Forget Dubai and Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah is a must-see in the UAE

There’s more to visiting the United Arab Emirates than just the skyscrapers of Dubai or the Louvre Museum in Abu Dhabi. By 2030, the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, little known to Western tourists, should gain a place among tourist attractions. From 1 November, Qatar Airways will operate daily flights to Ras Al Khaimah. Nestled between the northernmost tip of the Sultanate of Oman and Dubai, the tiny emirate of just under 1,700 square kilometers, whose name means “top of the tent,” will be connected to the world thanks to the Doha-based airline . Qatar Airways has a network of over 150 destinations in the Middle East, Europe and all other continents. Qatar Airways is not alone in this new market. Latvian airline Smartlynx plans to fly from Munich to the small emirate starting in October.

A completely unknown destination for many travelers, this small land has big aspirations. Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) Chief Executive HE Raki Phillips told the Air Arabia Summit that Ras Al Khaimah hopes to welcome three million tourists a year by 2030. The emirate has been named one of the top tourist destinations for 2023 by CNN Travel. Time Magazine named the emirate one of the “World’s Greatest Places 2022”. In fact, tourists from Germany, Russia, the United Kingdom, the Czech Republic and Kazakhstan represent real trailblazers, according to industry news website Air Journal, which highlights these countries as the only significant tourists currently visiting Ras Al Khaimah.

However, over the past 12 years, the emirate has worked hard to raise its profile in the tourism world. In May 2011, the government set out to establish a dedicated tourism development office. RAKTDA explained that the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority was commissioned by the government to license, regulate and oversee the tourism and hospitality industry in the emirate. Over the past decade, Ras Al Khaimah has built a hotel portfolio of more than 8,000 rooms, including major brands such as Radisson Blu, InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) and Mövenpick. Brands such as Marriott and Sofitel are also to be expected. In 2026, Wynn Resorts will give Ras Al Khaimah the UAE’s first casino.

As for things to do, the emirate is built around a natural harbor that outlines two main areas to explore. The palatial neighbors of Dubai and Abu Dhabi are unenviable in their abundance of attractions, as it is a prime destination for divers and a top destination for relaxing on sun-warmed sandy beaches. With a history of pearl production, Ras Al Khaimah is a place to explore for travelers who love open spaces and stunning scenery. Ras Al Khaimah is home to Jebel Jais, the highest mountain in the United Arab Emirates. On the border with Oman, this mountain is the highest point of the Hajar Mountains. Tourists can visit Wadi Bih, the Grand Canyon in the United Arab Emirates, and admire the rocky landscape. Adventurers might even want to zip down the cliffs on the breathtakingly long zipline. As for culture, tourists can visit Sheikh Zayed Mosque, Sheba Palace and Daya Fort.

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