Archaeological evidence indicates Ras Al Khaimah has been continuously inhabited for at least 7,000 years. Do you love history? In Ras Al Khaimah, you’ll have a lot to learn and explore.
For the history enthusiasts, we put together this Ras Al Khaimah heritage itinerary that you can complete in one weekend. It includes stops at historic sites, museums, and forts in Ras Al Khaimah, carefully grouped by location, and takes into account each attraction’s operating hours, tour schedules (where applicable), and the best times to visit.
Key Takeaways
- Explore 7,000 years of history in one weekend.
- Experience the shift from ancient pearling to modern pearl farming, ending with a spectacular sunset view at Dhayah Fort.
- Enjoy an itinerary designed around geography and operating hours
Saturday: City Core & Southern Pearling Village
On the first day, your tour of the historic sites in Ras Al Khaimah includes a museum, a mosque, and a pearling village.
1. National Museum of Ras Al Khaimah
Address: Al Hisn Road, Old Town
Fee: AED 5 per adult, AED 2 per child
Hours: Tuesday–Sunday: 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. Closed Monday and the first day of Eid.
The National Museum of Ras Al Khaimah is an air-conditioned museum. The largest of all the museums in Ras Al Khaimah, it is housed within an 18th-century fort that once served as the official residence of the ruling Al Qasimi family. The museum building itself is an important part of the emirate’s history.
The museum’s galleries and exhibitions showcase Ras Al Khaimah’s archaeological and ethnological artifacts. One of the oldest items displayed is an Ubaid-period potsherd, excavated from one of Ras Al Khaimah’s archaeological sites. It is one of the strongest pieces of evidence that Ras Al Khaimah has been inhabited for seven millennia.
Aside from the shards of ceramics from 5,000 BCE, the museum also houses Julphar pottery or ceramics from the Julphar (or Julfar) period. Julfar was the active trading and port town that predated modern-day Ras Al Khaimah.
In line with this, the museum also showcases the emirate’s rich maritime and pearling history. Displayed are ancient maritime navigation tools, models of traditional dhow boats, pearl-diving equipment, and tools of the pearl trade.
Suggested visit timing: From 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Arriving as the doors open will give you time to explore the museum at leisure.
For an early start, stay at a hotel near the Museum. Hilton Garden Inn and Citymax Hotel, both in Downtown Ras Al Khaimah near the Old Town, are just five minutes away by car from the Museum and will make a good base for a history-first tour of the emirate.
RAK Moments
Ready to book your base for this history tour?
Check out Ras Al Khaimah hotel staycation promos on RAK Moments and lock in your offer today.
Browse Staycation Offers
2. Mohammed Bin Salem Mosque
Address: 24-B Street – Al Jame’ Street, Near Al Qawasim Corniche, Old Town
Fee: None
Hours: Morning-only visiting hours
Mohammed Bin Salem Mosque is a late 18th-century mosque approximately 850 meters or a two-minute drive southwest of the National Museum of Ras Al Khaimah. It is one of the oldest active mosques in the UAE.
Check out the minaret, which is best appreciated from across the street. Explore the courtyard, and notice the wall’s unique texture. The mosque was built using beach rocks, coral stones, and natural plaster.
The Mohammed Bin Salem Mosque has a strict dress code. Make sure your shoulders and knees are covered. Women must wear a head scarf, and shorts (for men and women) are not allowed. Remove your shoes before entry.
Suggested visit timing: From 10:15 a.m. to 11 a.m.
The Mohammed Bin Salem Mosque (like other active mosques) is an operational place of worship, so it is open to tourists only outside Islamic prayer times, particularly in the morning. Arrive around an hour before Dhuhr, the midday prayer.
Note that prayer timings can fall anytime around 12 p.m., as they vary depending on the position of the sun.
3. Lunch: Old Town
After leaving Mohammed Bin Salem Mosque, find a place for lunch in the Old Town. Al Qawasim Corniche, Manar Mall, Al Naeem Mall, and the entire Al Nakheel district offer many choices.
After lunch, you can go back to your downtown hotel for some rest before you continue on your tour, or you can stay and explore the Old Town.
4. Al Falayah
Address: Al Manama Road – Al Falayah Road
Fee: None
Hours: Open daily, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Al Falayah is an 18th-century complex that once served as the Al Qasimi (or Al Qawasim) ruling family’s summer residence. This is where the ruling families of the Gulf coast and the British government signed the General Treaty for the Cessation of Plunder and Piracy by Land and Sea.
The complex has three remaining structures: the defensive stone tower at the center, the domestic quarters at the east, and the mosque at the west. Like the Mohammed Bin Salem Mosque, the mosque was built using beach rock, coral stones, and natural plaster.
Suggested visit timing: From 2:15 p.m. to 3:15 p.m.
One hour should give you ample time to thoroughly explore all three structures.
5. Heritage Village at Al Jazeera Al Hamra
Address: Al Jazeera Al Hamra
Fee: None
Hours: Tuesday–Sunday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Closed on Mondays.
The Heritage Village at Al Jazeera Al Hamra is the last intact, pre-oil pearl-fishing village in the Arabian Gulf. It represents a traditional pearling village, complete with a fort and watchtowers, mosque, souq, and many courtyard houses.
A tribe indigenous to the Arabian Peninsula, the Za’ab, established the village in the 16th century. In the early 1970s, the residents of Al Jazeera Al Hamra were offered the opportunity to relocate to the city of Abu Dhabi, and the village was abandoned. The Department of Antiquities and Museums has been rigorously preserving it ever since.
We suggest starting your tour from the residential quarter first. Look for falconry perches carved into the exterior walls of several larger houses. Check out the wind towers (barajeel). Stand directly beneath one in an interior courtyard and look up to see the angled intake channels that funnel prevailing sea breezes into the rooms below.
After exploring the residential section, move toward the commercial lanes and end your exploration at the old neighborhood mosque.
Important note: Do not enter buildings, as structural stability cannot be guaranteed. Remain on the paths and exterior courtyards only.
Suggested visit timing: From 3:45 p.m. to 6 p.m.
You’ll want to spend at least two hours at this site because there’s so much to see and discover. However, arriving at 3:45 p.m. gives you time to catch the one-hour, free guided Heritage Village tour that starts at 4 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday.
Note that it will take you around 30 minutes to travel from Al Falayah to Al Jazeera Al Hamra, so plan accordingly. Additionally, it will be best if you can book your tour in advance on the Al Jazeera Al Hamra website.
6. End of Day 1
After exploring Al Jazeera Al Hamra, you can return to your hotel, or you can spend some time in the Al Hamra district, particularly along the Al Hamra Waterfront, to await the sunset, and then have dinner at one of the restaurants in the area.
Your options include Lexington Grill & Bar at Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah and Waka at Sofitel Al Hamra Beach Resort.
Sunday: The Northern Heritage & Sunset Fortress
On Saturday, you explored the historical sites in southern Ras Al Khaimah. Today, you will dive deep into pearl fishing, farming, and trading. Visit Ras Al Khaimah’s pre-Islamic tombs and an old Julfar palace, and enjoy a spectacular sunset from a hill fortress.
1. Shimal Archeological Site
Address: Shimal Village
Fee: None
Hours: It is an open site, so no operating hours
*Requires an escort from the Department of Antiquities and Museums, so prior booking is mandatory
There are three things you will see here: the prehistoric, pre-Islamic Shimal Tombs, the remains of two Shimal stone houses, and the Queen of Sheba’s Palace.
The Umm an-Nar and Wadi Suq tombs will help you visualize the funerary practices of pre-Islamic Ras Al Khaimah. The remnants of Shimal stone houses will give you an idea about how the affluent built their summer residence.
A little further up a ridge, overlooking the village of Shimal, are the remains of an old palace, most likely the residence of the ruler of Julfar. It’s popularly known as Queen of Sheba’s Palace, although the site has no historical or archeological link to the famous queen mentioned in the Quran.
Note: Because this is an open site, we recommend wearing comfortable walking shoes and bringing sun protection for the best exploration experience. Remember, too, that this is not a walk-in attraction. You must arrange your visit with the Department of Antiquities and Museums at least three weeks before your planned visit.
Suggested visit timing: From 7 a.m. to 9 a.m.
Allow two hours for a thorough exploration of all three structures.
2. Suwaidi Pearl Farm
Address: Al Rams Marina, Al Rams Corniche
Fee: Starts at AED 50 per child 5-8 y.o., AED 80 per child 9-12 y.o., and AED 175 for anyone 13 y.o. and older
Hours: Open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m, but tours run on set schedules
*Requires prior booking
The Suwaidi Pearl Farm is an operational pearl farm founded by Abdulla Rashed Al Suwaidi to honor his pearl diver grandfather. Visiting it requires booking a guided tour, and tour timings vary depending on the season.
The tour begins at the Al Rams Marina on the Al Rams Corniche. You’ll board a traditional pearling boat and thus add to your knowledge of maritime history in Ras Al Khaimah. The boat will take you through the mangroves and bring you to the floating pearl farm.
Along the way, your tour guide will regale you with pearl diving stories, tell you about pearl diving traditions, show you pearl diving equipment, and exhibit the Bish-Takh-Tah or the traditional pearl trader’s box.
At the pearl farm, you will learn about Suwaidi Pearls’ innovative pearl farming techniques and watch as staff open some oysters to extract pearls. You can buy pearls, pearl jewelry, and, depending on your tour package, you may even have lunch at the pearl farm.
Suggested visit timing: From 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Currently, Suwaidi Pearl Farm’s earliest tour departs the Marina at 10 a.m. Note that it takes at least 10 minutes to travel from Shimal to Al Rams, so plan accordingly.
3. Lunch: Al Rams
If your package does not include a lunch at the Pearl Farm, scour the coastal area of Al Rams for local restaurants you can try for lunch. The north coast road has small fish restaurants favored by locals.
You may also go a little farther south; your call. You can even return to your hotel to let the midday heat pass. You have a lot of time before you need to be at your next destination.
4. Dhayah Fort
Address: Dhayah
Fee: None
Hours: Sunday–Thursday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Closed Friday and Saturday.
Dhayah Fort is one of the forts in Ras Al Khaimah and the only hill fort remaining in the UAE. This was where the Al Qasimi forces made their final stand against the British expeditionary fleet in 1819.
After arrival, explore the base settlement’s date-palm-frond dwellings, irrigation channels, and Wadi Suq tombs. Next, take the 239 steps to climb the fort. It will take you around 15 to 20 minutes to reach the top.
At the summit, take in the panoramic views. The Arabian Gulf is directly north. The Hajar Mountains are to the east, stretching into the date palm gardens and Oman. The Al Rams mangrove coastline is visible in the distance.
While you may have to descend before the sun actually sets, you can wait until the golden hour, just before the sun sets, when everything is awash with a golden glow.
Suggested visit timing: From 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Give yourself around 30 minutes to explore the base, 15-20 minutes to climb, and then spend the remaining time at the top to appreciate the view.
5. End of Day 2
Dhayah Fort is the last stop in this Ras Al Khaimah heritage itinerary. As the sun sets, drive southward to the city proper and back to your hotel (or somewhere else) for dinner.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the must-see heritage sites in Ras Al Khaimah?
The following sites anchor Ras Al Khaimah’s history and heritage: the National Museum of Ras Al Khaimah, the Shimal archeological site, Al Jazeera Al Hamra, Al Falayah, Dhayah Fort, Mohammed Bin Salem Mosque, and Suwaidi Pearl Farm. Together, they encapsulate Ras Al Khaimah’s development throughout the 7,000 years of continuous habitation.
How can visitors build a history itinerary without long drives?
To build a history itinerary without long drives, geographically cluster the different historical places to visit in Ras Al Khaimah. The historic sites in Ras Al Khaimah fall into two geographic clusters: north (Shimal, Suwaidi Pearl Farm, and Dhayah Fort) and south (National Museum of Ras Al Khaimah, Mohammed Bin Salem Mosque, Al Falayah, and Al Jazeera Al Hamra).
What’s the best time of day to visit heritage sites?
The best time of day to visit heritage sites is early morning or late afternoon to avoid the midday heat, especially if you’re stopping at outdoor archeological sites, villages, and forts. The best season for a history-first tour involving outdoor sites is November to April, which corresponds to winter and the months that immediately precede and succeed it.
Are guided tours worth it for history-focused trips?
Yes, guided tours are worth it for history-focused trips because the tour guide can give you context and additional information to enrich your experience. Not only will you marvel at what you see, but you’ll also understand exactly what you are looking at. At the Shimal archeological site, moreover, a Department of Antiquities and Museums escort is required.
What etiquette should visitors follow at cultural sites?
At the mosque, visitors must cover their shoulders and knees, women must bring a head scarf, men (and women) must not wear shorts, and everyone should remove their shoes. At Al Jazeera Al Hamra, guests must not enter any building. At Shimal, visitors may photograph pottery sherds in place but should not touch or take them.
A Weekend Steeped in History
The above Ras Al Khaimah heritage itinerary takes you to Bronze Age tombs at Shimal, a Julfar-period palace, the last remaining hill fort in the UAE, and the ruling family’s old palace and summer residence.
It also takes you back in time through 7,000 years of Ras Al Khaimah’s history, through its rich pearl diving, pearl trading, and maritime past, and back to the present, to its modern pearl farming industry.
Together, the museums, the forts, and the historic sites in Ras Al Khaimah make the history of the emirate come alive.
Visit Ras Al Khaimah. For accommodation, explore staycation offers at RAK Moments.
