Ras Al Khaimah is experiencing an unprecedented real estate boom, rapidly emerging as one of the most dynamic property markets in the UAE, guided by the forward-looking vision of His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, UAE Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah.
The emirate is shaping its skyline as it builds its resilient, diversified economy, in line with its ambitious strategy that centers around sound planning, sustainability, enhancing quality of life for its citizens and residents and world-class developments.
Key factors driving Ras Al Khaimah’s real estate market
In the past three years, property sales and prices have surged in Ras Al Khaimah, driven by a wave of hospitality, commercial and residential projects.
Moreover, an expected population growth from 0.4 million to 0.65 million by 2030 is set to generate demand for an estimated 45,000 additional residential units. This sustained growth is anchored in a diversified economy, investor-friendly regulations and the entry of global developers into the market, such as Emaar, Aldar and Ellington, alongside local leaders Marjan, Al Hamra and RAK Properties.
Further underpinning Ras Al Khaimah’s real estate evolution is a robust infrastructure. The emirate boasts eight hospitals and a modern education system where private schools are regulated by the Department of Knowledge. Additionally, the emirate consistently ranks among the safest places in the world, adding to its growing livability credentials.
Tourism is another central pillar of the emirate’s advancement, setting a record in 2024 that saw Ras Al Khaimah welcome 1.28 million tourists, drawn by attractions such as Jais Flight – the world’s longest zipline – Bear Grylls Explorers Camp and 1484 by Puro, the UAE’s highest-altitude restaurant.
Real estate transactions surge 25,000 percent in 7 years
Ras Al Khaimah’s real estate market has witnessed unprecedented growth in recent years, with transaction volumes skyrocketing by nearly 25,000 percent over the past seven years, according to data from the Ras Al Khaimah Statistics Center.
2024 saw a record-breaking surge in transactions to AED15.08 billion from AED6.94 billion a year earlier, marking a remarkable 118 percent increase.
This unprecedented growth underscores Ras Al Khaimah’s rising appeal among real estate investors and homebuyers, further solidifying its position as one of the UAE’s most promising property markets. The surge in transactions also reflects the emirate’s continued transformation into a hub for high-end yet accessible real estate, offering a unique blend of luxury, affordability and long-term investment potential.
The surge in real estate transactions comes at a time when Ras Al Khaimah is attracting heightened interest due to its strategic initiatives, including the expansion of Ras Al Khaimah International Airport, hospitality and entertainment investments and a strong push toward sustainable urban development.
With its prime waterfront developments, strategic infrastructure projects and expanding entertainment offerings, including the much-anticipated Wynn Al Marjan Island, with the first UAE casino, Ras Al Khaimah is attracting both global and regional investors seeking high-yield opportunities.
Projects such as Al Marjan Island—home to some of the most sought-after waterfront residences in the UAE— are seeing heightened demand, with investors eyeing strong rental returns ahead of the Wynn Resort’s grand opening.
Key developments transforming the city
At the forefront of Ras Al Khaimah’s real estate transformation is Al Marjan Island, a premier waterfront destination making strides in the sector and playing host to ultra-luxury brands including Wynn, JW Marriott, Nobu, Missoni and The Address.
Further expanding its offering, Marjan is developing RAK Central, a multifunctional hub that blends business, lifestyle and innovation, and is set to become one of the Northern Emirates’ largest commercial districts.
RAK Properties is also enhancing the emirate’s shoreline with its flagship Mina development, already home to award-winning resorts, such as Anantara Mina Ras Al Khaimah and InterContinental Ras Al Khaimah. The development is gearing up to welcome upcoming additions, such as Nikki Beach, Staybridge Suites and the planned Four Seasons.
“The vision for Ras Al Khaimah is becoming a reality. We are creating a vibrant, sustainable environment that is attracting global investment while maintaining the unique culture and natural heritage of our emirate,” said said RAK Properties Chairman Abdulaziz Abdullah Al Zaabi.
For its part, Al Hamra continues to set the standard for integrated living with Al Hamra Village’s more than 4,000 homes, golf course and vibrant community of over 10,000 residents, complemented by major projects such as Waldorf Astoria Residences, Falcon Island, Al Hamra Waterfront and the Emirate’s largest and most popular retail hub – Manar Mall.
Read: GCC real estate market to maintain upward momentum in H2 2025 on strong investor demandÂ
Residential sector set for significant growth
In 2024, the emirate recorded a total of 2,985 sales transactions, surpassing AED6 billion in value. Additionally, 1,224 mortgage transactions were completed, with contract values exceeding AED4 billion, alongside 845 assignment transactions with a total market value of more than AED3 billion.
Ras Al Khaimah has experienced substantial development in the real estate sector in the past decade across the clusters of Al Hamra, Mina Al Arab and Marjan Island. The emirate is poised to experience significant growth in its residential sector, with a total of 14,148 new residential units announced to be developed between 2026 and 2029. Branded residences account for 5,604 of these units, reaching a 40 percent share of the total.
In a recent report, Stirling Hospitality Advisors said that real estate units experienced an average price increase of 30 percent in 2022, driven by the Wynn Resort announcement and an anticipated population surge projected to grow by 55 percent through 2030.
With Ras Al Khaimah’s strategic location, premium destination appeal, ongoing infrastructure development and government initiatives, the region is gearing up for further price growth. Projections indicate that prices in Ras Al Khaimah’s secondary market could reach approximately AED4,000 per square foot by 2027 and AED4,500 by 2030.
