Al Jazirah Al Hamra

Al Jazirah Al Hamra is a small town in Ras Al Khaimah. Also known as Ghost Town, the community has a number of abandoned villas and old buildings along with a mosque. The town was ruled by the Zaab tribe before the tribe moved to Abu Dhabi between 1968 and 1971 leaving the town in the state it is in now, earning the moniker of a ‘ghost town’. With the passage of time, this site was turned into a heritage and archaeological village which preserves the original fabric of a Gulf settlement and today it is the last remaining traditional pearling coastal town in the Gulf.

The area is also a popular filming location that has been used in international movies. While the ghost town remains intact lots of residential, commercial and entertainment facilities are being developed in the nearby areas. Al Jazirah Al Hamra is located near the industrial zone in proximity to a port, a water park, a gated community and a golf course.

• Located to the south of Ras Al Khaimah
• Has a collection of abandoned houses and buildings
• Close to the industrial zone 
• Located between a port, a golf course and a gated community
• The only historical pearling town in the Gulf

This community in Ras Al Khaimah is quite historic. However, for Al Jazirah Al Hamra the government has not decided to demolish old buildings to make a place for new developments. It has been turned into a popular attraction for UAE residents and tourists.

Initially, buildings in the area were constructed using coral stones held together by mud and covered by woven date palms. Now in a different part of the community, you can find 3 and 4-bedroom villas with covered areas ranging from 6,000 sq. ft. to 14,000 sq. ft. These stylish and sophisticated units have spacious bedrooms, four to five bathrooms with a walk-in closet, living and dining areas and a well-equipped kitchen. There are high ceiling windows with a spacious patio that overlooks a temperature-controlled pool. There is a maid’s room and a designated storage area along with a remote-controlled car garage with three parking spaces.

Those willing to live in the community can rent villas in Al Jazirah Al Hamra. One can rent a 3-bedroom villa for AED 85k to AED 135k. The rent of a 4-bedroom villa ranges from AED 195k to AED 250k.

There are several hotels allowing visitors to spend a good time in the historical town. The Ritz-Carlton is a popular 5-star hotel set along a private beach. The destination is a 2-minute walk from Al Hamra Golf Club and a short drive from the Ras Al Khaimah International Airport. The hotel offers roomy villas with living areas and terraces with private outdoor pools. Amenities like a spa, seafood restaurant, a poolside bar and dining on the beach are also available.

Another popular hotel known as Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah is a 7-minute drive away. The 5-star hotel is housed in a decorative building next to the private beach. It is at a 10-minute drive from Al Hamra Golf Club and Al Hamra Mall RAK.

Plenty of parking spaces are available in Al Jazirah Al Hamra as most streets are empty. Each villa has more than two parking spaces for residents.

Those who want to use public transportation in Al Jazirah Al Hamra can use buses to move around. The closest bus station is the Al Jubail Bus Station at a 15-minute walking distance. Bus lines E303, E306 and E400 pass through the area.

The area has a cluster of retail options to facilitate residents. Popular supermarkets near Al Jazirah Al Hamra are ZOOM, Al Jazeera Supermarket and Al Maya Supermarket are located at a walking distance. All these convenience stores fulfil all the grocery and household needs of customers. Other supermarkets in the vicinity are Al Sanad Supermarket, Mina Al Arab Supermarket and Taj Al Madina Supermarket. These are a 10-minute drive away.

One can find several churches near Al Jazirah Al Hamra. St. Mary’s Orthodox Church, St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church and St. Gregorios Jacobite Syrian Church are a 10-minute drive away.

There is a well-known mosque in Al Jazirah Al Hamra known as Al Zaab Historic Mosque. It is just a 4-minute drive away.

Parents of toddlers can find several well-known nurseries in Al Jazirah Al Hamra. Red Bus Nursery and Al Hamra Nursery are a short drive from the district.

One can find several schools in Al Jazirah Al Hamra. New British International School is less than a minute’s drive from the residential area. Parents can send children to the RAK Academy British School Al Hamra-BSH. The school caters to students aged 3 to 11 years and follows a British curriculum. It has a good facility with quality teaching staff and a well-organised learning process. A local school called Zainab School for Basic and Secondary Education is also at a 6-minute drive away.

SBS Swiss Business School is an institute for business students. They offer the following programs: BBA, MBA, MSc-HCM and DBA. It is just a 10-minute drive away from the neighbourhood.

For a medical emergency, one can visit several clinics in Al Jazirah Al Hamra. RAK Medical Center Al Jazeera is located at an 8-minute drive. Dr Amina Al Amiri’s Clinic is at a 6-minute drive. Holistic Rehab Centre is also just a 5-minute drive away.

Sheikh Khalifa Specialty Hospital is a 13-minute drive away from the community.

The closest community to Al Jazira Al Hamra is Mina Al Arab. The area has a variety of attractions. Another small gated-community called Bayti Homes is also located near the community.

Al Hamra Mall is a two-storey shopping destination with 120 fashion stores, a food court, a mosque and a movie theatre. It is just a 5-minute drive away. The Lagoon is another popular mall in Al Jazirah Al Hamra. It is located at an 11-minute drive on Mina Al Arab Road. It is part of a dynamic neighbourhood that houses cafes, shops and cultural gardens. RAK Mall and Manar Mall are a 20-minute drive away.

There are several restaurants in Al Jazirah Al Hamra. Residents can visit Marina Muse, The Codfather and Route Burger. These restaurants are a 4-minute drive away. Nando’s in Al Hamra Mall is also a 4-minute drive away from the neighbourhood. It offers a variety of Afro-Portuguese cuisines.

Azure for a fancy dining experience is just 7 minutes away. Maison Mathis RAK in the Golf Club on Vienna Street in Al Hamra Village is just 6 minutes away. PizzaExpress and The Noodle Room Express are the other two dining options.

Luckily those who enjoy visiting beaches near Al Jazirah Al Hamra will be pleased to know that the area is close to Arabian Gulf**. Al Jazeera Beach** is at a 4-minute drive. Al Hamra Beach is at a 6-minute drive from the community.

There are several attractions in the area. There is an abandoned village called Jazirat Al Hamra Old Town with empty streets and crumbling houses. There is an old mosque that is believed to be haunted. This part of the community is popular amongst tourists looking to witness haunted activity.  One can opt for a 10-minute drive for sightseeing mangrove trees along the waters.  Al Hamra Beach and Al Marjan Island are also popular attractions near the community.

People can visit several parks near Al Jazirah Al Hamra. Ibn Batuta Park is located in just a 6-minute drive. Ras Al Khaimah Public Beach Park and JBR-RAK are a 10-minute drive away.

Fitness enthusiasts can find several gyms near Al Jazirah Al Hamra. Eforea Ladies Spa is located at a 10-minute drive. Oxygen Gym, Outdoor Calisthenics and Al Jazeera Al Hamra Cultural Sports Club are also located nearby.

Al Jazirah Al Hamra enjoys historical importance. And now, the community also has several amenities. However, one has to keep in mind that the area has limited options for public transportation.

Al Jazirah Al Hamra is the oldest suburban community. It is located near the Industrial Zone in Ras Al Khaimah.

• Also known as the Ghost Town
• Ras Al Khaimah Airport is a 30-minute drive away