Ras Al Khaimah: History, Corniche and Mangroves

Ras Al Khaimah brings together historic sites in the city, a waterfront promenade and a protected stretch of mangroves. When looking for a hotel, the park, mosque, museum and Corniche offer concrete themes to help you plan a trip around your interests. The wider emirate adds further cultural sites and regional architecture to the urban impression.

Culture and history in the city

Saqr Park was inaugurated in 1991 by His Highness Sheikh Saqr bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, who ruled the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah from 1948 to 2010. The park offers family-friendly attractions throughout the year. This place therefore combines a clearly dated history with leisure activities available year-round.

The Mohammed Bin Salem Mosque dates from the late 18th century; evidence points to an even earlier mosque at the same site. The age of the present mosque and the earlier use of the site are therefore two distinct historical layers. It was built from beach rock, coral stone and natural plaster. In the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, it is one of the oldest and most respected places of worship. It remains an active place of worship and also welcomes people who want to learn more about Ras Al Khaimah's past.

In the old town's National Museum of Ras Al Khaimah, a gravestone bearing a Hebrew inscription is a specific example from the collection. The museum also houses archaeological and ethnological artefacts. The inscribed stone and the broader collections offer different ways in: one through a particular object, the other through artefacts from various subject areas.

By the Corniche and the water

Al Qawasim Corniche is named after the Al Qawasim clan, which controlled trade in the region in the 18th century. The name's history thus points to the clan and its historical role in regional trade. Tickets for the abra service on Ras Al Khaimah Creek can be booked through an electronic reservation system at the marine transport stations along the Corniche; payment can be made in cash or by electronic payment card. As booking arrangements may change, confirm the current options with the transport authority.

A protected stretch of mangroves borders the coast and extends into the centre of Ras Al Khaimah. The mangroves are therefore also part of the city centre's landscape, adding a natural waterside setting to its historic sites.

The wider Emirate of Ras Al-Khaimah

A natural creek divides the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah into two parts and connects the souks and old town with the modern city. In the wider destination of Ras Al-Khaimah, guided tours through the mangroves also start at the Ras Al Khaimah Corniche. Check before your trip whether the tours are currently operating.

Al Jazeera Al Hamra is another chapter in the region's cultural heritage. The village is considered the only surviving historic pearl-diving village in the entire Gulf region. Materials used in its traditional buildings include coral blocks, fossilised beach rock and mangrove timber beams. One wind-tower house features a barjeel wind catcher, a passive ventilation and cooling system. The emirate's architecture is thus reflected not only in urban examples but also in traditional building methods and materials.

Discover more destinations: Al Jazirah Al Hamra

Go to the wider travel overview: Ras Al-Khaimah.