What to do
There’s not a lot to do in Al Khor, although I always find it a refreshing change to Doha. The harbour is worth a visit, and there’s a fish market just in front of the harbour. There’s mangrove swamps to look at, which should prove popular for birdwatchers. You can walk along the beach, where several play areas have been set up for children, baseball nets strung up and sun shelters erected. Between the beach and the harbour, there’s a small museum, although to be honest it’s currently pretty rubbish. Amazingly, I noticed two public libraries, and a department for the promotion of culture.There may be more things to do in the future, as half the town is being rebuilt, though its probably worth wandering round the town now to appreciate the older buildings and wind towers before they get knocked down.
Facilities
![Bull dozers at work in Al Khor on a dark and chilly December day](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfbBNEbWxw09AjL3N_SirPpP1l5llV9SRtVSCT8HLCiRQWnoGA9mCFSVMLNnGlaXnhS3KxFTFYnU0iZsIHTGR_tRbtezQ-Swt_H8sBGwRnXlHtm1HrYmOWNRPD167gLCouXJNL/s280/al+khor+sky.jpg)
School contact details:
Doha English Speaking School Al Khor (DESS),
Address: Al Khor community, PO Box 22166, Doha, Qatar
Website: http://www.akdess.com/school.htm
Email: akisbs@qatar.net.qa
Tel: +974-4734666
Fax: +974-4734665
Football
Despite being a small town with a population of 30,000, Al Khor has a 20,000 capacity stadium and a football team in the Q league.
Food
![Second course at a Turkish restaurant in Al Khor](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyJio8cTBZcuYOP2dE5zoBaZG9Omx7sytsuao80cZYST9Tjv3ucJt5s0e5yE4rnXd-v9EWIW08772LcdluNF-58gw7N7f1Kqg36Yrsbe-U0UDVvQmbaoclEDXYEQ5e_sklaz6J/s280/second+course.jpg)
Hotels
Al Sultan Beach Resort is a new and plush hotel with 224 rooms, all equipped with with wireless internet. It’s also the only hotel we could find. We were quoted a pricey 1200 riyals ($330) for a night in a standard room.
Contact: Tel: 4722666 Fax: 4724111 Reservation: 5766660
Around Al Khor
There's some public gardens just outside Al Khor, and at nearby Al Thakira there are salt marshes which provide a very different scene to the normally dry desert. If you are feeling brave, cross the salt marshes in search of the Al Thakira beach. Losail racing circuit is located halfway between Doha and Al Khor, and has a number of races throughout the year. If you have got a four by four you could also visit the rock carvings at Jabal Jassiya.
Getting there:
If you go along Suhaim Bin Hamad , carry along under the new underpass by Hamad hospital, and just keep going straight! You’ll drive into and through the desert, past Losail Racing Track, until you hit the town. You can normally head straight through town and then back along the Corniche, but currently you need to head through the centre of town, past two mosques, and take the third exit off the roundabout after the public library. This will take you to the fish market, museum and beach.
Also see: Messaieed Industrial City
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