Ras Al Khaimah: description of a resort in the UAE. Distance from Ras Al Khaimah Airport to Fujairah Ras Al Khaimah Airport - technical functionality and equipment

Ras Al Khaimah Airport International Airport) - international Airport, located in the emirate of Ras al-Khaimah, 23 km southwest of the central part of the city of the same name.

Ras Al Khaimah Airport is the hub for the UAE's low cost carrier Air Arabia.

Passenger terminals of Ras Al Khaimah airport

Ras Al Khaimah Airport has two passenger terminal- the main terminal where check-in for flights takes place, the main service zones and control zones are located. The second terminal is designed to serve arriving passengers.

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One of the most modern airports in the United Arab Emirates is Ras Al Khaimah International Airport. It is located just half an hour from the center of the main city of the Emirate. The airport can be reached by taxi or public bus. With only 200,000 passengers a year, Ras Al Khaimah Airport is considered one of the smallest in the Emirates.
The modern amenities of the airport building make for a pleasant stay. This applies to arriving and departing passengers. There is an absolute ban on smoking at the airport, but you can smoke in designated areas. Wi-Fi is available throughout Ras Al Khaimah International Airport free of charge. This, of course, allows you to pass the waiting time in the arrival or departure hall.

Safety

Security at Ras Al Khaimah Airport is provided by a police station that operates day and night. If you do not find your luggage upon arrival, then you need to go to a special office located near the baggage claim area.
Wheelchairs are available at the airport for disabled passengers. In addition, they are equipped with toilets and elevators. In case of health problems, you can count on an ambulance right at the airport, and in serious cases, the victim can be quickly taken to a nearby hospital.

Shop Duty Free

On the first floor of the airport there is a 24-hour restaurant under open sky. In addition to international cuisine, the menu also offers local dishes.
There is a shop at the airport duty free, which offers a wide range of different products such as cosmetics, cigarettes or alcoholic beverages. Every passenger can use the services of this shop, as it is open 24 hours a day. There are also several shops at the airport where you can buy souvenirs before you leave.

Which airlines fly to Ras Al Khaimah

From Ras Al Khaimah International Airport, you can get to some places in the Middle East. Air Arabia and Qatar Airways are the only airlines that offer flights to this airport. From Ras Al Khaimah you can fly, for example, to the city of Muscat in Oman.
By the way, Qatar Airways offers flights to Ras Al Khaimah from Moscow with a transfer in Doha. True, in 2017, flights between Qatar and the UAE were suspended due to a boycott declared by some Muslim countries on Qatar.

Fuel consumption between - Ras Al Khaimah International Airport (RKT) - Ras Al Khaimah - United Arab Emirates - Fujairah - United Arab Emirates

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Airports around Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates (Ras_Al_Khaimah, United_Arab_Emirates)

The nearest airport to the city is Ras Al Khaimah (RKT). The airport can serve both local and international flights. Located just in 13 km from downtown Ras Al Khaimah.

The second most remote airport is Khasab (KHS). The airport also serves international and local flights. Distance from the center of the city of Ras al-Khaimah - 61.02 km.

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Distance from you to the airport "Ras Al Khaimah (RKT)", the nearest city to Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates is km. A direct flight will take approx.

Fujairah Emirate Tour from Ras Al Khaimah

Let's get acquainted, my name is Murat. I have been living in the UAE for 15 years, of which 10 years I have been working as a guide, I have a license from the Dubai Ministry of Tourism. I live in Fujairah.
I offer individual and exclusive trips around the UAE in a comfortable Chevrolet Tahoe 4 × 4 Z71 jeep. Trips are held at a convenient time for you and with a convenient slope for you from shopping tours and excursions to extreme rides in the desert. During the tour you will get all the information you need from history and its traditions, customs to the modern way of life in the country.

All additional wishes on the program of excursions are taken into account).

How to get from Ras Al Khaimah United Arab Emirates to Fujairah United Arab Emirates

It takes 22 minutes by taxi from node Ras al-Khaimah to Ras al Khaimah station. Distance 24 km. Taxi fare is around 13–16 EUR

Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah

You have chosen two cities for comparison, in order to see the weather separately for each city or resort, just follow the links Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates and Fujairah, United Arab Emirates. You can also calculate the distance between Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah with our distance calculator, which can navigate between cities.

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Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah in the UAE

Ras Al Khaimah is the northernmost emirate in the UAE, nestled between the picturesque Hajar Mountains to the east and the Persian Gulf to the west. Now Ras al-Khaimah is actively developing the tourism industry and is becoming an increasingly popular destination among Russians. In this article, we will talk about the pros and cons of relaxing in the hotels of Ras al-Khaimah, and we will talk in detail about the emirate itself.

The emirate of Ras al-Khaimah is difficult to single out among the rest, the area is 1,684 sq. km., this is the 4th place among the 7 emirates of the country. The population in 2017 is about 300,000 people, this is the 5th place among the emirates.

The capital of the emirate is the city of Ras al-Khaimah, where 90% of the population lives. The emirate is divided into two almost equal territories. The first is the main part in the north with the capital on the coast.

The second is the southern part, almost without a population, there are only a few villages. The emirate includes several islands in the Persian Gulf.

The city of Ras al-Khaimah is conditionally divided by the bay into two parts. The western part is called Old Ras Al Khaimah, the eastern part is called Nakheel.

The name is often shortened to the abbreviation RAK, it's easier that way. Moreover, this occurs even in postal addresses and official names companies.

The name is translated from Arabic as "cape of small huts". Distance from Ras Al Khaimah Airport to Fujairah, distance? This was the name of the coast in connection with the developed fishing and the abundance of fishing villages.

About 100,000 Arab citizens of the country live here, that is, 30% of the population of the emirate. This is a record high concentration citizens among all emirates, usually only 10%. Read more about this in our article "Population of the UAE".

On February 17, 2006, the name of the emirate of Ras al-Khaimah "thundered" in the news around the world. Space Adventures has announced that it will build the world's first spaceport here for the needs of space tourism. The project budget is 265 million US dollars.

The project was never implemented.

Despite the location in the north of the country, the weather and the beach season here are the same as in the rest of the emirates. Read more in our article "Weather and season in the UAE".

There is no system in the city public transport. Buses only go to other emirates and other towns and villages in Ras Al Khaimah. You will have to travel around the city by taxi, which can be expensive for tourists' wallets.

Read more in our review "Taxi prices in the UAE".

Some websites write that there is no prohibition in Ras al-Khaimah. We don't know who invented it, but don't believe it. In fact, the use of alcoholic beverages in public places is punishable by a fine or even imprisonment, article "Violation of public morality." Being in a public place while intoxicated is punishable under the same article.

Read more in our UAE Laws article.

Alcohol is allowed in hotel bars. There are several liquor stores in the city. The most popular with tourists: Al Hamra Cellar, JMK Cellars, The Cellars RAK, African + Eastern.

Read more in our article "Alcohol in the United Arab Emirates".

You can see the prices for holidays in any search engine for tours, since there are a lot of them on the Internet now. If you look for tours in the UAE, then Ras al-Khaimah will not be the cheapest option, in the emirate of Dubai you can find hotels even cheaper.

The advantage is not the price. If you compare tours to 4 star hotels in Ras Al Khaimah and Dubai, then the prices will be comparable. The question is what is offered for this money.

In Dubai, this inexpensive 4-star hotel will be located far from the sea (somewhere in Deira or Bur Dubai), you will have to take a taxi or bus to the beach. In Ras Al Khaimah, a 4-star hotel for the same price will be on the 1st beach line.

In the photo next to the hotel Bin Majid Beach Hotel 4*, click on the photo to enlarge. The hotel has its own beach, first line. At the time of writing, a tour for 2 people for 7 days costs $900.

For such a price, a hotel with a beach is definitely not to be found in Dubai.

The emirate of Ras Al Khaimah has its own big water park, it's called Ice land Waterpark. That is, there is already one quality entertainment for children.

In addition, a visit to the Ice land Waterpark will cost much less than the water parks in Dubai. A ticket to Ice land for an adult visitor costs 175 AED. For comparison, a ticket to Wild Wadi Park in Dubai will cost 295 dirhams, and to Aquaventure Waterpark - 260 dirhams.

See the current exchange rate of the Emirati currency in our review “Currency United Arab Emirates».

Tourists in the UAE first of all want to see the sights of Dubai: Dubai Fountains, Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall. From Ras Al Khaimah to go to Dubai is long and expensive, the distance is more than 100 kilometers.

Taking a taxi is very expensive. You can take a bus, they follow every hour from Ras al Khaimah Bus Station in the city center, it takes 1.5-2 hours to get to Dubai, the ticket costs 25 dirhams. Add here the cost of a taxi to get from the hotel to the bus station, and you get a very unpleasant amount.

A little help. On this bus you can get to the emirates: Umm al-Qaiwain (10 dirhams), Ajman (15 dirhams) and Sharjah (25 dirhams). Buses run from 7 am to 8 pm.

Some hotels run their own buses to Dubai, usually twice a day - in the morning and in the evening. The trip on such a bus is either free for all hotel guests, or the price is included in the system All Inclusive. Read about other benefits of AI in our article "All Inclusive in the United Arab Emirates".

Always check the timetable at the hotel reception.

Ras Al Khaimah is perfect for those tourists who have already been to Dubai and seen all its sights. Then you can concentrate on local interesting tourist places, which we will discuss at the end of this article.

Ras Al Khaimah has its own international airport called Ras Al Khaimah International Airport (code: RKT). The airport is small. Two terminals for passengers, one runway strip 3760 meters long.

It is located 20 kilometers south of the city.

Charter flights arrive here with tourists from European countries, but not from Russia. In theory, Russian airline Ural Airlines announced one flight here from Domodedovo, but at the time of this writing, these flights are not operating (note: the article was written in 2017).

By the way, the emirate has its own airline RAK Airways. They are based at the local airport and operate flights to India, Pakistan, Nepal, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. Their fleet is only 11 aircraft, the photo of the aircraft is on the right, click to enlarge.

Also Ras Al Khaimah airport is the second base for airlines Air Arabia.

Tourists arrive either at Dubai Airport and travel to hotels for 1.5-2 hours (100 kilometers), or to Sharjah Airport for 1.5 hours (85 kilometers). By the standards of the UAE, this is very long and inconvenient.

There are about 30 hotels in total. Of these, ten have 5 stars, including hotels of the famous brands Hilton, Rixos, Golden Tulip. At one time, the authorities of the emirate actively attracted hoteliers, providing preferential terms land on the coast.

Half of the hotels provide the All Inclusive system. It can be said that the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah is a pioneer in the field of work on the AI ​​system in its country.

Important point! Hotels are not concentrated in any area, but are scattered throughout the city and even beyond. Eat beach hotels, there are urban. Tours are sold in any of them.

If you want to comfortably relax on the beach, then be sure to check that the hotel of interest is a beach one.

If you are traveling on BB (breakfast only) or RO (no meals) systems, then be sure to look at the location of the hotel on Google.Maps. See that there are shops, eateries or restaurants nearby. So the rest will be much cheaper by reducing the cost of food.

Details in our review "How much money to take on vacation in the UAE".

However, in 2012, archaeologists found on the territory of the emirate of Ras al-Khaimah the remains of a settlement of the Umm al-Nar culture, which flourished in the 3-2 millennium BC. er, that is, 6-5 thousand years ago.

It is believed that then the climate was milder, these people were engaged in agriculture and cattle breeding, actively traded with Babylon. They built round stone tombs, which are now gladly shown to tourists. Unfortunately, not much remains of these tombs now, see the photo next to it, click on the photo to enlarge.

In the I millennium BC. e culture of Umm al-Nar is dying out, probably due to the deterioration of the climate. For a long time the area turns out to be almost deserted, only nomads live here. Large settlements appear during the Arab Caliphate, then there were seaports.

The city on the site of modern Ras al-Khaim was called Julfar, it was founded by Armenians who fled from Persia during the Mongol invasion. The locals made their living by fishing, cattle breeding and some agriculture. An important source of income was the extraction of pearls, which became the main export item.

In the 18th century, piracy flourished in the region, the Persian Gulf was even called the "Pirate Coast". The Al-Qasimi dynasty then ruled the entire Persian Gulf and commanded pirate fleets. The Al-Qasimi clan still rules Ras al-Khaimah and Sharjah, read about them in our article “The Seven Sheikhs of the UAE”.

In 1908, the naval Battle of Ras al-Khaimah took place, in which the British fleet almost completely destroyed the pirate fleet of the Arabs. The city was attacked by the British, many buildings were destroyed, for example, Daya Fort - now a popular local attraction.

In the 19th century, the emirs were under the threat of being conquered by the Turks, and they entered into protective treaties with Great Britain, effectively becoming colonies of the British. At this point, the region was already called the “Treaty Shore”. In exchange for protection, the Arabs had to give up piracy and the slave trade.

With Ras al-Khaimah, such an agreement was concluded in 1829.

On February 10, 1972, Sheikh Saqr bin Mohammed al-Qasimi signed an agreement on the entry of the emirate of Ras al-Khaimah into the state of the United Arab Emirates.

For a long time, the emirate's economy was based on fishing, pearling and agriculture. This is what the people of Ras al-Khaim are doing now. Tourists are offered excursions to the port, where traditional dhow boats are still produced using old technologies, you can visit the fish market and see all the variety of fish and seafood caught there, and you can buy surprisingly sweet local dates in shops.

By the way, dates are very popular among tourists as gifts from the UAE, we wrote about this in detail in the articles “What to bring from the United Arab Emirates” and “Dates in the United Arab Emirates”.

In 1920, iron ore was found in the local mountains, and the development of industry began. The first cement plant in the UAE was opened here, and the emirate is still a leader in this area. The company RAS Ceramics is famous, they produce dishes High Quality.

The company Gulf Pharmaceutical Industries (Julphar) operates here - this is the very first and largest pharmaceutical company in the Persian Gulf. Falcon Technologies International (FTI) specializes in the production of DVD and BlueRay. In 2012, Innovative Composite Engineering was founded, it deals with high-tech equipment.

Ras al-Khaimah is under active construction, commercial and residential real estate in the emirate is in great demand, including among foreign investors. New shopping and entertainment centers are being built; in 2010, the Ice Land water park was opened.

And, of course, local authorities are very actively stimulating the development of tourism. New hotels, new entertainment for tourists, new infrastructure - all this awaits us in the future.

Ras Al Khaimah is poised to become one of the top tourist destinations in the UAE. The potential for this is huge, there are 50 kilometers of almost empty coast.

Dozens of companies open every year in Ras Al Khaimah. Doing business here is very profitable, because companies do not pay any taxes or duties. By the way, individuals also do not pay taxes.

The emirate has a free trade zone called RAKEZ (RAK Economic Zone). Here it is allowed to open companies with 100% foreign authorized capital.

This is one of the prides of the emirate. It is located in the eastern part of the city, in the Al Jazeera area. There are 30 slides and a huge number of pools.

Fun is guaranteed for kids and adults, although there are no record-breaking or very extreme rides like the water parks in Dubai.

The water park is stylized under the theme "beyond the Arctic Circle" - snow, ice, penguins, polar bears and the like. On hot summer days, when the temperature is close to +40, this entourage is even refreshing.

Ticket price: For an adult (height from 1.2 meters) - 175 dirhams. For children from 0.8 to 1.2 meters tall - 110 dirhams, children up to 0.8 meters tall - free of charge.

Tourists are transported to the Ice Land water park even from Dubai and Sharjah, since the price of tickets is very low, it is more profitable to take tourists by bus for 100 kilometers than to pay for very expensive tickets to Dubai water parks.

This is an abandoned village, it is also called the "Arab ghost town". Once upon a time, sailors, fishermen and pearl merchants lived here. At the beginning of the 20th century, the pearl trade almost stopped and people left the city.

The city seemed to freeze. Here, the fortress, market, mosques and many houses remained intact. The buildings are made in traditional style, many are made of coral stone.

In Al Jazeera Al Ghamra, you can see how the inhabitants of the UAE lived before the start of oil production.

The highest peak in the United Arab Emirates is located precisely in Ras al-Khaimah, it is called Jebel Jais, the height is 1911 meters. Just below the top is equipped Observation deck. A commercial via ferrata route for climbers is open here, and a downhill zipline for daredevils is open.

The fort in the village of Daya was the last stronghold of the Arabs' defense against the British attack in the 19th century. Now the fort and the village have been turned into a big tourist attraction.

Near the village of Daya, tourists watch the burial grounds of the ancient culture of Umm al-Nar, which are already 5 thousand years old. There is a "heritage village" where you can watch a reconstruction of the traditional way of life of the Arabs of the Persian Gulf. You can climb the hill, see the fort and a beautiful view of the surroundings.

The Stairway to Heaven track is also located here. This is a mountain path with many ledges. The place is very interesting, but very dangerous, it is easy to stumble, and the path is not fenced.

In the Old City there is a market (souk), an ancient mosque and a fishing pier, where tourists are shown the process of manufacturing traditional Arab Dhow boats.

There is no oil off the coast of Ras Al Khaimah. Accordingly, there are no huge skyscrapers here, as in Dubai, people live much more modestly.

Of course, fishing and agriculture are no longer the main ones in the emirate's economy.

In 1920, iron ore was found in the local mountains, and the development of industry began. The first cement plant in the UAE was opened here, and the emirate is still a leader in this area. The company RAS Ceramics is famous, they produce high quality dishes.

The company Gulf Pharmaceutical Industries (Julphar) operates here - this is the very first and largest pharmaceutical company in the Persian Gulf. Falcon Technologies International (FTI) specializes in the production of DVD and BlueRay. In 2012, Innovative Composite Engineering was founded, it deals with high-tech equipment.

Ras al-Khaimah is under active construction, commercial and residential real estate in the emirate is in great demand, including among foreign investors. New malls are under construction.

And, of course, local authorities are very actively stimulating the development of tourism. New hotels, new entertainment for tourists, new infrastructure - all this awaits us in the future.

Ras Al Khaimah is poised to become one of the top tourist destinations in the UAE. The potential for this is huge, there are 50 kilometers of almost empty coast.

Dozens of companies open every year in Ras Al Khaimah. Doing business here is very profitable, because companies do not pay any taxes or duties. By the way, individuals also do not pay taxes. The emirate has a free trade zone called RAKEZ (RAK Economic Zone). Here it is allowed to open companies with 100% foreign authorized capital.

What to see and do for tourists

Ice Land Water Park

Closed permanently in 2018.

This is an abandoned village, it is also called the “Arab ghost town”. Once upon a time, sailors, fishermen and pearl merchants lived here. At the beginning of the 20th century, the pearl trade almost stopped and people left the city.

The city seemed to freeze. Here, the fortress, market, mosques and many houses remained intact. The buildings are traditional in style, many of them made of coral stone. In Al Jazeera Al Ghamra, you can see how the inhabitants of the UAE lived before the start of oil production.

This place is unique in the United Arab Emirates, because it is not a reconstruction, but a real untouched old Arab city.

Hajjar mountains

Located in the east of the emirate. It will also be interesting for fans mountain hikes, and real climbers.

The highest peak in the United Arab Emirates is located precisely in Ras al-Khaimah, it is called Jebel Jais, the height is 1911 meters. Just below the top there is an observation deck. A commercial via ferrata route for climbers is open here, and a downhill zipline for daredevils.

Daya fort and village

The fort in the village of Daya was the last stronghold of the Arabs' defense against the British attack in the 19th century. Now the fort and the village have been turned into a big tourist attraction.

Near the village of Daya, tourists watch the burial grounds of the ancient culture of Umm al-Nar, which are already 5 thousand years old. There is a “Heritage Village” where you can watch a reconstruction of the traditional way of life of the Arabs of the Persian Gulf. You can climb the hill, see the fort and a beautiful view of the surroundings.

The Stairway to Heaven track is also located here. This is a mountain path with many ledges. The place is very interesting, but very dangerous, it is easy to stumble, and the path is not fenced.

Old Town and National Museum

In the Old City there is a market (souk), an ancient mosque and a fishing pier, where tourists are shown the process of manufacturing traditional Arab Dhow boats.

But the main attraction of the Old City is Al-Hisn Fort, the former residence of the emirs of Ras al-Khaimah of the Al-Qasimi dynasty. The same pirate leaders that the British defeated in the 19th century rule the emirate to this day.

The fort had a police station and a prison, and in 1987 the National Museum of Ras Al Khaimah was founded. Here you can see ancient household items, dishes, clothes, weapons, valuable archaeological finds and much more.

Ticket price: 5 dirhams for an adult, children are free.

Opening hours: from 10-00 to 17-00 from September to May; from 8:00 to 12:00 and from 14:00 to 17:00 in June, July and August. The museum is closed on Tuesdays.

Shopping centers and markets

There are four main malls in the emirate: Manar Mall, RAK Mall, Al Hamra Mall and Safeer Mall. The most popular among tourists is Manar Mall, where there are about 120 shops, there is a children's Entertainment Center and cinema.

In addition to the mall, you can find entire shopping areas in the city. In the Old City is old market(Old Souq) where they sell in small shops, as is customary in Arabic tradition. Al-Nakhil is called “little India”, this is not a market, but a whole district of the city, where there are many small shops with Indian goods.

What else

And in the emirate of Ras al-Khaimah there is a camel race track, a go-kart track, golf courses and Saqr Park, where you can not only walk among the greenery, but also ride rides, electric cars, play video games.

For tourists, they arrange jeep safaris into the desert, flights to balloons, quad biking, diving and fishing.

For those who want to improve their health in Ras al-Khaimah there are hot mineral springs with water at 40 degrees. The Golden Tulip Khatt Springs Resort & Spa has three springs right on its territory.

All the sights of the emirate cannot be listed on this page, we have named only the main ones.

Good to know

So far, there have been no cases of shark attacks on tourists in Ras al-Khaimah. However, this has happened in other emirates, and the danger theoretically exists. Read our review "".

Have a nice holiday in the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, and read our interesting articles about the United Arab Emirates links below).

A real gem for lovers beach holiday in the UAE is a small emirate of Ras Al Khaimah. Here you can relax at any time of the year from January to December, and the beaches of this region are considered among the best not only in the UAE, but throughout the Middle East. Although Ras Al Khaimah has its own airport, most tourists come here through Dubai and Sharjah airports.
On this page you will find Full description resort of Ras Al Khaimah in the UAE. After reading all this information, you will have a more complete understanding of what it is.

What is the sea in Ras Al Khaimah


This emirate is not endowed with such famous attractions as Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah, so Ras Al Khaimah attracts tourists mainly for its beaches and warm sea. Rather, this resort area lies on the shores of the Persian Gulf.
Can we say that in Ras al-Khaimah the Indian Ocean? In a sense, such a statement will be true, since the Persian Gulf really belongs to the water area indian ocean, but you never heard from people who visited Sochi that they rested on the coast Atlantic Ocean, to which the Black Sea belongs.
So it would be correct to say that the emirate is washed by the Persian Gulf.

Ras Al Khaimah on the map of the UAE

Ras Al Khaimah has been part of the United Arab Emirates since 1972 and is located in the southeast of the Arabian Peninsula on the coast of the Persian Gulf. In translation, the name of the emirate means "upper part of the tent." Unlike other emirates, it is mainly characterized in the north by lush and charming vegetation, and in the south by an impressive sandy desert. The area is 1684 km. sq., which is 2.17% of the entire territory of the UAE.
At the end of 2008, Ras al-Khaimah had about 231,000 inhabitants, mostly employed in tourism, traditional trade and agriculture. The lush vegetation and favorable climate along the coast make it possible to develop extensive and fertile citrus plantations, which are irrigated with spring water from the nearby Hajar Mountains.
The landscape in the south is characterized by the large foothills and dunes of the Rub al Khali desert. Protected lagoons along the coast provide habitat for native birds and marine life and are mostly covered by mangrove forests. Tidal dams and salty meadows, similar to images of the Dead Sea, have also formed in shallow areas of the lagoons.

Story

Today's capital of Ras Al Khaimah was originally called Qawasim, after the tribe that originally founded the emirate. Qawasim made his living by piracy and used beautiful harbor as an important base for attacking merchant ships. Kawashim succeeded at the height of his power in controlling large areas of the Persian Gulf.
However, when the actions of the Kawashima pirates disrupted the British maritime trade with Oman and led to losses in trade, the British naval power attacked the emirate in 1819 and captured it. Qawasim was forced to ban the use of other sea ​​vessels in an 1820 agreement with Great Britain and give the British a protectorate over south coast Persian Gulf.
After gaining independence from Britain, Ras Al Khaimah joined the other emirates in 1971. This happened thanks to Sheikh Saqr ibn Mohammed al-Qasimi. After his death on October 27, 2010, Sheikh Saud bin Saqr al-Qasimi became the new ruler.

City of Ras Al Khaimah

Like Dubai and Sharjah, the city of Ras Al Khaimah has developed rapidly. Currently, 80 percent of the total population of the emirate lives here, which is about 200,000 people. Originally inhabited by fishermen and pirates, the city quickly developed from a small settlement on a peninsula to Big city stretching for ten kilometers.
Unlike Dubai, rather low buildings were built here, which were mixed with many trees. Therefore, the original rural character of the city has been well preserved, despite some high-rise buildings that have appeared in recent years. In addition, modern buildings and hotel facilities are built to preserve the ancient Arabic character of the city. This also applies to the largest construction project in the Emirate, Al Hamra.

Safety

Tourists do not need to worry about danger in Ras Al Khaimah. The UAE is one of the safest countries in the world. In some parts of the world, crime is a particular problem that cannot be completely ignored. This applies, for example, to pickpockets and the poor, who sometimes become aggressive. These criminals can destroy "the most beautiful days of the year".
Tourists who decide to go on vacation in the UAE do not need to worry about the listed crimes. Especially in Ras Al Khaimah, where the word "crime" is almost unknown. In this regard, the emirate is one of the regions of the world with the most low level crime. Tourists can walk here in the streets and squares at any time of the day or night without danger to life and health. The same applies to towns and villages throughout the country.
It is worth noting the fact that the Emirates always in the past and present tried to maintain neutrality and, therefore, were not involved in the big conflicts and conflicts of the Arab world.
However, some generally accepted rules should not be ignored, according to which travelers are not recommended to take into account the religious, political, cultural and social traditions of the country in their behavior. In other words, if you do not violate the laws and traditions of the UAE, then you have nothing to fear.

When is the best time to go to Ras Al Khaimah

This emirate is an ideal holiday destination at any time of the year, but most tourists come here from October to April, when temperatures in Russia and Europe are still not very high. When temperatures drop below freezing in Russia in winter, Ras Al Khaimah enjoys pleasant summer weather. Between November and mid-March, daily temperatures range from 25 to 32°C. At night they can drop to 14°C or even lower. The water temperature at this time is 22-26°C. large quantity rainfall in a subtropical arid climate region is not to be expected, so you get a certain guarantee of good weather with plenty of sunshine. According to statistics, in winter there are on average about two rainy days. However, this does not mean that it is all raining - as a rule, everything is limited to a short rain. If you go to Ras al Khaimah in winter, you can sunbathe under the warm sun when friends and acquaintances are freezing at home.
The period from May to September is characterized by the fact that at this time the temperature often rises above 40 ° C. Due to the heat, this season is considered low, which makes traveling to Ras Al Khaimah cheaper than at other times of the year.

Ras Al Khaimah cannot boast of having world famous attractions such as Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall, Dubai Fountains, Burj Al Arab, Atlantis, Great Mosque. Nevertheless, in this emirate there are several interesting, albeit not so large-scale attractions. True, many travel agencies ignore these attractions and sell excursions to Dubai, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi and other places in the UAE, but only occasionally offer opportunities to see interesting places in Ras Al Khaimah itself. But you can get to them on your own by taxi or rental car.
This list of the most interesting places this region, which will tell you which sights you should visit first:
1. Al-Hisn Fort dates back to the 18th century and is the oldest surviving building in the city. Inside is the National Museum.
2. The ancient mosque in the commercial and industrial zone is an exceptional example of local architecture of 200 years ago, as it does not have tall minarets.
3. Lagoon with fishing port and a lively fish market. Here you can see exceptional marine animals.
4. To the west of the National Museum is the Old Town. For many centuries it served as the main center for trade in all kinds of goods in the region.
5. Maritime Museum and Ahmed bin Majid Center. There are numerous boats, instruments and photographs.

Vacation with children

Ras Al Khaimah is an ideal destination for families with children. No special vaccinations are required to travel here, there is no risk of malaria, the crime rate in the emirate is very low, and even women can enjoy holidays with children unaccompanied by men. Another plus for families is the possibility of fast direct flights from some major cities Russia. Only 5 hours of flight, and you will find yourself in the UAE.
There is everything for children in Ras Al Khaimah. Almost all hotels, restaurants and shopping centers are equipped with toys, high chairs, a children's menu and other amenities for younger guests. Many resort hotels have their own children's clubs and offer babysitting services for a fee. Outside the hotels, families with children can enjoy numerous attractions and activities, including a water park and camel races.
What about the heat? In fact, even very young children can easily tolerate heat. Ras Al Khaimah can get hot in the summer, but the air is quite dry. Therefore, such a "dry" heat is easily tolerated. However, you should make sure that children drink more fluids than usual. In addition, effective sun protection is essential.

Water activities

Due to its location on the shores of the Persian Gulf, the resort of Ras al-Khaimah is able to offer excellent opportunities for a wide variety of activities. water sports sports. The most popular, of course, is the usual bathing in pleasant warm water. If you like snorkeling, there are several interesting places where you can enjoy the underwater world. But still, Ras Al Khaimah cannot be attributed to the best places for snorkeling, since even in the UAE there are more suitable places for this. However, there are even diving schools that issue a license after passing the exam.
Some hotels in Ras Al Khaimah offer parasailing, so you can get great views of the beaches and the interior of the emirate from above. Boat trips are also very popular here. Various companies offer trips on small motorized boats along the coast. These boat trips allow you to see the emirate from a different perspective. Of course, fishing tours are also offered here. Depending on the time of year and conditions, you can catch fish such as barracuda, spearfish or sailfish.

Paradise for shopaholics

Yes, this is not Dubai with its huge malls, but Ras Al Khaimah has four large malls that allow you to enjoy shopping. Al Hamra Mall has two floors with over 100 stores. There are also restaurants and cafes, a lot of entertainment for young and old, including a cinema and Funville amusement park. There is a regular bus from the mall to Manar Mall where you can continue shopping. This mall, opened in 2000, is located right on the waterfront, in the heart of the main city of the emirate. Here you will find another 120 stores selling jewelry, electronics, clothing and many other goods.
RAK Shopping Center is located on Khuzam Road and offers excellent leisure facilities. IN mall there is an indoor go-kart track, a game park and an ice skating rink. Other facilities include many fast food restaurants, many shops and a hypermarket.
Very popular among locals and vacationers is Safeer Mall, where you will find a wide variety of shops. If your feet hurt from shopping, you can take a break at one of the restaurants. In addition to world-famous chains such as McDonalds, restaurants with regional specialties can also be found here.

Tourist tax in Ras Al Khaimah

Recently, tourists are often indignant at the fact that some strange taxes are being taken from them. In fact, this is a tourist tax, which is aimed at developing tourism in the region. That is, your money directly affects the growth of the tourist attractiveness of the region.
A tourist tax is taken from tourists before checking into a hotel. This is a mandatory fee, and if you do not pay it, then you may simply be denied accommodation. Sometimes a deposit is taken before check-in, from which the amount of the tourist tax is then deducted.
Tourist tax in Ras Al Khaimah is taken from the room, regardless of the number of rooms and the number of guests in the room. The amount of the fee depends on the star rating of the hotel. For 5-star hotels, it is 20 dirhams per day, and for hotels with a lower star rating, the fee is less.

Food prices

Prices in cafes and restaurants in Ras Al Khaimah vary greatly. If you want to eat in a cafe or restaurant in a hotel, you should be prepared for the highest spending. There is hardly a place where food costs more than in 5-star hotels. In simpler hotels, the cost of food may not be so high.
Typically, a lunch and dinner buffet in a 5-star hotel costs at least AED 100 per person, while in 3- and 4-star hotels, the cost can start from AED 60. If you want to order some individual dishes, then you should also prepare for big expenses. As a rule, salads, soups and appetizers cost around 35-60 dirhams, while main courses usually cost from 50 to 150 dirhams.
Restaurants and cafes located outside the hotels have lower prices, as these establishments work mainly for local residents. In urban areas, you can easily find a cafe where salads, soups and snacks will cost 15-20 dirhams, and main dishes will cost 25-60 dirhams. So, if you want to save on food during your vacation, we advise you to book a hotel near which there is local restaurants and cafe. In no case do not book hotels on the island of Marjan, as there is not a single cheap restaurant here, and the nearest restaurants and cafes are several kilometers away. Also pay attention to the location of other hotels that interest you.

Thermal springs in Ras Al Khaimah

The village of Hatta is surrounded by palm groves and the Hajar mountains. It is known not least for its extremely tasty dates, which are sold throughout the UAE. However, Hatta is far more famous for its natural thermal springs, with a total of three springs available that reach temperatures of almost 40 degrees Celsius and are known for their healing effects far beyond the Emirates.
In recent years thermal springs become more accessible to tourists and visitors. resort hotel Hutt Springs, which can be seen from afar thanks to the architecture of the fortified fort, offers the opportunity to bathe in the springs in a unique atmosphere. Hatta village itself is still characterized by relative calm and traditional atmosphere, and this is what travelers appreciate.
The fact that the Hatt region has fertile soil and affordable fresh water, led to the fact that the first settlements appeared here in ancient times. Finds in this region suggest that people lived here as early as 3200 BC.
From the recent past, especially from the 19th and 20th centuries, some protective structures, defensive towers and ancient mosques that can be found throughout the village and its surroundings. The hills contain forts that were once meant to protect valuable springs and the surrounding countryside. local tribes fought again and again for the precious springs and fertile lands of Hatta.
Not far from the defensive towers there are usually old mosques and stone houses. Very impressive are the old irrigation systems that can still be seen today. Do not miss the opportunity to climb the hill, which is located in the south of the village and is equipped with watchtowers, between which there is an old mosque, a cemetery and various residential buildings.
One of the largest defense towers is also in close proximity to the Hutt Springs Hotel. Although it hasn't been restored yet, you can get a good idea of ​​how life used to be here.
The village of Hatta is about 25 kilometers from the city of Ras al-Khaimah in the southeast direction, the access road to it is marked.

Old city

The old quarter is located on a narrow strip of land between the Persian Gulf and the lagoons, which are traditionally called "Khor" or "Creek". In the Old City of Ras Al Khaimah, which was previously a protected city wall and fortress, you can see many old houses built in the traditional style of coral stone. How long these houses will stand is unknown, since most of the buildings are in a deplorable state.
For visitors to the Old City, Sheikh Muhammad bin Salim Road and Sidroh Street are of particular interest, where there is a picturesque bazaar.
The oldest building in the Old City is Al-Hisn Fort. The building, which survived various events of the past, was built during the Persian occupation in 1736-1749. From that time, however, only the square tower remains, which is located to the left of the entrance and which was destroyed by the British in 1819. The fort served as a residence for the ruling Al-Qasimi family from 1948, but in 1960 Sheikh Mohammed bin Saqr Al Qasimi moved his residence to the new palace.
Al Hisn Fort is an excellent example of a traditional combination of residential buildings and defensive structures. Today, the interior of the complex can also be visited, as the National Museum is located there.
If you go from the National Museum in a northeast direction, then you will find yourself in the oldest residential area of ​​Ras al-Khaimah. This part of the city has been a pulsating center of the city's social life for centuries. The most important inhabitants, especially the wealthy pearl merchants and powerful sheiks, built their homes along the coast. Even if the rich decorations, courtyards, terraces are partially preserved, they are still only a hint of their former splendor. The dwellings were built in the typical style of Arab coastal cities from a mixture of clay and coral, which was very different from the buildings built from mud bricks.

Unfortunately, the narrow streets and lanes, the magnificent buildings and the special atmosphere that once reigned in the Old City exist today only in imposing descriptions that evoke longing for bygone days.
Since the 1970s, when rich oil fields were discovered in the emirate, the city of Ras Al Khaimah has changed dramatically. Since then, new and modern buildings have been built, so many of the former residents of the old quarter have left their old homelands and moved to other parts of the Emirate. With the advent of the new era, the former city center has lost the prestige and importance it once had.
A few years ago, however, the mindset changed and the value and importance of these old houses and buildings is increasingly being recognized. The government has already instructed archaeologists to show that these buildings are of great historical value. Once they are renovated, they will become both a tourist and historical attraction.
There is a lot of work to be done before this old city district becomes a tourist attraction. Over the years, garbage has accumulated in many parts of the area and needs to be removed. The Government of Ras Al Khaimah is committed to making this historic area unique place to give future visitors an impression of life in the past.

This concludes our description of the resort of Ras Al Khaimah. But if you want to know more about this region, you can read other articles in this section. In addition, here you will find descriptions of hotels in this resort area.

Ras Al Khaimah Photos