Explore Ras Al Khaimah’s Al Qasimi Palace, a haunted heritage site.
The grand private residence sits on a hill overlooking the emirate and carries a story that stretches back to 1975. After a decade of construction, the palace stood empty for roughly 35 years, earning a reputation as the emirate’s haunted house. Neighbours reported children’s faces appearing at windows and furniture moving on its own, while locals whispered that jinn might linger inside.
A Haunted Past Meets Heritage Tourism
The palace opened to the public as a museum in 2019, letting visitors walk through its decorated rooms and glimpse the legends that surround it. The Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority describes it as an “abandoned palace,” but the haunted label has stuck. Wasim Halabieh, who runs the palace and is a spokesman for its owner, Tareq Al Sharhan, explains that many of the eerie sounds stem from people entering the property without permission.
“So that’s where the rumours came from, that ghosts are living inside,” he says, adding that the stories persisted even after Al Sharhan bought the property in 2019.
— Wasim Halabieh, spokesperson
Halabieh notes that during the years of vacancy, curious locals would sneak inside, moving around and creating noises that fueled the ghost stories. Even after the museum opened, the tales continued to attract curious visitors.
What to See Inside the Palace
The building boasts 35 rooms filled with ornate furnishings, colourful tiles, painted ceilings and decorative sculptures. French and Belgian chandeliers hang above marble details, while figurative paintings and carvings showcase a blend of local, Indian and Moroccan influences. Artisans from around the world contributed to the décor, a process that began after a building permit was issued on June 2, 1975.
Some artwork suffered damage from those who feared the images might attract jinn. A 2020 story recorded that people scratched out the eyes of humans and animals in paintings and even beheaded plaster birds.
Today the palace is on the market for Dh23.5 million, offering a rare chance to own a piece of Ras Al Khaimah’s history. Whether you’re drawn by the spooky legends or the lavish interiors, a visit makes for a memorable weekend plan.
