Overview
About This Place
Did you know?Al Zubarah is Qatar's only UNESCO World Heritage Site — and archaeological excavations have uncovered a ghost city beneath the sand, streets and all.
Al Zubarah Fort is a star-shaped military fortification built in 1938 on the site of one of Qatar's most historically significant settlements. It serves as a museum and the gateway to the Al Zubarah archaeological site — a UNESCO World Heritage Site preserving the ruins of an 18th-century pearling and trading town.
الزبارة
Al Zubarah
The place of the button maker
History
Historical Significance
The town of Al Zubarah was founded in the late 18th century and grew rapidly into one of the most important trading ports in the Persian Gulf. It was abandoned after raids in the early 19th century. Qatar has since undertaken extensive archaeological excavations revealing streets, mosques, markets, and houses frozen beneath the sand.
Timeline
Key Historical Events
Late 1700s
The town of Al Zubarah is founded and rapidly grows into one of the Gulf's most important pearling and trading ports.
1811
Al Zubarah is attacked and largely abandoned following a military raid, beginning its long decline.
1938
The current fort is built by the Al Thani ruling family to guard the abandoned town ruins.
2013
The Al Zubarah Archaeological Site is inscribed as Qatar's first UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Planning Your Visit
When to Go
Best Time to Visit — hover a month
Jan
Jan
Weather: Mild
Crowds: Moderate
Feb
Feb
Weather: Warm
Crowds: Moderate
Mar
Mar
Weather: Hot
Crowds: Quiet
Apr
Apr
Weather: Very hot
Crowds: Quiet
May
May
Weather: Very hot
Crowds: Quiet
Jun
Jun
Weather: Extreme heat
Crowds: Very quiet
Jul
Jul
Weather: Extreme heat
Crowds: Very quiet
Aug
Aug
Weather: Extreme heat
Crowds: Very quiet
Sep
Sep
Weather: Very hot
Crowds: Quiet
Oct
Oct
Weather: Hot
Crowds: Moderate
Nov
Nov
Weather: Warm
Crowds: Moderate
Dec
Dec
Weather: Mild
Crowds: Busy
Gallery
In Photos
Location