Best Tours & Unusual Places To Visit In Doha

With steep and tall buildings and exotic and expensive amenities, Doha has quickly grown as a tourist hub in the Middle Eastern region. As we have seen, the city provides a range of luxury attractions; however, it also has unique and rather original places to visit. Here are some of the recommended and hidden gem tours that should not be missed during the Doha tour.

Dhow Boat Tour

Among the most visited and appealing activities that one can engage in when in Doha is the ride on Qatari traditional wooden boats, known as dhow boats. Traditionally, these boats were crafted out of wood and were once used for purposes of pearl diving and fishing voyages. Currently, tourists can hire a dhow for the evening or day cruise to watch the sunset in Doha and the surrounding skyline. Most of the yacht tours approximately take 1-2 hours with amazing views over landmarks including the Museum of Islamic Art or else you can take a dinner cruise with local Qatari dishes.

Falcon Souq

Falconry is one of the oldest sports still practiced in the region and Qataris have a deep-rooted connection with it. It will be highly recommended to drop by the Falcon Souq to catch a glimpse of these fantastic hunting birds. The falcon market is roofed and is situated adjacent to the Souq Waqif bazaar; this market alone has hundreds of outlets selling falcons and materials related to falcons. The stalls themselves, are filled with furs, feathers, and birds that have been preserved and stuffed. People can also buy kandura from enthusiastic sellers while strolling around and exploring the place to learn more about Qatar’s national sport.

Kayaking in the Mangrove Forest Around Al Khor Island.

If you want to go on a genuinely calming eco-tour that you can’t find in any other part of Doha, then visit Al Khor Island up the coast. Here visitors can rent kayaks and navigate through rocky mangrove shores which are common on this island. As you canoe through these waters, you could get to spot some of the many species of water birds that are here including the herons, the flamingos, fish eagles, and even crabs and so on. In addition, most rental services will also give the first-time kayakers a brief on how to maneuver on the water before heading out to enjoy the picturesque natural environment around theicketer.

Inland Sea Camel Trek

Unlike other cities of the world where towering structures are decorated with sparkling lights, Doha is not completely devoid of them yet, one can easily visit the desert of Qatar. In my opinion, an especially remarkable way of participating in traditional activities is a camel ride to the Inland Sea, which is a natural depression located approximately an hour away from central Doha. It is full of poorly lit pictures of camels taken by enthusiastic locals accompanied by experts, leading small groups of tourists into the vast midland to greet well-taken-care-of camels. There is a safety briefing before the trekkers can ride the animals out for a slow journey to view the beautiful views of the seas. Finally, here, travelers can relax and regain their strength with some food and drinks while enjoying the sight of various desert plants and animals on their way back.

Museum of Illusions

In search of some playful experiences, Doha offers its visitors the Museum of Illusions with over 100 activities designed to challenge your perception. This museum was established in 2019 and has three floors with impressive installations that play tricks on the viewers’ sight and mind. One can walk on the ceiling, flip the body in the photo, manipulate holograms, and even mirror-shrink in the special rooms within this unique architectural design. While some educational parts describe how vision and optical things work, it is mostly a list of visually eye-catching and camera-friendly installations.

Oxygen Park

Situated north of Doha, Oxygen Park is a jarring counterpoint to the cityscape that lays claim to the park’s environment. The large park to the public has plantations, water bodies, and pathways that curve around the park with different art masterpieces. This park has bicycles and segways for rent to enable visitors to tour the park at their convenience. Also, don’t forget about the site that made Oxygen famous – the Giant Teddy Bear sculpture standing over 10 meters high, located close to the lake. You can try the food and beverages, which are available in the restaurant or prepare your meal and enjoy it while seated under the palm trees.

Mathaf: The Arab Museum of Modern Art

Cultural vultures will not want to leave without having visited Mathaf, an incredibly designed contemporary art museum dedicated to the art of Arabs only. The numerous galleries located in this former school building are home to more than 9,000 pieces dating from 1840 till the present day. Watch paintings, sculptures, videos, and photography that describe arab society and its history. Temporary exhibitions focus on special collections and themes. Visit because exhibits change after a few months and there are usually ones that are associated with particular artists or themes.

Izdeliya Vodka Bar

Alcohol, music, and dancing – this bar located in the Katara Cultural Village is more of a cultural institution than Izdeliya Vodka Bar in Doha. This bar is modeled after a Russian steam bathhouse and its guests wear bathrobes and drink premium vodka. Female waitresses impersonating Soviet grandmas serve vodka shots from a list of over 125 options with Eastern European music playing in the background. Quirky, fun, and oh-so-comfy, it is perfect for an untraditional night out and perfect for lovers of kitsch.

Even before the arrival of the World Cup, Doha has all this: ultramodern high-rises, magnificent Islamic architecture, and spectacular souks. However, exploring some of the city’s not-so-popular areas is a different story, as the latter can offer some remarkable sights. From navigating mangrove swamps to viewing massive teddy bear sculptures, Doha has many more offers than boring mainstream tourist attractions. 

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