Historic siteFree entry

Al Jazirah Al Hamra

An abandoned pearling village: coral-block houses, a mosque and a souk, left in 1968.

Address: Al Jazirah Al Hamra, Ras Al Khaimah
Time to allow: 90 min
Website: www.ajah.ae

What's special

★An intact pre-industrial pearling village
★Coral-stone houses and a mosque
★An old souk and wind towers
★Free entry, always open

A former pearling village south of Ras Al Khaimah city, all but abandoned by its residents in 1968. Houses built of coral block and beach rock survive, along with a mosque, a market and wind towers — a rare intact example of a pre-industrial Emirati settlement. Entry is free and the site is open; some houses are restored, others stand as ruins. Since 2019 it has hosted an annual arts festival each March.

Tips

Go early morning or near sunset — there is almost no shade midday. Closed shoes are essential, the ground is loose stone and glass. Bring water, there is no café on site.