If you are planning for a road trip to explore places to visit outside Doha, you can plan your drive toward north, west or northeast from Doha. These locations offer some of the best destinations for weekend road trips making the drive memorable. Check out the top 7 routes and destinations to consider around Doha here before booking a car rental deal.
7 Easy Weekend Road Trips from Doha
Planning for day trips from Doha? You can rent a car for the weekend to explore places to visit in Doha at affordable rates. Here are some of the popular places to visit in Qatar and Doha tourist attractions:
The North and West Heritage Loop (Al Zubarah, Purple Island & Al Thakira)
You can drive to the north from Doha on Al Shamal Road toward Al Khor and Al Zubarah covering a distance of 80 to 100 km in around 1.5 hours. Al Thakira Mangroves and Purple Island are popular for kayaking through lush green forest and local birdlife. You can choose a car rental Doha such as a compact SUV to explore this route.
The North Coastal Escape (Fuwairit Beach & Kitesurf Resort)
You can head north from Doha across Fuwairit driving for around 1.5 hours to explore Al Thakira Nature Reserve for a morning walk, Fuwairit beach for crystal clear water and white sand followed by seasonal turtle nesting sites. Compact SUVs are ideal for driving along this route.
The Desert to Sea Adventure (Inland Sea / Khor Al Adaid)
If you head south from Doha toward Mesaieed covering a distance of around 80 to 100 km in around 2 to 3 hours you can witness Mesaieed dunes. Further, you can experience natural reserves and sand dunes transitioning into turquoise water of the Arabian Gulf. Full size SUVs are an appropriate choice for this route.
The Western Art and Rock Carvings Route (Zikreet, Film City & Richard Serra Sculpture)
If you drive west across the peninsula toward Zikreet and Dukhan covering around 85 km in around 1 hour 15 minutes you can witness the Zikreet desert, a replica of an Arabian village and umbrella rock formations with coastal views. SUVs can be one of the ideal rental car options for driving along this route.
Al Khor and Al Shamal Fishing Village
If you drive northeast along the coast toward Al Ruwais and Al Shamal for around 1.5 hours from Doha you can witness seaside promenades in Al Ruwais Park and observe local craftsmanship near Al Jiraana along the northern coast. You can rent a sedan car to drive along this route for comfort and affordability.
Umm Salal Mohammed and Barzen Towers
A 25 minutes drive from central Doha can take you to Barzan Towers, a 19th century watchtower built to look out for pearl divers and incoming ships. You can further drive to Umm Salal Fortress, a stone palace and a piece of history. You can choose sedans or hatchbacks to drive to this destination.
Sealine Beach and Mesaieed Coastal Drive
If you drive south across the highways to Sealine Beach in around 50 minutes you can rejuvenate and relax at the Sealine Beach Resort area popular for camel riding and seaside dining along the soft sands. You can choose sedans or SUVs to drive to this location. If you are a food enthusiast you can check out Qatar culinary road trip: discover food destinations with SelfDrive for the best options.
You can additionally check out Lusail to Al Wakrah drive: best weekend road trip in Qatar if you want wider options. Notably, if you choose an electric car ensure you check the Qatar EV charging network: everything drivers need to know for a seamless driving experience,
Car Options for Exploring Different Routes with Selfdrive
The best SUV to rent for desert driving in Qatar helps you explore most of the routes. Further, you can choose sedans to explore the best places to visit in Doha for first-time visitors. In addition, choosing hatchbacks help you explore amazing places to visit in Qatar you will miss without a rental car. Here are the car types and car models that you can book on rent with Selfdrive for a drive to different destinations along various routes:
| Routes | Car Type | Car Brand and Model |
| The North and West Heritage Loop (Al Zubarah, Purple Island & Al Thakira | compact SUV | Hyundai Creta, Kia Sonet and others |
| The North Coastal Escape (Fuwairit Beach & Kitesurf Resort) | compact SUV | GAC GS3, Hyundai Creta, Kia Sonnet and others |
| The Desert to Sea Adventure (Inland Sea / Khor Al Adaid) | Full size SUV | Chery Tiggo 7 Pro, Nissan Kicks and others |
| The Western Art and Rock Carvings Route (Zikreet, Film City & Richard Serra Sculpture) | SUV | Toyota CHR, Geely Tugella 2.0T FWD and others |
| Al Khor and Al Shamal Fishing Village | sedan | Suzuki Dzire, Toyota Corolla and others |
| Umm Salal Mohammed and Barzen Tower | hatchbacks | Suzuki Baleno, Volkswagen Golf GTI |
| Sealine Beach and Mesaieed Coastal Drive | SUVs | Toyota CHR, Geely Tugella 2.0T FWD and others |
Tips for Renting and Driving in Qatar
Here are the key tips to follow for a seamless rental experience in Doha and Qatar:
- You must check the rental terms and conditions in the agreement for hidden charges and transparency. Selfdrive does not levy hidden charges making deals transparent.
- Ensure you check the fuel policy, Qatar fuel prices & car rental costs before booking as Selfdrive operates with full tank fuel policy wherein you need to return the car after a drive with full tank fuel to avoid additional refuelling charges.
- If you are driving to Zikreet or Inland Sea, ensure you carry drinking water, phone charger and check tire pressure if deflating for sand.
Notably, ensure you check the tips to follow during a sandstorm for a safe drive in your rented car to avoid hassles.
Final Words
Now that you know the places to visit outside Doha, ensure you book your rental car in advance with Selfdrive. Advance booking helps you avail applicable early bird discounts while you avoid last-minute price surge to save more on rental cars, mobility and transportation.
Connect with Selfdrive Qatar now to book hatchbacks, SUVs or sedans to explore Doha and the nearby destinations!
