Ras Al Khaimah Apartments for Sale: Al Marjan Island and Freehold Zones

Al Marjan Island is a man-made archipelago with beachfront hotels, resorts and apartment towers; its profile will rise further with the opening of the Wynn Resort. Mina Al Arab is a lagoon-side community with villas and apartments, and Al Hamra Village combines a golf course, marina and apartments. Jazirat Al Hamra is a historic village. The city centre of RAK is older and local. Jebel Jais, the UAE's highest peak, is an adventure tourism draw, with a long zip line.

RAK is around 45 to 60 minutes from Dubai by road, depending on traffic, and has its own small airport. Prices have grown fast, but there is still plenty of off-plan supply under construction.

Foreign buyers can own freehold property in designated areas, including Al Marjan Island, Mina Al Arab and Al Hamra Village. Registration is through the RAK Land Department, with a fee on the sale value and further charges for off-plan registration. There is no annual property tax, but service charges apply. Investor residence visas linked to property value are available at specified thresholds, which have been changing, so confirm conditions with the relevant authorities or an adviser.

Always check that the project is registered, the developer's track record and that payments go into an escrow account. Our UAE buying guide, financing page and UAE analysis offer further detail.

Service charges in resort towers cover pools, gyms, security and beach access, and they can be a sizeable share of rental income. RAK's occupancy depends on tourism, which is seasonal, with the best months from October to April and a very hot summer. Heavy off-plan supply on Al Marjan Island means resale values depend on how quickly towers are completed and occupied. Yield figures from developers are projections, not guarantees, so ask for booking data from comparable buildings. Many buyers choose RAK as a lower-cost alternative to Dubai while keeping access to the same visa system.

Al Marjan Island offers beach-front towers with hotel-style amenities, while Al Hamra and Mina Al Arab offer lagoon-side apartments and villas with a more residential feel. If you want to use the property yourself, choose a community with schools and shops nearby; if you plan to rent it out, prioritise a beach view and brand-name operators. Compare service charges and handover dates before choosing.

Compare Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Sharjah and Umm Al Quwain. The UAE hub lists more, and our valuation tool helps check asking prices.