Places to visit in Ras Al Khaimah: mountains, forts and beaches

What are the best places to visit in Ras Al Khaimah?

Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) is the northernmost emirate of the main UAE. Its coast, old town, forts and the Hajar Mountains all lie within about an hour of each other, so it suits a day trip. From Downtown Dubai, RAK city is 109 km and about 1 hour 20 minutes without traffic, per OSRM routing on OpenStreetMap data.

Place	What it is	From RAK city
Jebel Jais	Mountain road, viewing decks, ziplines	49 km, 45 to 55 min
Dhayah Fort	Hilltop fort, north of the city	Ask us for the drive time
National Museum	16th-century fort in the old town	In the old town
Al Jazirat Al Hamra	Abandoned coastal village	Ask us for the drive time
Al Marjan Island	Beach resorts	On the coast

The road for all of them starts on the E311 and E611 from Dubai. Our Dubai to Ras Al Khaimah guide covers the drive in detail.

Jebel Jais: zipline, viewing decks and the mountain road

Jebel Jais has a summit of 1,934 m, and the road up is fully paved. The Jais Flight zipline is 2.83 km long. A Viewing Deck Park, picnic areas and the UAE’s highest restaurant sit near the top.

It takes a day of its own from Dubai. Read the Jebel Jais guide for temperatures, rider limits and closures, or book the Jebel Jais day trip.

History: Dhayah Fort, Al Jazirat Al Hamra and the National Museum

Dhayah Fort stands on a hilltop in the north of the emirate. Wikipedia dates it to the 18th century. It was rebuilt after a British siege in December 1819, when about 400 defenders held out for three days, and restored in the 1990s. The views over the palm groves and wadis are the reason to climb. Wear sturdy shoes and confirm hours with Visit Ras Al Khaimah.

The National Museum occupies a 16th-century fort in the old town. It was the ruler’s home until 1964, then a police station and a prison, and became a museum in the 1980s. Its collections cover finds from the Stone Age to the Islamic period.

Al Jazirat Al Hamra is an abandoned pearling and fishing village of coral-stone houses on the coast. Access and opening arrangements vary, so check with Visit Ras Al Khaimah before you go, and tell us if you want it in the plan.

Beaches and Al Marjan Island

Al Marjan Island is the resort area with the main beaches and beach clubs. Day access depends on the resort or club, so ask us which one you will use. Allow an afternoon, not an hour.

Wadis and hikes: Wadi Shawka and Khatt Springs

The wadis east of the city offer walking and rock pools. Conditions change with rain and season, and some trails are rough. We have not confirmed current trail details for Wadi Shawka or Khatt Springs, so check Visit Ras Al Khaimah and avoid wadi paths after heavy rain.

Desert in RAK: camps and camel racing

RAK has its own desert camps and a desert safari option. Our Ras Al Khaimah desert safari page covers it, and the main desert safari page covers the Dubai routes if you prefer to stay closer to the city. Camel racing events run on a seasonal calendar, so ask us for current dates.

Getting there from Dubai, and flying into RAK airport

By road, use a private car. Our intercity transfers set the price per trip on WhatsApp, not by the hour. By air, Ras Al Khaimah International Airport (RKT) is about 112 km from Dubai. Read the RAK airport guide or ask about airport transfers.

Combine RAK with its neighbours: the Fujairah guide covers the east coast, and Dibba or Khasab compares the Oman side. If you plan to cross at Dibba, read the Musandam border and visa rules first. More ideas sit in day trips from Dubai.