Ras al Khaimah
The Top of the Tent
General Information
Other Name: Julfar, District: NA, State: Ras al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates
Area: 1683 km²
Languages Spoken: Arabic and English
Long Distance Code: +971 77
Importance: The Emirate Ras Al Khaimah combines a fascinating and a relaxing tourist hub with its calm blue seas with clean white beaches, dramatic desert dunes and the majestic Hajjar Mountains.
Best Time to Visit: October to December and March
International Access: Connected to all major cities of UAE.
Description
Ras Al Khaimah is nestled between the Hajjar Mountains on the East and the Persian Gulf on the West and shares mountainous borders with the Sultanate of Oman. With the completion of the new Emirates Highway, RAK is only about one hour from the emirate of Dubai. H.H. Sheikh Saqr bin Mohammed Al Qasimi has been the Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah since 1948. His son, H.H. Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi was appointed Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler in June 2003. The Emirate Ras Al Khaimah combines a fascinating and a relaxing tourist hub with its calm blue seas with clean white beaches, dramatic desert dunes and the majestic Hajjar Mountains. It has numerous fascinating tourist landmarks, beautiful wildlife conservations and sanctuaries. Golf has become one of the leading tourist attractions within the emirate.Location
Ras Al Khaimah is in the northern part of the Persian gulf.Climate
Sub-tropical Climate
Ideal for all types of relaxation and adventure activities, the 64 kms long coastline of Ras Al Khaimah offers a slice of paradise in the form of its magnificent sandy white beach with clear blue waters. If you are looking to enjoy various water sports and adventure activities away from teeming crowds, Ras Al Khaimah beach is the perfect place for you with its modern equipment and less crowded long beach. It has music, dance and full on beach entertainment activities thus offering a combination that promises pure unadulterated fun. You can enjoy a delicious snack or a refreshing cocktail right there lounging on the beach while you catch up on the book in your hand. In addition to these sports activities, there are various spa and resort centers located right there that offer excellent opportunity to indulge your body and senses with a comforting massage or a spa session. 
Perhaps the only hilltop fort still standing in UAE, Dhayah Fort is located to the north of the Al Rams town. The place was used by the ancient tribes as an armed zone and to ward off the invaders. Though the fort can hold only a limited number of people, it has proven to be quite successful both militarily and historically in case of guerilla fights to combat the invaders. Used as a home for the ruling family till 1964 and later as prison till 1984, the fort’s rich history has now been put up for viewing by the visitors since its renovation in 2001. Historic records also indicate that the fort may have been built on some much older structures during the nineteenth century. However, even as you climb on to the top, it is not the history but the fantastic view that will keep you riveted to the spot. The place offers a rich scenic view involving lush green palm trees below, the blue waters of Persian Gulf to one side and the dramatic Hajjar Mountains flanking the other. Some of the other surrounding attractions of the region that are well worth a visit include the ancient tomb, heritage village, stairway to the heaven track, and quaint little fisherman houses. 
For those looking for some different kind of experience, Jazirat Al Hamra or the ‘Red Island’ as it s popularly known, is the right answer. Also known as the ghost town of UAE, the town lies uninhabited and abandoned due to it being haunted by the ghosts since 1968. The place presents a slice of undisturbed picture of life of people from a time when the exploitation of oil had not yet arrived on the scene. It is one of the last standing traditional authentic towns of UAE that offers an amazing piece of history on view along with the serious chills if anyone dares to spend the night here with the ghosts and the jinns. 
Famous for its hot sulphuric water springs having many therapeutic and medicinal proprtis, Khatt Springs and Oasis is a beautiful scenic attraction located to the west of the majestic mountain ranges of Ras Al Khaimah. Flowing at a temperature of 40 degrees centigrade, these natural hot water springs are quite famed for curing a lot of diseases. Adding to the charm and beauty of the place are lofty brown mountains and the encircling lush green palm trees. In fact, such is the beauty of the place that the oasis is now counted among some of the top tourist attractions of UAE. In addition to the beauty, the place is also an archaeological treasure house as demonstrated by the large number of sites ranging from stone tools and weaponry to the more modern mud brick fortification towers discovered during a 1992 survey. In fact, the name Khatt is now also used to refer to large oval tomb discovered in the area belonging to the second millennium BC. 
Located right in the heart of the city, Ras Al Khaimah National Museum opens up the rich history of this Emirate for all the visitors. The museum was established in 1987 in the beautiful Al Husn Fort which is the former residence of the ruling Emirates sheikh. The museum has been divided into sections depending upon their theme and exhibits. One of the most interesting sections is the one known as the Al Qawasim room that contains exhibits belonging to the ruling family. Not only does the room have the historical documents and manuscripts displayed, but there is also arms and weaponry that once belonged to the royals of the emirate. In fact, there are some treaties too on display that were signed between the family and the British government. Another section that may also prove to be interesting is the one that displays antiques recovered from the whole of the emirate. Some of them date back to even 5th millennium BC or even the Pre Islamic era. Closed On: Tuesday
Timings: From September to May: 10am to 5pm; June to August: 8am to 12noon and 4pm to 7pm
Remarks: Ramadaan Timings: 9 am to 1pm (Fridays closed)
In addition to the Old souks and Bazaars of RasAl Khaimah that bring a whiff of old world charm, Manar Mall adds a touch of modernity to the whole city. Covering an area of over 45,000 square meters and located on the Al Nakheel side of the city, Manar Mall offers the best shopping experience of the place combined with world class dining, entertainment and leisure options and many other fun activities. It has a formidable line up of all the international brands, hyper markets, food courts, cinemas and others to offer you everything under one single roof. To add to the entertainment and leisure value of the mall, there is a state of the art seven screen theatre in addition to a complete entertainment center where your family can enjoy for hours and hours and yet not get bored. Every week end, various entertainment shows, cultural programs and art exhibitions are also held for the entertainment of the visitors. 
Located near the Hajar Mountains just north of Ras Al Khaimah city and south of Rams, Shimal village is the site of early first century BC settlements as found out by the excavations of the German scientists in mid 1980s. They uncovered large quantities of various soft stone vessels, pottery, beads and bronze weapons that were typical of the ‘Wadi Suq’ period or the period between 2000- 1300BC. It is also home to various pre- Islamic tombs that have been built using the locally available stones and are especially visible due to their tops protruding above the surface even though many of them have been buried completely by the debris of time. To add to its archaeological significance, a Umm Al Nar period tomb was uncovered in the area during roadways construction with its entrance on one side built with local stone and expertise of the ‘Wadi Suq’ period. There is also a small fort situated on top of a hill known as Husn Al Shimal that gives a vantage point to observe the whole of the area from a single point.