The municipality of Al Rayyan is situated in the southwest part of Qatar. It was created as an independent municipality under the Ministry of Municipality and Urban Planning in 1972. It is the third-largest municipality among the 7 other municipalities in the country, with an area of 2450.1 sq. km and a population of 605,712 according to the Planning and Statistics Authority 2015 Population distribution and population density by municipality.
The municipality houses several beautiful places and sights to see. Are you excited to explore Al Rayyan? The ILoveQatar.net (ILQ) team has compiled a list of things to see and do here to help you with your road trip!
Let the adventure begin!
How far is Al Rayyan municipality from Doha? From the Gold Souq roundabout in Doha, you can drive to the boundary of Al Rayyan in approximately 13 minutes via Al Rayyan road.
The distance from Gold Souq to Al Rayyan Park, which borders Doha and Al Rayyan municipality, is about 7.1 km (approximately 13 minutes drive).
If you're heading to Villaggio Mall, it will take you approximately 21 minutes (11.6 km) from the Gold Souq in Doha via Salwa Road.
A drive to Hilton Salwa Beach Resort & Villas will take about 1 hour and 7 minutes via Salwa Road from Gold Souq.
Aside from your private vehicle and taxis like Uber, Careem, etc, you can take public transportation from Doha to Al Rayyan via the Doha Metro Gold Line and the Doha Metro Green Line. Qatar Rail offers free Metrolink buses – M313 to Muaither Area, M202 to Gharrafat Al Rayyan(West) & Al Gharrafa Sports Club, M203 - Al Gharrafa West.
There are also Karwa buses that can take you from Doha to Al Rayyan and around Al Rayyan, including the following bus routes: L508, L510, L514, L526, T601, T604, T610 etc.
Are you a foodie? We have rounded up some of the food places you can try when exploring Al Rayyan here: Food Finds in Al Rayyan Municipality
Located about 60 km from Doha, Al Kharaana Lagoon is a beautiful oasis in the middle of nowhere. This is where one can see many birds, fish and local wildlife. It is a beautiful tourist destination worth visiting in Qatar. This is an off-beat place to get some much-needed relaxation, and make sure you take water and some snacks with you in case you get hungry. There are no shops around here.
*Please be mindful of the local flora and fauna here and do not disturb the environment. Do not litter and keep the surroundings clean.
Location: Al Kharaana Lagoon
This is one of the oldest forts in Qatar and was built in 1893. It is located about 25 kilometres from Doha. The features that attract visitors are the 4 watchtowers that stand tall, until today. An integral part of Qatar's history, this place gives you an idea of what life would have been like back then. Read about the other historic forts of Qatar here.
Location: Al Wajbah Fort
Aspire Park is one of the most well-known parks in Qatar. This mighty park consists of many attractions for both kids and adults alike. It is a great place for outdoor activities with friends or family. This beautiful park has many facilities like a children’s playground, running and jogging tracks, sports ground, cafes and more!
Location: Aspire Park
You can see The Torch Doha from Aspire Zone and Aspire Park. This hotel stands tall and is one of the highest restaurants in Qatar. Three Sixty Restaurant - 360° at The Torch Doha is Qatar’s first revolving restaurant and offers guests a one-of-a-kind view of the city.
Location: The Torch Doha
The 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum is dedicated to sports from its origins to the present day. It is an educational place that kids will also love. Apart from the museum, you can also check out the play area just before exiting.
Location: 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum
Education City is home to several educational and research institutes in Qatar. This place offers visitors a mix of great architecture, sights and leisure areas. While here, you can explore various things like taking Instagrammable shots at the Ceremonial Court, marvel at the architecture of the Education City mosque, spend a relaxed evening walking at Oxygen Park, explore and spend time at the Qatar National Library, go golfing at the Education City Golf Club and more!
Explore Education City via the tram.
Location: Education City
The Qatar National Library is one of the most recognized landmarks in Qatar. It is the largest library in Qatar and has thousands of materials for educational and leisure purposes. They include journals, e-books, print books, e-books, audiobooks, magazines, newspapers and other multimedia resources. This library also has a children's library, a music studio, a young adult's library and much more! Amazing, isn't it?
Location: Qatar National Library
Education City also houses the Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art, which has a collection of more than 9000 modern and contemporary artworks! Founded in 2010, the building of this museum is a renovated former school. The initial works of the collection were by H.E. Sheikh Hassan bin Mohammed bin Ali Al Thani. The museum regularly holds events, exhibitions and other public events for all to take part in.
Location: Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art
The Hilton Salwa Beach Resort & Villas is not your average resort. It offers guests a luxurious stay and a water park within it! The Desert Falls Water & Adventure Park is a place to spend time with your family and friends. The resort comprises guest rooms, suites, villas, an Arabian Village and one of the largest water parks in Qatar.
Location: Hilton Salwa Beach Resort & Villas
The Muaither Family Park offers visitors some respite and relaxation. This park has features like a children's play area, a small garden area, green lawns, shaded seating and more! Spending a cool evening at this park will surely leave you with a satisfied smile and a calm mind.
Location: Muaither Family Park
Sidra Medicine provides world-class medical facilities for women and children. An art-installation by Damien Hirst is placed outside Sidra Medical Center. You will find 14 bronze sculptures illustrating the gestation of a fetus inside a uterus from conception to birth. You must see it to believe it!
Location: The Miraculous Journey by Damien Hirst
Located right next to The Torch Doha is the Villaggio Mall. This mall is a Venetian-inspired shopping and entertainment destination. The Gondolania Theme Park inside the mall and the Gondola boat rides are the main attractions here! When visiting the mall, try riding the Gondola boat there!
Location: Villaggio Park
This is another popular shopping destination in Qatar. The Oasis, a jungle-themed central location, is one of the main attractions here and a selfie spot too! This is where many of the programs and events at the mall are held. What are some of your favourite stores at the Mall of Qatar?
Location: Mall of Qatar
Khalifa International Stadium was built in 1976 in Al Rayyan. This 40,000-seat stadium has a history of hosting the Asian Games, the Arabian Gulf Cup and the AFC Asian Cup, among other prestigious events like the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™. Have you seen any events here?
Location: Khalifa International Stadium
Surrounded by some of Qatar's top universities, the Education City Stadium can seat 40,000 people at one go! After its completion, it became the thrid-match ready stadium to host the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ matches.
Location: Education City Stadium
Located at Al Rayyan, the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium hosted fans during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™. Did you know that the design of the stadium is inspired by the dunes, giving an ode to its location at the edge of a desert?
Location: Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium
How many places from this list have you been to? Have you explored all the 8 municipalities in Qatar? Let us know in the comments! Do share this article - it keeps us going!
Source: Myholidays.com, qatar2022.qa
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