The Pearl is a man-made island 350 metres off West Bay, developed by United Development Company (UDC), and one of the areas where non-Qataris can buy freehold. Its ten districts hold about 25,000 homes, with a marina, beaches, a school, a hospital and hundreds of shops and restaurants. There is no Metro station on the island.
Porto Arabia and Viva Bahriya
Porto Arabia has 31 Mediterranean-style towers with 7,206 homes, 417 of them townhouses, and an 891-berth marina. UDC lists 360 shops in the district, and a 2.5 km waterfront promenade runs along it.
Viva Bahriya has 28 Moroccan-inspired towers and a 2 km beach. Its 1,780 homes measure from 107 to 623 square metres, and the 480 apartments in its Al Mutahidah Towers come with beach access.
Beach access depends on the building, and some beaches on the island serve only residents or hotel guests. If the beach matters to you, check it for the exact building before you book a viewing.
Qanat Quartier, Medina Centrale and Abraj Quartier
Qanat Quartier is styled on Venice, with 1.6 km of canals crossed by bridges and a beach front. It has 1,164 apartments of one to five bedrooms, and townhouses of two or three bedrooms.
Medina Centrale is built as a Mediterranean-style town square. It has 538 homes, 130 shops and 1,900 cinema seats at NOVO Cinemas.
Abraj Quartier, also called the Avenue of Towers, has seven towers: five of 36 storeys and two of 42. The two tallest straddle the access road and form the island's gateway. These twin towers are offices, with about 54,693 square metres of space to lease.
Schools, health and shopping
United School International took its first students in August 2022. Run by UDC and Orbital Education, it teaches an enhanced British curriculum and has room for more than 2,000 students. UDC also lists a planned school and hospital in Giardino Village.
The Pearl International Hospital was inaugurated by the Minister of Public Health in November 2025. Its services include emergency care, paediatrics, women's health, cardiology, orthopaedics and general surgery.
Besides the shops of Porto Arabia and Medina Centrale, UDC lists Giardino Mall and the Floresta Galleria Retail Center. By its count, 350 shop, café and restaurant brands are open on the island.
Can foreigners buy in The Pearl?
Yes. The Pearl is on the Ministry of Justice's list of freehold areas for non-Qataris (zone 66), and it stayed on the list when the Cabinet updated it in June 2026. Freehold means full ownership, including the right to sell, mortgage and rent out the property.
Owners pay UDC a monthly master community service charge. Ask what the building charges on top for its common areas.
The Ministry has an office for non-Qatari ownership on the island, in the Al Mahara Building (40216669, nqo@moj.gov.qa). Check the exact unit with the Ministry before you sign.
