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Al Shamal

Qatar's quiet northern coast

Visa & entry checker Plan a trip to Al Shamal Plan a trip around Qatar

Best time to visit: Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar
Currency: QAR
Time zone: UTC+3
Country: Qatar

Photo: Alex Sergeev (www.asergeev.com), CC BY-SA 3.0

Al Shamal is Qatar's northernmost municipality, a rural region of historic forts, abandoned pearling villages, archaeological sites and long beaches. People come for the UNESCO-listed Zubarah fort and town, the petroglyphs and ruins, and a slow coastal drive far from Doha.

Largest cities

Doha
Al Rayyan
Al Wakrah
Al Khor
Lusail

Quick facts

Figures are rounded recent official estimates.

Country: Qatar
Capital: Doha
City population: 7,000
Population of Qatar: 2.6M
Country area: 11,437 km²
Official language: Arabic
Currency: Qatari Riyal (QAR) · 1 USD ≈ 3.64 QAR
Time zone: UTC+3
Calling code: +974
Drives on the: Right
Elevation: 3 m
Plugs: D / G · 240V
Emergency numbers: 999
Best time to visit: Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar

Temperatures through the year

Average daily high and low for each month in °C. Months marked with a drop are often rainy.

Temperatures through the year

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High	21°	22°	26°	30°	35°	38°	39°	40°	37°	33°	29°	24°
Low	16°	16°	18°	22°	27°	29°	31°	31°	29°	26°	22°	18°

Best time to visitOther months

Approximate daily cost

Per adult per day: food, local transport and half a double room, without activities or flights.

ConservativeSimple stays, free and low-cost sights first.$50
HighComfortable hotels, a balanced mix of sights and trips.$120
LuxuryLuxury hotels, more paid experiences and day trips.$280

Plan a trip to Al Shamal

Top things to do

Free
Al Zubarah Fort
A 1938 square fort with round corner towers, now a small museum at the centre of the UNESCO-listed Zubarah archaeological site; the nearby excavated town may be closed, so check before driving out.
- Half day
- Zubarah
- Good for kids
Free
Al Rakiyat Fort
A restored 17th–19th century fort with three square towers and one round tower, reached by turning inland at the Al Khuwair radio station and driving a short stretch off-road.
- Half day
- Zubarah
- Good for kids
Free
Al Thughab Fort
A small coral-and-limestone fort of the same era, restored in 2003, sitting beside the abandoned village of Ath Thaqab about 2 km from Al Rakiyat Fort.
- Half day
- Zubarah
- Good for kids
Free
Al Jassassiyeh Carvings
Around 900 petroglyphs of animals, boats and cup-shaped game boards cut into the rock near Al Huwailah and Fuwayrit; go early, as there is no shade.
- Half day
- Al Ghariya
- Good for kids
Free
Ruwais Beach
A quiet beach on the spit north of Ar Ru'ays with coves, picnic benches, shade and toilets; dugongs and flamingos are occasionally seen, and the shallow water is calm for children.
- Half day
- Ar Ru'ays
- Good for kids
- Good in the evening
Free
Al Shamal Corniche
A 2.5 km seafront promenade along Ar Ru'ays with mangroves and dhow boats; a good place for a walk or picnic in the cooler evening air.
- Half day
- Ar Ru'ays
- Good for kids
- Good in the evening
Free
Fuwairit Beach
A kitesurfing beach known for eroded rock formations, signposted just before Bridge 79; watch for rocks in the water and bring your own shade.
- Half day
- Al Ghariya
- Good for kids
Free
Al Jemail and Al Areesh villages
A day trip through abandoned pearling and fishing villages, including 19th-century Al Areesh and Al Jemail with its ruined houses; Al Jemail needs prior approval from Qatar Museums or a tour group.
- Full day
- Al Ghariya
Free
Al Reem Biosphere Reserve
A 1,189 km² protected area west of Zubarah with sand gazelles, ostriches, dugongs and spiny-tailed lizards; access is limited, so arrange a guided visit rather than driving in alone.
- Full day
- Zubarah

Before you go

Entry and visas

Many nationalities, including UK, EU, US, Indian and Latin American passport holders, can get a free visa waiver or visa on arrival for stays up to 30 days; other nationalities need to apply in advance. Passports must be valid for at least 6 months from arrival, and travellers staying more than 30 days must buy local health insurance. Check the latest rules on the Qatar Ministry of Interior website before booking.

Official website

From the airport

Most visitors arrive from Doha, about 110 km south along Al Shamal Road (roughly 1 hour 20 minutes by car), or by Mowasalat Route 100/101 buses from Al Ghanim Bus Station, which take about 2 to 2.5 hours. The nearest airport is Hamad International Airport in Doha.

Getting around

There is no local public transport network, so a rental car is the practical way to reach the forts, beaches and villages scattered along the Q1 highway and Al Areesh Road.

Local tips

Dress modestly away from the beaches; this is a conservative rural area with small villages and farms.
Carry cash and water: shops and restaurants are few and far between outside Madinat ash Shamal, Ar Ru'ays and Abu Dhalouf.
Visit between November and March, when daytime highs are 21–29°C; summer afternoons reach 38–40°C.
Some sites, including Al Jemail, need prior approval from Qatar Museums or a Doha-based tour group, and the Zubarah archaeological site itself may be closed.