Ras Al Khaimah Holidays

Head to the northern tip of the UAE’s glitzy coastline, and you’ll land in lesser-known Ras Al Khaimah. Other than sharing a shoreline, this Emirate couldn’t be more different to nearby Dubai. The Hajar Mountains grab your attention in the background, and the country’s loftiest peak – Jebel Jais – noses about its neighbours. Sunset-coloured deserts and tangled mangroves weigh in with their own natural good looks. And even the city centre’s cut from a traditional cloth – old-school souks, mosques and museums are buddied up with the beaches.

Ras Al Khaimah is a city that’s getting more popular by the day, and it’s easy to see why – it really packs a punch when it comes to things to do. You could be ziplining through mountains, bumping across deserts, or canoeing through mangroves just an hour’s drive outside the city. And Ras Al Khaimah city itself is packed to the rafters with shopping malls, swanky bars and boozy brunch spots. The sprawling shopping souks are a treasure trove for souvenir shoppers, too, so brush up on your bargaining skills before you go.