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.
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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:
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 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 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.
Al Himra Village is a popular residential project, which has many coffee shops and restaurants.
The golf course at Al Hamra Village is beautiful and it’s ariel view from some of the apartments is stunning.
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.
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 is another residential project in RAK, which also has couple of restaurants and cafes.
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 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.
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 combines the best in retail with fine dining and entertainment for the entire family.
Old RAK Souq is a traditional shopping place in Ras Al Khaima.
Ras Al Khaimah Fish Market is a popular fish marker in RAK.
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 is the oldest fish market in Ras Al Khaimah.
Al Mairid Souq is an old market in Ras Al Khaimah.
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.
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.
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 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 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.
As per my division, this is the fourth part of RAK. The Northern part has a corniche and a fort.
The second corniche in Ras Al Khaimah
Dhayah Fort is located on the eastern side of RAK, towards the Oman UAE border.
The fifth and the last part of RAK is its southern part, which has a park, hot springs, Airport and deserts.
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 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.
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.
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