Al Khor, Qatar: travel guide
A relaxed northern coastal town built on pearling and fishing, gateway to the Al Thakira mangroves and Purple Island, and the launch point for the UNESCO Al Zubarah excursion.
- Country
- Qatar
- Currency
- QAR
- Time zone
- Asia/Qatar
- Nearest airport
- DOH
Top places to visit in Al Khor
Al Zubarah Fort
Fort · 4.4 rating · about 1.5 h
A UNESCO World Heritage site: a 1938 sand-coloured fort guarding the excavated ruins of one of the Gulf's great 18th-century pearling and trading towns.
Al Khor Corniche & Family Park
Viewpoint · 4.5 rating · about 1.3 h
A palm-lined waterfront park and corniche wrapped around Al Khor's fishing harbour, with lawns, a playground, walking paths and views of moored dhows.
Al Thakira Mangroves
Nature · 4.6 rating · about 2.5 h
Qatar's largest mangrove forest, best explored by kayak at high tide through green tunnels teeming with crabs, herons and flamingos in the cooler months.
Purple Island (Bin Ghannam)
Nature · 4.4 rating · about 2 h
A tidal island reached by a causeway, named for the purple dye once made here from murex shells; a haven for flamingos, herons and long walks through mangroves.
Al Khor Museum
Museum · 5.0 rating · about 0.8 h
A compact town museum on the corniche tracing Al Khor's pearling and fishing past through boat models, tools, photographs and marine-life displays.
Things to do
- Purple Island & Al Thakira Mangrove Kayak Kayaking · 3 h · from QAR 200 per person
- Al Zubarah UNESCO Fort Day Trip Tour · 6 h · from QAR 300 per person
- Al Khor Corniche & Fishing Village Walk Walking Tour · 1.5 h · from QAR 50 per person
Day trips and tours
- North Qatar: Al Zubarah & Purple Island 8 h · from QAR 300
Where to stay in Al Khor
- Al Khor City & Corniche about QAR 400 per night
A quiet coastal base near the corniche and harbour, best for nature-focused trips to Purple Island and the mangroves.
Hotels
- Al Sultan Beach Resort 4-star · QAR 400 to QAR 800 per night
Where to eat
- Dar Al Mandi Yemeni, Arabic, Grill · about QAR 45 per person
- Al Sultan Beachside Restaurant International, Seafood, Arabic · about QAR 130 per person
Getting around
- Car Rental Self main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Taxi main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Walking
Every city has walking. 2.5 km ceiling is a placeholder default, not a researched per-city figure -- Singapore is sheltered and air-conditioned, Bangkok often has no pavement.