Qatar

Places in Qatar

• Al Khor

  Al-Khor is a historic fishing town on Qatar's eastern coast, roughly 50 km north of Doha. Once the center of Qatar's now-defunct pearl trading industry, the city offers a quieter, more traditional alternative to the capital.

  Atlas entry

• Al Shahaniyah

  Al Shahaniyah is Qatar's center for camel racing and oryx breeding, offering a rare glimpse into traditional Bedouin culture just 45 minutes west of Doha. The Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani Museum houses over 3,000 artifacts in a single private collection, while the Arabian Oryx Breeding Centre protects species saved from extinction.

  Atlas entry

• Al Wakrah

  Al Wakrah is a historic coastal city just south of Doha that retains a working fishing harbor with traditional dhows—a contrast to the capital's gleaming towers. The town has its own heritage, including a restored merchant house and a small museum housed in an old fort, plus a fenced family beach with shallow water.

  Atlas entry

• Doha

  Doha blends a fast-growing Gulf skyline with a former pearl-fishing identity, a diverse food scene, and polished cultural districts. Souq Waqif, the Corniche, museums, beaches, and desert excursions offer a varied stop for travelers comfortable with intense summer heat.

  Daily budget (USD)

  ~$117

  Best months

  Nov–Apr

• Dukhan

  Dukhan is Qatar's original oil city, founded in 1940 when petroleum was first discovered in the region. The city is almost entirely off-limits to non-citizens—only the police station, mosque, and a small shopping mall lie outside the two security gates that restrict access to residents and Qatar Petroleum employees.

  Atlas entry

• Mesaieed

  Mesaieed is a small industrial town in southern Qatar, primarily known for its oil and gas industry. Founded in 1949 as a tanker terminal, nearly all 15,000 residents work for Qatar Petroleum, which monopolizes local services and schools.

  Atlas entry