Ras Al Khaimah Holidays

Jais Flight is the headline adrenaline experience on Jebel Jais in Ras Al Khaimah. The 2.83 kilometre route is recognised as the world’s longest zipline, carrying riders above deep ravines and jagged mountain terrain at speeds of up to around 150 km/h.

Jais Sky Tour takes a more varied route across Jebel Jais in Ras Al Khaimah, using a series of six shorter ziplines rather than one long flight. It is still fast and scenic, with platforms suspended high across the mountain landscape.

Jais Sledder adds a different kind of speed to Jebel Jais in Ras Al Khaimah. Riders sit low on a mountain coaster that follows the contours of the slopes, reaching up to 40 km/h while the Hajar scenery rushes past.

Hiking on Jebel Jais gives Ras Al Khaimah a real mountain adventure edge. Trails range from shorter walks to more demanding routes, with rocky ridges, steep slopes and broad Hajar views. Cooler months are the most comfortable time to tackle them.

Canyoning and other mountain activities offer a more challenging side to Ras Al Khaimah. Wadi Shawka is a popular setting for canyoning, hiking and mountain biking through rocky terrain.

Wadi Shawka is one of Ras Al Khaimah’s most accessible hiking areas, with routes ranging from family friendly walks to tougher climbs. Trails around Shawka Dam lead into rocky hills and viewpoints, and cooler months are far better suited to longer hikes.

Mangrove kayaking puts you right inside Ras Al Khaimah’s quieter coastal landscape. Paddling from the city waterfront, you can move through calm channels and look for flamingos, cormorants, fish and other wildlife, with sightings changing naturally by season.

A desert safari heads into Ras Al Khaimah’s dunes for a four-wheel-drive ride across the sand. Many trips also include sunset stops, camel rides and time at a desert camp.

Hot air ballooning offers wide views across Ras Al Khaimah’s desert, with early morning flights passing over dunes where wildlife such as oryx, camels and desert foxes may be spotted. 

Sandboarding turns Ras Al Khaimah’s desert dunes into a natural playground. After reaching a suitable slope, riders slide down the sand on boards before climbing back for another run. It is simple, energetic and easy to combine with a desert safari.

Snorkelling and scuba diving offer a different view of Ras Al Khaimah’s coastline, with trips taking visitors to reefs and waters where colourful fish and other marine life can be seen. 

Watersports are widely available along Ras Al Khaimah’s resort coastline, with options including parasailing, jet skiing, waterskiing, wakeboarding, kayaking and boat cruises. It is an easy way to add activity to a beach stay without travelling far from the main resorts.

Horse riding through the desert offers a quieter way to experience Ras Al Khaimah beyond the resorts. Guided routes cross sandy terrain where riders may spot oryx, camels, desert foxes and other wildlife while learning more about the surrounding environment.

Mountain adventure camps on Jebel Jais in Ras Al Khaimah mix physical challenges with practical outdoor skills. Depending on the programme, groups can try ropes courses, mountain biking, archery and survival exercises under the guidance of experienced mountain instructors.

Scenic flights from Jazirah Aviation Club reveal Ras Al Khaimah from above, crossing its coast, desert and mountains in one sweep. The experience works especially well for visitors who want the scale of the emirate’s landscapes without committing to a long ground excursion.

Human settlement in Ras Al Khaimah stretches back around 7,000 years. Neolithic Ubaid pottery points to early communities that farmed and hunted in a greener landscape, while freshwater lakes and grasslands once supported ways of life very different from today.

Bronze Age communities left burial cairns and chambers across Ras Al Khaimah, along with evidence of farming, fishing, crafts and hunting. Imported pottery fragments from regions now in India and Pakistan also suggest that long distance trade was already part of local life.

By the Iron Age, communities in Ras Al Khaimah were building stronger fortifications and using more sophisticated irrigation. Better water management supported larger settlements, while the exchange of ideas and technology helped shape communities around the coast, plains and mountain foothills.

Julfar grew into one of the region’s important trading ports around 700 years ago. Its prosperity was closely tied to pearls and maritime trade, and archaeological finds, including Chinese ceramics, show how widely merchants and goods moved through Ras Al Khaimah.

Dhayah became a defining site in Ras Al Khaimah’s later history during the 1819 conflict between local tribes and British forces. The present mud brick fort dates from the nineteenth century, though the hill itself had been used for settlement and defence much earlier.

Ras Al Khaimah has four places on UNESCO’s World Heritage Tentative List: the Cultural Landscape of Dhayah, the pearl trading town of Jazirat Al Hamra, the trading town of Julfar and Shimal. Tentative status is recognition for possible future World Heritage nomination.

Flamingo Beach is an easy place to spend a slower day in Ras Al Khaimah. The wide sandy shore has clear water, plenty of space, parking, washrooms and a few places for food, making it simple without feeling overdeveloped.

Longbeach Campground turns a beach stay into a full day of things to do. Alongside its private stretch of sand, guests can use pools, play outdoor games, try watersports, watch films at the open air cinema or book time at the spa.

The RAK Corniche is especially enjoyable in winter, when greater flamingos can often be seen around the city’s mangroves. It is an easy wildlife stop without needing a full excursion, and the waterfront setting makes it pleasant for an unhurried walk.

Al Hamra Mall offers a convenient break from beaches and mountain activities, with shops, restaurants and indoor entertainment all in one place.

A desert evening mixes scenery with relaxed entertainment once the dune driving is over. Many experiences continue with a barbecue dinner beneath the stars, live performances, henna and camel rides, making the night feel more social than purely adventurous.

Suwaidi Pearl Farm gives a close look at Ras Al Khaimah’s long pearling tradition. Trips begin by traditional boat from Al Rams, followed by stories of pearl divers, old techniques and oyster cultivation. A live oyster opening gives the visit a memorable finish.

Falconry has deep roots in Emirati life, once closely linked with hunting and now preserved as a respected cultural tradition. In Ras Al Khaimah, expert demonstrations show the birds in flight while explaining the care, skill and bond behind the practice.

Desert camps offer a more grounded introduction to Bedouin traditions than a quick photo stop. Evenings can include camel rides, traditional food, poetry around the fire and cultural performances, giving visitors a sense of how desert hospitality developed across generations.

Mohammed Bin Salem Mosque is one of Ras Al Khaimah’s oldest traditional buildings and an important link with the emirate’s religious heritage. Archaeological work has revealed an earlier mosque beneath the present structure, adding another layer to the site’s long story.

Camp 1770 brings Emirati mountain culture into the setting that shaped it. Visitors can share a traditional meal, hear local stories around the campfire and stay for sunrise over the Hajar Mountains, with breakfast prepared by local tribeswomen.

Traditional crafts remain part of Ras Al Khaimah’s cultural identity, from woven textiles and handmade goods. Kuwaiti Souq is a good place to browse traditional products, textiles and locally styled gifts. 

Held from January to February, the festival turns Al Jazeera Al Hamra Heritage Village into an open-air gallery. Local and international artists exhibit across the historic setting, alongside film screenings, workshops, live performances and heritage tours.

Taking place each February, the Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon draws elite runners and amateur athletes to Al Marjan Island. Its flat coastal course is known for quick race times, while shorter distances open the event to runners of different abilities.

Usually held from mid-December into early January, the UAE Awafi Festival brings desert sport and Emirati traditions together in the red dunes of Awafi. Dune competitions, heritage displays, local food and family activities are all part of the programme.

Usually held during winter, often in December, RAK Eats brings restaurants and food vendors together at Manar Mall Promenade. Visitors can try local and international dishes while enjoying live cooking, entertainment and family activities.

Every 31 December, Ras Al Khaimah welcomes the new year with large-scale celebrations around Al Marjan Island and Al Hamra. Fireworks, drone displays and waterfront entertainment draw some of the emirate’s biggest crowds of the year.