For many people living in Dubai, Ras Al-Khaimah is the best weekend getaway. Although most visitors come for the beach, Ras Al-Khaimah is also a fantastic home base for those in search of adventure; the Hajar Mountains, which run along the coast, provide a stunning backdrop.
Jebel Jais (Jais Mountain) has grown in prominence as a tourist destination in recent years. This is one of the most famous and beloved places in the UAE for thrill-seekers to go, whether they want to climb the mountain or ride a zipline down its slopes.
The city and coastal resort strip of Ras Al-Khaimah may be in perpetual beach holiday mode, yet the territory has historical significance due to the fact that it has been populated since the 3rd millennium BCE, as evidenced by archaeological investigations. The Ras Al-Khaimah National Museum provides a superb account of the region’s extensive past.
Al Khams hamlet, the surrounding Dhayah Fort, and the beautifully atmospheric Jazirat al-Hamra neighborhood give additional glimpses into Emirati life before the mid-20th century oil boom and are all worth visiting for historical sightseeing outside the city.
Top 8 attractions in Ras Al Khaimah
Explore this lovely city with the help of our guide to the best attractions in Ras Al-Khaimah.
- Jebel Jais
- Hajar Mountains
- Dhayah Fort
- Ras Al-Khaimah National Museum
- Jazirat Al-Hamra
- Khatt Springs
- Shimal
- Ras al-Khaimah’s Beaches
Jebel Jais
Jebel Jais, the most elevated mountain peak in the UAE, is sure to be a highlight of your trip to the city as it is one of Ras Al Khaimah’s top attractions. Car enthusiasts should rent a vehicle and drive the twisting route to the peak.
This hazardous section of road winds its way up and around the mountain, with as many as eight hairpin twists. The time to master the course is now.
Once you reach the top of the mountain, you can take in breathtaking views over Ras al Khaimah and the rest of the Hajar Mountains from any of the seven vantage points at Jais Viewing Deck Park. Stay for the beautiful sunset, or if you’re an early riser, the dawn.
Visit Jais Sky Adventure Park, home to the world’s longest zipline, the longest sky bridge, and a variety of other thrilling activities if you’re looking to get your heart racing.
Hajar Mountains
The Hajar Mountains provide the most dramatic views inland from the shore of Ras Al-Khaimah. That’s the reason it is one of Ras Al Khaimah’s top attractions.
The rugged and bleak mountain sceneries that unfold along the roadways as they go deeper into the UAE’s interior provide some of the greatest sights on a road journey into the Hajar region.
Traveling by car from Ras Al-Khaimah city is a breeze; simply hop on the major E18 highway heading south inland and then switch to the E87 motorway, which traverses the Hajar Mountains.
Driving north from Ras Al Khaimah city on the E11 towards Dhayah Fort, you’ll also pass through some beautiful mountainous terrain.
Dhayah Fort
Located about 20 kilometers north of Ras Al-Khaimah city, this mud-brick fort was constructed on a hilltop facing the gulf in the 16th century to protect the area against British invasion.
The Dhayah Fort, a military structure built to defend Ras Al-Khaimah, has a significant place in the city’s past. To the south of the hill, you can make out the ruins of several more walls and lookout towers.
In 1891, the emirate and British soldiers fought, and the emirate’s walls were mostly destroyed. The views from the fort’s ramparts are stunning, and touring the fort itself is a must for any history buff visiting this little emirate. It is also one of Ras Al Khaimah’s top attractions to visit.
Ras Al-Khaimah National Museum
Until the 1960s, the royal family of Ras Al-Khaimah lived in the fort that now houses the Ras Al-Khaimah National Museum. The museum is home to several priceless pieces of history and culture, that’s why it is one of Ras Al Khaimah’s best attractions.
Particularly fascinating is the collection of papers, manuscripts, and treaties between the kings of Ras Al-Khaimah and Great Britain housed in the Qawasim Room on the ground level.
The museum has exhibitions on the region’s history from its first settlers through the late Islamic period, as well as traditional weaponry belonging to the royal family.
Architecture, pearl diving, date cultivation, farming, and fishing are only some of the aspects of emirate culture that are introduced in the museum’s ethnographic area.
The Ras Al-Khaimah Private Full-Day Tour provides an in-depth look at the city’s cultural and historical landmarks, as well as the area’s beautiful coastline, with lots of opportunities for photo-taking along the most photogenic stretches of the Corniche and at the marina.
The Jazirat al-Hamra, Dhayah Fort, and the Museum of Islamic Art are the city’s most popular tourist attractions. Included in the price is round-trip transportation to and from your accommodation in Ras Al-Khaimah.
Jazirat Al-Hamra
About 20 kilometers south of Ras Al-Khaimah city is an abandoned town with typical coral-block construction that is slowly falling apart. This historic area is one of Ras Al Khaimah’s top attractions that you must visit on your trip to this stunning city.
Jazirat al-Hamra was established in the 1600s as a fishing and pearling center. People left the community in the 1960s as the pearling business collapsed and the oil boom began. Since then, it has been sitting desolate and abandoned on the coastal plain as resorts and new urban areas have sprung up all around it.
The coral-block buildings of historic Emirati villages have survived the arid desert climate in remarkably good condition, giving tourists a glimpse into the past. In recent years, the local mosque has also undergone a complete restoration.
Khatt Springs
The mineral-rich hot springs of Khatt Springs, located about 26 kilometers southeast of Ras Al-Khaimah, are known for their soothing and healing waters. Khatt is located in an oasis with a backdrop of arid mountains. There are male and female-only pools where the hot spring waters are circulated.
The facilities have seen better days, but a brief bath in hot water may do wonders for sore muscles after a long journey. This breathtaking natural wonder is surely one of Ras Al Khaimah’s top attractions.
Khatt Fort’s restored towers can be found in the village, and the surrounding countryside is of great interest to archaeologists as they have uncovered tomb sites from the Chalcolithic era as well as mud-brick fortifications from the 19th century.
Ras al-Khaimah’s Beaches
There are several five-star resorts along the emirate’s expansive coastline, each with its own stretch of pristine white sand. If you prefer to spend your whole time in Ras Al-Khaimah lounging on the beach rather than exploring the city, look for a hotel or resort that is directly on the sand. Ras Al-Khaimah’s Beaches are surely one of its top attractions.
The beaches are clean and well equipped with everything one might need for a whole day spent lying down in the sun and working on their tan, including sun loungers, sun shades, beachside cafes and restaurants, freshwater showers, and more.
Almost every resort has its own water sports center where guests may hire kayaks, paddleboards, and Jet Skis and participate in activities like windsurfing.
Southwest of Ras Al-Khaimah city, Al-Marjan Island, and the Al Jazeerah and Al Hamra region are where you’ll find the city’s most frequented beaches. The most famous public beach in the city is Flamingo Beach, popularly known as RAK Beach.
Shimal
Several hundred pre-Islamic tombs and a hamlet dating back to 2000-1300 BCE have been discovered in the little village of Shimal, located about 12 kilometers north of Ras Al-Khaimah city in the Hajar Mountains making it one of Ras Al Khaimah’s best attractions.
Visitors will need a deep interest in history to fully appreciate the location, which is one of the most influential archaeological sites in the United Arab Emirates.
Beads, bronze and copper weaponry, stone utensils, and ceramics have all been found at archaeological sites. The enormous circular tomb from the Umm al-Nar era was one of the most significant finds.
Perched on a rocky ledge, the modest Husn al-Shimal Fort dates back to the Islamic era and provides a panoramic vantage point of the surrounding landscape.