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Ras Al Khaimah Holidays
Situated in the Middle East amongst the breathtaking Hajar Mountains, Ras Al Khaimah, also known as RAK, promises to transport you beyond a traditional holiday, offering an experience like no other. So much so that this wonderful destination was included in Time Magazine’s World’s Greatest Places of 2022. Visitors can immerse themselves in UAE’s range of landscapes from vast deserts, rolling mountain ranges, sapphire seas, and golden beaches. The diversity of the attractions is second to none, take a trip to the eternal mountains and discover thousands of rock formations depicting millions of stories. Feeling adventurous? Opt for a speedy descent from Jebel Jais, UAE’S highest peak, via the world’s longest-ever zipline – a bucket list must! For adventure seekers, temperatures on this peak are around 10 degrees lower than sea level.
Travel Information
Currency: UAE Dirham
Time Difference: GMT + 3 hours
Flight Time From UK: Approximately 8 hours
Weather: Temperatures ranging from 24°C - 45°C
Language: Arabic, with English widely spoken
Dialling Code: +971
Religion: Islam
Of course, it’s not all sprawling beaches and white-knuckle activities, Ras Al Khaimah offers visitors an array of culture and heritage. With over 7,000 years of inspiring history, guests are introduced to an authentic Arabian experience. From visiting the ancient Dhaya Fort to experiencing traditional Arabic falconry, the cultural happenings are both vast and varied, and most definitely not to be missed.
Close to the neighbouring emirate Dubai, holidays to Ras Al Khaimah have fantastic ease of access with only a 45-minute drive from Dubai International Airport. Ras Al Khaimah offers travellers the natural beauty and culture so many crave, whilst its proximity to the man-made metropolis opens a variety of modern city marvels visitors may wish to experience whilst on holiday. Its selection of luxury resorts, world-class spas, and international gourmet experiences only further validates RAK’s Tourism Capital status and increasing popularity for both GCC nationals and international visitors alike.
Best Time For A Ras Al Khaimah Holiday
The beauty of a Ras Al Khaimah Holiday is that you are not limited to visiting over a specific period. Its attractive year-round sunshine and subtropical climate mean come winter or summer, visitors can escape the unpredictability of UK weather in exchange for guaranteed warmth and little cloud cover.
Due to the Emirate’s beautiful desert climate, rain is almost never on the cards; however, it would only be between November and April.
As a result, these such months are recommended for visitation as temperatures tend to stay around mid-twenties making it most comfortable for a holiday combining sunbathing, sightseeing, and thrill-seeking. So, if you’re looking for a family holiday destination with a great mix of culture, activities, and gorgeous weather, it’s time to visit Ras Al Khaimah.
This is not to say a holiday to Ras Al Khaimah in the summer months is off the cards. Holidays to Ras Al Khaimah in the summer will still be an unforgettable experience, that we can promise you. We merely recommend a copious amount of sunscreen due to temperatures soaring up to 45°C forcing many outdoor activities to close. Benefits of visiting during the months of June – September include less tourism and therefore better prices, and whilst outdoor experiences may be less available, Ras Al Khaimah holidays offer distinctive shopping mall visits, air-conned museums, and waterpark attractions for an action-packed holiday.
Ras Al Khaimah’s Mountains
An adventure hub like no other, Ras Al Khaimah’s mountain ranges are impressive in nature and size, with the highest mountain, Jebel Jais, enticing tourists to explore its peaks on a frequent basis. Offering endless opportunities, explorers can hike, bike, you name it, whilst taking in the wonderous sights. There are also an array of attractions including the Jais Adventure Park, Jais Viewing Deck Park, Jais Sky Tour with its seven zip lines, and Jais Sledder, the longest toboggan ride. If this wasn’t enough, the highest restaurant in the UAE can be found here, 1484 By Puro, allowing guests to dine on the extensive menu and view the Hajar mountains. The Bear Grylls Explorer Camp made its debut on Jebel Jais, with the world’s first Bear Grylls branded accommodation. There are sixteen recycled and sustainable cabins for visitors to experience.
Ras Al Khaimah’s Desert & Sea
A spectacular masterpiece, the remote Ras Al Khaimah’s deserts offer a scenic tranquillity with a Bedouin lifestyle to match. Partake in eating around a campfire, sleeping under the stars, walking across the terracotta sand dunes, or trekking on camel and horseback. Visitors can also explore the vast lands by dune buggy or four-wheel drive safaris. Activities are plentiful and the perfect addition to any holiday. Alternatively, you can sit back and relax in one of the resorts and soak up the Arabian hospitality. Discover the beautiful Ritz Carlton, Al Wadi Desert, a wonderful 5-star resort with luxury villas to match.
If the sea is more your thing, then Ras Al Khaimah has an abundance of beaches right on its doorstep with pristine widespread sands and shimmering cobalt waters. A fantastic selection of beachfront hotels and resorts are situated here, and the recently opened InterContinental Resort & Spa is one to try. Or discover Doubletree by Hilton Resort for a relaxing holiday by the sea.
Ras Al Khaimah’s Cuisine
Whether you opt for an all-inclusive holiday to Ras Al Khaimah, a half board option, or otherwise, guests in Ras Al Khaimah will enjoy the culinary influences, namely Arabic, Indian, Chinese and European cultures and abundant fresh seafood, fine wines, and local delicacies. Area hotels offer gourmet dining of the highest calibre, and some resorts take sustainability to a new level by offering to prepare the fish that you caught or bought at one of the local fish markets.
Open-air dining experiences and beach barbecues are common tourist attractions whilst dining in this Emirate, whilst local Emirati food features Lebanese and Indian influences in dishes such as curries, hummus, falafel, kebabs, and biryani.
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What to Do During Holidays to Ras Al Khaimah
Adventure Activities
Jebel Jais Flight
When you visit Ras Al Khaimah, travel up to speeds of 150kpm when you are propelled from the UAE’s highest peak on the world’s longest zipline. Soar for 2-3 minutes from a height of 1,680 metres above sea level for an adrenaline inducing thrill and ultimate bucket-list experience.
Showka Mountain Biking
Along with a variety of other activities available in the expansive RAK desert, Showka Bicycles takes guests on a fast-based mountain biking adventure, perfectly suited to the regional terrain. Explore fascinating trails and get your blood pumping with this exhilarating activity.
Water Sports
Due to its numerous beaches and modern equipment, Ras Al Khaimah is the perfect location for trying your hand at water sports. Learn how to scuba dive, sail, water-ski or paraglide on your visit and make it a holiday to remember.
RAK Track
RAK Track is an exciting new feature of the Emirate, a karting track inviting guests to experience both hire and professional racing karts. Suitable for adults and children alike this is a must-do activity the whole family will enjoy.
Ice Land Water Park
Featuring the world's tallest water slide, Ice Land Water Park has more than 103,000 square acres or water attractions, slides, Tundra Baths, and penguins. As the UAE’s largest waterpark, it promises the ideal day trip for families with varying slide types and exciting water-based activities.
Relaxing Activities
Flamingo Beach
The perfect chill-out location, surrounded by trendy cafes and restaurants, flamingo beach offers a stunning seaside sunspot just a few minutes’ drive away from the city centre. Its name comes from its two giant flamingo statues and is one of the most visited beaches in Ras Al Khaimah, despite its smaller beachfront.
Spa Trips
Many of the top-tier hotels in RAK house sensational spa facilities available to the public. The Anjana Spa by Rixos Bab Al Bahr redefines luxury claiming it is a sanctuary for the mind body and soul. Similarly, The Rainforest at The Ritz-Carlton Hotel is the ultimate destination for relaxation and recuperation, with signature holistic treatments renowned for spiritual renewal.
Cultural Activities
Suwaidi Pearl Farm
Visit the Suwaidi Pearl Farm and embrace an age-old experience for which Ras Al Khaimah is renowned for. Situated at the foot of the Hajar Mountains in the small fishing village of Al Rams, the pearl farm offers visitors a range of activities and experiences guiding guests through the historic natural formation of pearls to the modern-day techniques used in the region today.
Al Jazirah Al Hamra
One of RAK’s last traditional towns still intact, this is a cultural wonder and a must visit of the region. This ancient town is most known for its collection of abandon houses including a mosque many have said to be haunted, giving rise to the nickname: Ghost Town of Ras Al Khaimah.
Mohammed Bin Salim Mosque
After excavations discovered an original mosque stood in place of the current structure, many renovations took place to remove modern additions and restore traditional features including authentic plaster in layer technique, and the reconstruction of the original Minara. This archaeological masterpiece encapsulates ancient Ras Al Khaimah heritage and is a cultural must-see.
Book Your Ras Al Khaimah Holiday Today!
With an endless supply of fun and adventure, holidays to Ras Al Khaimah are never short of surprises. Be in awe at the wonderous landscapes and submerge yourself in the local culture. Don’t miss out on this amazing opportunity to explore all that RAK has to offer – get a quote from one of our friendly representatives and book your holiday to Ras Al Khaimah today.
Things To Do
Jais Flight – World’s Longest Zipline
Jais Flight is located atop the cloud-piercing Jebel Jais mountain peak in Ras Al Khaimah, the northern-most Emirate in the UAE. If you are a thrill-seeker, you will enjoy the adrenaline-fueled experience that takes you at cascading speeds of between 120 kmph and 150 kmph for almost three hair-raising minutes across deep ravines, canyons and through jagged peaks that lie 1680 metres above sea level.
Jais Sky Tour
At just over 1,600 metres above sea level in the craggy mountains, the Jais Sky Tour takes brave-hearted explorers through a complex route of six ziplines that range from just 337 metres to well over 1 km. The ziplines give you an extraordinary bird’s-eye view as you fly 5 km through the towering Hajar Mountain range wearing a specially fitted harness that provides the least wind resistance, traveling at an average speed of 60kmph. Each flyer is seated and securely fastened onto the zip wire by the trained Warrior Group team. The ziplines give you an extraordinary bird’s-eye view as you fly 5 km through the towering Hajar Mountain range wearing a specially fitted harness that provides the least wind resistance, traveling at an average speed of 60kmph.
Suwaidi Pearls
Ras Al Khaimah became one of the busiest trading ports in the region because of its pearl industry. Suwaidi is endlessly proud that he is single-handedly working to revive this incredible, almost-extinct tradition. He has an intrinsic understanding of the pearl fishing industry and its importance in the Emirati culture. Visitors to Ras Al Khaimah can embark on a fascinating journey aboard a traditional pearl fishing boat.
Dhayah Fort
Dhayah Fort is the only hill fort remaining in the United Arab Emirates. Dhayah Fort, a castle-like structure, is on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List and stands proud amidst the arid mountains and fertile date wadis of northern Emirate Ras Al Khaimah. The fort stands on a 70-metre high hill that rises grandly between the date palm gardens and the Jebel Jais mountains to form the central hub of the lush oasis. Four of the tombs have already been excavated to reveal impressive Southeast Arabia funerary structures. Ras Al Khaimah Department of Antiquities and Museums intends to turn this entire area into an archaeology park.
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Landline: 0203 519 2630 -
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Attractions
Dhayah Fort
The climb to Dhayah Fort is uneven and rocky. Dhayah Fort is the only hill fort remaining in the United Arab Emirates. It dates back to the Late Bronze Age (1600 – 1300 BC) when locals used it for settlement and fortification. Dhayah Fort, a castle-like structure, is on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List and stands proud amidst the arid mountains and fertile date wadis of northern Emirate Ras Al Khaimah.
Al Jazeera Al Hamra
Al Jazeera Al Hamra includes all of the traditional elements expected in such a neighbourhood, including a fort and watchtowers, mosque, souq and extensive courtyard houses of various designs. There is a mix of dwelling styles from small, simple houses, courtyard homes, two-story buildings to a large courtyard residence that belonged to the wealthy pearl merchant. The buildings were built in a traditional manner using local materials such as coral blocks and fossilised beach rock, mangrove tree beams, date palm trunks, roofing, matting and ropes and layers of seashells for drainage.
Al Qawasim Corniche
The three-kilometre waterfront promenade is lined with luxury apartments, international restaurants, local cafes, access to water activities and a children’s play area.
RAK Eye
The RAK Eye is a grand 37-metre ferris wheel that boasts extraordinary views over the Grand Mosque, the corniche, the lush mangroves and over the city’s skyline to the Arabian Gulf.
RAK Flagpole
A mighty flagpole that rises 120 metres above sea level carries the flag of the United Arab Emirates.
Dining
Corniche Al Qawasim has a fine selection of restaurants and cafes for visitors to experience the best of local, Middle Eastern and international cuisine.
Mohammed Bin Salem Mosque
The Mohammed Bin Salem Mosque has undergone several renovations and expansion phases up to the present day. During the renovation work, modern additions were removed from the inside and outside and the original architecture, built from coral stone and beach rock, restored and provided with an outer layer of traditional plaster in layer technique.
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Call Us
Free Phone: 0800 610 1522
Landline: 0203 519 2630 -
Enquire
Food and Drinks
1484 by Puro
The highest restaurant in the United Arab Emirates, 1484 by Puro, proudly occupies a prime position in the Jebel Jais Mountains in Ras Al Khaimah. The restaurant affords you otherworldly views across the mountains through floor-to-ceiling windows or from its expansive terraces. Try the traditional local dish, Shakshuka with eggs poached in a spicy tomato and green pepper stew with feta crumble served on Arabic bread or the delicious buttermilk pancakes with sweet caramelised bananas and chantilly cream. As night sets over the mountains, fairy lights blend with the stars for an evening like no other. The cool mountain air, inimitable atmosphere, sublime service and delicious food makes 1484 by Puro a unique dining destination.
UMI
Located on the first floor of the Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah, Umi offers an intimate dining experience for those who appreciate the best of Asian cuisine. Gastronomic highlights include the five-course tasting menu, signature mains with Wagyu beef, lobster and black cod the stars of the show, and of course, the Japanese Mochi ice cream for dessert is always a hit. For special occasions with friends and family, a spacious and creatively designed private dining room is also available for parties and dinners.
Karma Kafe
Karma Kafé brings a seamless blend of design, cuisine, mixology, and world-class entertainment programs that leaves nothing less than a temptation. A lounge and bar of masterfully blending colors and designs, with blushful sparks of the setting sun, Karma Kafé offers uninterrupted view of the sea from the terrace where the guests can gaze at stars or enjoy jaw-dropping sunsets while a resident DJ plays upbeat tracks for an unforgettable experience.
Lexington Grill
Located on the ground floor of the Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah, this signature steakhouse, featuring a Grill Room, Long Bar, private dining rooms and outdoor spaces, elegant interiors, and a vibrant atmosphere, is a venue for all occasions and is sure to impress, whether you are dining for a social or business occasion. It offers a selection of sophisticated dining spaces with elegant design to suit all occasions, including a Grill Room, Long Bar, private areas and al fresco options too.
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Call Us
Free Phone: 0800 610 1522
Landline: 0203 519 2630 -
Enquire
-
Call Us
Free Phone: 0800 610 1522
Landline: 0203 519 2630 -
Enquire
