Things to do · Ras Al Khaimah · United Arab Emirates
13 best things to do in Ras Al Khaimah
13 sights and experiences ranked for a first visit, with honest notes on time, cost and crowds.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: almarjanisland.com, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
The essential sights in Ras Al Khaimah are Jebel Jais and the Viewing Deck Park, Jais Flight zipline and Jais Sledder. Of the 13 picks below, 6 are free, 1 work on a rainy day and 6 suit children. Allow about 4 days to see the highlights without rushing.
Key facts
- Top sight
- Jebel Jais and the Viewing Deck Park
- Free sights
- 6
- Good on a rainy day
- Manar Mall
- Time to see the highlights
- 4 days
At a glance
| Sight | Area | Time needed | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jebel Jais and the Viewing Deck Park | Jebel Jais | Half a day | Free |
| Jais Flight zipline | Jebel Jais | 2 hours including briefing | Expensive |
| Jais Sledder | Jebel Jais | 1 hour | Mid-priced |
| Dhayah Fort | Ras Al Khaimah City | 1 hour | Free |
| Al Jazirat Al Hamra heritage village | Al Hamra Village | 1–1.5 hours | Free |
| Suwaidi Pearls farm | Al Rams | 1.5–2 hours | Mid-priced |
| Al Marjan Island beaches | Al Marjan Island | Half a day | Mid-priced |
| Shimal and Sheba's Palace | Shimal | 1 hour | Free |
| Al Qawasim Corniche | Ras Al Khaimah City | 1 hour | Free |
| Khatt Hot Springs | Khatt | 1–2 hours | Low cost |
| Wadi Shawka | Hajar Mountains | Half a day | Free |
| Desert experiences at Al Wadi | Al Wadi Desert | 3–4 hours | Expensive |
| Manar Mall | Ras Al Khaimah City | 2 hours | Low cost |
The 13 best things to do
Nature · Jebel Jais
1.Jebel Jais and the Viewing Deck Park
The road up the UAE's highest mountain climbs about 30 km of switchbacks through the bare limestone of the Hajar range, with viewpoints and picnic spots along the way. Near the top, the Jais Viewing Deck Park has platforms over the canyons, marked hiking trails and cafés, and air that is often around 10°C cooler than the coast.
Drive up in the late afternoon for sunset over the ridges, and bring a jacket from November to March.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Views
- Nature
- Outdoors
- Free
Experience · Jebel Jais
2.Jais Flight zipline
This zipline runs about 2.8 km from a platform on Jebel Jais over ravines and ridges, and was listed by Guinness World Records as the world's longest when it opened in 2018. Riders fly face-down in a harness at speeds that can exceed 100 km/h, finishing on a second line to the base.
Book an early slot: winds can delay or cancel later sessions, and the morning light over the mountains is clearer.
- Time needed
- 2 hours including briefing
- Cost
- Expensive
- Book ahead
- Book online in advance; there are minimum age, height and weight requirements.
- Iconic
- Active
- Views
- Outdoors
Experience · Jebel Jais
3.Jais Sledder
A rail-mounted toboggan winds about 1.8 km down the mountainside through bends, waves and loops, with riders controlling their own speed. Children can ride with an adult, making it a family alternative to the zipline.
Combine it with the Viewing Deck Park and lunch on the mountain to make a full day of Jebel Jais.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Book ahead
- Slots can sell out at weekends; book ahead and check age and height rules.
- Kids
- Active
- Outdoors
Castle · Ras Al Khaimah City
4.Dhayah Fort
This mudbrick fort crowns a steep hill above date palms north of the city and was the site of a battle in 1819 when British forces attacked the coast. A climb of a couple of hundred steps leads to the walls and a wide view over the plain, the Gulf and the Hajar Mountains.
Climb in the late afternoon for the softest light and cooler air; wear shoes with grip on the gravel path.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- History
- Views
- Free
- Photo spot
- Kids
Historic site · Al Hamra Village
5.Al Jazirat Al Hamra heritage village
This former pearling and fishing town was abandoned by its residents in the late 1960s, leaving coral-stone and mudbrick houses, a fort, a mosque, wind towers and a souq largely intact. It is one of the best-preserved traditional towns on the Gulf coast and is being gradually restored.
Visit in the early morning or at golden hour; there is little shade between the houses.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- History
- Architecture
- Free
- Photo spot
- Off the beaten path
Experience · Al Rams
6.Suwaidi Pearls farm
In the fishing village of Al Rams, a family-run pearl farm takes visitors by traditional boat to its oyster rafts in a lagoon. Guides explain the history of Gulf pearl diving and cultured pearls, and each visitor opens an oyster to find the pearl inside.
Book in advance and allow time for the short boat trip; it combines well with Dhayah Fort nearby.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Book ahead
- Tours run by reservation; book ahead online or by phone.
- Kids
- History
- Off the beaten path
Beach · Al Marjan Island
7.Al Marjan Island beaches
The man-made islands are fringed with wide sandy beaches and shallow, calm water, most of it attached to resorts that sell day passes. A promenade along the causeway and the islands' edge is used for walking, running and cycling with views back to the mountains.
Buy a resort day pass on a weekday for the quietest beach and pool access.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Outdoors
- Couples
Historic site · Shimal
8.Shimal and Sheba's Palace
On a rocky hilltop above the village of Shimal, north of the city, are the stone ruins of a fortified medieval palace locally named after the Queen of Sheba. The surrounding area was part of the trading town of Julfar, and the climb gives views over palm gardens and the coast.
Wear sturdy shoes for the rough path and go in the cooler months.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- History
- Views
- Free
- Off the beaten path
Waterfront · Ras Al Khaimah City
1.Al Qawasim Corniche
The city's waterfront promenade runs along the creek and lagoon with walking and cycling paths, play areas and cafés. On cool evenings it fills with local families, and it is the easiest place to see everyday life in the emirate.
Come at sunset and pick up karak chai from a nearby cafeteria.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- After dark
- Kids
Nature · Khatt
2.Khatt Hot Springs
In the village of Khatt, south-east of the city at the foot of the mountains, natural hot springs feed bathing pools long used by locals for their warm, mineral-rich water. A spa hotel nearby uses the same springs.
Visit on a cool winter morning; check whether the public pools have separate times for men and women.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Nature
- Off the beaten path
Nature · Hajar Mountains
3.Wadi Shawka
A valley in the Hajar Mountains near the border with Fujairah, Wadi Shawka has marked hiking trails of varying lengths around a dam, rocky ridges and seasonal pools. It is one of the most popular hiking areas in the northern emirates.
Hike between November and March, start early and carry plenty of water; there is little shade.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Active
- Outdoors
- Nature
- Free
Nature · Al Wadi Desert
4.Desert experiences at Al Wadi
The red dunes south of the city are used for dune drives, camel rides, falconry displays and evening desert dinners. The landscape of ghaf trees and low dunes is gentler and less crowded than the big safari areas near Dubai.
Book a late-afternoon outing to see the dunes turn red at sunset.
- Time needed
- 3–4 hours
- Cost
- Expensive
- Book ahead
- Desert activities are run by tour operators and the desert resort; book in advance.
- Outdoors
- Couples
- Nature
- Photo spot
Experience · Ras Al Khaimah City
5.Manar Mall
The emirate's main shopping mall, by the creek in the city, has fashion stores, a hypermarket, food court, cinema and children's entertainment. It is the default indoor option on hot afternoons.
Use it for a midday break from the heat, combined with the Corniche in the evening.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Shopping
- Rainy day
- Kids
Pick by interest
| Interest | Best picks |
|---|---|
| History | Dhayah Fort, Al Jazirat Al Hamra heritage village, Suwaidi Pearls farm and Shimal and Sheba's Palace |
| Views | Jebel Jais and the Viewing Deck Park, Jais Flight zipline, Dhayah Fort and Shimal and Sheba's Palace |
| Outdoors and nature | Jebel Jais and the Viewing Deck Park, Jais Flight zipline, Jais Sledder and Al Marjan Island beaches |
| After dark | Al Qawasim Corniche |
| With children | Jais Sledder, Dhayah Fort, Suwaidi Pearls farm and Al Marjan Island beaches |
| On a rainy day | Manar Mall |
What to book ahead
- Jais Flight zipline: Book online in advance; there are minimum age, height and weight requirements.
- Jais Sledder: Slots can sell out at weekends; book ahead and check age and height rules.
- Suwaidi Pearls farm: Tours run by reservation; book ahead online or by phone.
- Desert experiences at Al Wadi: Desert activities are run by tour operators and the desert resort; book in advance.
Plan the rest of your trip
Questions travellers ask
+What is the number one thing to do in Ras Al Khaimah?
Jebel Jais and the Viewing Deck Park. The road up the UAE's highest mountain climbs about 30 km of switchbacks through the bare limestone of the Hajar range, with viewpoints and picnic spots along the way.
+What can you do for free in Ras Al Khaimah?
Jebel Jais and the Viewing Deck Park, Dhayah Fort, Al Jazirat Al Hamra heritage village, Shimal and Sheba's Palace and Al Qawasim Corniche. More free things to do.
+What is there to do in Ras Al Khaimah when it rains?
Head indoors to Manar Mall.
+What is there to do in Ras Al Khaimah at night?
Al Qawasim Corniche are best after dark.