What is there to see and do?

RAK has a wide range of things to see and do for its diminutive size. Alongside a full range of watersports at its pristine beaches, you can head into the desert for safaris, camel rides and dune bashing. You can visit and stay overnight in a traditional Arabian desert camp, take a trip to Khatt Hot Springs for a rejuvenating wellness experience, go to the camel races, try archery or even visit a falconry school and learn about local traditions. The emirate has produced pearls for centuries and you can experience this at RAK's pearl farm and museum. Those interested in heritage and history should not miss a visit to the 500-year-old Dhayah fortress or the fascinating National Museum of Ras al Khaimah, housed in a former palace in RAK City. The emirate also has a few high-end shopping malls and souks in RAK City for those hungry for a bargain and two championship golf courses for fans of teeing off. Iceland Water Park is a themed aquatic adventure park that's perfect for families.

Outdoor adventure

Topped by wild and rugged mountain crags and surrounded by a wilderness of valleys, dunes, oases and beaches, Ras al Khaimah is an exciting destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Taking a desert safari into the glittering orange-pink sands of desert valleys, speckled with trees and home to camel herds and some surprising other creatures such as Arabian Oryx, is an absolute must-do on holidays to Ras al Khaimah. You can choose to take a quad bike tour or join a camel trek, ride on horseback or go on foot. Desert camps and resort hotels offer travellers the chance to spend a magical night among the dunes.

From treks into the dunes to staying in a traditional Bedouin camp, the Al Wadi Nature Reserve is a great destination for travellers wanting to experience Arabian desert adventure. The Banyan Tree Al Wadi offers an exciting programme of activities including camel caravans, archery, quad biking and nature trails amid smooth peachy sands. Treks into the dramatic Jebel Jais mountains can also be organised from the resorts. Travellers looking for offroad adventures can hire a 4x4 and pilot it through the dramatic scenery of twisting wadis and shifting dunes.

The Bedouin Oasis Desert Camp is the perfect place to experience desert living under the stars with traditional goat hair tents, antique gaslights and a roaring fire adding to the magic of the setting. Alternatively, the Bassata Desert Village offers an all-round desert experience with an Arabian belly dancing show, camel rides and dune bashing capped off with a sunset barbecue.

Taking advantage of its prime position beside the warm, calm waters of the Arabian Ocean, Ras al Khaimah offers the full range of watersports and aquatic activities from sailing, jet skiing and banana boat rides to scuba diving, snorkelling and wake boarding. Nature lovers can kayak in Ras al Khaimah's mangroves and thrill-seekers can try a range of aquatic adrenalin-inducing activities offered by Adventure Sports. Al Jazeera Diving and Swimming Centre next to Al Jazeera Port, south of RAK City, is the place to go for expert scuba instruction and guided dives, while the nearby Iceland Water Park is ideal for a day of carefree fun splashing about in the water.
 

RAK: the perfect place to go all inclusive

Ras al Khaimah is the ideal destination for an all-inclusive holiday with most hotels and resorts offering excellent packages. The emirate's best cafes and restaurants are almost all hotel-based so you can be sure of high-quality in-resort dining. Beach hotels often include extras such as service to your sunlounger and non-motorised watersports, leaving you totally free to relax and enjoy your Ras al Khaimah holiday.

Accommodation in Ras al Khaimah caters for all types of traveller with everything from reasonably priced mid-range hotels overlooking the beach to exclusive desert hideaways with some truly special facilities. Booking all inclusive in Ras al Khaimah gives guests access to a broad range of benefits including entrance to a spa fed by hot springs, camel safaris, falconry shows, snorkelling equipment and guided walks, to name just a few. Hotel staff are happy to arrange excursions and tours along the coastline or into the desert. The Banyan Tree Al Wadi, in particular, has cornered the market for desert immersion and adventure.

What is the time difference between the UK and Ras al Khaimah?
RAK is four hours ahead of UK time, although during British summertime this difference is reduced to three hours.