Doha is Qatar's capital, a Gulf waterfront city where the Museum of Islamic Art, the traditional Souq Waqif, the Katara Cultural Village and the glass towers of West Bay sit within a short drive of each other.
Top day trips
Handpicked excursions within easy reach.
Al Zubarah Archaeological Site and Fort (UNESCO)
Qatar's UNESCO World Heritage 18th-century pearling and trading town, with a restored 1938 fort.
Highlights: UNESCO-listed ruins of an 18th-century pearling and trading town · Al Zubarah Fort, built in 1938 as a coastguard post, now a small museum · Excavated merchant houses, mosque and harbour layout visible from walkways · Easy add-ons in the north: Purple Island mangroves and Ruwais harbour
Al Thakira Mangroves and Purple Island
Qatar's largest mangrove forest, explored by kayak to the bird-filled Purple Island.
Highlights: Kayaking through Qatar's largest mangrove forest · Purple Island, a bird-rich islet reached by paddle · Wading birds such as herons, egrets and flamingos in the cooler months · Easy pairing with the Al Khor corniche and dhow harbour
Al Khor Corniche and Town
A fishing town with a corniche park, a dhow harbour and a museum, close to the Al Thakira mangroves.
Highlights: Al Khor Corniche Park with waterfront paths and lawns · Dhow harbour with traditional wooden boats · Local museum on the town's fishing and pearling past · Close to the Al Thakira mangroves and Purple Island
Khor Al Adaid (Inland Sea) and Sand Dunes
A tidal inlet where the Gulf reaches into the dunes near the Saudi border, reached by 4x4.
Highlights: The Inland Sea, a tidal inlet reaching into the dunes · 4x4 dune driving across the Khor Al Adaid Nature Reserve · Sunset over the water and desert camp stop · Sandboarding and camel rides offered by many safari operators
Zekreet Film City and Richard Serra Sculptures
Limestone mesas, the abandoned Film City desert set and Richard Serra's four-plate East-West/West-East sculpture.
Highlights: Richard Serra's East-West/West-East steel plates in the desert · Limestone mesas and cliffs around Zekreet · Abandoned Film City desert set · Wide, empty west-coast landscapes for photography
Umm Salal Mohammed Fort
A restored 19th-century square fort with corner towers and an interior courtyard just north of Doha.
Highlights: Restored 19th-century square fort with corner towers · Interior courtyard and surrounding rooms · Short trip from central Doha, about 25 minutes · Easy to pair with Al Khor and the northern coast
Al Wakrah Souq and Corniche
A restored traditional souq and a family corniche beach south of Doha, reachable by Metro.
Highlights: Restored traditional Souq Al Wakra with cafes and craft shops · Al Wakrah corniche promenade and beach · Fishing dhows and old harbour views · Cheap and simple access via the Doha Metro Red Line
Trips by distance
How far you can go in a day.
Getting there
Transport options for day trips.
- Public
- Doha Metro Red Line reaches Al Wakra (QAR 2, ~$0.55); Karwa buses serve some northern towns but no verified direct service to the remote sites
- Taxi
- Karwa taxi, Uber and Careem for one-way trips; return rides from remote sites are hard to find, so agree a return or waiting fare
- Private
- Rented car or a QTA-licensed driver; Khor Al Adaid requires a QTA-licensed 4x4 driver
Multi-day tours from Doha
If you have longer than a day, these are organised multi-day trips that start here.
Browse multi-day tours from DohaWe may earn a commission from bookings made through this link.
Day trip tips
Make the most of your excursions.
Start early; desert and north-coast sites are best before midday.
Return rides from remote sites are scarce, so agree a waiting or return fare first.
Use only QTA-licensed drivers for desert-dune routes.