10 Tourist Attractions in Ras Al-Khaimah

Ras Al-Khaimah is many Dubai-locals' top escape from the city. The United Arab Emirates' most northern region, Ras Al-Khaimah is backed by the mighty Hajar Mountains, which roll down to the shore dramatically making this a great base for exploring and sightseeing in a rugged area. Historically, this region is very important with archaeological excavations here revealing that this area has been inhabited since the 3rd millennium BC. The Ras Al-Khaimah National Museum does an excellent job of explaining this long-reaching history.

Although much of the city is modern, the wonderfully atmosphericJazirat al-Hamra area is a major tourist attraction as it gives a taste of the peaceful Emirati life of the pearl divers and fishermen before the mid-20th century oil boom.

1.Ras Al-Khaimah National Museum

The Ras Al-Khaimah National Museum is located in a fort that was the residence of the ruling family up until the early 1960s. The museum houses an excellent collection of archaeological and ethnological artifacts. The Qawasim Room on the 1st floor is particularly interesting with a collection of documents, manuscripts and treaties between the rulers of Ras Al-Khaimah and Great Britain. There are also exhibits of traditional weapons belonging to the ruling family, and archaeological displays about the earliest settlers in the area up to the late Islamic period. The museum's ethnographic section introduces traditional life in the emirate, including architecture, pearl diving, date growing, farming and fishing.

Hours: Wed-Mon 10am-5pm

Admission: Adult 3DH, Child 2DH

2.Dhayah Fort

This 16th century mud-brick fort was built in a strategic hilltop position facing the gulf. As a defensive military tower, the Dhayah Fort played an important role in the history of Ras Al-Khaimah. Other ruined fortifications and watchtowers can be seen to the south of the hill. A battle in 1891 between the emirate and British forces resulted in the destruction of much of the fortifications here.

3. Ras Al-Khaimah Pearl Museum

Pearl diving was once one of Ras Al-Khaimah's major industries and this museum does a good job of explaining the dangerous job. Pearl diving equipment is on display as well as information about how pearl harvesting played a major role in the emirate's economy. Upstairs is a collection of the beautiful pearls.

Hours: Sat-Thur 10am-6pm

Admissioin: Adult 15DH, Child 10DH

4.Jazirat al-Hamra

This abandoned fishing village, just outside Ras Al-Khamah city, has been left to slowly decay with its traditional coral-block architecture now a reminder of the simple local life before the oil boom. The Emirati inhabitants here would have made their living out from pearl diving and fishing, but the villagers all left in the 1960s and the dry desert climate has helped preserve the buildings. It gives the whole place a lost-in-time atmosphere.

5. Khatt Springs

Khatt Springs is an area of mineral-rich hot pools, where the water is noted for its relaxing and therapeutic properties. The resort lies amid a palm-tree strewn oasis, backed by mountains. The healthy waters are a top get-away-from-it-all draw for locals as well as tourists.

As well as soaking your cares away in one of the steaming pools, the surrounding area is home to approximately 170 archaeological sites. Items uncovered in the area by excavating archaeologists include prehistoric tombs and 19th century mud-brick fortification towers, pointing to the long and continuous settlement of this area.

6. Hajar Mountains

The rugged and raw Hajar Mountains dominate the Ras Al-Khaimah scenery and create a beautiful area to head out into nature on a day trip. The surrounding desert has ever changing rust-coloured sand dunes, while in the mountains the awe-inspiring jagged landscapes are the kind of big-sky country that most visitors don't expect to find in the United Arab Emirates. The Hajar are of tremendous interest to geologists as they have the world's greatest surface exposure of ophiolites (igneous rock from the oceanic crust). The highest point in the mountains (and in the country) is Jabal Yibir (Yiber Mountain) standing at 1,537 m.

7. Shimal

North of Ras al-Khaimah city, near the Hajar Mountains, the little village of Shimal is the site of several hundred pre-Islamic tombs and a settlement that has been dated from 2000-1300 BC. The area is one of the most important archaeological sites in the United Arab Emirates, though visitors will probably have to be avid history-lovers to appreciate the site. Pottery, stone vessels, weapons made of bronze and copper, and beads have all been uncovered from archaeological digs. One of the most important discoveries here was a large circular tomb from the Umm al-Nar period. The small Islamic era Husn al-Shimal Fort is perched on a rock outcrop above and offers a good view of the entire area.

8. Saqr Park

A favourite of local families as well as visitors, Saqr Park was Ras Al-Khaimah's first amusement park. It's the perfect place for kids to run wild for a few hours with a roller-coaster and Big Splash Ride to keep them entertained.

9. Iceland Water Park

Newer than Saqr Park, Iceland Water Park is heaven on a scorching hot day with an Arctic theme for its rides. If you don't fancy the bustle, steer clear of weekend days when the park is packed with families all trying to escape the heat.