Zubarah Fort in Northern Qatar is well worth a visit. For me it was a half day excursion from Doha. The Fort is in immaculate condition, I presume restored rather than preserved? There's a small museum/exhibition but the real joy is climbing the steps to the battlements and towers. Very easy to get to as it is right by the main road. The tour includes an optional extra, a little minibus takes you a kilometer or two into the desert to see the archaeological digs in the area. Well worth doing. I just loved the Fort though, such a step back in time.

Al-Zubara Fort, abbreviated as Zubara Fort, in the Madinat al-Shamal municipality. Driving to the fort from Doha takes about an hour. Al Zubara Fort is the most famous desert fort in Qatar. It takes its name from the nearby archaeological site of Al Zubara, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is a ruined, walled city built in the 17th century. A city that was once a thriving pearl fishing and trading port that had its own fort called Kalat Murair. The Al Khalifa clan of the Utub tribe, the ruling family of Bahrain, ruled the city for a long time and it was the place from where they conquered Bahrain in 1783. It was destroyed in 1811. In 1938, Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim Al Thani built the Al-Zubara fort on the site of Qalat Murair, which was dilapidated by that time. In recent decades, the fort has been restored to its current appearance. Currently the fort is a museum. The rooms on the ground floor have a beautiful small exhibition about the fort and surrounding area. Al Zubara Fort is accessible free of charge during the day.

More Than Just a Fort: Al Zubara Fort is not just a collection of stones and mortar; it's a living testament to a forgotten chapter in Qatar's history. It's a place to contemplate the fleeting nature of prosperity, the power of ambition, and the enduring spirit of a community. Visiting Al Zubara Fort is not just a sightseeing trip; it's an immersive experience that will leave you pondering the echoes of the past and the whispers of what lies beneath the sands.

Al Zubara Fort was perfect for a day trip and is the gateway for Al Zubarah Archeological Site. The fort itself is worth a quick stop and we got to feel the cooling effects of the ventilation holes and see some of the older construction features inside like the bamboo that holds up parts of the roof. You can climb up one of the watchtowers and get a panoramic view of the area including the sea and the nearby archeological site. There is a small gift shop, a cafe and small exhibits to explain the history of the area and pearl diving. We didn't spend much time reading the signs because the similar information and better displays are at the Qatar National Museum. There is a small parking lot and when we arrived there was a guide who invited us on a free tour of the Al Zubarah Archeological Site which can only be accessed by their bus which departs about once an hour. The tour of the site takes about 45 minutes and was very interesting because it is currently Qatar's only UNESCO world heritage site. The tour was easily the best part of going to the fort and the guide was very knowledgeable which made it all the more worthwhile. Entrance to the fort is free for residents and they did not check for residence permits when we went. It takes a little over an hour to get to the fort and we would recommend going with someone who has a car. We did an hour at the site and about 30 minutes at the fort itself. We would also recommend bringing extra water as well as some food for a picnic because there are a few things that are worth checking out nearby like an art installation in the desert and a cultural village. There is quite a bit of construction on the road to the fort as of January 2024 so the road is a little bumpy and narrow at points but still very manageable.

Al Zubara Fort is a cool spot to check out if you're into history vibes. The place feels legit ancient with its solid walls and old-school designs. Walking around, you can almost imagine the stories that went down there way back when. Inside, they've got some neat stuff on display that gives you a peek into Qatar's past. It's like a mini-museum vibe, but in a real fort. You learn about how this place used to be a big deal for trading and military stuff. Plus, the views outside are pretty sweet. You get that whole desert panorama, which adds to the whole vibe.