Once you’ve explored the major attractions in Doha, it’s worth heading out of the city to discover the lesser-known side of Qatar. Here’s my guide to the best day trips from Doha, Qatar where you can experience both Qatar’s outstanding natural beauty and cultural heritage.
Just a short drive away from the capital, you’ll find a variety of fascinating destinations from wildlife-rich mangroves and ancient rock carvings to the remains of abandoned villages and even camel racetracks.
The best day trips from Doha and where to book them
You can rent a car to travel around Doha at your own pace. However, I highly recommend a private guided tour.
Local guides have insider knowledge and can take you to hidden spots that you might never find on your own. Plus, some desert locations can be tricky to navigate especially if you are new to the area.
Tour guides in Qatar are usually flexible and open to tweak the itinerary based on your preferences.
There are plenty of guided tours leaving from Doha with hotel pickup and drop-off.
You don’t need a full day to explore. Some tours last just a couple of hours.
A private guided tour from Doha – my personal experience
I booked a private guided tour through Viator to explore the north and west of Qatar. I enjoyed it so much that I extended the tour by a couple of hours to add more places of interest to the itinerary.
My guide Adil answered all my questions about Qatari culture, history, and customs, and even introduced me to some delicious local Qatari treats.
We stopped for Karak Chai (spiced sweet tea), Qatari Gahwa (Arabic coffee), and Mahalabiya, a milk pudding flavoured with cardamom and rose water.
Every location mentioned in this article was part of my tour itinerary.
What to see on your day trips from Doha
Al Khor
Al Khor is a charming city on Qatar’s northeastern coast and one of the oldest in the country.
It was founded in the 18th century and has a rich history tied to fishing and pearl diving.
I had time to visit only its seafront promenade and had a quick look at the wooden dhows in the harbour. But if you have more time, there’s plenty more to explore.
You can learn about the local traditions of fishing, diving, and shipbuilding at the Al Khor Archaeological Museum.
Or, if you’re a sports fan, you can visit Al Bayt Stadium, where the opening match of the 2022 FIFA World Cup took place.
Al Khor Park and Zoo, as well as Panda Park are also located nearby.
Thakira Mangroves and Purple Island
The main attraction near Al Khor is the Thakira Mangrove forest.
Qatar is mostly known for its desert landscape, so it can be a bit surprising to find this lush, green patch of nature near Doha.
The best way to explore it is by kayak.
But you can also enjoy the views while strolling along the boardwalk.
I explored the mangrove forest on Purple Island, also called Jazirat Bin Ghannam. It is known as Qatar’s oldest officially registered archaeological site.
It’s called ‘Purple’ because, back in the second millennium BC, purple dye was produced here using crushed marine snails.
The Island is famous for its rich fauna and flora. If you visit between November and April, you might spot some herons and flamingos.
There are over 100 bird species here, making it a great place for birdwatching and wildlife photography.
Al Jassasiya Rock Art Site
Located on Qatar’s northeastern coast, the Al Jassasiya Rock Art Site is a fascinating and somewhat mysterious place to explore.
There are about 900 rock carvings here, featuring a variety of shapes – fish, ostriches, rosettes, and cup marks, spread across an area about 700 meters wide.
These petroglyphs reflect the creativity of the people who once inhabited this land.
Some of the oldest carvings are believed to date back to the Neolithic period.
I asked my guide to include Al Jassasiya in our itinerary, and it was definitely worth it.
Al Zubarah Fort and Archaeological Site
Al Zubarah Fort is one of Qatar’s most famous forts, located about 100 km northwest of Doha.
The fort has a unique design, with a square courtyard surrounded by thick, 1-meter walls made of coral rock and limestone.
It’s definitely one of the most photogenic spots I’ve seen in Qatar.
Built in 1939 as a military outpost, the fort sits within a large archaeological site covering around 60 hectares.
In the 18th and 19th centuries, Al Zubarah was a bustling pearl fishing port and an important trading centre, but by the 20th century, its palaces, homes, and markets had been abandoned.
Today, it is Qatar’s only UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Zekreet Rock Formation and Fort
The Zekreet Peninsula, also known as the Abrouq Peninsula, is located on Qatar’s west coast.
It’s famous for its surreal, mushroom-shaped rock formations, sculpted over time by the steady sea breeze.
It’s a truly bizarre natural wonder.
If you have more time in this area, you can also visit the remains of the 19th-century Zekreet Fort, as well as the ruins of old settlements with four circular watchtowers.
The Peninsula is part of the Al Reem Biosphere Reserve recognised by UNESCO in 2007.
Although I didn’t see any wildlife myself, apparently you can spot antelopes, Arabian oryx, desert foxes, and gazelles here, especially if you stay overnight in one of the tents at Our Habitas Ras Abrouq.
East-West/West East Art Installation
Another highlight is the East-West/West-East art installation by the late Richard Serra.
This imposing sculpture stretches over a kilometre and is made up of four steel plates, each more than fourteen metres tall.
Serra studied the land’s terrain carefully to make them perfectly aligned.
Adil helped me film some creative videos here. Driving through the golden desert sands while capturing footage from the car, with Sting’s ‘Desert Rose’ playing in the background (I can’t get enough of Cheb Mami’s Arabic vocals), was quite an experience.
While exploring the area, we unexpectedly came across a film crew shooting a new production. They kindly invited us for a cup of coffee – a great example of Qatari hospitality.
I took some photos of the set, and Adil snapped a few of me with the director and one of the actors.
Al Jumail fishing village
Al Jumail fishing village dates back to the mid-19th century but was completely abandoned in the 1970s.
Today, you can wander through the eerie ruins of the fishermen’s homes, climb the minaret of the small mosque, and enjoy breathtaking views with the expansive turquoise sea in the background.
A friendly stray kitten followed me everywhere in Al Jumail, making it really hard to leave. Another reason I wished I could stay longer was how incredibly photogenic the abandoned village was. I simply couldn’t put my camera down.
Oryx Park and Sheikh Faisal Museum
During my time in Qatar, I really wanted to see an Arabian oryx. I find these endangered antelopes, native to the Arabian Peninsula, particularly beautiful with their white coats and long, straight horns. Adil told me about Oryx Park, which is near the Sheikh Faisal Museum, and offered to take me there on our way back to Doha.
Unfortunately, you can’t get very close and can only admire them from behind a wire fence.
If you have more time, you can also visit the museum, which has a fascinating collection of Arabian and Qatari artefacts, as well as the impressive leaning mosque nearby.
Al Shahaniya Racetrack
Al Shahaniya Racetrack is just a quick 20-minute drive from Doha. On certain days, you can catch one of Qatar’s favourite pastimes here – camel racing.
It’s a pretty unique spectacle: camels being jockeyed by tiny robots, while their owners speed alongside in cars, shouting encouragement and commands.
Camels don’t move as gracefully as horses, and their awkward gait makes them really fun to watch. I think they’re some of the most lovable animals on the planet.
There weren’t any races when I visited, but I was lucky to watch camels being trained. Dozens of them walked along the dusty track. It was quite a hypnotic sight.
During the tour, we stopped at a village where I had a chance to see some friendly camels up close.
The trip made me realise there’s so much more to explore outside of Doha, I could easily spend hours at each of the places I visited. But if you’re short on time, a guided one-day tour that covers the main highlights is a great option.
If you’ve already taken a trip from Doha and have your own tips or recommendations, please feel free to share them in the comments below!
