If you’re looking for a place in the UAE that blends deep history, rich culture, and raw nature and all in one day, then Ras Al Khaimah should be on your list. It’s quieter than Dubai or Abu Dhabi, but that’s exactly its charm. You won’t just see the sights here, you’ll feel them. Quiet streets, goats roaming around in the neighborhoods, flourishing date farms, all of this will take you to more simple times. Forget the traffic jams and big crowds, in Ras Al Khaimah nothing will distract you from immersing yourself in the local culture and way of life.
Start your day early and head straight to Al Jazeera Al Hamra, the last surviving traditional pearling village in the UAE. The village was established in the between late 16th and early 17th centuries by the Za’ab tribe and although it had been prominent through the centuries, it faced its decline starting from 1920’s becoming fully abandoned by the late 1960’s. Why did the villagers leave? That’s a longer story for another time (and another blog post!).
In recent years, most of the 550 buildings including a beautiful fort have been carefully restored using the original methods and materials and making it safe for visits. As you walk through the coral-stone houses and abandoned mosques, you’ll get a glimpse into what life was like in a traditional pearling village before the discovery of oil and glistening skyscrapers. No noise from traffic, just you and the echo of history. It’s peaceful, a little eerie, and completely unforgettable.
Next, make your way to the National Museum of Ras Al Khaimah. It’s inside an old fort that once protected the city and was a residence of the royal family. Here you’ll find everything from ancient artefacts to tribal weapons and trade maps. The museum is small, but it gives you a great sense of how far back this place goes – and how much has happened on this land. Don’t miss the installations on life in the olden days, it really takes you back in time to the daily life of the locals.
By mid-morning, head north to the Suwaidi Pearl Farm in Al Rams, the truly unique gem of the UAE. You’ll hop on a traditional dhow and sail through mangroves to the farm, where you’ll learn about pearl diving from the people whose families have done it for generations.
If you’re lucky, you might even find your own pearl when they open the oyster shells. It’s a mix of hands-on learning and serene nature – and the view of the Hajar Mountains in the background makes it even better. And if you are lucky, you will spot flamingos and camels bathing in the sea!
Lunch near the corniche is a must! Try local specialties like baby shark, salted fish and some traditional machboos rice with octopus, and finish it up with cheese stuffed luqaimat. Ras Al Khaimah has many great local restaurants where the food is simple but full of flavor.
In the afternoon, get ready for a climb. Dhayah Fort sits high on a rocky hill and it is in fact the only hilltop fort in the UAE. You’ll need to climb over 239 steps to reach the top. But when you do, the view is something else – date farms below, the sea stretching out in one direction, and the mountains in the other.
This fort has seen important historic battles that changed the history of the entire region. Standing up there, with the wind in your hair, you’ll feel connected to the past and you can imagine the hard life of the people who have been settled here.
If you still have energy, head to one of the wadis – Wadi Shawka or Wadi Naqab are good options. Even a short walk among the rocky cliffs and scattered pools gives you a dose of the wild beauty of this emirate. Read more in my blog posts on Wadi Shawka and Jebel Jais hiking trails.
As sunset approaches, find your way to Jebel Jais, the highest mountain in the UAE with 1934 m of height. Highway takes you to the top, take a moment at the rest stop to watch the sky turn orange and pink. Observe the mountains turn orange in the golden glow, listen to the silence, and let the day settle in.
Ras Al Khaimah isn’t a place you visit just for one thing. It’s for when you want to mix heritage with nature, adventure with calm, and leave feeling like you’ve actually explored. If you give it one day, it’ll give you countless stories to take home.
Voyagerista 