Al Khor

Qatar

Perched on the eastern coast of the Qatari peninsula, Al-Khor (alternatively, Al Khawr; Arabic: الخور) is a major settlement just north of Doha. The city is far older than Doha, but much smaller (the population is roughly 31,000). It used to be the center of the now non-existent pearl trading industry, so now the city is undergoing renovation.

Fishing dhow in the harbour Watchtower

  • Al Khor Museum, Corniche, +974 4472 1866. This quaint museum overlooking the seafront provides good views over the harbor from the second floor. It showcases archaeological artifacts from the Al Khor region dating from the Neolithic to the Bronze Age, as well as specimens of local marine life. An additional exhibit illustrates the legend of Ghilan and Mae, one of whom was the region's first female pirate and believed to be from Al Khor. Free.
  • Dhow harbour. Traditional dhows are still used for fishing here, although their sails have long since been replaced by diesel engines.
  • Fish market. Early morning to late evening, except for Friday midday prayer. This is a good place to pick up fresh seafood from the day's catch.
  • House of Nasser bin Abdullah Al-Missned. This is the birthplace of Sheikha Mozah (the second wife of Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the former Emir of Qatar). Although the house has not been maintained, it is a good example of traditional Qatari architecture. It is closed to the public, but can be viewed from the outside.
  • Watchtower, Al Corniche. This defensive watchtower was built in 1900 and is now fully restored. It is located in a small park with a pleasant view overlooking the Corniche and the beach. There is a second watchtower along the North Road. Free.
  • Purple Island. This small island, linked to the mainland via an earthen walkway through the mangroves, has seen human activity for the past 6000 years. The name comes from a purple dye from shellfish which were harvested here 3000 years ago. There are a number of archaeological sites on the islands, as well as old shell middens. This is also a good place for birdwatching and crabbing.
  • Simaisma Mosque, Simaisma (17 km south of Al Khor. Built in 1938 using traditional materials of coral, rock, and sun-baked mud. Non-Muslim visitors are advised to refrain from entering, but can freely view the building from the outside.

Al Khor Museum, Corniche, +974 4472 1866. This quaint museum overlooking the seafront provides good views over the harbor from the second floor. It showcases archaeological artifacts from the Al Khor region dating from the Neolithic to the Bronze Age, as well as specimens of local marine life. An additional exhibit illustrates the legend of Ghilan and Mae, one of whom was the region's first female pirate and believed to be from Al Khor. Free.

Dhow harbour. Traditional dhows are still used for fishing here, although their sails have long since been replaced by diesel engines.

Fish market. Early morning to late evening, except for Friday midday prayer. This is a good place to pick up fresh seafood from the day's catch.

House of Nasser bin Abdullah Al-Missned. This is the birthplace of Sheikha Mozah (the second wife of Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the former Emir of Qatar). Although the house has not been maintained, it is a good example of traditional Qatari architecture. It is closed to the public, but can be viewed from the outside.

Watchtower, Al Corniche. This defensive watchtower was built in 1900 and is now fully restored. It is located in a small park with a pleasant view overlooking the Corniche and the beach. There is a second watchtower along the North Road. Free.

Purple Island. This small island, linked to the mainland via an earthen walkway through the mangroves, has seen human activity for the past 6000 years. The name comes from a purple dye from shellfish which were harvested here 3000 years ago. There are a number of archaeological sites on the islands, as well as old shell middens. This is also a good place for birdwatching and crabbing.

Simaisma Mosque, Simaisma (17 km south of Al Khor. Built in 1938 using traditional materials of coral, rock, and sun-baked mud. Non-Muslim visitors are advised to refrain from entering, but can freely view the building from the outside.

Al Khor Fly-In Dhakira mangrove forest

Al-Khor is a pleasant and quiet town, and though its Corniche cannot match Doha's in beauty, it does offer a nice enough place to relax and sunbathe, or play beach volleyball or cricket if you feel like being a little more active. There are plenty of shady places to sit near the sand, but you can't swim in the bay here as, like much of Qatar, the water is too shallow.

  • Al Khor Fly-In, Al Khor Airfield, +974 4472 3490. An annual light aircraft show which takes place on a 3-day weekend in mid-January. The event is hosted by the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority, and is popular with aviation enthusiasts as well as families.
  • Dhakira mangroves. This fishing village is now a bedroom community of Al Khor, and its extensive mangrove swamps are particularly good for bird watching. Entalek (based in Doha, tel: +974 3311 6249, e-mail: entalek.org@gmail.com) runs sea kayak tours of the area.
  • Al Farkiah Beach, off of Al Khor Coastal Road Q1A (follow the brown signs for "Farkeh Coast". S-W 7am-10pm, Th-Sa (families only) 7am-midnight. A public beach with shaded picnic benches, toilets and shower facilities, barbecue stands, and children playgrounds. Free.
  • Al Khor Public Gardens, Al Shamal Rd (10 km west of Al Khor, signposted 1 km north of turnoff to Al Khor from Hwy 1. Dawn to dusk. The gardens are now open after 4 years of renovation. Free.

Al Khor Fly-In, Al Khor Airfield, +974 4472 3490. An annual light aircraft show which takes place on a 3-day weekend in mid-January. The event is hosted by the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority, and is popular with aviation enthusiasts as well as families.

Dhakira mangroves. This fishing village is now a bedroom community of Al Khor, and its extensive mangrove swamps are particularly good for bird watching. Entalek (based in Doha, tel: +974 3311 6249, e-mail: entalek.org@gmail.com) runs sea kayak tours of the area.

Al Farkiah Beach, off of Al Khor Coastal Road Q1A (follow the brown signs for "Farkeh Coast". S-W 7am-10pm, Th-Sa (families only) 7am-midnight. A public beach with shaded picnic benches, toilets and shower facilities, barbecue stands, and children playgrounds. Free.

Al Khor Public Gardens, Al Shamal Rd (10 km west of Al Khor, signposted 1 km north of turnoff to Al Khor from Hwy 1. Dawn to dusk. The gardens are now open after 4 years of renovation. Free.

  • Al Khor Mall, +974 4453 3445. This mall opened in 2012, and has a number of shops and restaurants, as well as a Lulu Hypermarket.

Al Khor Mall, +974 4453 3445. This mall opened in 2012, and has a number of shops and restaurants, as well as a Lulu Hypermarket.

Maha al Khaleej Cafeteria, Al Corniche (by the dhow port. Offers decent burgers and a soft drink for a very cheap QR 3.

Pearl of Beirut, Al Corniche (directly opposite the port, +974 472 0123. Popular with Filipino expats.

Blue Brasserie Restaurant, 5555 Al Corniche (Al Sultan Beach Resort. 6:30am-10am, 1pm-3:30pm, 7pm-11pm. Buffet dining in the hotel lobby.

Al Dente Seafood Restaurant, 5555 Al Corniche (Al Sultan Beach Resort. 7:30pm-11pm. A beachfront restaurant, serving Italian-style dinner only.

Al Khor Mall, +974 4453 3445. The mall has a standard food court as well as several restaurants, including Chilli's (American), Royal Tandoor (Indian), and Shatter Abbas (Middle Eastern).

  • Seashore Food Center, +974 4472 2405, +974 4472 0158. A decent-sized grocery store in a strip mall.
  • Lulu Hypermarket, +974 4453 3533. A full-sized hypermarket with a good deli selection.
  • Ansar Gallery. Medium-sized supermarket.

Seashore Food Center, +974 4472 2405, +974 4472 0158. A decent-sized grocery store in a strip mall.

Lulu Hypermarket, +974 4453 3533. A full-sized hypermarket with a good deli selection.

Ansar Gallery. Medium-sized supermarket.

Hamad Medical Corporation has a medical emergency department at its local clinic here.

Al Khor Health Center, Al Khor Town Rd, +974 4472 0222.

Free Wi-Fi is available outside along the Corniche.