britain.

Timings: 8 AM to 6 PM (Saturday to Thursday) and 3 PM to 7:30 PM (Friday)

Location: Al Hisn Road, RAK, UAE

Duration: 2-3 hours

Ticket Price: AED 3 (for adults) and AED 2 (for children)

6. Go on a Desert Safari Tour

Wherever you go in the UAE, the desert would follow you. The main highlight of desert safari in Ras Al Khaimah is that it is less crowded than its counterparts in the cities of Dubai and Abu Dhabi. This means that there would be lesser queues for trying the rides and attractions, and you would also receive special attention. During the desert safari, you would be able to enjoy the stunning beauty of the desert along with some thrilling adventurous activities like camel riding, dune bashing, sandboarding, etc. You would also get to enjoy shisha smoking, henna painting, Tanoura dancing, and belly dancing performances. The star of the entire evening is the delicious BBQ dinner at the end of the tour.

Timings: 4 PM to 10 PM (approximately)

Duration: 5-6 hours

Ticket Price: AED 300

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7. Relax at the Beaches

Ras Al Khaimah has a vast shoreline, which is blessed with plenty of beaches. While there are some public beaches in the Emirate, to enjoy the perfect beach experience, opt for a beach hotel or resort with a private beach. These private beaches are open to outsiders (non-guests) through a day pass. With this pass, you will not only get to lounge at the beach but also enjoy all the other facilities including using the cafes, restaurants, freshwater showers, sun shades, etc. You would also be able to explore the natural lagoons and indulge in a variety of water sports like windsurfing, wakeboarding, banana boat riding, and bodyboarding.

8. Rejuvenate at the Khatt Springs

If you want to turn your holiday in Ras Al Khaimah into a therapeutic vacation, the Khatt Springs is a place you must visit. Located in the Southeast of RAK, Khatt Springs is home to three natural hot pools that are laden with minerals and are said to have healing properties. Historically, the Khatt Springs was known to heal ailments that affect the bones and joints as well as strengthen the body. Khatt Springs is managed by a resort where you would find all kinds of amenities and comforts to turn your visit to the place a perfect holiday. When you are not submerged in the hot pools or not indulged in any spa treatment, you can explore the nearby area that has around 170 archaeological sites.

Timings: 7 AM to 9 PM

Duration: 2-3 hours

Ticket Price: AED 25 (including towel and locker)

9. Visit Shimal

If you are a history buff and want to know about the history of the region during the pre-Islamic era, Shimal is a place that would intrigue you. Shimal has located some 12 km from the city of Ras Al Khaimah and is close to the mighty Hajjar Mountains. Archaeological excavations have found evidence of life during 2000-1300 BC. The most interesting things to see here are the pre-Islamic tombs. Apart from this, there is a large circular tomb believed to be from the Umm al-Nar Period. You would also get to see the numerous bronze and copper weapons, pottery, stone weapon, beads, etc. that have been found during the numerous archaeological excavations conducted here. Shimal is also home to a fort, which is located on a rocky outcrop and gives a fantastic view of the place.

10. Savor the Local Cuisine

Your trip to a new city cannot be complete without trying out the local cuisine and the same goes for Ras Al Khaimah. One of the best dining venues is Al Fanar Restaurant and Café; it not only offers a scrumptious Emirati cuisine menu but also the vibe of the yesteryears. Right from the starters to the dessert, you would get to treat your taste buds with some spectacular Emirati flavors. Some of the dishes you should try here include machboos (a casserole made of rice with fish or meat), biryani, and saloona samak (a tangy fish stew), etc. When it comes to desserts, you would be spoilt with choices. The ice cream made with camel milk is something you need to try. Apart from the food, what really makes this restaurant and cafe popular is its ambiance. By stepping into Al Fanar, you would be transported back to a time when the Emirate cities of the UAE were simple fishing villages. You would also get to enjoy the authentic Emirati culture and hospitality.

Timings: 8:30 AM to 10 PM

Location: Al Nadiah Area, Al Dhait North, RAK, UAE

Duration: As per your wish

Ticket Price: A meal for two would cost AED 200 (approximately)

Where to Stay in Ras Al Khaimah

Finding a place to stay in Ras Al Khaimah is not a problem, as there are various resorts and hotels all across the city. Starting from luxury hotels and resorts to modest, budget-friendly ones, there are all kinds of hotels in RAK. The Ritz-Carlton, DoubleTree by Hilton Resort & Spa, Waldorf Astoria, etc. are some of the most popular hotels in the city. If possible opt for a beach resort so that you can enjoy the beautiful waters and facilities any time you want. Other than this, you would also find AirBnB options at RAK.