There is now no excuse to leave your furry friends at home. A recent poll completed by dogs reveals that Ras Al Khaimah is officially their favourite staycation destination in the United Arab Emirates. Their two legged-friends are also welcome. Ras Al Khaimah is the northernmost emirate with endless stretches of beaches, fun terracotta-hued dunes and lavish hotels for walking, climbing, camping, swimming, fetching and sleeping.
It’s a dog’s life in RAK!
Ras Al Khaimah has gone the extra mile for your canine chum. It’s well known that dogs are a man’s best friend, so why wouldn’t you bring them with you for a pup-friendly staycation? Many hotels, restaurants, and brasseries are taking the initiative to welcome them with a comfy bed, a tickle behind their ears, a bowl of refreshing water and some five-star treats. There are plenty of pooch pampering parlours and qualified veterinarians within the emirate to ensure they are thoroughly looked after throughout your stay. There’s even a rescue centre if you don’t have a dog and want to bring the doggie residents gifts or give them a forever-loving home.
Ras Al Khaimah is an oasis of beauty and boasts more nature offerings than any other emirate. The northernmost emirate borders Oman’s Musandam Peninsular. It is home to cloud-piercing mountains, watery mangroves, rosy-red deserts and almost endless beaches interspersed with bustling creeks and pretty lagoons. The rich Ras Al Khaimah culture extends over seven millennia and embraces colourful dog, Bedouin and Emirati traditions.
The emirate is fondly known to the locals as ‘RAK’. It’s very hospitable, and the Emiratis are known for their warmth and heartfelt welcomes. Across the emirate, you can experience world-class cuisine, spectacularly lavish hotels and resorts, nurturing spas and wellness centres, extreme adventures, globally celebrated sports and award-winning events. Not only does Ras Al Khaimah nurture your soul, but it offers some of the finest accommodation for pets.
Whether you and your furry friends are active and enjoy learning new survival skills or prefer to relax on the beach, there is a range of camps, glamping and luxury hotels that will suit you perfectly.
Dog-friendly outdoor adventures
Ras Al Khaimah is known for its rugged mountain terrains, wadis, endless beaches and walking or hiking trails. Don your walking boots, take a lead and lots of water and set off on a fun adventure with your dog.
Jebel Jais Mountains
The Jebel Jais mountains are a collection of formidable and challenging peaks that attract visitors worldwide. The massive band of jagged mountains is indiscreet and packed with exciting history, forts, traditional Bedouin and shepherd communities, and rare flora and fauna. The mountains are also home to gulleys and wadis that provide exciting camping, hiking and doggie adventures. A well-laid road takes you through a dizzying array of hairpin bends and glorious viewpoints for photographs. Bear Grylls has an explorers camp for the brave-hearted.
Jebel Jais
Jebel Jais Viewing Deck Park
Jebel Jais Hiking Trails
Wadis and doggies
Ras Al Khaimah is world-famed as the playground for adventures. The many trails take you on journeys through farmlands, old homesteads, honey crofts, and wheat and goat farms as you hike through the valleys and sheer mountains. The various wadis are protected areas of natural beauty with dams and jagged mountain trails. Some of the trails are perfect for an early morning amble, whilst challenging treks include the formidable stairway to heaven, which requires caution, a good level of fitness, and hiking with other experienced climbers.
Wadi Shah
Wadi Shawka
Wadi Bih
Wadi Ghalila
Al Marjan Island Corniche
Marjan Island has a glorious 2 km corniche lined with seemingly endless palm trees. Visitors can enjoy a healthy and sociable lifestyle by walking their dogs, jogging, running or cycling along the wide tracks. The track is popular during the cooler hours of the morning or evening. You can stop at one of the tasty eateries if you are peckish. There is something for everyone’s palate and pocket.
Al Marjan Island Corniche
Doggy-friendly hotels in Ras Al Khaimah
Ras Al Khaimah really does have it all. Lavish hotels, private guest houses, apartments, villas, glamping, and serviced apartments give you access to the best dog walks and pampering services, white sandy beaches and temperate shallow seas, undulating deserts and lots of activities. At just over an hour’s drive from Dubai, you can be in mountainous Ras Al Khaimah in no time. The following hotels allow you to bring your pup and explore the various elements of the emirate – beach, island, city and desert.
Hilton Ras Al Khaimah Beach Resort & Spa
BM Beach Resort
Seven Elements Resort
Desert Inn Resort and Camp
Desert Dune Resort
Amwaj by Al Hamra, Ras Al Khaimah
RAK Glamping
Bear Grylls Explorers Camp Ras Al Khaimah
Banan Beach
Restaurants and cafés
Foodies will love Ras Al Khaimah for its sheer choice of delicious independent eateries that are dog-friendly. You never know; you might even find a puppuccino (or at least a water bowl)!
Bread and Barrell
Club House Al Hamra
Marina Muse
Thunder Road
Tucano Coffee
Ruzo
Public Beaches
White sandy beaches, gently lapping waves, and shallow cerulean waters are the perfect ingredients for a blissfully lazy holiday in Ras Al Khaimah. With 64 kilometres of breathtaking coastline, there is a plethora of beaches to choose from. Please keep your dogs on a lead.
Al Jazeirah Beach
Flamingo Beach
Animal welfare
RAKAWC Animal Welfare Centre
Village Vet
Important Note
Ras Al Khaimah summers are scorching, which can be dangerous for your dog’s paws. Do a simple test to check the temperature of the sand or pavements by practising the seven-second test. Touch the back of your hand to the ground for seven seconds. If you cannot maintain contact because the surface is hot, it’s also too hot for your dog’s paws.
