Ras Al Khaimah is an emirate located in the north of the United Arab Emirates and one of the most popular resorts in the country. It stands out among others for its pleasant climate and picturesque nature-on the outskirts it is decorated with the majestic Hajar Mountains, and on the west side flows the Persian Gulf. Ras Al Khaimah covers an area of more than 2,000 km2 and is home to about 300,000 people, almost half of whom are Arabs, which is a real record for the UAE.
In the very center of Ras al Khaimah, there is a bay that divides it into two parts: in the north is the eponymous capital of the resort and the main attractions, in the south – agricultural land and villages. In addition, the emirate’s authority extends to several small islands located in the gulf itself.
Interesting to know! The name of the resort means “cape of small huts”. Since ancient times, fishermen have lived here in small villages.
Brief history
Four thousand years ago, this territory was inhabited by representatives of the Umm an-Nar culture, who used the mild climate for the development of agriculture and cattle breeding. Products collected from these lands were often sold to Babylon, which helped to strengthen the settlement economically, but in the middle of the first millennium BC, the settlement was overtaken by a drought, which led to the decline of Umm an-Nar.
Several tens of centuries later, the Armenians formed an Arab Caliphate on these lands with its capital in Julfar-today’s Ras al-Khaimah. Since the beginning of the 18th century, the emirate developed through piracy, but after 100 years its inhabitants were forced to abandon this type of activity in exchange for a treaty of protection with Great Britain from aggressive Turkey.
The modern history of Ras al Khaimah begins in the early 20th century with the declaration of its independence from Sharjah in 1909. The emirate maintained this position until 1972, when its sheikh agreed to join the UAE. From then until today, Ras Al Khaimah is the last emirate to join the country.
Should I go on vacation in the UAE in Ras Al Khaimah? What is the climate in the northern part of the country, where are the most interesting sights and which hotel is best to choose? The answers to all the questions of tourists can be found in this article.
Rest
Infrastructure
Ras al Khaimah is very different from other parts of the UAE: its main attractions are natural or historical, and instead of skyscrapers – small settlements and ordinary houses. There is no public transport in the city. All travel within the emirate takes place either by taxi or on foot. The surrounding areas of the UAE can be reached by bus or plane (the airport is 20 km from the city).
Please note! There are several official taxi services in Ras al Khaimah, but all of them do not set clear prices. Be sure to bargain with the driver and remember that the average price of a trip within the city limits is 10 AED.
Accommodation and hotels
As mentioned earlier, Ras al Khaimah has become very popular among tourists in recent years, the reason for this is excellent value for money. Undoubtedly, in Dubai or the capital of the United Arab Emirates, you can find hotels with the same prices as here, but they are unlikely to be located on the first line, offer you an All-Inclusive system or free excursions.
In total, there are about 30 hotels in Ras al Khaimah, several of them have 5 stars and represent world-class chains. For a budget holiday, three – and four-star hotels are suitable, with prices starting from 150 and 185 dirhams for double rooms. Daily rent of apartments in Ras al Khaimah will cost about the same – from 200 AED per studio per day.
Food
Most often, tourists choose hotels in Ras al Khaimah with the All inclusive system, but for those who stay in a different type of hotel, there are many public catering establishments in the city. Compared to other areas of the UAE, prices in the resort’s restaurants are slightly lower – about 150 AED for a dinner for two. Best places to eat in Ras Al Khaimah:
- Sanchaya. Asian cuisine restaurant, the average price of a dish is 60 dirhams.
- Guests can enjoy Mediterranean cuisine in the Meze restaurant, which serves complimentary drinks. A standard dinner for two at this restaurant costs 370 AED.
- The best bar in Ras al Khaimah is the TreeTop Bar. Here you can enjoy a delicious cocktail, smoke a hookah or drink a bottle of good wine. Prices are above average, service is at the appropriate level.
What’s worth seeing
Arriving in the UAE, many tourists are eager to see the sights of Dubai, and there are reasons for this. Ras al Khaimah has a lot of interesting places and entertainment, but they are unlikely to be able to overshadow the Dubai Mall or Burj Khalifa. We advise you to set aside a separate day to visit all the attractions of Dubai, as the distance between the emirates reaches 100 km and several trips along this route can hit your budget hard.
On the other hand, every corner of the UAE has its own unique places worth visiting. For example, in Ras al Khaimah, you can watch camel races, take a walk in one of several parks, and hone your skills at the golf club. You can also enjoy diving and fishing, relax in nature or go on a desert safari. Among all the attractions of Ras al Khaimah, we have selected for you the most popular resorts of tourists who have come to the UAE:
Old Town
The area with the most important historical sights of the resort is located in the western part of the resort. This is the oldest area of the city, where buildings from more than a thousand years ago have been preserved. In addition, you can see the 16th-century mosque and ancient watchtowers, walk along the embankment and see how local fishermen make Dhows – traditional Arab boats.
The main attraction of the Old City is the former residence of the emirate’s rulers, the Al-Hisn fort and the modern museum, which we will tell you more about.
National Museum
The two-story fort with its tall watchtowers, circular staircases and wide terraces is not only an example of traditional Arabic architecture, but also an interesting attraction. For more than 30 years, it has been a museum of national significance, which houses several hundred historical exhibits: household items, unique jewelry, ancient weapons and historical documentation. Most of the objects presented in the museum can be touched with your hands.
Al-Hisn is open every day from 9 to 18, on Fridays-from 15 to 19: 30. The ticket price is 5 dirhams, admission is free for children. Address of the attraction: Rak City. You can download the information booklet and map of the museum here — www.rakheritage.rak.ae/Documents/InfoCenter/en/museum.pdf.
Water park
Ice Land Water Park is the largest water park in the UAE. Almost 8 years have passed since its opening, but tourists from all over the country still come here for affordable prices and excellent entertainment.
The attraction is located in the eastern part of the resort, at Al Jazeera. Here, in Antarctica (this is the style of the water park), you can roll down more than 30 slides, swim in one of the 7 pools and relax in the cafe (main dishes 30 dirhams, drinks about 15 dirhams). The water park is open from 10 to 18 every day, admission costs 75 dirhams, the cost of a family ticket for parents and one child is 100 AED, you can order on this website www.icelandwaterpark.com/book-tickets/.
Important! Do not take food with you, as security guards check bags at the entrance and ask you to leave food outside the water park.
Mount Jebel Jais
The highest mountain in the UAE is located in the north of Ras al Khaimah and reaches 1,934 meters in height. Almost to the very top are smooth paved roads, along which travelers can drive both by car and as part of an excursion (you can order it at the hotel or tourist center). From the foot of the mountain, there are equipped recreation areas with picnic areas and toilets every few kilometers.
Before you set out, bring water and food (there are food vans along the way on weekends), warm clothing, and a camera to capture the stunning views from the summit. You can park your car in secure or free parking, all of which are marked with special signs or signs.
Please note! Do not take alcoholic beverages on a picnic – drinking them outside your home or hotel bar is prohibited by UAE laws.
Al Hamra Shopping Center
One of the largest shopping centers in Ras al Khaimah is located at Sheikh Mohammad Bin Salem Road and is open from 10 to midnight on Thursday and Friday, on other days it closes at 22. There is a supermarket with a wide range of products, a food mole, boutiques with branded clothing, souvenir shops, an author’s chocolate shop, a children’s playground play area and cinema. Prices in the mall are lower than in stores near hotels, and dates and fruit from the shop on the ground floor are less expensive than in the market. Other facilities offered at Al Hamra Mall include a bank and currency exchange.
Al Hamra Golf Club
Huge 18-hole courses, more than 10 professional coaches, playgrounds for beginners and experienced players-all this is available at the prestigious Al Hamra Golf Club. Here they teach the skills of tourists of all ages and conduct group classes. Before visiting the attraction, you need to book a place on this site www.alhamragolf.com/home.aspx.
On the territory of the golf club there is a Belgian cafe, shops with equipment, a gym, a games room, a bar and a restaurant with a view of the course. The cost of classes ranges from AED 170 for children and teenagers to AED 200 for adults for 30 minutes of play. Club members get a discount.
Beach holidays
There are no public beaches on the entire Gulf coast, all of which have been privatized by hotels over the past 10 years. Most often, tourists stay in hotels Ras al-Hamra, located on the beach, so as not to overpay for admission every time.
Important! Despite the fact that Ras al-Hamra is one of the most liberal emirates in the UAE, it is forbidden to go out in a swimsuit outside the beach or the area near the pools.
The best hotels in Ras al Hamra on the first line are Jannah Resort and Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah. They offer their guests rest on a protected clean beach with all amenities, bars and restaurants, as well as several pools with a comfortable water temperature, which is so nice to enter after the hot sea.
More budget beachfront hotels include City Stay Beach Hotel Apartment, which overlooks the bay, and Al Hamra Residence & Village, located a minute’s walk from the coast.
The UAE is characterized by clean beaches with developed infrastructure, convenient access to the water and a sandy surface. In summer, the Ras al Khaimah Bay warms up to +33 degrees Celsius, and in winter, the temperature drops to +21 degrees Celsius. Wild beaches in the UAE are rare, most often swimming in such places is prohibited. There are usually quite a few people on the coast, but due to the fact that the beaches have a large area, the feeling of a crowd is not created.
Weather and climate
The weather in Ras al Khaimah is no different from other regions of the UAE. There is also no concept of a beach season, there is little precipitation and the air temperature is always high-from +23 ° C in January to +41 ° C in August. Most tourists come to the UAE in the period from September to May, as in the summer it is not just uncomfortable to be outdoors, but also unsafe. In winter, the sea warms up to a sufficient level, but keep in mind that wind, rare rains and cool evenings can spoil your vacation.
It’s very hot in here! In the United Arab Emirates, there is a law prohibiting any work activities on the street during the summer period from 12: 30 to 15: 00. In addition, air conditioners in the country are fully operational not only in cars and buildings, but also at public transport stops.
Ras al Khaimah is the only corner of the UAE where snow fell. For the first time, this happened in 2004 in the Jebel Jais mountains, and not only many local residents, but also the ruler of the country came to see this natural phenomenon, which is familiar to us.
How to get there from Dubai
The 100-kilometer distance from Dubai to Ras Al Khaimah can be covered in several ways:
- Take the No. 600 bus from the central bus station near Union Metro to Ras al Khaimah Bus Station. The ticket price is 20 dirhams, travel time is 1.5 hours. Tickets can be purchased on site;
- By taxi. The fare will be about 200-250 dirhams, and the trip time will be just over an hour.;
- Transfer from the hotel (about 300 dirhams) or by rented car (from 100 AED per day).
Please note! An additional fee of 20 dirhams per person is charged for crossing the border between the Emirates in the UAE.
Ras al Khaimah is a great place to relax. Enjoy the waves of the Persian Gulf and the natural beauty of the UAE! Have a good trip!
