Al Khor Park, Al Khor

Overview

Al Khor Park, officially Al Khor Family Park and Zoo, is a large landscaped park on the southern edge of Al Khor, about 50 km north of Doha. At around 240,000 square metres it is often described as one of the biggest parks in Qatar, and it combines lawns, playgrounds, a lake with fountains and a small train with a zoo of several hundred animals. Right next door is Panda House, home to Qatar’s two giant pandas.

For families in Doha it is a classic weekend day trip: far enough to feel like an outing, close enough to do in an afternoon. Children come for the animals and the train, parents for the shade and space, and everyone for the change of scene from city parks. Unlike most public parks in Qatar, there is a modest entry fee, which covers the zoo.

The park is open and operating at the time of writing, with the municipality hosting events there through 2026. This guide explains what’s inside, how the tickets and women-and-children day work, how to combine it with Panda House, and what else is worth seeing in Al Khor on the same trip.

History and background

Al Khor Park is one of the older public parks in Qatar and has long been a favourite with families from the north of the country. It is run by the Ministry of Municipality through the Al Khor and Al Thakhira Municipality.

The park went through a long redevelopment in the second half of the 2010s. When it reopened in February 2020, the Ministry had added a much bigger zoo in seven sections, with 315 animals of 49 species, many of them transferred from the old Doha Zoo. New attractions included big cats, crocodiles, primates and birds, alongside a battery-powered train, a 400-seat amphitheatre, a mini-golf course, a skating area, a basketball court, a mosque, a restaurant and an air-conditioned museum of about 1,200 square metres.

Later in 2020 the Ministry confirmed that entry fees would apply to Al Khor Park because of its zoo, while other public parks stayed free. The park closed again for upgrades and reopened in November 2022, in time for the FIFA World Cup, with new food kiosks, replaced play-area flooring and improvements to the zoo enclosures.

The same year, Qatar received two giant pandas from China, named Suhail and Thuraya, making it the first country in the Middle East to host the species. They live in the purpose-built Panda House beside the park.

What to see and do

1. Visit the zoo

   The zoo is the main reason most families come. Official listings describe more than 300 animals from around 49 species, including lions, tigers, cheetahs, jaguars, giraffes, zebras and rhinos, primates such as chimpanzees and monkeys, crocodiles, bears and a bird section with flamingos, macaws, peacocks and ostriches. Regional species such as the Arabian oryx are also on show. The zoo keeps shorter hours than the park, so go early in the day to see it properly.

2. Ride the park train

   A small battery-powered train loops around the park, including through a decorated tunnel, and is a highlight for younger children. Rides carry a small extra charge (QAR 5 per person when fares were last published).

3. Let the children loose in the playgrounds

   There are separate play areas for younger and older children with rubber safety flooring, plus mini golf, a skating area and a basketball court. With lawns and shaded seating nearby, it is easy to spend a couple of hours here.

4. Walk around the lake and fountains

   An artificial lake with fountains and waterfalls sits at the heart of the park, surrounded by more than 40 kinds of trees, shrubs and plants. It is the most pleasant part of the park for a slow walk or a picnic in the cooler months.

5. Look inside the museum

   The park includes an air-conditioned museum of around 1,200 square metres, a useful place to cool down in the middle of the day. Check on arrival whether it is open, as opening times can differ from the rest of the park.

6. See the pandas next door

   Panda House, beside the park, is home to the giant pandas Suhail and Thuraya. It is a separate attraction with its own tickets, which have been sold through the Ministry’s Oun app. Recent listings give hours of 10am to 6pm and prices of about QAR 50 for adults and QAR 25 for children, but confirm current details in the app before you go.

7. Catch a seasonal event

   The municipality uses the park for holiday events. During Eid Al-Adha in 2026, for example, it hosted what was billed as Qatar’s first free-flight parrot show. Watch local news and the Ministry’s channels around Eid and national holidays.

How to get there

By car: Drive north from Doha on the Al Khor Expressway (Al Khor Coastal Road) and follow signs for Al Khor Park as you approach the town. The park is about 50 km from central Doha; allow 40 minutes to an hour depending on your starting point and traffic. The roads are paved all the way, so any car is fine.

Parking: The park has a large car park with around 700 spaces, including accessible bays. It fills on winter weekends and holidays, so arrive early.

Public transport: There is no metro to Al Khor. Karwa buses run between Doha and Al Khor, but the park is not easy to reach without a car. A taxi or ride-hail from Doha is possible but expensive for the return journey, so arrange your ride back in advance.

Best time to visit

November to March is the best season. The zoo animals are more active in the cooler hours, and walking between enclosures is pleasant. From April to October, arrive when the park opens and see the zoo before late morning, then leave or head indoors.

Official hours at the time of writing are 8am to 10pm for the park and 8am to 6pm for the zoo, with Tuesdays reserved for women and children only. Earlier published hours included a later Friday opening, so check the current listing before a Friday visit. Weekends and public holidays are the busiest times.

Tips for your visit

• Book tickets in advance. Entry has been sold through the Ministry of Municipality’s website and the Oun app. Published prices are QAR 15 for adults and QAR 10 for children under 10.
• Know the Tuesday rule. Tuesdays are for women and children only, so men and family groups with adult men should pick another day.
• See the zoo first. It closes hours before the park does.
• Book Panda House separately. It has its own tickets and hours.
• Bring water and hats. The zoo paths are partly exposed to the sun.
• Don’t feed the animals. Animal feeding is only allowed where the park organises it.
• Combine it with the coast. Al Khor’s corniche and mangroves are just a few minutes away.
• Check holiday hours. Timings and events change around Eid and National Day.

What to bring

• Your e-ticket or booking confirmation
• Water and snacks
• Hats and sun protection
• A picnic blanket
• Comfortable walking shoes
• A pushchair for small children, as the site is large

Combine it with nearby places

Purple Island. Walk across the footbridge to Al Khor’s mangrove island and ancient dye-works site. See our Purple Island guide.

Al Thakira mangroves. A short drive north, the mangroves are one of the best places in Qatar to kayak. See our Al Thakira kayaking guide.

Al Khor Corniche. The town’s seafront has walkways, a traditional harbour and views over the bay, ideal for the end of the day.

Al Bayt Stadium Park. The tent-shaped World Cup stadium on the southern side of Al Khor is surrounded by a large public park, a good stop on the drive home.

Simaisma Beach and Corniche. Halfway between Doha and Al Khor, Simaisma is an easy stop for a seaside walk. See our Simaisma guide.

Frequently asked questions

Last checked October 2026. Hours, fees and access can change, so confirm with the official source before you go.