Top 5 Places To Visit In Shahaniya For A Fun-Filled Getaway

When you speak of Qatar, Doha is the first city that comes to your mind. Well, there are several other cities in Qatar that can win over your heart and one such city is Al Shahaniya. There are a few places to visit in Shahaniya that will make your trip to Qatar worth while. Qatar became a touristic hub over the last few years drastically, and reason for the same are the places, activities and events the nation beholds.

Here is a list of some of the finest places to visit in Shahaniya, Qatar for an enriching and mystical getaway.

Top 5 Places To Visit In Shahaniya For A Enticing Getaway

• Desert Park
• Al-Shahaniya Camel Racetrack
• Umm Bab Beach
• Al Dosari Zoo and Game Reserve
• Al Shahaniya Stud

1. Desert Park

The Desert Park is peculiar and is nestled in the Shahaniya area. As the name says, Desert Park, the place is designed in the form of a desert tree. It is known for its presence and is characterized by numerous wild and exclusive flora and fauna of the environment of Qatar. This park is among the best tourist attractions in Shahaniya and, you can find about eight different kinds of animals here. The Park was made with some aims and one of the most important goals it has is to introduce young people and students to the identity of Qatar and the environment of the country.

Desert Park is one of the best parks in Qatar and it presents almost all the types of trees and animals. Another important goal of the park is to increase the green areas in terms of gardens and parks in Al Shahaniya. Also, it is there to serve the people of the city and represents the desert environment in the most beautiful way. Lastly, it also points that the municipality seeks development. So, why wait? Pay a visit to this alluring park , which must be mentioned is one of the finest parks in Qatar.

2. Al-Shahaniya Camel Racetrack

Qatar is big on camel racing, and it is not limited to the racing track. The craze of camel racing is so big that there is a TV channel that is specially dedicated to the transmission of Camel races, bringing the exclusives at local and abroad. The Camel Racing Track at Al Shahaniya is one of the finest places to go in Shahaniya and is located approximately an hour's drive away, towards the North of downtown Doha. The racetrack is in full swing in the span of November to February, and during this period, international as well as domestic tournaments are held. Visitors are welcomed here even when there are no races. You can stop by the track every day at around 9: 30 AM or around 5: 30 PM, during this time the camels are taken to the arena for practice.

This racetrack is one among the top places to visit in Qatar. There is a virtual camel city around the race track and visitors are allowed to visit the camel stables near the track. Locals usually follow the race by driving up their cars on the paved roads that run parallel to the 10 kilometers long track. Although there is a seating arrangement in the grandstand, and that is too shaded, yet if you like you can opt for following the race the way locals do. Pay a visit to this camel track and you will be definitely mesmerized by the beauty. It is a unique opportunity to admire the groomed in the best way and some of the most expensive camels all around the globe. Also, FYI, some of these camels are even worth as much as one million Qatari riyals.

To reach the race track from Doha, you can take the Al Rayyan Road and the drive to the West until the Al Rayyan stadium. From here the road changes its name to Dukhan Highway, just keep going forward towards the West. You will see that the track is well signposted.

3. Umm Bab Beach

Are you looking for a remote beach or a place with no crowd? Well then, Umm Bab beach is the right option for you. But keep in mind that there are no fancy hotels or modern resorts at or around the Umm Bab beach, and this is one of the most important reasons for being an ideal spot for family outings or couples retreat. You can set up a barbeque or plan a secluded picnic, and enjoy a calm day away from the hustle-bustle of the city.

The beach is one among the top Attractions in Shahaniya, and not only that, in the whole Qatar, and it has some facilities for the visitors like toilets, showers, playground, sports ground and changing booth at the beach. The water is shallow with a flat and sandy bottom and the waves are calm, so you can let your little one roll around freely, that is if you are traveling with them. Umm Bab Beach also hosts some entertainment for the visitors such as horse riding, camel riding, water attractions, and also ultimate dune races on the quads and SUVs. Umm Bab Beach also arises a possibility to rent sunbeds, barbeque facilities, and umbrellas.

Also, there are many tourists who want to adore the beauty of this beach for a long and thus bring their own tents to spend several days here. At times the weather is bad and sleeping on the beach is not possible, during this span visitors can spend their nights at the village, where the local residents won't deny you to stay, in fact, they have the warmest welcome.

The residents will help you allocate a place, usually near their houses, so that you can set up your tent and stay peacefully. It is one of the best beaches in Qatar that you pay a visit to. The best to visit Umm Bab beach is in the spring and autumn season. During this span the weather is calm, that is no tiring hot days and no sandstorms as well. In the winter season, the weather is tolerable as well and the seawater won't be warmer than 20 degrees to 22 degrees Celsius.

4. Al Dosari Zoo and Game Reserve

Sitting just next to the camel race track and stud farm is the Al Dosari Zoo and Game Reserve. It is one of the best places to travel in Shahaniya and is a private zoo and is owned by the Al Dosari Family, plus is a very popular spot among the Bedouin families. This is one of many zoos in Qatar that boasts quite a decent collection of exclusive fauna such as Barbari sheep, Arabian Wolves, Arabian oryxes, and cheetahs as well.

This is a place where you can learn all about the culture of the locals in such a way that it was often practiced by the local folks. The best part? You can see the oryxes without having to go to a zoo or a sanctuary. There is no fee for entrance and the zoo is open from 7: 00 AM till the sun sets, every day.

5. Al Shahaniya Stud

Al Shahaniya Stud was first founded in the early 1980s, and now is one of the most iconic equine properties in all of the Middle East. This spot boasts over 19 paddocks which are spread over an area of 50 acres of grassland plus have over 200 stables. Al Shahaniya Stud also boasts a swimming pool and owns a private training track of about 200 meters and a lot of other things. You Can also find two luxurious offices that accommodate the breeding, racing headquarters, and shows, all Qatar based, from here all the global bloodstock operations are coordinated.

Suggested Read: Horse Riding In Qatar: Best Locations To Experience The Fun-filled Activity

Are you excited to explore this new side of Qatar? Well then, there are a few places to visit in Shahaniya, that will make your vacation even more fun. With sites like camel racetrack, beach, zoo and a few others Shahaniya will definitely make a place in your heart. Shahaniya is a small city nestled between Dukhan and Doha, you can even say it is a big bang wrapped in a small package. So, what are you waiting for then? Plan your trip to Qatar and pay a visit to these interesting places.

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