Overview
Ras Al Khaimah is an active spot for tourists and a getaway place from the business traffic in Dubai for many. Most people are here for the beach but, backed by the spine of the Hajar Mountains, which roll down to the shore, Ras Al-Khaimah is also a great base if you're looking for more active things to do. Jebel Jais (Jais Mountain) is the main tourist attraction, and in recent years has become a major activity center. Whether you want to zipline down the mountain or tackle some climbing on its slopes, this is one of the best places to visit in the UAE for adventure seekers. Ras Al-Khaimah's city and coastline resort strip may be in permanent beach vacation mode but historically, this region is very important, with archaeological excavations here revealing that this area has been inhabited since the 3rd millennium BCE. The Ras Al-Khaimah National Museum does an excellent job of explaining this long-reaching history. For historic sightseeing outside the city, Al Khams village and the nearby Dhayah Fort, and the wonderfully atmospheric Jazirat al-Hamra area, provide further peeks at Emirati life before the mid-20th century oil boom.
