Towns & cities in Qatar you need to know about
Discovering Qatar beyond Doha
Qatar is not just about its capital city Doha, and the way it’s held on to its heritage even while moving towards the contemporary. It’s not just about modern structures and high rise buildings; it’s not just about museums and beaches; it’s not just about man made islands or purpose built hills. There’s a lot more to this small, but happening, country. With a long pristine and beautiful coastal line and plenty of sunshine all year round, Qatar is a destination where you can have it all.
Apart from Doha, Qatar is dotted by other small cities and towns, and while some are port towns, others are more significant as they represent the oil and gas industry which thrives in these areas.Visitors will discover dilapidated and abandoned villages, archaeological sites that give a little peak into the area’s history; inlets; islands; natural mangroves; golden sands; blue-green waters; and a lot more.
Al Khor
Dukhan
Madinat Ash Shamal
Al Ruwais
Abu Dhalouf
Mesaieed
Al Khor
Al Khor is a city in Qatar located in the north. It’s the capital of the Al Khor and Al Thakira Municipality, and one of Qatar’s main hubs of the oil and gas industry. The city was established in 1972 and, at the time, pearl trading was one of Qatar’s main sources of income. Al Khor started off as a small and isolated settlement that earned its income from fishing and pearl diving, but today, it’s approximately 16,000 square metres and one of Qatar’s main cities after Doha.
One might think Al Khor is all about oil and gas because most of its 250,000 people are the industry’s employees with their families who live here, because it’s close to Ras Laffan Industrial City and North Oil. However, Al Khor is actually a treasure trove of exciting things to do and see.
Some of Qatar’s vibrant natural wonders reside in this area like the the ancient Ain Hleetan Well and the Al Khor Towers, the Thakira Mangroves, Purple Island, Al Farkiah Beach, and last, but not least, the Al Khor Park and Zoo and the Al Bayt Stadium where the first FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 match will take place.
Must-see attractions in the area includeAl Bayt Stadium
Al Khor Towers and the AinHleetan Well
Al Farkiah Beach
Al Khor Park and Zoo
Al Thakira Mangroves
Purple Island
Dukhan
Dukhan is an industrial city in Qatar’s western region and that became popular when oil was discovered there. Almost all the people who live there are employees of Qatar Petroleum. The city is off limits for others and photography is not allowed within Dukhan.
The area around Dukhan is, however, very popular with visitors as there are lots of interesting sites and attraction to see in the area.
Must-see attractions in the area include
Dukhan Beach
Zekreet
Richard Serra’sEast-West/West-East
Film City
Madinat Ash Shamal
Madinat Al Shamal is located in the northern most part of Qatar, just near the tip, where it came into existence in the 1970s, and though, today, it is probably Qatar’s most least populated area, it is surrounded by dilapidated and abandoned fishing villages, and a range of beaches to relax, soak in the sun and enjoy the experience, and year round, visitors flock to the area to enjoy all that Madinat Ash Shamal has to offer.
Must-see attractions in the area include
Beaches
Al Ruwais
Al Ruwais is located to the east of Madinat Ash Shamal and is a small coastal town with some great landmarks.
Must-see attractions in the area include
Arsan Café
Al Ruwais Beach
Abu Dhalouf
Abu Dhalouf is located on the west of Madinat Ash Shamal and seems to be almost part of it. It’s a quiet town but has one of Qatar’s nicest parks.
Must-see attractions in the area include
Abu Dhalouf Park
Mesaieed
Mesaieed is another oil and gas hub in Qatar and during the 20th century was recognized as an area of prime importance. In 1949 it became Qatar Petroleum’s tanker terminal, to grow Qatar’s oil industry, because of the deep waters that surrounded the area, and also because it was close to Doha.
Located in the southeast of Qatar, it houses employees of Qatar Petroleum, but that isn’t it’s only claim to fame. Mesaieed is surrounded by beautiful beaches and golden sand dunes.
