Ras Al Khaimah National Museum, Ras Al Khaimah - Timings, Entry Fee, History & Artifacts

At a distance of 24 km from Ras Al Khaimah International Airport, the Ras Al-Khaimah National Museum is a museum located on Al Hisn Road in the Old Town area of Ras Al Khaimah city, UAE. It is one of the popular museums in UAE and among the must-visit places in Ras Al Khaimah.

The Ras Al-Khaimah National Museum is situated in a fort called ' Late Fort'. The fort served as the residence of the ruling Quwasim family until 1964, when the late Ruler, H.H. Sheikh Saqr Bin Mohammed al-Qasimi, moved to a modern building in Mamoura. Later it became a police headquarters and a prison before it was finally converted into the National Museum in 1987. Reflecting on an eventful history, it has been continuously enlarged over time, displaying a rich diversity of traditional architecture. Today the 'Late Fort ' exhibits historical, ethnographical and archaeological material relating to the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah and provides an interesting insight into the history and traditions of this area.

The 'Late Fort' or the museum building was originally constructed from coral stone, a fossil building material originating from the sea. It is an interesting conglomerate of two-storey buildings surrounding a central courtyard. The big rectangular tower is the most impressive feature and a smaller tower occupies the opposite corner. Another prominent building in the complex is the wind tower, representing the traditional air conditioning of the past. Its open sides are designed to catch the breeze from any direction and funnel it down into the room below keeping it cool and ventilated, especially during hot summer months.

A must-visit for history enthusiasts, the museum houses an excellent collection of archaeological and ethnological artifacts. The Qawasim Room on the first 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, as well as 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.

Timings: 10 AM - 5 PM from Wednesday - Monday, 3 PM - 7.30 PM on Friday, Closed on Tuesday

Entry: AED. 5 for Adults & AED. 2 for Children