The Middle East · FORTS & ANCIENT SITES IN NORTH QATAR

Forts & Ancient Sites in North Qatar Worth the Day: Our 12 Picks

12 tours  ·  from $35

Every trip has one free day too few. These 12 forts & ancient sites in North Qatar justify the slot, priced and timed so you can decide quickly and get on with the rest of the week.

North Qatar Tour | Zubara Fort | Purple Island | Mangros Colony - Purple Island and the mangroves
Forts & Ancient Sites, Forts & Ancient Sites in North Qatar, North Qatar Tours, Qatar Tours, Tour Reviews

North Qatar Tour | Zubara Fort | Purple Island | Mangros Colony

1.North Qatar Tour | Zubara Fort | Purple Island | Mangros Colony

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 323 reviews · from $77Our pick

Leave Doha with a driver-guide and explore northern Qatar in a small private group of up to six. See Al Khor’s dhow boats, walk around Purple Island’s mangroves, visit Zubara Fort and its film, and stop at Al Jumail. Guides including Usman, Adil, Bilal, and Abdur Rahman are praised for clear explanations and friendly service.

“Abdullah was on tine very informative treated his group with resoect good driving covered what was incouded”

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Doha North Qatar Tour Zubara Fort, Mangroves, Jumail Village - The 50-minute drive from Doha
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Doha North Qatar Tour Zubara Fort, Mangroves, Jumail Village

2.Doha North Qatar Tour Zubara Fort, Mangroves, Jumail Village

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 267 reviews · 4h 30m · from $59

Travel north from Doha in a small group of up to six, with English-speaking guides such as Nawaz, Abdul Sattar, and Muhammad Yasin. You’ll see Al Khor’s old harbor, Al Thakira mangroves, Al Zubara Fort, and Al Jumail Village in 270 minutes, with hotel pickup, drinks, and an air-conditioned vehicle included.

“Great tour - was very informative. Was good to see lots of history of Qatar. I would definitely recommend. The Fort was very interesting.”

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North of Qatar Tour to Olafur Eliasson Zubara Fort Jumail Village - Purple Island and Al Thakira’s mangroves
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North of Qatar Tour to Olafur Eliasson Zubara Fort Jumail Village

3.North of Qatar Tour to Olafur Eliasson Zubara Fort Jumail Village

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 157 reviews · from $55

Travel north from Doha with a private guide and driver, stopping at Al Khor, Al Thakira’s mangroves, Purple Island, Al Zubara Fort, Al Jumail village, and Olafur Eliasson’s desert installation. Expect a small group of up to six, hotel pickup, bottled water, and long drives between widely spaced sites.

“Abholung am Hafen hat gut geklappt. Leider mussten wir den Fahrer erst suchen, da er kein Namensschild mit unserem Namen dabei hatte. Sehr netter Fahrer, er wusste viel über das Land zu erzählen. Die Tour selbst war mit langen Fahrstrecken verbunden. Die LandschaRead more”

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North of Qatar Tour, Zubara Fort, Mangroves, Jumail Village - Leaving Doha in an air-conditioned vehicle
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North of Qatar Tour, Zubara Fort, Mangroves, Jumail Village

4.North of Qatar Tour, Zubara Fort, Mangroves, Jumail Village

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 94 reviews · from $65

Travel north from Doha in an air-conditioned vehicle with a guide who explains Qatar’s past and daily life. Visit Al Khor, walk near the Purple Island mangroves, see Al Zubarah Fort, and explore abandoned Al Jumail Village. Water, coffee, and tea are included, while meals and entry fees are not.

“A wonderful carefully planned trip. Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable about the locations we visited, the mangroves were a calm oasis and such a contrast from the city of Doha. We loved that stop. The village and fort are so wRead more”

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Private North of Qatar: Zubara Fort | Jumail Village | Al-Thakhira Mangroves - Al Thakhira’s mangroves in a 15-minute visit
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Private North of Qatar: Zubara Fort | Jumail Village | Al-Thakhira Mangroves

5.Private North of Qatar: Zubara Fort | Jumail Village | Al-Thakhira Mangroves

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 68 reviews · from $60

Travel north from Doha in a private, air-conditioned vehicle with water, coffee, and tea provided. Visit Al Khor’s old harbor and shipyard, see the Al Thakhira mangrove forest, and finish near the UNESCO-listed Al Zubara site. The tour lasts about 3 to 4 hours, with several departure times and optional pickup.

“I did enjoy the tour. The sites were interesting, and it was nice just to get out of the city and see what the rest of the country looks like. The guide was prompt and knowledgable. But at our last stop, the ruins of a village in the desert out in Read more”

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Doha: North Qatar Tour, Mangroves, & Zubara Fort and purple - The drive north from Doha
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Doha: North Qatar Tour, Mangroves, & Zubara Fort and purple

6.North Qatar Tour, Mangroves, & Zubara Fort and purple

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 63 reviews · 4 hours · from $40

Travel north from Doha in an air-conditioned SUV with an English-speaking guide such as Adil, Abood, Saloo, or Akhter. Visit Al Khor, Purple Island, Al Thakira’s mangroves, UNESCO-listed Al Zubara Fort, and abandoned Jumail village. Expect history, birdwatching, coastal views, and a possible splash or two.

“Interesting North Qatar Tour with Adil Really interesting Tour! We visited interesting sites and we had a great time without guide Adil who was flexible to our needs great guide nice stories of side great knowledge, informative guide Adil”

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North Qatar: Purple Island, Al Zubarah Fort & Mangroves Tour

7.North Qatar: Purple Island, Al Zubarah Fort & Mangroves Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 58 reviews · 4 hours · from $70

Travel from Doha with an English-speaking guide to Al Khor, Purple Island, Al Dhakhira, and Al Zubarah Fort. Expect mangroves, old fishing boats, coastal views, and Qatar’s most important archaeological site. Guides including Junaid, Mohammad Khan, Javid, and Amir have been praised for clear explanations, friendly service, careful driving, and good photography.

“We made this excursion from Doha to the far north of the region through expanding areas, old fishermen villages and archaeological sites. Khan the guide from Falcon tours was really kind and helpful and told us a lot about the past and present of this country. Quick and accurate booking. Experience to try. Thank you very much Khan.”

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North Qatar: Zubara Fort, Jumail Village, Thakhira Mangroves - A short look at Al-Thakhira Mangroves
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North Qatar: Zubara Fort, Jumail Village, Thakhira Mangroves

8.North Qatar: Zubara Fort, Jumail Village, Thakhira Mangroves

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 41 reviews · 4h 30m · from $57

Leave Doha by air-conditioned Jeep or SUV for Al Khor Harbour, Al-Thakhira Mangroves, UNESCO-listed Al Zubara Fort, and abandoned Al Jumail Village. English-speaking guides such as Nawaz, Faisal, Muhammad Yasin, and Abdul Sattar explain Qatar’s past, provide tea or coffee, and collect you from any Doha address.

“Mr Nawaz picked us up promptly and was a great guide. He was knowledgeable and answered our questions. It was interesting to get outside of the big city to see what other parts of the country look like.”

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Doha: Zubara UNESCO Site, Mangroves & Jumail Village - The drive north in an air-conditioned SUV
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Doha: Zubara UNESCO Site, Mangroves & Jumail Village

9.Zubara UNESCO Site, Mangroves & Jumail Village

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 39 reviews · 4 hours · from $35Best value

Travel from Doha by air-conditioned SUV to North Qatar’s Al Zubara Fort, coastal villages, mangroves, and historic Jumail Village. An English-speaking guide such as Yasir, Adil, or Rehan explains Qatar’s pearling past and pre-oil life. The four-hour private-group option includes water, tea, pickup, and hotel or airport drop-off.

“We had a great tour with Rehan. Lovely to see such interesting destinations and learn more about Qatar beyond Doha!”

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Doha: Private North Qatar Tour, Mangroves, & Zubara Fort - Zakheera Beach and the mangroves near Al-Thakira
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Doha: Private North Qatar Tour, Mangroves, & Zubara Fort

10.Private North Qatar Tour, Mangroves, & Zubara Fort

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 30 reviews · 4 hours · from $142

Travel north from Doha in a private air-conditioned 4x4 with an Arabic- or English-speaking guide. You’ll see Al Khor harbor, Zakheera Beach, Al-Thakira mangroves, Purple Island, UNESCO-listed Al Zubara Fort, and Jumail’s abandoned village. Guides named on recent departures include Sajid, Shah, Ibrahim, and Feraz.

“This tour was a very nice way to explore North Qatar. The mangroves were breathtaking and peaceful, a hidden natural gem. We will surely plan to do kayaking there! Al Zubara Fort was a fascinating glimpse into the country’s rich history, beautifully preserved and full of stories. The tour was well-organized, and our guide Sajid was very knowledgeable and friendly! Highly recommended for anyone looking to experience Qatar beyond Doha. Thank you again Sajid for the ride!”

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Doha-Qatar North Tour, Zubara Fort, Mangroves, purple island - Al Thakira Mangroves, a calm change of pace
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Doha-Qatar North Tour, Zubara Fort, Mangroves, purple island

11.Qatar North Tour, Zubara Fort, Mangroves, purple island

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 25 reviews · 4h 30m · from $71

Travel privately from Doha with a certified English, Arabic, or Hindi-speaking guide to Al Khor Harbor, Al Thakira Mangroves, Purple Island, Zubara Fort, and Al Jumail Village. Guides such as Ali, Arum, Bashaar, and Huzaifa have helped bring the area’s past to life. Your SUV, refreshments, Wi-Fi, insurance, and hotel pickup are included.

“Bashaar was a great tour guide and had amazing knowledge! He was very friendly and kind and made the experience very enjoyable! He made sure we took our time and enjoyed the sceneries and the landmarks! We even tried Karak tea! Thank you so much for this memorable experience!”

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Explore North of Qatar: Visit Zubarah Fort and Fishing Town of Al Khor - Al Khor’s fishing town in a 30-minute stop
Fishing, Forts & Ancient Sites, Forts & Ancient Sites in North Qatar, North Qatar Tours, Qatar Tours, Tour Reviews

Explore North of Qatar: Visit Zubarah Fort and Fishing Town of Al Khor

12.Explore North of Qatar: Visit Zubarah Fort and Fishing Town of Al Khor

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 24 reviews · from $123

Travel north from Doha in a private, air-conditioned vehicle to see Al Khor’s fishing town and Al Zubarah Fort, part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You get bottled water, hotel pickup, and about four hours on the road and at the sights. Confirm entry fees before booking, since the tour details give conflicting information.

“The fishing port was interesting. The fort is a long drive for a 10 minute visit. Despite saying you visited the archeological site in the itinerary, we did not. The tour guide was pleasant.”

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