Ras Al Khaimah

Ras Al Khaimah is the northernmost emirate, about an hour's drive from Dubai, where the Hajar Mountains meet the sea. Its great landmark is Jebel Jais, the highest peak in the country, climbed by a winding mountain road that reaches about 1,900 metres; at the top it is around 10 degrees cooler than on the coast.

The mountain has viewing decks and restaurants, and Jais Flight, the zipline recorded by Guinness World Records in 2018 as the longest in the world at 2.83 kilometres. If you prefer calm, a sunset hour on the terraces above the valleys is enough.

On the coast are quiet family resorts on Al Marjan Island and beaches far less crowded than Dubai's. Ras Al Khaimah combines well with Fujairah on the Gulf of Oman in a single day.

We suggest one or two nights here, or a full day from Dubai, ideally between November and March, when the mountain is cool and the sky clear.