For a romantic couple’s escape in the Middle East, there are few better choices than a holiday to Ras Al Khaimah. Boasting a wealth of opportunities for both sun-soaked seclusion and exhilarating adventures abound, this beautiful emirate shines brightest when it comes to cultural heritage and nature-driven moments. With pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters, rolling desert dunes and a plethora of luxurious resorts promising intimacy and romance, Ras Al Khaimah should be on every couple’s bucket list.
We’ve rounded up some of our favourite Ras Al Khaimah holidays, experiences and highlights that will be sure to deliver a couple’s escape you won’t forget.
Where is Ras Al Khaimah?
Ras Al Khaimah is the northernmost emirate of the United Arab Emirates, located in a spectacular setting where the rugged Al Hajar Mountains meet the glistening waters of the Arabian Gulf. Though lesser known than the neighbouring emirates of Dubai and Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah offers something altogether different and no less impressive than these bustling metropolises. Here, nature commands the experience, whether it is the glittering coastline, the night skies aglow with stars or the sweeping sands of the Arabian Desert – all of this makes you feel as though you’ve strayed off the beaten track, though Dubai International Airport lies just a 45-minute drive away.
When to Visit Ras Al Khaimah
The best time to visit Ras Al Khaimah is between November and March when the temperature is cooler. During this period, temperatures range between 20°C and 28°C, making it more comfortable to be out and about and explore the emirate’s wealth of attractions and natural splendours. Between April and October, temperatures soar to around 40°C, promising days filled with sunshine where you can cool off in your hotel's swimming pool or retire to the spa. Along with the hot and sunny climate, the shoulder season also promises great savings and discounts, meaning you can enjoy the splendour of Ras Al Khaimah for less.
| Month | Average Daily High |
| January | 24°C |
| February | 25°C |
| March | 28°C |
| April | 33°C |
| May | 27°C |
| June | 40°C |
| July | 41°C |
| August | 40°C |
| September | 38°C |
| October | 35°C |
| November | 29°C |
| December | 25°C |
The Best Places to Stay in Ras Al Khaimah for Couples
Stunning overwater villas worthy of the Maldives; Bedouin-inspired luxury camps in the heart of the desert; sprawling 5-star hotels edging the sparkling Arabian Gulf - here are some of our favourite Ras Al Khaimah hotels and holidays for you to discover:
The Overwater Pool Villas at Anantara Mina Al Arab Ras Al Khaimah Resort
The Anantara Mina Al Arab Ras Al Khaimah Resort is one of the most luxurious and unique Ras Al Khaimah hotels. Inspired by the Anantara brand's Thai heritage, it includes one key feature that makes it stand out from every other Ras Al Khaimah hotel: its collection of stunning Overwater Pool Villas. Stretching across a crystal-clear lagoon, this string of spacious luxury villas is instantly reminiscent of the Maldives, with each villa boasting a thatched roof and naturally toned interiors. With mesmerising views across the Arabian Gulf and of the lush mangroves which wrap the coastline, these expansive accommodations provide a holiday steeped in luxury and privacy.
Furthermore, each one includes a spacious private deck where you can soak up the sun as well as a private pool from which you can take in the beautiful vistas. For a romantic Ras Al Khaimah holiday, this 5-star resort is hard to match; and with its pristine beach, signature Asian and Mediterranean restaurants, wealth of activities and tranquil Thai-inspired spa, it is certainly amongst the finest hotels in Ras Al Khaimah for an intimate couple’s holiday.
A Desert and Beach Escape
One of Ras Al Khaimah’s most exciting qualities is the ability to enjoy both its breathtaking beaches and vast desert sands. You can even combine the two in one holiday with our incredible Desert and Beach: A Ritz-Carlton Holiday, during which you can stay at two luxurious Ritz-Carlton resorts over five unforgettable nights.
Beginning at The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Wadi Desert, you can stay in charming Bedouin-style tented accommodation amid the golden sands of the Arabian Desert. While staying at this beautiful luxury camp with its romantic setting, you can take part in a selection of incredible activities and experiences, from stargazing under the Arabian night to thrilling buggy rides across the undulating dunes to exploring the 1,235-acre Nature Reserve the resort sits within, where you might glimpse Arabian oryxes and a host of other species in their natural habitat. Each beautiful villa at The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Wadi Desert oozes with Bedouin-inspired décor and architecture, and each one also comes with its own private pool, allowing you to gaze across the endless sands while you savour some respite from the hot desert sun.
Also at this intimate desert retreat, you will find a tranquil spa facility that includes The Rainforest, a hydrothermal experience that blends European hydrothermal culture with Middle Eastern bathing rituals across 16 soothing stations. With the desert sands forming a captivating backdrop, you can indulge in a choice of sumptuous dining options during your stay, including spice-rich Indian cuisine and Middle Eastern delicacies as well as succulent farm-to-table grilled dishes and, for a more intimate option, a Bedouin-style picnic for two on a romantic podium in the desert.
After embracing the timeless romance of the Arabian dunes, you’ll swap the sands of the desert for those of the beach as you head to another glamorous Ritz-Carlton retreat in Ras Al Khaimah: The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Hamra Beach. Comprising 32 stylish villas - each of which features a spacious deck, private swimming pool and direct beach access – this 5-star resort resides along a dazzling stretch of white sand on the shores of the Arabian Gulf. At this serene resort, you can savour exquisite flavours including fresh seafood caught by local fishermen or opt for a unique in-villa dining experience or destination dining for two on the soft sands of the beach.
The beautiful spa at this resort benefits from uninterrupted views of the Gulf’s glittering waters, inviting guests to unwind with a choice of rejuvenating wellness treatments at one of the waterfront pavilions, with treatments incorporating natural ingredients such as local flowers, native spices and more. After enjoying the seclusion of your own private villa, you can enjoy a wide range of activities such as snorkelling amongst vibrant coral reefs or learn about the local marine life on a nature tour around the resort.
A Luxury Holiday at Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah
Ras Al Khaimah is home to some of the United Arab Emirates’ most luxurious resorts where guests will be greeted with high-end hospitality, world-class facilities and opulent accommodations. One of our favourite luxury Ras Al Khaimah hotels is the Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah, a magnificent beachfront hotel with stunning, palatial-inspired architecture. Grand hallways, delicate Arabesque arches and gleaming marble finishes all combine to promote a sense of pure Arabian-style luxury. Overlooking the Arabian Gulf, this 5-star property is home to an award-winning spa, nine fabulous restaurants, bars and lounges, plushly decorated guestrooms and an adults-only swimming pool.
While staying at this opulent resort, you can try your hand at a range of exciting activities such as tennis, water sports or teeing off at the award-winning Al Hamra Golf Course. Alternatively, you can take advantage of Ras Al Khaimah’s year-round sunshine and simply relax and unwind on the 350-metre stretch of private beach in front of the resort. For a unique couple’s experience, you can head to the award-winning Waldorf Astoria Spa and its Exclusive Couples Suite, equipped with a luxurious hot tub for two. Other facilities at this oasis of wellbeing include a ladies’ flotation tube, both male and female steam rooms, a hydro bath and Waldorf Astoria’s signature herbal sauna.
Food-crazy couples will also fall in love with the Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah for its sublime culinary offerings, which range from authentic Italian cuisine to home-style Asian cooking and Japanese teppanyaki at the Umi restaurant. All of these delightful dishes can be washed down with a selection of expertly crafted cocktails across the onsite bars and lounges – the perfect way to make a toast to your romantic escape while watching the sun set over the Gulf.
What to do in Ras Al Khaimah
For couples who crave a healthy mixture of excitement and culture, Ras Al Khaimah offers a variety of activities that will both thrill and inspire. The exhilarating Jais Flight is the world’s longest zipline, stretching for 2.83 kilometres across the dramatic mountain landscape of Jebel Jais. Raised 1,680 metres above the ground, this is a sure way to pump up your adrenaline as you whizz through the sky at speeds of up to 160 km/h while taking in the panoramic views of Ras Al Khaimah’s rugged mountainscapes. Another hair-raising experience in Ras Al Khaimah is the Jais Sledder, the longest toboggan ride in the region, where you can speed down winding tracks which meander across Jebel Jais.
To get your fix of the local culture, you can visit Ras Al Khaimah’s fascinating pearl farm – the Suwaidi Pearl Farm - to learn about how pearl farming was an integral part of Ras Al Khaimah’s cultural heritage across the centuries. There is also the National Museum of Ras Al Khaimah, which showcases the emirate’s fascinating history, plus a number of crumbling forts - like Dhayah Fort - which dot the region’s rugged landscapes, remnants of Ras Al Khaimah’s storied past.
Ras Al Khaimah is a destination that caters perfectly to couples seeking romance, relaxation, and adventure. From luxurious overwater villas at Anantara Mina Al Arab Resort to the desert luxury of the Ritz-Carlton, the emirate offers a variety of settings that ensure a magical escape. Add to that the thrill of mountain adventures and the allure of traditional cultural experiences, and Ras Al Khaimah emerges as an unforgettable destination for a couple's getaway.
For more Ras Al Khaimah inspiration, you can read our Insider's Guide to Ras Al Khaimah blog, which showcases some of our favourite hand-picked hotels in the region.