RAS AL KHAIMAH TOURISM | PLACES TO VISIT & TOUR PACKAGES (2024)
City
About Ras Al Khaimah
Country: United Arab Emirates
#100 of 6 Places to visit in United Arab Emirates
Ideal Trip Duration: Full Day
Nearest City to Ras Al Khaimah: Ras Al Khaimah, Dubai (92 Kms)
Best Time to Visit Ras Al Khaimah: October to March
Peak Season: December to February
At a distance of 72 km from Ajman, 75 km from Sharjah, 89 km from Fujairah, 92 km from Dubai, and 224 km from Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) is one of the seven emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Also transliterated as Ras al-Khaimah, the city of Ras Al Khaimah is the capital of the emirate and among the most scenic destinations to visit as part of the Dubai Packages.
Ras Al Khaimah is located in the UAE's northernmost region and is a famous weekend escape place for the neighboring Dubai people as the emirate offers quiet and pristine beaches, as well as mountains with scenic views of the emirate. Located in the east of the Arabian Gulf, Ras Al Khaimah literally means 'the peak of the tent'. The emirate borders Oman's exclave of Musandam and occupies part of the same peninsula. It covers an area of 2,486 sq. km and has 64 km of beach coastline.
Inhabited since the 3rd millennium BC, Ras Al Khaimah is the new name of the emirate - it used to be known as Julfar over the ages. Historical documents say that Julfar was located in the Shamal area and occupied by the Azdan Arabian tribe. In the early 18th century, Al Qawasim (the current ruling tribe of the emirate) set up base in Ras Al Khaimah. However, the British naval force launching an invasion and gaining control of vast areas of the emirate with a view to putting an end to the maritime influence of powers such as Al Qawasim tribe in the early 19th century. Like the rest of the emirates, Ras Al Khaimah signed the General Maritime Treaty with Britain in 1822. Later in 1972, Sheikh Saqr bin Mohammad al Qasimi joined Ras Al Khaimah to the United Arab Emirates.
Without the presence of oil fields, Ras Al-Khaimah has evolved itself as a prominent business hub by encouraging innovation, dynamism and entrepreneur culture. It has one of the most diverse economies in the Gulf Cooperation Council region, with no one area exceeding more than 20% of total GDP. The main economic sectors are real estate, building materials, and the pharma industry. Ras Al Khaimah is considered the largest producer of cement in the country and also the largest ceramics producer in the world.
Offering magnificent landscapes, breathtaking coastlines, and rich desert planes, the emirate has firmly established itself as one of the most authentic destinations in the Middle East. With year-long sunshine and 64 kilometers of white sandy beaches, just 45 minutes from the busy metropolis of Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah offers an entirely unique experience from its neighboring emirates. Ras Al-Khaimah Beach, Ras Al-Khaimah National Museum, Dhayah Fort, Jazirat al-Hamra, Khatt Springs, Shimal, Ras Al Khaimah Pearl Museum, Ras al-Khaimah Zoo, Saqr Park, Al Sawan Race Track, and Jebel Jais are the top places to visit Ras Al Khaimah.
The Ras Al Khaimah culture mainly revolves around the religion of Islam and traditional Arab culture. Ramadan and Eid Al Adha are the main religious festival celebrated in Ras Al Khaimah. Besides, the city also celebrates many, festivals like the UAE Awafi Festival, Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon, United Arab Emirates' National Day and Ras Al Khaimah Fine Arts Festival. The objective behind these events was to propagate the local culture in Sharjah and also to attract tourists.
Ras Al Khaimah International Airport (RKT) offers cargo and passenger services to a variety of destinations covering the Middle East, North East Africa, Central Asia, the Indian Subcontinent and Europe. It serves as a hub for low-cost carrier Air Arabia. Other airport options are Sharjah (75 km), Dubai (92 km) and Abu Dhabi (224 km). Ras Al Khaimah is connected to the other emirates by taxis and buses which embark from the Bus station located at RAK Transport Authority Headquarters. One can move around by local buses and metered taxis within Ras Al Khaimah.
October - March is the best time to visit Ras Al Khaimah while December-February is the peak tourist season owing to its comfortable weather and low humidity. The summer months of May-August are all about scorching heat and humidity with temperature scale going up to 45 degrees Celsius. Escalation of heat and humidity makes it uncomfortable for outdoor activities and sightseeing during this time. Besides, strictly avoid visiting Ras Al Khaimah during Ramadan as most of the places are closed.
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