Planning a tour to top historical places in Qatar is basically like a time travel where you can relive the moments, discover every hidden secret of the ancient time and admire their love of art, music and culture. The country has always been the land of tradition and culture still prevailing in the traditional believes. Going back in time, Qatar has passed on its art and customs to generation and generation, keeping its root alive. While today the country is standing as one of the developed nations and is still evolving to lure the tourist and make the lifestyle more luxurious and intimidating for a perfect Qatar vacation.
10 Ancient Qatar Attractions To Relive the History
Once you step in this incredible land, you can explore the major attraction in Qatar, cities and streets housing the most splendid spots where the past relives. Preserving the history, the significance of the epoch and value traditions, here are the best six historical places of Qatar that will take you to those historical moments.
1. Msheireb Museums
The Msheireb Museums with a collection of four historical sites offers the best places in Qatar where one can relive the bygone era. The four traditionally built houses of Qatar are the most significant heritage where the tales from the past are still preserved. With their own story and past, these four old and abundant houses of Qatar are now restored to narrate the most interesting lifestyle of Qataris taking you back in history.
Suggested Read:- A Take On The Top Museums In Qatar
2. Radwani House
Built-in 1920, the Radwani House was owned by Aki Akbar Radwani and his family for around 70 years. The Radwani house belonged to one of the richest family of Qatar, who styled the house with a traditional touch. What makes the Radwani house, one of the best Qatar tourists attractions to explore and relive the history, is its artefacts and remains that were found the excavating the house. Some of the wealthy belongings of the family were obtained that showed how a rich the Qatari family was who lived back there in time.
After the family moved out of the house in 1971, it was abandoned and ruined. Later in 2007, with the archaeological investigation, the site was restored and turned as the site for public visit. One can see the courtyard with shells that were to keep the area cool and the dust settled. You can discover the design of a living room or Majlis that were crafted for males and females. Take a tour of the kitchen and the pantry during the trip.
Suggested Read: Explore the wildlife of Qatar at Al Khor Family Park & Zoo
3. Bin Jelmood House
The Bin Jelmood House of Qatar was owned by Mohammed Jelmood, where one can uncover the hidden secret of slavery. Dedicated to Islamic history and its origin, this attraction in Qatar narrates the entire story of how slavery was introduced in Qatar, and how was effectively they dealt with the issue. This building is a living tribute to the struggle and fight of people against the government, to social persistence appreciating the collective social, cultural and economic significance of people who were once slaves for the development of social, cultures and civilization.
The Jin Jelmood house is one of the ideal places to visit in Qatar with a family where one can acknowledge the importance and role of Islamic teaching in fighting against this abomination of society. Here the history narrates everything from how a boost in slave trading and human trafficking prevailed in Qatar, how the society slowly evolved from this enslavement of people to acknowledge the freedom of all.
4. Company House
Travelling back in time for a historical tour in Qatar, Company house offers a tour of a not-so-developed country that was still striving to get what it has today. From being an undeveloped nation with no recognition in the world to being a country flourishing with wealth and luxury, and owning some of the largest oil and gas reserves found in the world, the Company house depicts every detail from the past.
The Company house Qatar is dedicated to the oil industry workers in Qatar who are responsible for the development of this Arabic nation. It was the struggle, dedication and hard work of those labours and their family that today Qatar is one of the developed nations, housing a culturally rich civilization.
While you are on your Qatar sightseeing historic tour, get to learn more about the transformation of the country, the lifestyle of these workers, the use of tools and a brief work details at Company house.
5. Mohammed Bin Jassim House
Owned by Sheikh Mohammad Bin Jassim, Mohammed Bin Jassim House is a historical attraction, living the heritage and the rich culture of Qatar. A tour of this house is all about, discovering what had led to the advancement of this architectural city. During the course, some ancient art and heritage were also preserved. This is a perfect fusion of modern contemporary living with a traditional touch that reflects the past, present and showcases the plans leading to further development of Doha downtown and Qatar.
During a tour of this historical place in Qatar, explore the baraha that is an open-air town square of Doha. You will learn how the Sikka alleyways were developed, with the time as the society evolved and the houses were built along the alleyways. The region of Msheireb, Mohammed Bin Jassim House has the first built bank, pharmacy and the first café of Qatar.
- Location- Msheireb downtown Doha
- Timings- Sunday closed
Monday to Thursday 09:00am – 05:00pm
Friday: 3:00pm – 9:00pm
Saturday: 9:00am – 5:00
- Entrance fees- Free
6. Al Zubarah Fort
Lying in Madinat ash Shamal, the Al Zubarah Fort is a little ruined historical attraction that is preserved as the UNESCO World Heritage site making it a popular historical place to visit in Qatar. Ageing back to the 17th-18th Century, this is a deserted Fort of Al Zubarah that was destroyed once in the year 1811. From being the trading center and a civilized town with residential sectors and industries, Al Zubarah became an isolated region standing nowhere near the human settlement.
Later in 1983, Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim Al Thani ordered to build the fort guarding the entire coastal area of the north-west and the coastal movement and. After being the military post till 1986, it was again an abandoned fort of an abounded town.
Today the Al Zubarah Fort of Qatar is not just one of the best historical attractions in Qatar but also a museum where the visitors can learn more about its history, its architecture and significance in the past. The fort is a close resemblance of the earlier techniques of the architecture that were typically in Arab and Gulf fortified construction. The designing of pointed sloped ceilings, a traditional style of the roof structure, curving walls, a mixture both for round corners and square corners towers and a square ground plan were all a part of ancient Arabic architecture. The historical fort of Qatar hosts a small show offering some more details about the attraction and the city, down in the rooms at the bottom floor. Within the premises, there are even few warehouse or shops where exhibitions are organized and gift and antiques are displayed for selling.
- Location- Madinat Ash Shamal Qatar
- Timings- Monday to Sunday; 07:30 am - 05:00 pm
- Entrance fees- free
Suggested Read: Forts In Qatar: Catch A Glimpse Of The Finest Historical Sites
7. Zekreet Fort
Enclosed within the serene landscape, Zekreet Fort is a historical destination in Qatar that will end up taking you in the middle of the 18th century to ancient days. Safely tucked near the Dukhan region on Qatar's west coast, the Zekreet fort seems to be the only remains of one of Qatar's oldest territories.
It is the architecture that makes this fort an ideal attraction for Qatar sightseeing tour exhibiting its unusual design and outlook. It is said that the fort was completed in two phases, one without towers, as a square building but later during the second phase of construction, the fort was redesigned with four towers in each corner. But due to the unusual architect of Zakreet Fort, the towers were left incomplete, and even today the 'madabes' remains are there.
The rooms of the fort were to produce 'debis' a traditional food based on a date. At House of Sheik Ghanim bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani in Al-Wakra, you can visit a complete and well-preserved room used in the development of 'debis” during Qatar holiday tours.
- Location- Zakreet, west coast of Qatar
- Timings- open all-day 24X7
- Entrance fees- free
8. Al Jumail Fishing Village
The Jumail Fishing village of Qatar was ones a fishing ground for the locals where the villages used to trade for fishes and pearls, but later in 1970, the village was abundant. It was because of the short distance from the coastal area that fishermen found their livelihood by fishing and trading of pearls. The name of the village Jumail, is derived from Jameel that means beautiful in Arabic.
Built-in the 19th century, the Jumail fishing village is now referred to as a ghost town of Qatar, attracting travellers to discover its history. To regain the popularity and restore the grounds, Al Jumail Village was declared a heritage site and is one of the best historical places to visit in Qatar with family. The village stills preserve the materials that were once used by the locals for the construction of their houses. You can learn how the coral rocks and material like limestone were used then to keep the house cold during the scorching summers of Qatar. Some of the traditionally built houses are still there with ruined walls, remains of beads and glasses and pottery at this attraction of Qatar.
- Location- Al Shamal, Qatar
- Timing- Open all-day 24X7
- Entrance Fees- Free
9. Film City, Qatar
The 'Mystery Village' of Qatar, or popularly known as the Film city is all about its surreal beauty, the magnificent landscape and the vast desert overlooking the scenery. Now, this is not like any other historical sites in Qatar, but the architecture and settings of this city will take you to the historical time. Built as a recreational site for the famous Bedouin village, the film city depicts the earlier lifestyle of villagers from the Gulf.
Well, the story says that the city was built for movies and serials, but today, it is a popular attraction for tourist on Qatar holiday retreat. From photography to adventure and driving tours in Qatar, the Film City is a one-stop attraction for all.
- Location- Zekreet peninsula, Qatar
- Timing- Open all-day 24X7
- Entrance Fees- Free
10. Souq Waqif
The famous market place of Doha is not to be missed if you are looking for something historical for Doha vacation. This is the only standing market area of Qatar where you can find everything from the handicrafts to antiques, the clothing, traditional food and spices. The shops here display the art that is inspired by the culture and the traditional techniques while the cafes here offer the most tempting local taste of Qatar.
What makes Souq Waqif a popular historical place to visit in Qatar for getting back in time is its ambience that hasn’t changed since the time it was established. Earlier in days, it was a trading market area where the traders from Arabian sea cloud reach the Souq and sell their good. Even today Souq Waqif preserves the historic significance and identity that was lost due to massive fire.
- Location- Souq Waqif Doha, Qatar
- Timing- Open all-day but avoid late night visit
- Entrance Fees- Free
For a real historical experience, these places in Qatar are best to discover a lot about the past. Learn about the past, the historical tales and experience the richness of culture prevailing since the bygone era. Qatar not just houses the monuments and the museums but exhibitions are also organized here for a historical experience. With the handpicked attractions and some amazing activities, plan your holiday booking your Qatar flight and hotels.
FAQ’s
Qatar has an effective network of roads and buses making it easy to get around. For a convenient travel one can book an Uber or get a local cab across the streets or from the airports.
Souq Waqif is one of the popular historical marketplaces in Qatar where one can shop the traditional art, handicrafts and some antiques.
Zekreet Fort lies on the west coast of Qatar that is around 90 km from Doha, one can drive or the best way is to heir a cab as driving for so long can be tiring.
The Film City in Zakreet is open all day but it is advisable to start early and get back before the sunset.
The Msheireb Museums is open on all day except Sunday-
Mon - Thu 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Fri - Fri 3:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Sat - Sat 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM