If you’ve already checked out all the great free things to do in Doha, venture outside the capital city to visit a few more incredible free attractions including beaches, parks, heritage sites and tranquil nature spots. Plan your road trip with our top free things to do around Qatar.
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1. Purple Island
Located in the northeast of Qatar, Purple Island is famous for its mangroves and natural beauty. Take a day trip to bird watch, spot crabs, kayak or stroll along the raised wooden walkways. Located about 50km north of Doha, Purple Island is easily accessible by all vehicles.
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2. Inland Sea and Khor Al Adaid Beach
The rare Inland Sea is one of the few places in the world, where desert dunes meet the ocean. You’ll need a 4x4 vehicle to get there or join an organised tour to make the most of the experience. At the mouth of the Inland Sea lies the picturesque Khor Al Adaid Beach, a magical place for camping, fishing, snorkelling, and dune bashing.
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3. Al Jassasiya Rock Carvings
Al Jassasiya is Qatar's most impressive rock-carving site, located 60 km north of Doha. The collection of almost 900 carvings, known as ‘petroglyphs’, feature shapes like footmarks, rosettes, fish, ostriches and scorpions. There are also mysterious cup marks, believed to represent vessels for storing pearls or playing ancient board games.
4. Al Zubarah Archeological Site
Once a thriving pearl fishing town and trading port, today Al Zubarah is Qatar’s largest heritage site and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit Al Zubarah Fort, then take a free shuttle to the archaeological site, where you can wander on walkways and admire remnants of the well-preserved 18th and 19th-century merchant town that once thrived. You can book a free ticket with Qatar Museums, which covers admission to the Al Zubarah Archaeological Site and Al Zubarah Fort.
5. Barzan Towers
Located about 20 km north of Doha in the village of Umm Salal Mohammed, Barzan Towers is a great example of historic Gulf architecture. Built by Sheikh Mohammed bin Jassim Al Thani in the late 19th century, the towers were used to monitor the land and wells of the surrounding area.
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6. Free rugged public beaches
Qatar boasts many unspoiled beaches off the beaten track. Al Maroona and Fuwairit, both located in the north, feature soft, powdery sand and crystal-clear blue waters. Umm Bab, in the west, is a fantastic camping destination, perfect for swimming and stargazing at night. Simaisma Beach, tucked away along Qatar's northeastern coast, is another favourite, ideal for enjoying sports like kayaking and swimming. Check out our full list of public beaches.
7. Public art in the desert
You can see two incredible art installations by renowned artists in the middle of the Qatar desert. Shadows Travelling on the Sea of the Day by Olafur Eliasson is located north of Al Zubarah and consists of twenty circular structures – some with mirrored roofs that reflect the desert sand. Richard Serra’s East-West/West-East is nestled between limestone rock formations outside Zekreet, and features four 14-metre-high steel plates, spread across one kilometre. See more free public artworks here.
8. Dahl Al Misfir
Located west of Doha, Dahl Al Misfir is one of Qatar’s most exciting natural sites. At 40 meters deep, it is considered the largest and deepest cave in Qatar. Formed largely of fibrous gypsum, it sometimes gives off a moon-like glow. Take care when climbing inside as the surrounding rocks are not contained.
9. Al Shu’aa Reserve
Interact with animals and feel at one with nature at this family-friendly park in Al Khor. Kids will love meeting tortoises, ducks, ostriches, goats, rabbits and Arabian Oryx. It’s popular in the evenings, with benches, trees and solar-powered lighting to make your visit most comfortable.
10. Al Qarma Beach Garden
This beachfront park is only for women and children under 10 years old. It’s located on the east coast of Al Khor City and offers a lovely green space to relax, shaded areas, play areas for kids and solar-powered lighting.
11. Al Shahaniya racetrack
Get a glimpse of traditional Qatari culture and admire some of the most expensive camels in the world at Al Shahaniya racetrack. When there are no races, guests are welcome to visit any morning and watch the camels during training.
12. Al Jumail
If you love the eeriness of abandoned villages, then you’ll enjoy a visit to Qatar’s many ghost towns dotting the northwest coast of Qatar. One example, Al Jumail, was once a flourishing pearl diving and fishing village. Today it offers a fascinating glimpse of life in ages past, before Qatar's oil- and gas-fueled economic boom.
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Things to know before travelling
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Travel tips
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Getting around
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