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Al Shamal is a municipality in the state of Qatar. The seaside teems with local dhow boats. Al Ruwais is part of a conglomeration of towns in the municipality of Madinat ash Shamal, including Al Ruwais (little more than a sleepy fishing village the northernmost city of the Qatar peninsula) and Abu Dahlouf.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
Al Jassassiya
A collection of about 900 petroglyphs, depicting such subjects as local fauna and boats. There are also geometric cup-shaped depressions, thought to have been used for traditional Arabian games using stones as counters. Recent studies date the oldest of these carvings to about 250 years old.
Al-Rekayat Fort
Built between the 17th and 19th centuries, restored in 1988. The fort is notable for having three square towers and one round tower, and was constructed of coral, limestone, and mud brick.
Al Thaghab Fort
Built between the 17th and 19th centuries and restored in 2003. Similar to the fort at Al Rakiyat, this fort also features three square towers and one round tower.
Al Ghariyah
A photogenic partially abandoned fishing village, active during Qatar's pearling years. There is also a good beach with fishing spots a bit further north of the old Scout Camp.
Al Jumail
An abandoned fishing village, founded in the early 17th century and fully abandoned in the 1970s with the shift of Qatar's economy to one based on mineral resources. The site is now under the protection of the Ministry of Arts, Culture and Heritage, and can only be visited after prior approval by the Qatar Museum Authority. Arrangements can also be made through Doha-based tour groups.
A traditional fishing village abandoned in the 1970s. The name 'khuwair' refers to a small seawater canal.
An abandoned fishing village, inhabited from the early 19th to late 20th centuries. 'Areesh' is the Arabic word for a shelter made from date palm fronds.
An ancient fort, and a museum. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2013 - situated just 100 km west of Doha lies the town of Al Zubarah, an important archaeological site famous for its old fort. This fort-turned-museum was constructed in 1938 during the reign of Sheikh Abdullah Bin Jassim Al-Thani and was erected on the ruins of a neighbouring fort. The fort itself is square-shaped with circular towers in three of its corners and a rectangular tower in the fourth. With high, thick walls, this fort also served as a coast-guard station and, until the mid-1980s, was used by the military. The nearby archaeological site of the town appears to be closed.
ام الماء
Archaeological site most notable for its ancient cemetery, which is thought to date to the Bronze Age. The site also includes a 19th century fort.
Popular with kitesurfers, and notable for unusual eroded rock formations. Be careful of rocks in the water.
Abu Dhalouf Beach
This quiet beachfront is located directly on a small spit directly north of Al Ruwais, and has a few coves and inlets with picnic benches and shaded areas, and toilets. Dugongs and flamingos can occasionally be spotted here, and at high tide visitors can catch shrimp and crabs.
Offers great fatayer and shwarma.
The beaches at Al Ghariyah and Fuwairat are well-suited for camping (see listings above).
Route 101 and 100 buses (timetable) travel from Al Ghanim Bus Station, Doha, to Al Ruwais and its surrounding towns regularly, with the journey taking 2 hours and 2½ hours respectively.
Read in the guideThe Q1 highway traverses half of Al Shamal. The other half can be accessed via Al Areesh Rd.
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