Al Mataf, Ras Al Khaimah

Al Mataf is a coastal suburb of Ras Al Khaimah located on the north-western end of the emirate. The residential area is connected to the central city through Al Mataf Road which is running alongside the neighbourhood. The availability of communal facilities such as schools, grocery stores and clinics makes it an ideal residential community for families.

• A waterfront community in Ras Al Khaimah
• Features villas in unique configurations
• Facilities such as supermarkets, mosques and schools are available within the area
• Al Mataf Road runs along with the community

Al Mataf is a buzzing neighbourhood with shops, restaurants, supermarkets and other commercial spots. The well-connected road network provides ease for commuting to key areas of the emirate. As for the residential side, the community offers villas mainly in different layouts. Although most of the properties are occupied, residents looking for a private home in the community can find a few options.

Properties in Al Mataf consist mostly of villas. These villas usually consist of one storey above the ground. They come with a spacious living area, equipped kitchen, maid’s room and powder room. Each bedroom has an attached bathroom and a built-in wardrobe. Other features include a maid’s room, parking area, laundry, storage room and private garden.

Villas for rent in Al Mataf are available in different layouts and can be leased on annual basis. These private residences are also rented in portions where tenants have a separate entrance and share other facilities such as a parking area and a backyard garden. Interested tenants can rent 2-bedroom villas in Al Mataf for AED 28k per annum.

Those interested in buying villas in Al Mataf will find limited options as plenty of properties are also purchased. The sale price of 2-bedroom villas in Al Mataf is AED 750k.

Finding a parking space in Al Mataf isn’t a hassle as each house comes with a dedicated car parking area. Visitors can use street parking facilities for their vehicles.

The popular means of public transportation in Al Mataf are bus and taxi services. The nearest bus station is accessible within a 10-minute drive from Al Nakheel area. Residents can hail a cab in case of urgency to reach their destination.

Those with private conveyance can commute using Al Mataf Road which connects the neighbourhood with Al Manama – Ras Al Khaimah Road in a 10-minute drive. Al Hisn Road and Al Khuzam Road also lie in proximity via Al Mataf Road.

There are plenty of local grocery stores and supermarkets in Al Mataf offering a range of quality products. These include Al Satwa Grocery, Al Jawhara Supermarket, Hassan Al Refaie Grocery and Al Yaqoot Grocery. For larger grocery hauls, an outlet of Carrefour is located at a 16-minute drive in Al Manar Mall. It is one of the top Carrefour supermarkets in Ras Al Khaimah offering groceries, deli products and other household items.

Mosques in Al Mataf are dotted around the area to facilitate Muslim community members. Aisha Bint Abu Bakr Mosque, Masjid Hamza Bin Abdul Muttalib and Stone Mosque are a few of them. For congregational prayers, residents can head to Sheikh Sultan bin Saqr Al Qasimi Mosque located in Al Nakheel area. The mosque can accommodate 3,200 worshippers and also has a female prayer area for 380 women. It will take a 15-minute drive to reach the mosque.

Christian fellows can visit the churches near Al Mataf after driving for around 10-minutes towards the south. These include Winners Chapel International Ras Al Khaimah and Church Nakheel.

Julphar Secondary School and Al Mataf Girls School for Basic Education are two reputable educational institutes in the community. Both the schools in Al Mataf are located in the centre of the community providing easy access. Parents looking for other options can find some of the best schools in Ras Al Khaimah a short drive away. These include Bangladesh Islamia School RAK and Ideal English School.

Emirates Munnar Catering College (MCC) RAK is a branch of the hospitality education institute in India. It is one of the top universities in Ras Al Khaimah offering diplomas and short courses in management, hospitality and cookery. Other universities near the community are the American University of Ras Al Khaimah and RAK Medical and Health Sciences University. It will take a 15 to 17-minute drive to reach the educational institutes.

Julphar Health Centre in Al Mataf is a premium healthcare facility in the community. It provides services for dental treatment, mental health, pre-marital check-up and primary family care. The health centre has facilities for X-Ray, ultrasound and ambulance service in case of emergency. It is an accredited health centre located near Al Mataf Road.

Residents can also head to some of the best clinics in Ras Al Khaimah for examination, these include Union Medical and Dental Centre and Thumbay Clinic RAK. The community also has a few pharmacy stores such as Aster Pharmacy and Al Khair Pharmacy.

Al Mataf is surrounded by popular residential communities of Ras Al Khaimah including Al Nudood and Al Sharisha. To its north lie Al Rams while Saraya Island is located towards the western side of the community. Seihh Al Ghubb and Al Mamourah are other residential areas situated close to the neighbourhood.

Al Naeem Mall is one of the popular shopping destinations near the community. It has four storeys with around 200 retail shops, dining options and entertainment facilities. The shopping mall is located at a 14-minute drive, from Bin Daher Street. Manar Mall is another one of the best shopping malls in Ras Al Khaimah accessible within a 15-minute drive. Some of the fashion brands in the mall include Sephora, MAC, Marks & Spencer’s, Damas, Superdry and H&M. It also has a branch of Carrefour along with a cinema and recreational facilities. Other shopping malls near Al Mataf are RAK Mall and Al Hamra Mall.

There are several local eateries, cafes and casual dining restaurants in Al Mataf serving Indian, Pakistani and Arabic cuisine. These include Al Ranan Restaurant, Suprem Fish Toasting and Alwalema Restaurant Residents can also dine at some of the best restaurants in RAK after driving for around 10 to 15-minutes. These include Hadramout Mandi & Madfoon and Al Fanar Restaurant and Café. The nearby shopping malls also have food courts with famous international fast-food restaurants and cafes. Hardees, Starbucks, Baskin Robbins, Tim Hortons, Caesars Restaurant and Pappa Roti are a few of them.

Since Al Mataf is a coastal district of the emirate, residents will find a series of beaches near the community. The popular ones include RAK Public Beach, Sidroh Beach and Al Rams Beach. Jazirat Al Hamra Beach is another popular picnic spot where beachgoers can put up their tents for camping and set up a bonfire, explore the ghost town or enjoy water sports activities at Al Hamra Marina and Yacht Club.

A few notable landmarks near Al Mataf are:

• National Museum of Ras Al Khaimah
• Tower Links Golf Club
• Dhayah Fort

National Museum RAK is a prominent heritage site of Ras Al Khaimah located at the western edge of the emirate. The building of the museum was served as a fort in 1621 and used as the residence of the ruling family till the 1960s. It was turned into a museum in 1987 where a stunning collection of ethnological, archaeological and ethnographic objects are kept. The wind tower, carved designs on wooden doors and inner courtyard garden are the interesting features of the fort.

Tower Links Golf Club is another leisure spot near the community located at Khuzam Road. It is an 18-hole golf course featuring a club with a spa, a bunker lounge and casual dining restaurants. For non-golfers, several big screens have been set up in the Bunker Lounge where visitors can watch their favourite games. It also has a pool table and dart arena where you can test your skills against your friends.

Residents can spend an evening out with family and friends at Apple Park near Al Mataf. It has a dedicated children’s play area, walking tracks and a shaded seating area. It will take a 20-minute drive towards the south to reach the park. Some of Ras Al Khaimah’s best parks are also situated in proximity to the neighbourhood. These include Al Khuzam Park and Saqr Park.

Fitness enthusiasts can head to gyms near Al Mataf to keep up with their workout sessions. These include Rashaqa Life Fitness Sports Centre, Golden Lion Gym and GymNation RAK. It will take a 10 to 15-minute drive to visit these fitness centres.

Ladies can find plenty of salons in Al Mataf offering a range of beauty care treatments. Sonya Beauty and Henna Salon, Just For You Beauty Salon and Al Mawaddah Salon are a few of them. Al Smow Gents Salon, Al Bairaq Gents Salon and Al Shamail Hairdresser Salon are gents’ salons in the community.

Ras Al Khaimah National Theatre hosts different plays to support the local playwrights and theatre actors. You can visit the theatre after driving for around 15-minutes towards the south. Nearby shopping malls also host different cultural and seasonal events.

Al Mataf is an ideal residential community for those who enjoy the hustle and bustle of the city. However, finding a suitable property can be a bit challenging as most of the properties are already taken up due to the affordable rental price.

Al Mataf is a coastal area located on the northern side of the emirate.

• RAK International Airport is half an hour’s drive away
• A 10-minute drive to Hilton Ras Al Khaimah Resort & Spa
• Al Nakheel and Ras Al Selaab are located at a 10-minute drive
• One can visit the National Museum of Ras Al Khaimah in a 20-minute drive