I love a getaway from Dubai and even more when you go to find something a little more alternative and authentic. Besides, the emirate of Ras al Khaimah has mountains, green valleys and some abandoned villages that make you dream of life before the oil boom. So, it is a destination to include in a trip to the UAE.
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The emirate of Ras al Khaimah
Ras al Khaimah (رأس الخيمة) is one of the seven emirates that constitute the United Arab Emirates. It is located in the north of the country and borders Oman.
The emirate of Ras al Khaimah is quite different from the modernity and luxury of Dubai or Abu Dhabi and therein lies its appeal. It is a perfect day trip from Dubai by renting a car.
How to get to Ras al Khaimah
The best way to get to Ras al Khaimah from Dubai is by road. If you can, it is worth renting a car because most attractions are on the outskirts of the city. Neither public transport nor cabs are very practical.
You leave Dubai on the E311 road or the E11 if you want to make a stop at Umm al Quwain. Then you have to follow the E11 heading north parallel to the sea to Ras al Khaimah. The road to Jebel Jais is well signposted.
Things to see and do in Ras al Khaimah
The must-see sights in Ras al Khaimah are in the surrounding area. The city itself has the typical attractions of a modern Emirati city.
The Ras al Khaimah National Museum is perhaps the most interesting place from a heritage point of view, but having seen the ones in Sharjah and Dubai, I find it can be a bit repetitive.
The haunted village of Al Jazirah Al Hamra
This fishing village is one of the few places with a history that has not been fully restored. It was abandoned in the 60s and the houses have been degraded to the point of revealing the corals with which the bricks were made. In the absence of adobe…
There are some buildings that are being repaired, such as the mosque and a house that is completely renovated. However, you can still walk through the streets full of vegetation, enter the unroofed houses and observe the different shapes of the corals. For me, it was a wonderful moment of the trip to the Emirates.
It is well signposted along the road from Umm al Quwain to Ras al Khaimah. Just follow the sign, Al Jazirah al Hamra Heritage Village. However, Google Maps sends you along a road closer to the sea that involves a stretch of dirt road in good condition. Both can be done with any vehicle.
Entrance to the village is free. There are some restricted areas for security reasons.
Climb to Dhayah Fort
Dhayah is a strategic point overlooking some water-rich areas near the Al Hajar Mountains. It was an area of settlement as early as the Neolithic period and has continued to the present day. The mountains were a safe haven and in the wadis it was possible to grow crops, so it was a prosperous area.
The Dhayah fort is a small fortification on a 60-meter promontory. You have to climb about 200 steps and the views are breathtaking. You will have a 360 degree panoramic view of the sea, the plantations and the mountains.
The ascent is by stairs in good condition, but it is advisable to bring water because there is nothing to buy on site. There is a small hotel in front if you need a break.
Access is free, there are toilets and parking for cars.
Ghalilah and the border with Oman
This area is not very attractive from a heritage point of view. However, all the villages have a portion of wadi with groundwater that allows the cultivation of date palms. In my case, I went as far as Ghalilah to see the sea and the plantations. Be warned: there is a cement plant nearby that can be heard from the village.
There is also an excursion across the border to the Musandam fjords. This organized activity allows you to enter Omani territory without any problems. It includes transportation, meals, snorkeling and with luck you will be able to see dolphins. To complete it you need to stay a little longer in Ras al Khaimah.
The Jebel Jais experience
After visiting Ras al Khaimah you have to climb the highest mountain in the United Arab Emirates. The Jebal Jais is 1934 meters and is located between Ras al Khaimah and Oman. It is part of the Al Hajar mountain range.
The road up from the city is surprisingly lively. Many Emiratis come to the alluvial valleys, picnicking in the wadis, especially on weekends. Sitting on the side of the road on a rocky floor doesn’t seem very bucolic, but at least it’s cool.
As we ascend the road, we pass through some picturesque villages perched on the mountains. It seems incredible that anyone could live in such an inhospitable place.
In the final stretch there are several free parking lots with views of the valley and the peaks. Surprisingly, in many of them there are families camped for the day or night.
Even more surprising is that at the top there is a zip line, the largest in the world, and a kind of vintage roller coaster.
If what you like is the scenery, I recommend that you access the Observation Deck which costs 5 dirhams and offers beautiful views of the sunset over the Persian Gulf. It also has a good cafeteria and toilets.
Where to eat in Ras al Khaimah
The restaurant that was recommended to me is at the entrance to the city coming from Dubai. It is called Madfoon AlSadda and it was truly a local experience.
You can choose to eat in the private spaces or in the dining room. Both places are covered with traditional fabrics.
Emirati cuisine is served and as a particularity, they have goat cooked underground with a local technique (Madfoon mutton). There are also options of chicken and fish marinated with spices, highly recommended.
The main course is served with a complimentary meat soup, a spicy tomato sauce and fragrant rice. There is no bread or the typical mezze of Middle Eastern restaurants.
How to plan your day trip to Ras al Kahimah
- Start the journey at 9 am from Dubai (approx. 1.5 hours). You can take the opportunity to stop in the small emirate of Umm al-Quwain which has large mangroves intact.
- At 11.30 am you can already be in the abandoned village of Al Jazirah Al Hamra. The walk takes about half an hour.
- Have lunch at the Madfoon al Sadda restaurant.
- Continue north along the coast to the Rams where pearl fishing used to take place, and you can already see the mountains and the sea.
- Climb up to Dhayah fort and enjoy the view of the sea, the mountains and the thousands of palm trees.
- At 16 h maximum, you have to start the ascent to Jebel Jais. The road is in good condition, but it takes an hour if you make stops to appreciate the views. There are several free parking lots, but the Jebel Jais Observation Deck is the best for the views and services and costs 5 dirhams.
If you want to enjoy the mountain’s attractions, such as the world’s largest zip line or a fantastic roller coaster, you should arrive much earlier.
Alternative activities to climbing Jebel Jais:
- Excursion to a pearl farm in Al Rams.
- Afternoon in the desert of Ras al Khaimah and visit to a camel farm.
Two days in Ras al Khaimah
A second day in Ras al Khaimah is necessary if you want to camp in Jebel Jais. On weekdays the place is more or less quiet, but I don’t recommend it on weekends.
Another very attractive activity involves entering Oman. The end of the Al Hajar Mountains closes the Persian Gulf with a peculiar formation of desert fjords. As you have to cross the border of this small portion of Omani territory, entry is not allowed unless you have contracted an activity with a local agency.
The excursion from Ras al Khaimah to the Musandam Fjords includes a boat trip, lunch, coffee, snorkeling and allows you to see the spectacular scenery of the fjords and often also swim with dolphins.
Do you want to plan a trip on your own?
These are some tools to help you prepare for your travel from home. Leave your questions in the comment section below and I will get back to you. It’s just about time to start planning your next holidays!
PROFESSIONAL ETHICS. This post contains some affiliate links.
These links allow you to follow my recommendations and book them, and provide a little commission. Thus, you help keep this travel blog ad-free at no extra cost to you.
