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Hotels in Ras Al Khaimah

Emirati beaches, mountains and the world's longest zipline an hour from Dubai

Ras Al Khaimah

LanguageArabic
CurrencyAED
TimezoneAsia/Dubai
Temperature25-42 °C
Dial Code+971
Population9.9M
Area83,600 km²
SocketsType G / Type C / Type D
Tap waterBottled advised

Discover Ras Al Khaimah

Ras Al Khaimah is the northernmost of the emirates, on the Arabian Gulf coast about an hour's drive north of Dubai. It is calmer and cheaper than Dubai or Abu Dhabi, yet has beaches, mountains, desert and mangroves in one place. The artificial Al Marjan islands lead to resorts with white sand, in the Hajar mountains rises Jebel Jais, the highest peak in the United Arab Emirates, and in the surroundings are forts, salt flats and hot springs. People come to Ras Al Khaimah chiefly in winter, from November to April, when it is around twenty-five degrees, the sea reaches twenty-two and nothing stops swimming or trips to the mountains. In summer it is over forty degrees and hotels offer discounts. Czech citizens enter the United Arab Emirates without a visa for ninety days. Dress outside is conservative, while in hotel resorts ordinary swimwear is fine.

What to see

The places worth your time in Ras Al Khaimah, and what to expect at each

Jebel Jais

Jebel Jais

Hajar range

The highest mountain in the United Arab Emirates, 1,934 metres high, in the Hajar range, reached by a road about twenty kilometres long with many hairpins. At the top it is ten to fifteen degrees cooler than by the sea and in winter frost sometimes appears. There are viewpoints, trails and adrenaline attractions.

Tip: Go early in the morning, when the road is quiet and the view clear. Bring a warm sweatshirt and drinking water; at the top it is windy in winter.

Admission:
free
Time needed:
half a day

Jais Flight

Jebel Jais

The longest zipline in the world, almost three kilometres in length, launching from Jebel Jais at more than a hundred kilometres an hour. The flight lasts about three minutes and you fly horizontally like a bird. The attraction has age and weight limits.

Tip: Book your place online as soon as you arrive, as in winter it is often full weeks ahead. Allow an hour for check-in and for a weight record.

Admission:
from AED 600
Time needed:
2–3 hrs
Dhayah Fort

Dhayah Fort

north of the city

A fort on a hill above a palm oasis on the coast, one of the few hill forts in the Emirates, linked to the Qasimi dynasty. About a hundred steps lead up to the ramparts and from the top there is a view of the sea, the mountains and the oasis. It is linked to the British attack of 1819.

Tip: Go in the morning or before sunset, as at midday it is hot on the hill. Entry is free and the climb takes ten minutes.

Admission:
free
Time needed:
1 hr
Al Marjan Island

Al Marjan Island

Al Marjan

An artificial archipelago of four islands with resorts, beaches and water sports that is the main tourist zone. Hotels have white beaches, pools and their own facilities, and everything is close. Behind the beach is calm, in the evening pleasant promenades and restaurants.

Tip: Hotels on the island have private beaches; public stretches are limited. From the island you take a taxi into town and to Jebel Jais.

Admission:
free
Time needed:
half a day
Al Hamra Village

Al Hamra Village

south of Ras Al Khaimah

A residential and tourist district in the south with golf, a marina, a shopping mall and a promenade. Hotels are arranged around the bay and the beaches are wide. It is calmer than Al Marjan and the choice of restaurants is wide.

Tip: Go for dinner by the marina; prices are milder than in the hotels. For swimming the morning hours are better.

Admission:
free
Time needed:
2–3 hrs
The Abandoned Village of Jazirat Al Hamra

The Abandoned Village of Jazirat Al Hamra

Al Hamra

A village once inhabited by fishermen and pearl divers, which was abandoned in the 1970s and still stands empty. The coral and stone houses, mosque and tower make a strange setting. It is the best place to glimpse life before oil.

Tip: Come in the morning or before sunset, when the light is best. Nothing is set up for visitors, so bring water and protect the buildings.

Admission:
free
Time needed:
1 hr
National Museum of Ras Al Khaimah

National Museum of Ras Al Khaimah

centre

A museum in a seventeenth-century fort, the seat of the ruling Qasimi family, telling the history of the emirate, pearl diving and the life of the Bedouin. The collections contain weapons, jewellery and archaeological finds. It is the best place to understand the region.

Tip: Go for an hour at midday, when outside the heat is worst. Dress modestly for the visit and ask about opening hours.

Admission:
about AED 5
Time needed:
1 hr
Khatt Hot Springs

Khatt Hot Springs

southeast of the city

Natural thermal springs about twenty kilometres southeast of the city where the water reaches forty degrees. By the springs stand a hotel and spa where the pools can be used. It is a pleasant trip through the hills.

Tip: Set off in the afternoon and plan a dip in the pool; the entry is paid per day. The spring water is slightly sulphurous, so choose suitable clothing.

Admission:
from AED 50
Time needed:
2–3 hrs

Mangrove Kayaking

coast

A paddle by kayak or stand-up board through mangrove forests on the coast, where you can watch birds and fish. The calm waterways offer a contrast to the beach. Trips are led by guides and last one to two hours.

Tip: Set off early in the morning, when the wind is light and the light pleasant. Bring a hat, sun protection and repellent.

Admission:
from AED 100
Time needed:
2 hrs

Photos: Jebel Jais — wilhelmtittes (CC BY 3.0) · Dhayah Fort — Mathewkurianp (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Al Marjan Island — almarjanisland.com (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Al Hamra Village — Artur Malinowski (CC BY 2.0) · The Abandoned Village of Jazirat Al Hamra — Bob McCaffrey (CC BY-SA 2.0) · National Museum of Ras Al Khaimah — Rankin73 (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Khatt Hot Springs — Marko (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Where to stay

Areas and districts, matched to the kind of trip you are taking

Al Marjan Island

Best for: resorts and beaches

An artificial island with hotels and beaches, with all-inclusive resorts. It is the most touristy part and has the widest range of services. Transport to town by taxi or shuttle.

Al Hamra Village

Best for: golf and calm

A residential district with golf, a marina and a shopping mall. Hotels are calmer and prices milder. A good choice for families and for golfers.

Mina Al Arab

Best for: lagoon and beach

A district around a lagoon and mangroves with a beach and hotel resorts. It has calm and nature and a choice of water sports. Suits families and couples.

Old Town and Corniche

Best for: an authentic atmosphere

The centre of the city with markets, the museum and the waterfront. Hotels are cheaper and the setting more traditional. Suits travellers who want to get to know the region.

Search hotels →

Getting around

From the airport

Ras Al Khaimah International Airport (RKT) has flights from Europe and parts of Asia, in the winter season also charter flights from Prague. Most travellers, though, fly into Dubai (DXB), about eighty kilometres away, and go on by coach or taxi. Sharjah airport (SHJ) is fifty kilometres off. From Dubai the RTA E700 bus runs to Ras Al Khaimah in an hour and a half.

Ras Al Khaimah International Airport (RKT) · 20 km

  • Taxi to the hotel· 25 min· AED 80
  • Tour operator transfer· 25 min

Dubai International Airport (DXB) · 80 km

  • E700 bus from Dubai· 1 hr 30 min· AED 25
  • Taxi· 1 hr· AED 250

Around town

In Ras Al Khaimah you mostly travel by car or taxi, as places lie far apart. Taxis are cheaper than in Dubai and the Careem and Uber apps work. Buses run between the city and Dubai. Car rental costs from a hundred and fifty dirhams a day and suits Jebel Jais.

Taxi and CareemBetween hotels, the town and the beach, price by meter or app. · AED 15
E700 busFrom Dubai and Sharjah, several times a day. · AED 25
Car rentalFor the mountains and forts; the roads are good. · AED 150
Hotel shuttleTo shopping malls and the beach.

Useful apps: Careem, Uber, Google Maps, RTA Dubai

When to go

Ras Al Khaimah has a desert climate with a hot summer and a mild winter. From November to April it is around twenty-five degrees, ideal for the beach and trips, with the sea at twenty-two to twenty-five degrees. From June to September it is often over forty degrees and humid, hotels are cheaper and a stay revolves around air conditioning. Rain is scarce, with short showers in winter.

Best time

November to April

What to avoid

June to September (over 40°C)

MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Day24°26°29°34°39°41°43°43°40°36°30°26°
Night13°14°17°21°25°28°30°31°28°23°18°14°
Rainy days333200000013
Sea21°20°22°25°28°31°33°34°32°30°27°23°

Food & drink

Eating in Ras Al Khaimah is easy, from Emirati cooking to international restaurants in hotels. Typical dishes are grilled meat, rice, fish and dates. Restaurants in shopping malls offer cheap meals for ten to forty dirhams.

What to try

Machboos

Rice with spices and meat — chicken, lamb or fish — cooked in a pot. The national dish of the Emirates, served at celebrations.

Harees

Wheat and meat cooked down to a thick porridge, a traditional dish of Ramadan. You can taste it in traditional restaurants.

Fresh fish and seafood

Grilled hammour, prawns and crabs from the Gulf, served with rice and lemon. The best are in the fish restaurants in the harbour.

Shawarma

Sliced meat from a rotating spit in pitta with vegetables. A cheap meal for five to fifteen dirhams in every town.

Luqaimat

Golden fried dough balls drizzled with date syrup. A typical Emirati dessert.

Dates and Arabic coffee

Dates are served with cardamom coffee, gahwa, which is poured into small cups and sipped. A gesture of hospitality.

Karak tea

Strong tea with condensed milk and cardamom, served in a glass. A cheap refresher for two to five dirhams.

What it costs

Coffee

AED 15–25

Lunch in a shopping mall

AED 30–60

Shawarma

AED 8–15

Taxi for 10 km

AED 30

Jais Flight

AED 600

Museum

AED 5

4★ hotel (night)

AED 250–600

Bus to Dubai

AED 25

Indicative prices that change over time — treat them as a guide, not a price list.

Practical information

SocketsGBritish, three rectangular pinsCEuroplug, two round pinsDthree round pins (India)
Voltage220V / 50Hz
Tap waterTap water is treated, bottled is common — Tap water in the Emirates is treated and safe, but most people drink bottled. In hotels a bottle is free.
TippingTipping is not obligatory, but ten to fifteen per cent is expected in restaurants unless included. For taxi drivers rounding up is enough.
Driving on theright
SafetyRas Al Khaimah is very safe, with low crime. Mind the laws: alcohol is served only in licensed hotels, public drunkenness is punished and drugs are strictly forbidden. In the mountains beware of sudden downpours that cause flash floods. The emergency number is 999.
Opening hoursShopping malls are open from ten to ten, at weekends until midnight. Friday is a holy day with closures in the morning. During Ramadan there is no public eating or drinking in daylight.
Customs & etiquetteIn the Emirates conservative dress is respected away from the beach and hotel: shoulders and knees covered. Women may wear swimsuits on hotel beaches. Do not sunbathe topless, do not photograph people without permission and do not sit in places reserved for families.
A few local wordsHello — As-salamu alaykumThank you — ShukranPlease — Min fadlakHow much is it? — Kam haza?No, thank you — La, shukranCheers (non-alcoholic) — SahaWhere is the toilet? — Ayna al-hammam?

How to plan your days

1 day

A day in Ras Al Khaimah

  1. 1Morning the beach at Al Marjan.
  2. 2Afternoon the museum in the fort.
  3. 3Early evening Dhayah Fort at sunset.
  4. 4Evening dinner by the marina at Al Hamra.

2 days

Two days: mountains and beach

  1. 1Day one as above.
  2. 2Day two morning Jebel Jais and Jais Flight.
  3. 3Afternoon Khatt hot springs.
  4. 4Evening rest at the hotel.

3 days

Three days: Ras Al Khaimah and surroundings

  1. 1Days one and two as above.
  2. 2Day three kayaking in the mangroves and the abandoned village.
  3. 3Afternoon wellness.
  4. 4Evening return and dinner.

Day trips

Dubai

80 km · 1 hr by car

A world city with the Burj Khalifa, the Dubai Mall and a beach. The E700 bus runs from Ras Al Khaimah and the trip can be done in a day.

Fujairah

100 km · 1 hr 15 min by car

A port on the east coast of the Gulf of Oman with mountains, a fort and a beach. It is a little greener and less hot, and suits a full-day trip.

Sharjah

60 km · 50 min by car

The cultural capital of the Emirates with museums, souks and a historic quarter. It is more conservative than Dubai and alcohol is not sold.

Frequently asked questions

Is Ras Al Khaimah suitable for families?+

Yes, hotels have kids' clubs, pools and beaches with calm sea. Nearby are water parks and theme parks. In winter the weather is pleasant and the beaches are clean.

How do I get from Dubai to Ras Al Khaimah?+

By car on the E311 motorway in about an hour, with a taxi costing roughly two hundred and fifty dirhams. The RTA E700 bus runs from Dubai in about an hour and a half and costs around twenty-five dirhams. On a package holiday the transfer is usually included.

When is the best time to visit?+

November to April, when it is around twenty-five degrees and rarely rains. In summer it is over forty degrees and humid, but hotels are cheaper. The most people come at Christmas.

Do I need a visa for the Emirates?+

Citizens of the EU can enter the United Arab Emirates without a visa for ninety days. The passport must be valid for at least six months. Conditions change, so check with your foreign ministry.

Is Ras Al Khaimah safe?+

Yes, it is one of the safest places in the world for tourists. Observe local laws: alcohol only in licensed hotels, modest dress away from the beach. In the mountains watch the weather.

Can I buy alcohol here?+

Alcohol is served in licensed hotels and restaurants, and only exceptionally sold in shops. Public drunkenness is an offence. During Ramadan service is restricted.

Is the Jais Flight worth it?+

Yes, it is the longest zipline in the world and an experience for the bold. The price is from six hundred dirhams and booking is needed. It has age and weight limits, so find out in advance.

What do food and transport cost?+

Lunch in a shopping mall costs thirty to sixty dirhams, shawarma eight to fifteen. A taxi for ten kilometres costs around thirty dirhams and the bus to Dubai twenty-five.

Visa Requirements

Check the latest visa requirements for entering this country. Some nationalities may need to apply for a visa or e-visa before travel.

Check visa requirements

Emergency Numbers

Police999Ambulance998Fire997

Language

Arabic

Currency

AED

Timezone

Asia/Dubai

Dial Code

+971

Population

9.9M

Area

83,600 km²

Voltage

220V / 50Hz

Driving Side

Right

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