Doha
Doha, the capital of Qatar, is a rich mixture of traditional Arabic and modern architecture. The Grand Mosque with its several domes and the Abu Bakir al-Siddiq Mosque are particularly interesting. There is an brilliant National Museum in Doha tracing the country’s development. The modern town collects around the Grand Mosque, the New Amir’s Palace and the Clock Tower.
The North
This area contains most of the historic sites, including Umm Salal Mohammed, a considerably large village dominated by the ruins of a 19 th century fort. The Qalit Marir Fortress is at Al Zubara. Al Khor is the 2nd largest city, located around a natural shallow harbour.
Gharya has a golden sandy beach which stretches for miles. Ruwais boasts a harbour, from where there is an infrequent dhow service to Bahrain. There are also good beaches at Fuwairat, on the north east coast, and Ras Abruk, opposite Hawar Island.
The West Coast
There are beaches at Dukhan, Umm Bab (‘The Palm Tree Beach’) and Salwah, near the Saudi border.
The South
This is a region of sand dunes and beaches, offering opportunities to go pearl hunting, or to practise several watersports. The ‘inland sea’ of Khor al-Odeid is the centre of a region of outstanding natural beauty, surrounded by the Sandi Hills, accessible only to 4 wheel drive vehicles. |
