Major city · Qatar
Al Khorالخور
Go as a half-day or one-night stop from Doha, November–March: museum, dhow harbour and mangroves. Skip in summer heat.
Al Khor is Qatar's second city by history, not by size: a pearling and fishing town about 50 km north of Doha with a small corniche, a free museum, a working dhow harbour and mangrove creeks nearby. It is a short, cheap trip out of the capital, not a base for a whole holiday. One night is enough; a half-day works if you have a car.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- QAR
- Best months
- Nov–Mar
- avoid May–Sep (40 °C (104 °F)+ and humid), Ramadan daytime for eating outdoorsavoid May–Sep (104 °F (40 °C)+ and humid), Ramadan daytime for eating outdoors
- Airport
- DOH
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 4
- Qatar ↗Check entry rules for your passport on the official Visit Qatar and Hayya pages only; lookalike sites charge extra.
- Qatar ↗Alcohol is served only in licensed hotel bars and restaurants; do not bring it into the country or drink in public.
- Qatar ↗Dress modestly in public: shoulders and knees covered for everyone; swimwear only at beaches and hotel pools.
- Qatar ↗In Ramadan, do not eat, drink or smoke in public during daylight.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Al Khor999 ▾
- Police, fire and ambulance999
- Mowasalat (bus information)+974 4458 8888
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Al Khor, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?QAR (riyal) is pegged to the US dollar at about 3.64.Qatar-wide
- SIM or eSIMOoredoo and Vodafone Qatar sell tourist SIMs at Hamad arrivals and in malls; passport needed.Qatar-wide
- Tap waterTap water is desalinated and treated to international standards; most residents still drink bottled water, which is cheap.Qatar-wide
- TippingRestaurant: 10% if no service charge is on the bill.Qatar-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets D/G. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): fits · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 240 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Qatar-wide
- SafetyAl Khor is a quiet, low-crime town and safe for tourists; the real risks are summer heat…
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsClean Western toilets in malls, museums, metro stations and petrol stations, with a water spray hose.Qatar-wide
- Emergency numbers999 police, fire and ambulance · +974 4458 8888 Mowasalat (bus information)
- Sundays & holidaysFriday mornings are quiet until after midday prayers; the metro opens at 14:00 on Fridays.Friday mornings are quiet until after midday prayers; the metro opens at 2:00 PM on Fridays.Qatar-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckDOH Hamad International Airport (About 60 km (37 mi) south; taxi or ride-hailing to Al Khor, roughly 45–60 min (check)).DOH Hamad International Airport (About 37 mi (60 km) south; taxi or ride-hailing to Al Khor, roughly 45–60 min (check)).
- Getting aroundAl Khor is spread out and the corniche sights are 1–3 km (0.6–1.9 mi) apart: a car or taxi is the practical way.Al Khor is spread out and the corniche sights are 0.6–1.9 mi (1–3 km) apart: a car or taxi is the practical way.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Museum or sight ticketAl Khor Museum entryFree
- Budget bedBudget room or hostel bed, a night, per personQAR 100
- Mid-range bedMid-range double room, a night, per roomQAR 450
- High-end bedMid-range double room, a night, per roomQAR 800
A day, not counting the bed: Budget QAR 150 · Mid QAR 350 · High QAR 700
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- DOH Hamad International Airport (About 60 km (37 mi) south; taxi or ride-hailing to Al Khor, roughly 45–60 min (check))DOH Hamad International Airport (About 37 mi (60 km) south; taxi or ride-hailing to Al Khor, roughly 45–60 min (check))
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Feb
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Mar
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Apr
not flagged
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
May
Avoid
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
Jun
Avoid
41°C (106°F)106°F (41°C)
Jul
Avoid
42°C (108°F)108°F (42°C)
Aug
Avoid
42°C (108°F)108°F (42°C)
Sep
Avoid
39°C (102°F)102°F (39°C)
Oct
not flagged
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Nov
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Dec
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Best: Nov–Mar. Avoid: May–Sep. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (42°C (108°F)108°F (42°C)), coolest Jan (14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C) low), wettest Jan (3 rain days), driest May (0). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Al Khor: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
3 rd
Feb
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
3 rd
Mar
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
3 rd
Apr
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
1 rd
May
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
0 rd
Jun
41°C (106°F)106°F (41°C)
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
0 rd
Jul
42°C (108°F)108°F (42°C)
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
0 rd
Aug
42°C (108°F)108°F (42°C)
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
0 rd
Sep
39°C (102°F)102°F (39°C)
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
0 rd
Oct
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
0 rd
Nov
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
1 rd
Dec
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
2 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Al Khor is spread out and the corniche sights are 1–3 km apart: a car or taxi is the practical way. Mowasalat Route 102 and 102x run from Al Ghanim bus station in Doha roughly every 30 min, about 1 h 30 min (102x about 15 min faster); timetables differ for Friday. Confirm times with Mowasalat before you rely on them.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Al Thakira mangroves
goDoor to door: About 15 min by car
Drive 5 km (3.1 mi) north of Al Khor; kayak tours run from Doha operatorsDrive 3.1 mi (5 km) north of Al Khor; kayak tours run from Doha operators
Best light early morning; birdwatching and paddling, not swimming.
Purple Island (Jazirat bin Ghanim)
cautionDoor to door: About 20 min by car plus a walk
Earthen walkway through the mangroves from the mainland
Archaeological site with shell middens; no facilities, take water.
Simaisma Mosque and beach
goDoor to door: About 20 min by car
Drive south about 17 km (11 mi)Drive south about 11 mi (17 km)
1938 coral-and-mud mosque, exterior only; shallow beach popular for camping.
Al Zubarah
overnightDoor to door: About 1 h 30 min
Drive north via Al Shamal Road
UNESCO pearling town and fort; pair with Al Shamal rather than returning same day.
Door to door: About 1 h 30 min by bus, 45 min by car
Route 102/102x bus from Al Ghanim, or drive the Q1
The default base for the region; museums, Souq Waqif and the metro.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Al Corniche / dhow harbour
Walkable seafront: museum, watchtower, fish market and the resort are all here.
Al Khor Mall area
Supermarket, food court and everyday shops; a short drive from the corniche.
Al Thakira / Simaisma
Mangrove and beach side; camping on Simaisma beach is free but basic.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- QR 150–300 excl. bed
- Mid
- QR 300–600 excl. bed
- High
- QR 600+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid-range double room1 × 1 night × QAR 450 | QAR 450 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × QAR 350 | QAR 700 |
| Mowasalat bus Doha → Al Khor, both ways2 × QAR 20 · check | QAR 40 |
| Taxi or ride-hailing around town, one day1 × QAR 100 · check | QAR 100 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × QAR 40 | QAR 80 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | QAR 137 |
| Trip total≈ QAR 754 per person per day, bed included | QAR 1,507 |
2026 estimate in Qatari riyal; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Karaki tea or soft drink at a cafeteria | QR 3–10 |
| Cheap cafeteria meal (burger and drink)Maha al Khaleej on Al Corniche is the local benchmark. | QR 3–15 |
| Mid-range restaurant main | QR 40–90 |
| Mall food-court meal | QR 25–50 |
| Taxi Doha → Al Khorcheck | QR 100–150 |
| Al Khor Museum entry | Free |
| Al Farkiah beach entry | Free |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Summer heat May–September: plan outdoor time before 09:00 or after 17:00.Summer heat May–September: plan outdoor time before 9:00 AM or after 5:00 PM.
- The bay is very shallow — you cannot swim off the town corniche.
- House of Nasser bin Abdullah Al-Missned is closed to the public; view from outside only.
- Simaisma Mosque is a religious building: non-Muslim visitors should not enter.
- Bus service changes and disruptions happen; confirm with Mowasalat first.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire and ambulance
- 999
- Mowasalat (bus information)
- +974 4458 8888
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
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Al Khorالخور
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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إلى هذا العنوان، من فضلكTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire and ambulance999
- Mowasalat (bus information)+974 4458 8888
Embassy
No embassies in Al Khor; all are in Doha. US, UK, Canadian and Australian missions are in the Doha diplomatic area (check addresses).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus Doha (Al Ghanim) → Al Khor, Route 102: about 1 h 30 min; 102x about 15 min faster (check)
- Taxi Doha → Al Khor: QR 100–150, about 45 min (check)
- Al Sultan Beach Resort day access: fee for non-guests (check)
Say or show
- مرحبا — Hello (marhaba)
- شكرا — Thank you (shukran)
- كم الثمن؟ — How much is it? (kam al-thaman)
- أين الميناء؟ — Where is the harbour? (ayna al-mina)
- هل يمكنني الدفع بالبطاقة؟ — Can I pay by card? (hal yumkinuni al-daf' bil-bitaqa)
- ماء، من فضلك — Water, please (maa, min fadlik)
Free Wi-Fi is available outdoors along the Corniche.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Al Khor. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Nov–Mar · avoid May–Sep (40 °C+ and humid), Ramadan daytime for eating outdoors · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for DOH: taxi and ride-hailing bands to Al Khor, late-arrival fallback, overnight rung.
- Walking cluster on Al Corniche: museum, watchtower, dhow harbour, fish market, with heat and prayer-time cutoffs.
- Place pages with verified hours for Al Khor Museum, Al Farkiah beach and Al Khor Mall.
- Mangrove and Purple Island fixtures with tide, heat and no-facility warnings so gates can go green.