Al Wakrah
One of the 10 Best historical palces in Qatar: The most Arabian of Qatari towns One thinks of an Arabian town and Al Wakrah is exactly what they think of. Yet close to Doha, it provides a perfect escape from the soaring skyscrapers of the capital. Next to the pier is the Al Wakrah Heritage Village, which gives a flavor of medieval life in Qatar.
Strolling around Al Wakrah Souq’s tangle of alleyways and courtyards, it’s easy to catch the spirit of a fishing and pearling village that grew up into a port town. It is also a chance to see the beautifully restored 17th-century mosque and Al Wakrah Fort. Arabian / Gulf Country, Historical, Archaeological, Monumental Sites and Tourism, Museum, Natural Tourism engFormed from coral blocks, the Amiad Al-Adoos huts are placed on one of the west coast beaches in Qatar giving visitors to the seashore a unique view of the historic residence of Sheikh Ghanim Bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani.
Al Zubarah is one of the 10 Best Historical Places in Qatar
The UNESCO World Heritage site of Al Zubarah is a walled city in Qatar that has been inscribed on the list since 2013. Once a vibrant trading hub of the 18th and 19th centuries, the city was abandoned in the early 19th century due to the depletion of the pearl trade. Well preserved by the wind driven sand of the desert, the remains of palaces, courtyard houses, fisherman’s huts and mosques in Al Zubarah are truly remarkable to behold.
When you visit Al Zubarah, make sure to explore the nearby fort of Qal’at Murair. Here, you can appreciate the finest examples of Islamic architecture and gain insights into the protection and management of water supplies in the desert.
Al Rayyan
Al Rayyan features a historic core filled with well-preserved fortifications and mosques from when it was first settled in the 18th and 19th centuries. With the availability of designer goods at Wathnan Mall and Mall of Qatar, it is the second most populous city of the country and provides a remarkable shopping experience. The Qatar National Convention Center, located on the sprawling 1,011-hectare Qatar Foundation grounds, is a regular host for international concerts and conferences here.
Also, within this compound are recognized institutions like Sidra Hospital and Qatar Science & Technology Park. To get a sense of modern art, visit Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art in Al Rayyan. Also, the Al Shaqab is an equestrian center founded by the Qatar Foundation that offers guided tours, where visitors can learn how Arabian horses are trained.
Al Ruwais
Al Ruwais remains historically important as a fishing center, as illustrated by the pasi that give us an insight into the past. The mosque, which shares its name with the town, is thought to be the country’s oldest, dating from the 17th century. Along with its historical buildings and busy port one of the reasons many travelers come to Al Ruwais is to visit the extraordinary Al Jassasiya Carvings nearby.
About 20 minutes from Al Ruwais are the Al Jassasiya Carvings. The limestone carvings feature almost 900 images of rows of cups, ships, rosettes, and human footprints. Although there are many carvings scattered around Qatar, Al Jassasiya Carvings is believed to be the most remarkable, dating as early as 1500 BC.
Umm Salal Mohammed
Located 10 km north of Doha, Umm Salal Mohammed is a fortress town with numerous historic buildings and three protected environmental sites. The three reserves — Sunai, Wadi Sultan and Umm Al Amad — together stretch a unique 10 sq km area and hold an array of wildlife and desert scrub land. With plans to build the largest man-made forest in the world, a long time home for nature lovers.
History buffs will love Umm Salal Mohammed, which has impressive sites like the Barzan watchtowers, built in the 19th century, and the Umm Salal Fortress. The ancient burial erosion areas in Umm Salal Ali area are one of the important archeological areas of the 7,000-year, including burial chambers that are more than 5,000 years old.
Al Jumail
Al Jumail, a ghost town of a village located between Al Arish and Al Ruwais in Qatar’s Al Shamal municipality Qatar previously depended primarily on pearl cultivation and fishing as primary industries. But as these trades waned, towns along the coast, including Al Jamail, were abandoned, leaving behind a treasure chest of historical buildings for tourists to explore.
While all that is left are the walls and doorways of the town’s houses, the area is littered with broken pottery, beads and domestic wear. One of the only structures still remaining is the Mosque minaret that is a quality of the village’s history. Once you soak up all the ruins, walk over to the clean white sandy beach nearby and chill.
Al Rakayat Fort
Al Rakayat FortThe fort is situated in the north-west of Qatar,It is a sturdy structure surrounded by village ruins. It was built in the 19th century as a protection for local water sources. Al Rakayat was one of the few desert forts restored in the 1980s, highlighting its historical value. Built of coral and clay blocks, the fort has a large central courtyard, surrounded by three rectangular towers and one cylindrical tower, a common design of desert forts.
Al Rakayat Fort can be visited freely as it is open to the public. There is no public transport and the nearest paved road is too far away, so you must have a 4WD to visit the area. Located near a camel ranch in the Madinat Ash Shamal municipality, it is about 9 km from Al Ruwais.
Al Thaqab Fort
Al Thaqab Fort is a 19th-century fortress in Qatar deserts. The namesake town’s remnants are strewn throughout the surrounding landscape, adding an eerie vibe. Himara is an Arabic word that means ‘the water that collects in the bottom of the valley after the rain’. It was built to protect a deep well to the west of the fort.
The fort has rooms where you can see how were processed and stored dates grown around. Although there had been restoration work in the 1980s, the process had been criticized, and so in 2003, renovations were again made. Located at just about 3 km distance from the fort is the next significant Fort Al Thaqab where travelers can visit conveniently in a single trip.
Ruwayda archaeological site
It is the ancient Ruwayda archaeological site which was uncovered between 2009 and 2014. Although originally discovered in the 1970s, little was known about the settlement, which was home to a large fortress. Today, the site is home to one of the largest archaeological sites in northern Qatar, covering more than 2.5 km of coastline.
Visitors can explore the Ruwayda archaeological site and see the remains of the massive fortress, as well as other buildings including a large house, a Mosque, warehouses, wells, a walled grave, and a ship repair shop. Vacated in the 18th century, the artifacts found within the site point to its function as a thriving trade station with long-distance eastward ties. Ceramics and porcelain from China, Japan and Europe, much of it excavated over the years, have underscored its significance in international trade.
Al Khor
Al Khor, once home to Qatar’s pearl industry, now has three watchtowers with restored elements to their original beauty across its sky. Then there is Al Thakhira Beach, which is one of the favorite excursion destination in Al Khor, where one can sunbathe, getting caressed by the soft wind. Fishing and kayaking are popular pastimes in the area. For those who want a more secluded experience, Farkeh Beach or Al Khor Island, especially Purple Island Beach, is the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle.
Nature lovers will be soothed by the beautiful landscapes and birdwatching opportunities at the Al Thakira Mangroves. We highly recommend kayaking through mangroves where you can see the unique plants and types of birds, flamingos. A visit to Jazirat Bin Ghannam is another must, as this small island serves as an interim residence for migratory birds such as flamingos and herons during the winter months. Al Jassasiya Rock Carvings: located about 50 km north of Al Khor, this site contains around 874 petroglyphs, including cup marks, boats, footprints and other unique symbols.
