Explore Ras Al Khaimah: top things to do, where to stay and what to eat

Most travellers come to the UAE for the shiny shopping malls and sky-high attractions of Dubai. But venture less than an hour north and you’ll discover the country’s best-kept secret. Combining pristine coastline, russet peaks and peaceful desert landscapes with conservation and cultural sites, Ras Al Khaimah is a taste of the true Emirates.

Discerning Dubai dwellers have long been escaping to this laid-back emirate on the weekends, seeking out the kind of soft shores, natural beauty and wide open spaces that urban living can’t buy. And although the rest of the world might have been sleeping on the charms of Ras Al Khaimah (RAK), that won’t be the case for much longer.

The destination recorded its highest-ever visitor numbers in 2022, with new hotels and resorts cropping up here all the time, strengthening RAK’s tourism infrastructure further and making it more accessible to travellers. Later in 2023, the Anantara Mina Al Arab is set to open, bringing overwater villa accommodation to the emirate. A new Nobu property is also planned further down the line, with the region’s first gaming resort coming to Al Marjan Island in 2026. 

While growth is important, Ras Al Khaimah – often dubbed 'the nature emirate' – holds conservation at the heart of its development strategy and is looking to become the regional leader in sustainable tourism by 2025. Its Balanced Tourism initiative aims to conserve cultural traditions in particular, and includes plans to restore Al Jazeera Al Hamra, one of the last surviving pearl diving and seafaring towns of the Arabian Gulf. 

As it continues to make a name for itself as the UAE’s go-to destination for nature, culture and outdoor adventure, now is the perfect time to visit RAK – just before everyone else does.

Courtesy of Visit Ras Al Khaimah

Visit the world’s first Arabian pearl farm

In the middle of a lagoon surrounded by dusty mountains and dense mangroves dotted with flamingos, Suwaidi Pearls offers travellers a rare opportunity to witness the legacy of an ancient Arabic art. Before oil was discovered in the Gulf, the pearl diving industry was the region's primary source of wealth. But thanks to Abdulla Rashed Al Suwaidi – whose ancestral ties to pearling reach back to the 12th century – the tradition lives on.

Based between a visitor centre in the old maritime village of Al Rams and a makeshift island where the floating farm resides, Abdulla and his small team operate tours covering the sentimental, nationwide and global significance of Arabian pearls. Visitors are whisked out to the farm on a wooden boat, served coffee and told beautifully weaved stories by Abdulla about his grandfather (who was one of the last-surviving traditional pearl divers in the country) and his own personal connection to this work. Later, you'll be shown some of the treasures uncovered during dives at the farm and have the opportunity to watch a live oyster-opening demonstration. Manual cultivation, machine-free harvesting and solar power all help Suwaidi Pearls run responsibly and ensure the oysters’ marine ecosystem remains undisturbed.

Courtesy of Visit Ras Al Khaimah

Spend a day in the desert

Around 80% of the UAE is desert, with some of its most majestic expanses found in Ras Al Khaimah. Here, rippled dunes the colour of baked clay can only be appreciated to their fullest by getting above them. ActionFlight operates sunrise hot air balloon excursions that make rolling out of bed in the dark entirely worth it. You'll soon forget your lack of sleep as the dawn breaks, turning the hazy sky shades of rose-gold and casting its light upon the waves of sand below. Keep your eyes peeled for wild camels and desert foxes roaming the land too.

Hannah Foster-Roe

To get even closer to the emirate's wildlife, head to the Al Wadi Nature Reserve, home to the Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Wadi Desert resort. You don't have to be an overnight guest to enjoy the activities they lay on, which include everything from tree-planting to stargazing. For something really special, book a guided nature drive through the reserve, where you'll traverse steep red dunes in a safari jeep, spying oryx and gazelles among the scrub. The interactive falcon show is another magical experience, offering the heart-stopping opportunity to handle a bird of prey for yourself if lucky enough to be invited.

Courtesy of Ras Al Khaimah

Embrace adventure on Jebel Jais

Many of the attractions on Jebel Jais – the UAE's highest peak – seem to be prefaced with some form of superlative. Adrenaline junkies ascend far into the Hajar Mountains to be met with the region’s longest toboggan ride and, perhaps most notorious of all, the world's longest zipline. Thundering over foreboding crevices and canyons, the Jais Flight zipline can reach speeds of up to 99mph (160kph) and lasts around three minutes. You’ll be strapped tightly into a superhero position, with the option of adding a GoPro to your helmet on arrival to the Jais Adventure Park if you want to relive the memories (and the screams!) on film.

Courtesy of Visit Ras Al Khaimah

Once your feet are back on solid ground, you can also trek to Camp 1770, the UAE’s highest campsite, where hikes are hosted for all ages and abilities. The beginner-friendly daytime hikes follow paths trodden by shepherds, while the gruelling ‘Summit Series’ is better suited to more advanced hikers. Stay longer to experience meals cooked by local mountain tribespeople and to share stories around the campfire.

Courtesy of Visit Ras Al Khaimah

Learn more about Emirati history and culture

People have lived in Ras Al Khaimah for 7,000 years, making it one of the longest continually-inhabited places on Earth. It's hardly surprising then that the emirate is laced with so many fascinating historical traces, traditions and heritage sites. The National Museum of Ras Al Khaimah does a brilliant job of condensing this long history. Located in RAK City, the museum building itself has worn many different guises, having been used as a fort, a royal residence and a prison before assuming its current identity in 1987. Filled with artefacts from weaponry to Arabic homeware, it paints an evocative picture of Emirati life through the ages.

Two other sites that exemplify the history of Ras Al Khaimah are Al Jazeera Al Hamra and Dhayah Fort, which are both acknowledged on UNESCO’s World Heritage tentative list. The ancient pearling village of Al Jazeera Al Hamra is the last of its kind in the Gulf region, with painstaking restoration and conservation ongoing to ensure its longevity. Originally hewn from the now-unsustainable coral stone, the village still contains homes with traditional wind towers (used to keep houses cool) and courtyards which once belonged to pearlers and their families. Following the discovery of oil in Ras Al Khaimah, Al Jazeera Al Hamra was abandoned between 1968 and 1971. These days, it is an open-air museum and the host venue for the emirate’s annual Fine Arts Festival.

Courtesy of Visit Ras Al Khaimah

Nestled amidst date palm groves, tribal settlements and mountains, Dhayah Fort is the only hill fort surviving in the UAE. Built during the 19th century, it was used as an important fortress in 1819 during a battle with the advancing British and can now be accessed by tourists willing to brave the 239 steps up to its entrance. The 360-degree views, stretching all the way out to the Suwaidi Pearls farm, are a worthy reward.

Courtesy of Visit Ras Al Khaimah

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RAK's hospitality scene is in the midst of an exciting boom and one of the newest properties on the block is the Mövenpick Resort Al Marjan Island. Opened in summer 2022 on a man-made archipelago of four coral-shaped islands, the resort caters to families and thrill-seekers with a bunch of imaginative restaurant and bar concepts (more on those in a minute), a kids' club, spa, watersports, a complimentary ‘Chocolate Hour’ and more. Rooms – decorated in a cool palette of white, teal and grey – come with wide-angle sea views or, if you stay in a chalet, private pools and a direct path to the beach.

Courtesy of Visit Ras Al Khaimah

The Waldorf Astoria, on the other hand, was one of the first major hotels to open in Ras Al Khaimah. For 10 years it has been a landmark of the RAK skyline, lying between the Arabian Sea and the Hajar Mountains. If you’d rather base yourself in the seclusion of the desert, the villa suites at the Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Wadi Desert take inspiration from traditional Bedouin tents and overlook the organic spendour of the undulating landscape. 

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All that ziplining, tobogganing and hiking will likely have you working up an appetite, so be sure to reserve a table in advance at 1484 by Puro, the UAE’s highest restaurant. Sitting at an elevation of almost 5,000 feet (1,484m) above sea level, the restaurant’s food incorporates flavours from all over the world – from Korean fried chicken to paneer tikka masala. If you’re keen to keep it local, Skeek focuses on modern Emirati cuisine at reasonable prices and can be found in Ras Al Khaimah’s eponymous city.

Courtesy of Visit Ras Al Khaimah

The emirate’s influx of top hotels has really upped its gastronomic profile in recent years, and within the Mövenpick Resort Al Marjan Island alone there are a number of vibey restaurants and bars open to guests and non-guests alike. Highlights include Ula, a Mykonos-esque beach club specialising in Mediterranean sharing plates, and the comforting brasserie-style menu at Boons. Perched on the 10th floor, Neo Sky Bar – RAK’s only panoramic rooftop hangout – is the perfect spot for sunset cocktails, light bites and shisha. During the holy month of Ramadan, the hotel also serves an iftar buffet in its Jais Ballroom from sundown to 8.30pm, featuring shawarma stations, mezze dishes and aromatic stews.

Courtesy of Visit Ras Al Khaimah

Over at the Ritz-Carlton Al Wadi Desert, Farmhouse is the resort’s signature restaurant where wild meats, seafood and homegrown vegetables are at the core of its ethos. Guests are greeted with a zero-waste welcome drink, with dinner best enjoyed on the outdoor terrace, facing out over a tranquil oasis.

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Most travellers can fly into Dubai International Airport and reach Ras Al Khaimah in less than an hour's drive, though Qatar Airways recently announced that daily flights from Doha to the smaller Ras Al Khaimah International Airport will launch in November 2023.

For those travelling from the UK, On the Beach offers a seven-night holiday to Ras Al Khaimah staying at the Mövenpick Resort Al Marjan Island in September 2023, flying direct with Emirates from London Heathrow to Dubai. Prices start at £2,250 for two adults sharing a deluxe room on an all-inclusive basis.

For more information and further trip-planning resources, check out the Visit Ras Al Khaimah website.

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