The 15 Most Instagrammable Locations in Ras Al Khaimah

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is often associated with tall skyscrapers and endless desert dunes, but there’s another side to this country that’s quietly capturing attention.

Up in the northernmost part of the nation is Ras Al Khaimah — a place where mountains pierce the clouds, abandoned villages echo with history, and luxury resorts drift serenely above lush mangroves. This beautiful emirate up north is emerging as a visual treasure trove containing scenes seemingly curated for the camera.

Can’t decide where to go next? Our team checked out 20 scenic places in Ras Al Khaimah to determine the 15 most Instagrammable spots to help fill your social media with breathtaking photographs.

 

The Big Winner: Al Marjan Island

Topping our list is Al Marjan Island, an artificial archipelago composed of four coral-shaped islands. This archipelago adds 23 kilometres of coastline to Ras Al Khaimah and houses many tourist attractions, including world-class resorts, upscale restaurants, and leisure destinations.

Best Time to Visit: All Year Round

Insta-Worthy Snap: 

Set your camera to the optimal settings to capture the stunning white sandy beaches at any resort on the island. Time your photo shoot right around sunset to bring home one of the best souvenirs for your trip: a unique picture of yourself with the colorful skies, the Arabian Gulf, and the waterfront promenade as the backdrop.

 

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Honorable Mention: Besides earning the crown of the best photo spot in Ras Al Khaimah, Al Marjan Island is also the most ‘seen’ geolocation on social media, with a whopping 18.8 million reach for the hashtag #almarjanisland.

 

2. Banan Beach

In second place is Banan Beach, a laid-back hotel resort with vintage Santorini vibes, spacious bungalows and private plunge pools just off the E11 highway.

Featuring A-frame cabins, whirlpool baths, barbecue areas, and terraces with views of the Gulf, this hotel is a must-visit for social butterflies and digital natives seeking their next Insta-worthy getaway.

Best Time to Visit: All Year Round

Insta-Worthy Snap: With your phone, capture the tent rows or hammocks under a glowing sky during twilight blue hour, or pose in front of Instagrammable art displayed around the property, like in the image below.

 

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Honorable Mention: Best Designed Hotels

 

3. Jebel Jais

Third on this list of places with the best views in Ras Al Khaimah is Jebel Jais, the highest peak in the UAE. This iconic portion of the Hajar mountain range offers enthralling vistas and exciting activities for adventurers, ranging from hiking and biking routes to one of the longest zip lines in the world.

Best Time to Visit: All Year Round

Insta-Worthy Snap: Take landscape shots of the mesmerising winding roads and mountain vistas during sunrise or sunset from 1484 by Puro or Camp 1770, strike a pose at the Jais Viewing Deck Park, or snap a pre-launch selfie at the Jais Flight. You can also use a wearable camera for an engaging first-person perspective of your adventures.

 

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Honorable Mention: Most Hashtagged

 

4. Anantara Mina Al Arab

Capture eco-conscious luxury at Anantara Mina Al Arab and witness Mother Nature’s grandeur. Nestled along a private section of the emirate’s coast, this Instagram-worthy spot in Ras Al Khaimah is perfect for romance, family bonding, and solo relaxation.

Anantara also delights foodies with six restaurants offering luxurious private dining and diverse international cuisines. For adventure seekers, thrilling water sports and its closeness to Jebel Jais make it an excellent accommodation choice.

Best Time to Visit: All Year Round

Insta-Worthy Snap: The hotel property is surrounded by lush, natural mangroves that offer a picture-perfect backdrop, or a stunning subject on its own. For a unique perspective, photograph the sunrise landscape of the hotel’s overwater villas — a first in Ras Al Khaimah, made possible by Anantara.

Honorable Mention: Best Designed Hotels

 

5. Wadi Shawka

Wadi Shawka is a seasonal riverbed popular for picnicking, hiking, and cycling. Its name literally means “powerful valley,” and its dams and natural pools create the perfect environment for ancient settlements to thrive.

As you explore, you’ll find that those old settlements have been replaced with modern farms. There’s also a recreational area perfect for bonding with fellow adventurers over freshly cooked barbecue, which can be immortalised with selfies for your socials.

Best Time to Visit: All Year Round

Insta-Worthy Snap: Photograph the natural pools and rocky terrains on your early morning hikes, capturing reflections in the water for additional depth.

 

6. ULA Beach

Looking for social media-worthy dining? ULA serves Mediterranean dishes that will delight not only your palate but also your Instagram followers. Renowned for its relaxing coastal ambience, the diverse menu and unparalleled venue make it an excellent “shooting” ground for your next trending Instagram post.

Best Time to Visit: All Year Round

Insta-Worthy Snap: Photograph the beachside dining and lounge areas during golden hour. Capture the ambience and delectable dishes with landscape photos of the pool, beach, stylish decor and close-up food shots.

 

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7. Dhayah Fort

A well-known tourist spot in Ras Al Khaimah, Dhayah Fort is an 18th-century hilltop fortress where you can experience the region’s rich history. The castle-like structure alone is enough to keep your social media followers from scrolling away, while the history behind it will surely make them want to learn more about your trip there.

Best Time to Visit: November to April

Insta-Worthy Snap: Take pictures of the panoramic landscape from the fort during sunset or capture the historic structure and the surrounding environment from various angles.

Honorable Mention: Best in Culture

 

8. The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Hamra Beach

Glistening beach views, thrilling water adventures, and PGA-sanctioned beachfront golf — you’ll find them all at Ritz-Carlton Al Hamra Beach. Be sure to capture your experience on film as you partake in these unforgettable activities.

Best Time to Visit: All Year Round

Insta-Worthy Snap: Time your photoshoot right before sunset to capture magical images of the soft golden light by the ocean-facing pool. Also, consider taking a robe-and-coffee moment on the villa deck to showcase the luxurious ambience or take wide angles of the awe-inspiring view as you arrive on the property by boat.

Honorable Mention: Best Designed Hotels

 

9. Jais Flight

Jais Flight is the world’s longest zipline. More than 2.8 kilometers long, this Jebel Jais attraction provides an adrenaline-filled experience that will take your breath away and make your online following soar.

Best Time to Visit: All Year Round

Insta-Worthy Snap: Besides taking selfies before and after your adventure, you can also rent a viewpoint camera to get your entire experience on film to immortalize your one-of-a-kind adventure.

Honorable Mention: Top Viewpointer

 

10. 1484 by Puro

1484 by Puro takes the 10th spot in the most Instagrammable locations in Ras Al Khaimah. Hailed as the highest restaurant in the UAE, it sits 1,484 meters above sea level, overlooking Jebel Jais. This makes it a great place to enjoy breathtaking mountain views comfortably while relishing delectable international cuisines.

Before your visit, make sure you reserve a table. Your table will be held for you until 15 minutes after your scheduled booking. The restaurant management also recommends wearing winter clothes in November through April, as it can get cold in the mountains during those months.

Best Time to Visit: All Year Round (reservation required)

Insta-Worthy Snap: Take a selfie with the mountain as your backdrop from the balcony seating.

 

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Honorable Mention: Top Viewpointer

 

11. Ritz-Carlton Al Wadi Desert

Ritz-Carlton Al Wadi Desert provides its guests with an enriching experience exploring the region’s wonders, with the Falconry School, Equestrian Center and Adventure Center. Located in a 1,235-acre gated private nature reserve in Wadi Khadeja, they also have luxurious spa amenities, including a revitalizing hydrothermal experience from The Rainforest.

Best Time to Visit: October to April (around sunrise or sunset for greater chances of spotting wildlife)

Insta-Worthy Snap: Pose with camels in front of the tented villas for a unique photo or take a selfie with a gazelle or oryx from a private plunge pool with desert dunes in the background.

Honorable Mention: Best Designed Hotels

 

12. Al Jazeera Al Hamra

Want to feature the pearl fishing culture of the UAE? Add Al Jazeera Al Hamra to your itinerary and snap images of the traditional architecture with hints of the ancient emirati settlements.

Best Time to Visit: November to April

Insta-Worthy Snap: Take pictures of the heritage village structures early in the morning or late afternoon for some dramatic lighting. You can also apply black-and-white filters to infuse your photos with a historic feel. Time your trip around the beginning of the year when the RAK Art Festival is scheduled to take place.

 

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13. Bassata Desert Village

The Bassata Desert Village offers not only a glimpse of Bedouin culture but also allows you to experience it firsthand. Here, you’ll immerse yourself in the nomadic lifestyle that revolves around simplicity and take a break from the hustle and bustle of city life.

Best Time to Visit: October to April

Insta-Worthy Snap: Wear traditional attire and sit by a fire pit, or ride a camel and have your photo taken on the golden sands. For a more cinematic vibe, take a scenic shot of the desert barbecue.

 

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14. Suwaidi Pearls

The Suwaidi Pearl Farm is a working pearl farm in Al Rams that offers tours to visitors who want to experience the UAE’s 7,000-year-old pearl cultivation tradition firsthand.

This tour will take you across the lagoon where, if you’re lucky, you may get to snap photos of flamingos, egrets, cormorants, and flying fish. Afterwards, get to open an oyster yourself — and if it reveals a pearl, you’ll have the option to purchase it as a one-of-a-kind souvenir.

Best Time to Visit: November to April

Insta-Worthy Snap: Take a creative shot of the experience, showcasing the scenery, the boat, and even the people giving the tour. You can also take photos of the pearl display on the upper deck or the impressive mangrove forests you’ll pass by en route to the pearl farm.

 

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Honorable Mention: Best in Culture

 

15. Al Qassimi Palace

A celebrated landmark, Al Qassimi Palace is another popular destination among social media-savvy travelers after it was opened for public tours. Besides the rich history, there are also myths and legends associated with it that continue to grow. Vacant for many years, this 40-year-old edifice houses intriguing interior pieces, such as artifacts, chandeliers, and paintings that reflect its Moroccan, Islamic, and Persian heritage.

Note: Photography is prohibited inside the palace, so focus your creative efforts on its majestic exterior.

Best Time to Visit: All Year Round

Insta-Worthy Snap: Take a photo of the palace façade or pose in front of it during the early morning or late afternoon when the sunlight casts a warm light. Include the surrounding gardens or pathways in each shot to add depth to your photos.

 

Honorable Mentions

Here’s a rundown of the honorable mentions from our analysis of the trending Instagram spots in Ras Al Khaimah:

 

Most Hashtagged: Jebel Jais

Based on the data we have gathered from Instagram, Jebel Jais earned the most hashtags per location, with a whopping 85,800 hashtags. This number is almost double the total hashtag scores of the other places combined.

Best in Culture: Dhayah Fort and Suwaidi Pearl Farm

Our analysis also shows that cultural sites like Dhayah Fort and Suwaidi Pearl Farm have also gained popularity on social media, with raw Reach scores of over 1.1 million and 101,000, respectively.

Best Designed Hotels

Several hotels and accommodations also made the cut, with four topping our list of scenic places in Ras Al Khaimah. Based on our findings, Banan Beach, Anantara Mina al Arab, Ritz-Carlton Al Hamra Beach, and Ritz-Carlton Al Wadi Desert have grown their online presence, thanks to their one-of-a-kind hotel designs.

Top Viewpointer: Jais Flight and 1484 by Puro

Among the 15 attractions on the list, Jais Flight and 1484 by Puro offer viewpoint opportunities with the highest online mentions, with scores of 52 and 51, respectively.

Here’s the complete list of the 15 Most Instagrammable Places in Ras Al Khaimah:

• Hashtag score: Higher scores mean the more hashtags per location
• Mention score: Higher scores mean the location has been mentioned more times across Instagram, TikTok and Pinterest
• Reach score: Higher scores mean more people have seen the geotagged location on Instagram
• Interaction score: Higher scores mean there have been more interactions (likes, comments) on a post about this place on both TikTok and Instagram
• Total Score: Summation of all the factors to gauge overall social media popularity

How we measured the total score:

• 40% Reach
• 25% Hashtags
• 20% Mentions
• 15% Interactions

 

Immortalize Your Insta-Moments

Now that you know where to take pictures in Ras Al Khaimah, it’s time to start planning your next photo-worthy adventure. From breathtaking landscapes to iconic landmarks, the emirate is full of spots that are sure to enhance your social media photograph collection. Get ready to explore, capture, and share moments that will leave your followers in awe.