Ras al Khaimah

Ras Al Khaimah is the northernmost emirate in the UAE, wedged between the Persian Gulf and the Hajar Mountains. For years it stayed in the shadow of Dubai and Abu Dhabi, but lately it's been building a tourism industry of its own: new beach resorts, a mountain destination on Jebel Jais — the country's highest peak — and noticeably lower prices than its neighbours.

Beyond the beaches, Ras Al Khaimah draws visitors keen on mountain activities: Jebel Jais is home to the world's longest zipline, along with trekking and mountain-biking trails, and winter evenings up there are noticeably cooler than on the coast.

What to see

Jebel Jais peak has viewing platforms, the Jebel Jais Flight zipline, and mountain roads with views over the desert and the gulf. The old town on the Al Hamra peninsula is an abandoned historic quarter with early-20th-century house ruins. The beaches along the coast are noticeably less crowded than Dubai's, and resort hotels here more often have their own stretch of shore.

Best time to visit

Season runs October to April, with comfortable daytime temperatures of +25…+32°C on the coast and noticeably cooler air up on Jebel Jais. Peak season is December to February. In summer, June to September, the coast gets hot and humid, though the mountains are easier to bear thanks to the altitude.

How to get there

Ras Al Khaimah International (RKT) has a growing number of direct flights from Europe and the CIS, mostly with low-cost carriers. The alternative is to fly into Dubai and drive or take a transfer (about 1-1.5 hours from DXB).

Visa requirements depend on your nationality — check the official ICP UAE website for the current rules before you travel.

Getting around the city

There's no metro or well-developed public transport in Ras Al Khaimah — it's taxis or a rental car. For trips up to Jebel Jais a car is practically essential: there's no public transport up the mountain, and it's about an hour's drive from the coastal hotels to the mountain viewpoints.