Things to Do in Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates

Quick facts: At 1,934 meters above sea level, it is the highest peak in the United Arab Emirates. Jebel Jais is home to the world's longest zipline, the Jais Flight, which stretches 2.83 kilometers.

Highlights: On clear days, the summit offers a 360-degree panorama that extends to the Sea of Oman and even to the Iranian coasts in good weather. The roads winding up to the summit are among the most spectacular in the Middle East, with hairpin turns offering dizzying views at every bend.

Quick facts: Stretching 2.7 kilometers into the Persian Gulf, this artificial archipelago is home to four distinctly shaped islands. More than 7 million tons of rock and sand were needed to create this residential and hotel complex.

Highlights: Walking along the beach at sunset, you can see the snow-capped peaks of Jebel Jais on the horizon, a striking contrast between the warm sand and the distant mountains. The calm waters of the inner lagoon are ideal for paddleboarding early in the morning, before the sea breeze picks up.

Quick facts: Perched on a hill overlooking the old town, this 18th-century fort once served as the residence of the ruling Al Qasimi family. Its towers now house a fascinating collection of archaeological artifacts, traditional weapons, and rare manuscripts that tell centuries of history.

Highlights: In a small vaulted room, you will discover an 800-year-old brass pearl, the largest ever found in the region, with an impressive diameter of 6.5 centimeters. The thick walls of the fort maintain a surprising coolness even when the thermometer approaches 45°C outside.

Quick facts: Perched on a limestone hill, this 16th-century fort was the last bastion of resistance against the British in 1819. Only 53 meters in height separate its mud-brick walls from the sea, offering a striking contrast between the ochre desert and the turquoise waters of the gulf.

Highlights: During the British attack of 1819, nearly 400 local fighters and their families took refuge there for three days, resisting with only rudimentary cannons. Today, while climbing the 238 steps carved into the rock, you can still see the impact marks of cannonballs embedded in the old coral and lime walls.

Quick facts: Accessible only by cable car, the camp sits at over 1,200 meters above sea level in the Jebel Jais mountains. Every year, more than 50,000 adventurers take on its challenges inspired by the survival techniques of the British explorer.

Highlights: You sleep suspended in glass pods attached to the cliffside, with a 300-meter drop beneath you. Waking up offers a rare sight: the first rays of sunlight setting the Hajar peaks ablaze before the rest of the world awakens.

Quick facts: Its thermal waters have been gushing at 40°C continuously for centuries, rich in sulfur minerals known for soothing rheumatism. Local Bedouins already came to bathe here long before the first modern facilities were built.

Highlights: Unlike sterile spas, the hot water cascades here directly from the rock into an outdoor pool where you can swim under the stars. The contrast between the dry desert air and the steam rising from the water creates an almost surreal atmosphere, especially at sunset.

Quick facts: With its water slides that pass through an aviary housing hundreds of exotic birds, this water park offers a one-of-a-kind experience. Summer temperatures exceeding 45°C require the park to fully recycle its water every two hours to guarantee perfect freshness.

Highlights: The park is home to the longest water slide in the Middle East, a 238-meter descent that propels you through a transparent tunnel immersed in a pool filled with stingrays. You literally glide above these graceful creatures before plunging into a giant wave pool that simulates waves up to 2 meters high.

Quick facts: The museum houses the largest collection of natural pearls in the world, with over 300,000 specimens. Each pearl tells a unique story, some having been recovered from the Persian Gulf over 7,000 years ago.

Highlights: Imagine a room where 10,000 luminescent pearls float in the darkness, creating an underwater starry sky. The curators show you how to distinguish a real pearl from an imitation by gently rubbing it against your teeth, a test that surprises all visitors.