Old town
CultureThe original town by the creek, with the old souk and local restaurants, and cheaper rooms than the beach resorts.
Ras Al Khaimah city guide
Things To Do In Ras Al Khaimah
The northern emirate of mountains and quiet beaches: the UAE's highest peak, one of the longest zip lines in the world, a via ferrata, and cooler air above the heat.
1
Hostels in the city
1,934 m
Jebel Jais
2.83 km
Jais Flight zip line
1–1.5 h
From Dubai
The mountain emirate
Ras Al Khaimah is the northernmost of the seven emirates, where the Hajar Mountains drop down to the sea. Its peak, Jebel Jais, at almost 2,000 metres, is the highest point in the UAE, reached by a spectacular winding road, and it is around 10°C cooler than the coast.
The emirate is quieter and cheaper than Dubai, with long beaches, date-palm farms, a hilltop fort and an abandoned pearling village that is one of the best-preserved old towns in the country.
Two days is right: one in the mountains and one at the coast, with a day trip by dhow into the fjords of Musandam in Oman if you have longer.
Where to stay
Stay by the beach or in the old town.
Beach
ResortsAl Hamra and Al Marjan Island, where the resorts, the sandy beaches and most of the bars are.
Orange labels are neighbourhoods, dots are the 1 top-rated hostels. Map data from OpenStreetMap contributors.
Things to do
Things to do in Ras Al Khaimah
Drive up Jebel Jais, about an hour from the city. At the top, ride Jais Flight, the world's longest zip line according to Guinness World Records: 2.8 km at up to 150 km/h, from about AED 450. The Jais Sledder, a mountain coaster, costs AED 40 a ride. The via ferrata and the Bear Grylls Explorers Camp are the other big adventures.
Stop at the Jebel Jais viewing deck on the way down for sunset over the mountains; entry is only a few dirhams. Bring a jacket, as it's often around 10°C colder than the coast.
Climb to Dhayah Fort, the UAE's only hilltop fort, perched above date palms in the north of the emirate. Then walk through Jazirat Al Hamra, a coral-stone pearling village abandoned in the 1960s, where houses, a mosque and a souk still stand.
Spend a day on the beaches of Al Hamra and Al Marjan Island, or take a dhow trip into the fjords of Musandam, in Oman, to see dolphins.
Free things
Free things to do in Ras Al Khaimah
Many of Ras Al Khaimah's best sights are free. Jazirat Al Hamra, the abandoned pearling village, is free to wander, and so is Dhayah Fort, with views over the palm groves.
The public beaches cost nothing, and the drive up Jebel Jais is free too. The viewing deck charges only a few dirhams.
Sunset from the mountains, when the ridges turn orange and purple, is the best free show in the emirate.
Food and drink
Eating and drinking in Ras Al Khaimah
Ras Al Khaimah's food is mostly Emirati, Indian and seafood. Try grilled hammour (grouper) and fresh prawns on the coast, and machboos, spiced rice with fish or meat.
Cheap Indian and Pakistani cafeterias in the old town serve biryani, karak tea and paratha rolls. On Jebel Jais, the restaurants near the summit serve meals with mountain views.
A meal costs €5 to €12 (AED 20 to 50).
Nightlife
Going out in Ras Al Khaimah
Alcohol is served in licensed hotels and resorts, most of them along Al Hamra and Al Marjan Island. Ras Al Khaimah is much quieter than Dubai, and nights are about beach bars and resort restaurants.
A beer is €8 to €12, a little cheaper than in Dubai.
Getting around
Getting around Ras Al Khaimah
Buses run between Dubai's Union bus station and Al Hamra in Ras Al Khaimah about every hour and a half, take about 1.5 hours and cost AED 27. Plan your trip on the RAKBus app.
A car or taxi is needed for Jebel Jais, which is about an hour's drive from the city on a winding mountain road, and for Dhayah Fort. Hiring a car is the easiest way to see the emirate.
Musandam, in Oman, is reached on a day tour, usually by road to the border and then by dhow. Check what documents you need before you go.
Costs
What Ras Al Khaimah costs
Ras Al Khaimah is cheaper than Dubai. Budget rooms start around €30 and a careful day costs €45 to €70.
The mountain adventures are the big extras: Jais Flight from about AED 450, the Sledder AED 40. The beaches, the fort and the abandoned village are free.
The currency is the dirham (AED), pegged to the US dollar, at about 4.3 to the euro. Cards and phone payments work almost everywhere.
Safety
Staying safe in Ras Al Khaimah
Ras Al Khaimah is very safe. UAE law applies: drinking in public is illegal, drugs carry severe penalties (even traces in your blood), and swearing, rude gestures and photographing people without permission can lead to fines or arrest. Dress modestly away from beaches and pools.
On Jebel Jais, attractions close in high winds and bad weather, and the road has steep bends, so drive carefully. In winter, nights at the top can get close to freezing.
Emergency: 999 police, 998 ambulance.
Day trips from Ras Al Khaimah
The UAE's highest mountain and the fjords of Oman.
Jebel Jais
The UAE's highest peak, with the world's longest zip line, a mountain coaster and sunset viewing decks, about 10°C cooler than the coast.
Musandam
Fjord-like inlets in Oman, explored by dhow, with dolphins and snorkelling. Check the border rules before you book.
What's on
What is on while you are there
Winter brings the best mountain weather.
November to March
Winter season
Ras Al Khaimah
Best mountain weather.
31 December
New Year fireworks
Al Marjan Island
Record-breaking displays.
Hostels
Where to stay in Ras Al Khaimah
The top-rated places to stay in Ras Al Khaimah right now, live from Hostelworld.
When to go
November to March, with warm days at the coast and cool nights in the mountains. In summer, Jebel Jais is the coolest place in the country.
Jan
Peak season
Feb
Excellent
Mar
Good
Apr
Warming
May
Hot
Jun
Extreme heat
Jul
Extreme heat
Aug
Extreme heat
Sep
Hot
Oct
Good
Nov
Excellent
Dec
Peak season
Bar height is temperature. Colour is how busy it gets:
quiet
busy
peak
Average highs on the coast.
What your trip will cost
Pick how you travel. Per person per night, in euros.
Prices are in dirhams locally; these are euro equivalents. Excludes adventure activities.
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- Beds—
- Food and drink—
- Getting around—
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Ras Al Khaimah travel questions
The ones we get asked most.
How long is the zip line?
Jais Flight is 2.8 km, the world's longest according to Guinness World Records, with speeds up to 150 km/h. Tickets start at about AED 450.
How do I get there from Dubai?
By bus from Union station to Al Hamra, about 1.5 hours for AED 27, or by car in about an hour.
Is it cooler in the mountains?
Yes, Jebel Jais is around 10°C cooler than the coast. Bring a jacket.
Do I need a car?
For Jebel Jais and Dhayah Fort, yes, or a taxi.
What is Jazirat Al Hamra?
A coral-stone pearling village abandoned in the 1960s, free to walk around.
How many days do you need?
Two.
Can I visit Oman?
Yes, on a day tour to Musandam's fjords. Check the border rules first.
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