Discover Ras Al Khaimah’s Free Hidden Gems: 7 Must-Do Activities

What is Ras Al Khaimah best known for? As the “nature emirate,” there are many places of outstanding natural beauty to explore at no cost. But there’s more than that. With exceptional public beaches, open-to-all historical sites, and souqs and malls, there are many places to visit in Ras Al Khaimah for free.

How do I spend a day in Ras Al Khaimah on a budget? Here are the best places to visit in Ras Al Khaimah for free. All are a short drive from most hotels in Ras Al Khaimah.

1. Visit Dhayah Fort

Off route E11, 25 mins from Ras Al Khaimah City, 45 mins from Al Marjan Island

Dhayah Fort is a leading attraction and one of the best things to do in Ras Al Khaimah for free. With a backdrop of the Hajar mountain range, this hill fortress stands proud amid lush date wadis. By climbing its zigzagged staircases, you can take in far-reaching vistas across RAK and discover more about the area’s fascinating history.

Dhayah Fort is a twin-towered mud brick structure of great cultural and historical importance and is on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative list. Dhayah Fort is the only remaining Bronze Age hill fort in the UAE. It was also the site of the last battle between the local Qawasim tribe and the British in 1819.

2. Explore Al Jazeera Al Hamra

Off route E11, 25 mins from Ras Al Khaimah City, 13 mins from Al Marjan Island

Al Jazeerah Al Hamra is a preserved pearling and fishing village. Since the villagers left over 50 years ago following the discovery of oil locally, time has stood still.

You can wander around the site without charge, discovering fishermen’s simple dwellings alongside more elaborate courtyard homes. Homes are made of local materials, including coral, palm trunks, and layers of seashells. It’s a wonderful place to learn about the old Ras Al Khaimah.

3. Relax or Swim at the Beach

All beaches listed here are a maximum of one hour’s drive from both Ras Al Khaimah City and Al Marjan Island.

The beach is the ultimate free destination, especially on Ras Al Khaimah’s sunkissed shores. Always a crowd pleaser, the beach is one of the best places to visit in Ras Al Khaimah for free with family.

Lay back, swim, wander the shoreline, or enjoy a picnic. Lots of Ras Al Khaimah beaches have communal facilities to enjoy, like volleyball courts or cafes. Very little compares to the beauty of sunset on a Ras Al Khaimah beach either.

You could enjoy your hotel’s private shoreline as a free beach or choose from Ras Al Khaimah’s top public beaches.

• Flamingo Beach has warm waters and shallow shores, making it a family favorite.
• Jazeera Al Hamra Public Beach is conveniently located and popular with tourists and locals.
• Al Mairid Public Beach is perfect for a family picnic or barbeque.
• Sidroh Beach is a peaceful retreat close to a pleasant residential community.
• Al Jeer is a sprawling beach bordering Oman in the Northernmost part of Ras Al Khaimah.
• Titanic Beach has a lively vibe and is popular with overnight campers.

4. Hike Up Jebel Jais Mountain

Lower trails are approximately 40 minutes from Ras Al Khaimah City and 1 hour from Al Marjan Island.

Peaking at 1, 934 meters above sea level, the spectacular Jebel Jais mountain is the tallest in the UAE and a must-see for anyone seeking the beauty of nature.

Jebel Jais is a leading destination for outdoor activities in Ras Al Khaimah. The mountainside features over 100km of free hiking trails with routes suited to all experience and fitness levels.

Jebel Jais is home to various flora and fauna, including rare flowers, mountain goats and birds of prey. There are also some spectacular viewpoints to take in that will allow you a glimpse across date farms and mangroves, and out to the sea, Oman and the wider UAE.

Key Jebel Jais trails include:

• The Highlander Trail is for experienced hikers. It takes you from the base of the mountain up to 1,800m above sea level.
• Sidir Trail is an easy 1.6km walk on the mountain’s lower slopes.
• Samar Trail is a moderately challenging 6km loop hike on the lower part of the mountain.
• Wadi Shawka, at the base of Jebel Jais mountain, is a distinctive river valley rich in nature and ancient ruins. Shawka Dam to Shawka Pools is a fairly easy 10km hike through the wadi.

Want to explore more? There are plenty of outstanding trails in Ras Al Khaimah that all offer beautiful scenery and fun hikes.

5. Take a Gentle Stroll

Various options in Ras Al Khaimah City and Al Marjan Island.

If you prefer a more sedate walk that the mountains can offer, there are still plenty of places where you can take a gentle stroll, admire the scenery, and perhaps have a picnic.

Here are some ideas:

• Al Marjan Island has a 7km walking path with ocean views that links its hotels.
• Al Qawasim Corniche is a 3km path along the oceanfront that offers views of the RAK Eye ferris wheel, the mangroves, and the architecture of Ras Al Khaimah City. It’s lined with gardens, play areas, cafes and restaurants.
• Al Hamra Golf Club has lush greens, great scenery, and golf to watch.

6. Drive Out Into the Desert

You can begin your adventure just a short drive out of Ras Al Khaimah City or Al Marjan Island.

If you have access to a 4WD, you can put together a DIY desert safari adventure to explore the vast and unique landscape.

Follow the routes inland towards the mountains and you’ll soon be out in the dunes. Look out for camels, desert foxes or perhaps even a rare desert cat. Try to time your expedition with a Bedouin festival, where you can learn more about this nomadic culture.

7. Shop at a Souq or Mall

Various in Ras Al Khaimah City, just 30 minutes from Al Marjan Island.

Shopping in a new country is always a great way to get a feel for the local culture and to check out what’s in fashion, arts and crafts, and jewelry. Window shopping in Ras Al Khaimah will not disappoint.

Kuwaiti Souq is a traditional market in Ras Al Khaimah City where people buy herbs and spices, household goods, gold, fabrics, pashminas, and colorful trinkets. Watch and learn as shoppers haggle for the best prices. The souq is friendly and bustling, and its narrow alleys packed with goods have a charming and timeless feel.

There are spacious, elegant modern malls in Ras Al Khaimah to rival all the very best in the region. You could spend several happy hours wandering in RAK Mall, Manar Mall or Al Hamra Mall, admiring the mix of Middle Eastern and Western stores, fine fashion, perfumeries, jewelry stores, food courts and more.

With these activities, it’s easy to fill your time in Ras Al Khaimah with beautiful scenery, historic sites, and fun activities, all for little to no cost.

So, where do you want to go in Ras Al Khaimah for free?