Head west of Doha to visit Zekreet, a small town with fascinating surroundings. Although the area consists largely of desert lands, it has a surprisingly wide range of things to do.
The town itself is small, mostly serving local residents. Just north is the site of an old fortress, Zekreet Fort. Wander around the ruins, which were constructed about two centuries ago, possibly by a pirate. The square shape, three circular turrets and single square turret are still quite visible.
Head farther north to an impressive art installation, surprisingly located amid limestone plateaus and plenty of sand. East-West/West-East by American artist Richard Serra consists of four 45-foot-tall (14-meter) steel plates set over a 0-6-mile (1-kilometer) distance. Study any of the plates from a close perspective and stand farther away to see all four in a line as you try to interpret Serra’s artistic intent.
A bit farther north, reach the abandoned town of Film City. As you gaze at the buildings, the outer walls and mosque, you may be surprised to learn that the entire village has been occupied only by film crews and local wildlife. The television series Eyaal Al Theeb (Sons of the Wolf) was filmed here.
Wild animals here include oryx, gazelle and ostriches. Note that the area is part of the Al Reem Biosphere Reserve. In this UNESCO pilot operation scientists and volunteers work on developing the dry, desert lands in a sustainable fashion.
Continue on to the beaches on the peninsula. Zekreet Beach is great for sunbathing and kite-surfing. Its rock formations are particularly interesting because of wind erosion of the limestone and remains of madabes, where people historically pressed dates to harvest their juice. Camping and stargazing are popular activities at the beach.
Travel to Zekreet by car in about 1 hour from Doha or 20 minutes from Dukhan. For any travel beyond the town itself, a four-wheel-drive vehicle is recommended. Alternatively, join a guided tour. Bring plenty of water for desert travels.
