Ras Al Khaimah (also written as Ras Al Khaima or in short RAK) is one of the popular of the seven Emirates in United Arab Emirates; the other six are Sharjah, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Fujairah and Umm al-Qaiwain. This post will cover some of the popular places to visit and things to do in Ras Al Khaimah. I believe this is  the most comprehensive guide on RAK.

Drive from Dubai to RAK

Since all the emirates are connected via road, it’s not a problem at all to drive to RAK from any other emirates in UAE.
We drove from Dubai to Ras Al Khaimah via Sharjah, Ajman and Umm Al Qaiwain. The distance is somewhat a little over 100 kms, but since we drove with little stopovers, it took us roughly 2 hours.

Places to Visit in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE

There are many places to visit in RAK. I have divided the tourist attractions into 5 parts based on where they are located within RAK – the Western, Eastern, Northern, Southern and Central part:

1. The Western RAK

When we arrived in Ras Al Khaimah, this is the part from where we started exploring this emirate. It is located on the start of RAK, just after Ajman and Sharjah. Al Marjan Island, Al Hamra Village, Al Jazirah Al Hamra and Mina Al Arab are the popular spots in this part. 

Al Marjan Island RAK

Al Marjan Island is the manmade island in Ras Al Khaimah, which is 4.5 kilometer into the sea and has 23 kilometres sea front.
Al Marjan is a unique island in RAK, and is divided into 4 sub islands – Breeze Island, Treasure Island, View Island and Dream Island.
There are many luxury resorts an resorts on this island like Rixos Bab al Bahr, Double Tree by Hilton, Movenpick, Hampton by Hilton, and Marjan Island Resort.
Book the Resorts in RAK online here

There is a walkway, Corniche and Promenade on the island and a few residential buildings as well.

Pacific Apartment Ras Al Khaimah

Pacific apartments comprises of couple of buildings, which actually resembles like a cruise ship from outside. There is spectacular view of the sea from some of the apartments. You can rent the apartments.

Uniestate Living Bay Ras Al Khaimah

This is an upcoming project on the main Marjan Island Boulevard. The residential units are in final stages of construction.

Al Himra Village RAK

Al Himra Village is a popular residential project, which has many coffee shops and restaurants.

Golf Course at Al Hamra Village

The golf course at Al Hamra Village is beautiful and it’s ariel view from some of the apartments is stunning.

Al Hamra Mall RAK

Besides the residential project, there is a mall on the main road – Al Hamra Mall. The mall offers a perfect blend of shopping, dining and recreational options.

Jazirat al Hamra (Al Jazirah Al Hamra) RAK

Al Jazirah Al Hamra is very significant place in RAK, which is the last authentic and traditional town still standing in the United Arab Emirates. It was a small island once, and its inhabitants engaged on maritime and pearl trading. In the middle of the twentieth century,  the inhabitants abandoned their houses.

Mina Al Arab

Mina Al Arab is another residential project in RAK, which also has couple of restaurants and cafes.

2. The Central RAK

This is the central part in RAK, between all other parts. Al Qawasim Corniche, Ras Al Khaimah National Museum, RAK Mall, Old RAK Souq, RAK Fish Market, RAK Public Beaches, and Al Mairid Fish Market and Souq are famous tourist attractions in this part of RAK.  

Al Qawasim Corniche

Al Qawasim Corniche is the most popular street in Ras Al Khaimah. This places has many famous attractions like Sheikh Zayed Mosque, Mohammed Bin Salem Mosque, Running Track, RAK National Museum and public beaches.

Ras Al Khaimah National Museum

The Ras Al-Khaimah National Museum, a museum built in a fort that was the residence of the ruling family up until the early 1960s, houses excellent collection of archaeological and ethnological artifacts. 

RAK Mall

RAK Mall combines the best in retail with fine dining and entertainment for the entire family.

Old RAK Souq

Old RAK Souq is a traditional shopping place in Ras Al Khaima.

Ras Al Khaimah Fish Market

Ras Al Khaimah Fish Market is a popular fish marker in RAK.

Ras Al Khaimah Public Beaches

There are couple of public beaches at RAK, like Al Mairid Public Beach, Al Mahad Public Beach, Al Rams Public Beach and RAK Public Beach.

Al Mairid Fish Market

Al Mairid Fish Market is the oldest fish market in Ras Al Khaimah.

Al Mairid Souq

Al Mairid Souq is an old market in Ras Al Khaimah.

3. The Eastern RAK

This is the mountainous part of RAK on the eastern side of the emirates. Jebel Jais, Viewing Deck Park, Via Ferrata and Ziplining are the most popular activities and places to visit in this part. 

Jebel Jais Ras Al Khaimah

The spectacular Hajar Mountains are located in the eastern part of the Ras Al Khaima, which continues to Oman. In Oman, the popular parts of Hajar Mountains are Jebel Shams and Jabal Akhdar.

At 1,934m, Jebel Jais, the UAE’s highest mountain, offers breathtaking scenery. The temperature of the mountain is around ten degrees cooler than sea level, which is a respite.

The famous activities at Jebel Jais are abseiling, climbing, hiking, sightseeing, trekking, Via Ferrata, ziplining, biking, camping, and canyoning. In short, a lot of activities, and an activity for everyone in the family.

Viewing Deck Park

The Viewing Deck Park in Jebel Jais, which is 22,730 square meter park and it features seven viewing decks with binoculars. This park offers visitors an opportunity to have great views of the Arabian Gulf and Al Hajar Mountain valleys and that too from an altitude of more than a thousand meters above sea level.

Via Ferrata at RAK

Via Ferrata is a route which has a steel cable and is periodically fixed to the rock. Using a via Ferrata kit, climbers can secure themselves to the cable and enjoy the route.

RAK Ziplining at Jebel Jais

RAK has the world’s longest zipline on Jabel Jais, which stretches for 2.8 kilometers. It is one of the United Arab Emirates’ major adventure activities and a popular thing to do for adrenaline junkies visiting the country.

4. The Northern RAK

As per my division, this is the fourth part of RAK. The Northern part has a corniche and a fort.

Al Rams Corniche

The second corniche in Ras Al Khaimah

Dhayah Fort RAK

Dhayah Fort is located on the eastern side of RAK, towards the Oman UAE border.

5. The Southern RAK

The fifth and the last part of RAK is its southern part, which has a park, hot springs, Airport and deserts. 

Saqr Park RAK

The Saqr Park is the largest public park in RAK, and is famous for for its vast areas of greenery. Both adults and kids like this garden.

Khatt Hot Springs

Khatt is a mountainous village, located on the south-eastern part of the city of RAK and is famous for its hot springs. These hot springs are near Ras Al Khaimah Airport and Al Sawan Camel Race Track.

RAK Desert

This is the desert we saw all the way from Ajman to RAK. The drive across the desert was stunning. If we had time, we would walk there.