Making the most of your visit to Doha
Qatar’s capital Doha is a vibrant city providing rich culture, luxurious experiences and unique adventures both within the boundaries and across the surrounding area. Here, Insight provides a taster of some of the must-see attractions.
SOUQ WAQIF
Doha’s lively and historic marketplace Souq Waqif is one of the city’s top rated attractions, providing the opportunity to purchase everything from traditional goods to opulent gifts.
The mud-daubed buildings in winding alleys and stall holders open to a spot of haggling provide a truly authentic experience whether you’re going for gold, buying spices or looking for a unique souvenir.
Aside from shopping, the site hosts an art centre and a multitude of restaurants and cafes providing places to give your wallet and feet a rest.
Other highlights in the area include street performances, grounds housing horses and camels and the aptly named Falcon Souq, where you can get a birds-eye view of the beautiful creatures up close.
https://souqwaqif.qa/
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF QATAR
Designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Jean Nouvel, the museum charts the history of Qatar and contains some of the country’s and surrounding region’s most important artifacts.
The site was built around Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim Al Thani’s original palace, which was the seat of government for 25 years, and is a must see during a visit to Doha.
Ensure you take comfortable footwear though, as the museum is more than 430,000 square feet and comprises 11 galleries.
Top things to see include the luxurious 18th century Pearl Carpet of Baroda which contains more than 1.5 million pearls, alongside diamonds, rubies, emeralds and sapphires all set in gold and woven onto a base of silk and fine deer hide.
National Museum of Qatar, Museum Park Street, Doha https://nmoq.org.qa/
MUSEUM OF ISLAMIC ART
The Museum of Islamic Art houses one of the largest collections of its type anywhere in the world from its picture-perfect setting on The Doha Corniche.
Awe-inspiring pieces on display cover a span of 1,400 years and the collection contains works produced across three continents.
Encompassing a wide range of artistic forms, visitors can expect to see fine art, pieces with huge cultural significance and everyday objects used across the centuries.
Its collection boasts ceramics, glass, textiles, metalwork and over 800 manuscripts. These include Qur’ans dating from the 7th century to Ottoman works of the 19th century.
Museum of Islamic Art, Al Corniche St Doha, Qatar https://mia.org.qa/
KHOR AL ADAID – THE INLAND SEA OF QATAR
If you have a spare day in Doha, there are a multitude of luxurious, awe-inspiring and adventurous activities within hours of the city.
Among these is Khor Al Adaid, known in English as The Inland Sea of Qatar, a magical destination offering natural beauty, clear blue waters and unusual wildlife.
Activities available include lounging on idyllic beaches, sandboarding and dune trips on a quad bike, ATV or buggy. For those less inclined to hit the sand, it is also a great spot to see birds, marine life and desert animals.
The area is home to turtles, Arabian oryx, dugongs, turtles, flamingos, Arabian gazelle and desert foxes to name a few.
It is only accessible by 4x4 vehicle and an experienced off-road driver is a must as there are no roads to the site. Tours are available.
Other outdoor activities not far from Doha include desert safari trips, the East-West/West-East sculpture public art display and kayaking through Qatar’s oldest mangrove forest.
SPORTING SIGHTS
Doha is a city with a growing reputation for hosting internationally renowned sporting events alongside more traditional local ones.
High profile events to be held within easy reach of the city include the Qatar Grand Prix, which takes place on Sunday 30 November. Several linked events are set to take place in the days leading up to the main race.
Having hosted the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Qatar has some of the largest and most modern football stadia located anywhere in the world. Many of these can be found in the greater Doha area and tours around these sites are available.
A list of upcoming sporting contests, including Dragonboat racing, UFC and the FIFA U-17 World Cup, is available in local listings.
THRILL OR CHILL?
For those in Doha for a longer period and have perhaps brought along loved ones, the city provides a wealth of places to relax and have fun.
Popular attractions include beach clubs and theme and water parks providing fun for the whole family.
The city also offers high-end shopping and dining experiences, including within The Pearl Qatar: a man-made island near Doha’s prestigious West Bay district. The area includes marinas filled with yachts, and premium designer boutiques and showrooms.
All images courtesy of Visit Qatar