Qatar’s World Heritage Site — Al Zubarah Archaeological Site, Suddenly Appearing in the Desert

Qatar is a small peninsula nation jutting out into the Persian Gulf. Its capital, Doha, lies at the base of the peninsula, where it borders Saudi Arabia. Along the Persian Gulf coast are other countries such as Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait. Said to be the starting point of these so-called Gulf nations is Al Zubarah, located in Qatar.
Once a thriving port city known for its pearl trade, Al Zubarah was surrounded by city walls and forts. Built in the 18th century, it was abandoned in the 20th century, and today it lies as a buried city ruin in the desert. Recognized as an important site for understanding Gulf region history, it became Qatar’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2013.

What is the Al Zubarah Archaeological Site?

In the Persian Gulf region, natural pearl harvesting was thriving long before recorded history. Al Zubarah was established in the 18th century as a trading hub. The city was said to have been surrounded by walls and multiple forts, but today, only one fort remains.
It was destroyed in 1811 during a conflict and abandoned by the 20th century. Palaces, mosques, streets, courtyards, and fishermen’s huts that once stood here are now buried under the sand. In recent years, some parts have been excavated and preserved, offering a glimpse of the city as it once was.

Access to the Al Zubarah Archaeological Site

The site is located on Qatar’s northwest coast. From Doha’s Al Ghanim Bus Station, there are three round trips daily to Al Zubarah Fort.
From the fort, it’s about a 1.5 km walk to the city ruins. Since buses are infrequent, plan your return trip carefully.
After arriving in Doha, you can take a public bus to the Al Zubarah Fort stop, which is right in front of the archaeological site. If you are unsure of the bus stops in Doha, you can ask at the nearby Information Center.
Doha’s Hamad International Airport has direct flights from Tokyo’s Narita and Haneda airports, making this heritage site relatively easy to visit.

Highlight 1: Al Zubarah Fort

In the middle of a vast desert, Al Zubarah Fort suddenly appears. With no moat or outer walls, only a square structure stands prominently.
The fort was built to defend Al Zubarah, but compared to the size of the city, it appears modest. This is because the fort did not stand alone—there were multiple similar forts around the city, providing mutual defense.
Today, it is the only surviving structure of the World Heritage Site and the first spot most tourists head to. Before its World Heritage registration, it underwent restoration, and a museum was built nearby. The interior is simple, with display panels along the square corridor, and a well—vital during sieges—being one of the main points of interest.

Highlight 2: The City Ruins

About 1.5 km west of Al Zubarah Fort lies the remains of the old city. No buildings remain intact, but traces of the city walls and building foundations are visible. Some have explanatory panels to help visitors imagine what the city once looked like.
However, unlike the fort, this area is less developed for tourism. Visitors, especially those coming by bus, should be careful not to miss the return ride. If you plan to visit the city ruins, allow plenty of time or consider taking a taxi from Doha.

Visitor Tips

Qatar’s climate is warm year-round, but in summer the average high temperature reaches the upper 30s to 40°C, so be sure to bring water. Sunscreen is also essential due to the strong sunlight.
The area around the Al Zubarah Archaeological Site is desert, so on windy days sandstorms can occur. Sunglasses are recommended, and although the heat is intense, long sleeves are advisable to protect against sand.

◎ Summary

We’ve introduced Qatar’s World Heritage Site, the Al Zubarah Archaeological Site. The fort itself can be explored in one to two hours, so including travel time, a visit will take just over half a day.
The rest of your time can be spent enjoying the modern city of Doha.

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Qatar’s World Heritage Site — Al Zubarah Archaeological Site, Suddenly Appearing in the Desert