Wondering What There Is To Do In Doha, Qatar?

Famous for its bright architecture, a rapidly developing economy, and being an important airline center, in recent years Doha has become a modern liberal city with numerous attractions. If you are reading this now and thinking about what is there to do in the capital of Qatar, then below are some of the highlights of what to do.

Wander Souq Waqif

Souq Waqif is a large bazaar that was built on the traditional Qatari style and is located along the Corniche. Historically the place was a market center for Bedouin tribes in the nineteenth century; modern souq includes stands with painted ceramics, rugs, jewelry, food and spices, clothes, birds and other animals, and much more. This makes it a pity not to stroll through the falcon souq, where traders will offer the birds that are so vividly associated with the country. Do not forget to haggle when buying the merchandise you desire. Grab what you need at the central market and sit at one of the nearby restaurants or cafes and enjoy Arabic food. Souq Waqif is an iconic cultural attraction of Doha, which allows observers to get familiar with the locals’ lifestyle.

Marvel at the Architecture

The city of Doha is an emerging hub for architecture aficionados mainly due to the rise of its economic status in the country of Qatar. It reflects with modern architecture of the futuristic heightening of skyscrapers, museums, and stadiums designed by the most notable architects from across the globe. Buildings such as the Tornado Tower which has a spiral-like shape, the QNCC has inclined curves, and the gigantic sculpture in the form of a Lamp Bear near the Doha Harbor are some of the features that have provided the places with their characteristic features. Jean Nouvel’s National Museum of Qatar resembles the desert rose crystal and I.M Peel’s Islamic Museum of Art features two low stone towers that eerily stand overlooking the sea.

Explore the Corniche

Another option for a breather and views of fresh air and the skyline of Doha is the Corniche walkway which is 7 kilometers long and is located at the coast of Doha Bay. The breakwater with palm trees and lights links the Museum of Islamic Art, the Dhow Harbor with the traditional wooden vessels, and the glittering dome of the Sheraton Grand Hotel. People come here to take a walk, ride a rollerblade, eat lunch, or just relax on a bench watching boats on the lake. Those interested in exploring even more of the Corniche’s stretches with parks, restaurants, and colossal monumental artworks can take a bike or an electric scooter.

Msheireb Museums: Tales from the Arabian Peninsula for Schoolchildren

Situating in the original area of Doha, Msheireb Museums is four museums in four renovated traditional Qatari houses, which makes you appreciate and understand the cultural heritage of the country. Visit recreations of a typical Qatari house, see the evolution of the oil industry in the region, discover the history of slavery and pearl diving, or examine artifacts that detail the coming of the Islamic era in Qatar. Historical interpretation, which includes the use of live, costumed staff and audio tours, provides an understanding of the lives of Qatari people before the arrival of the modern era associated with oil and gas. One should not lose sight of Baroda Palace and ornamental works that were salvaged from a structure that was to be pulled down.

Shop at the Pearl

The high-end Pearl development is constructed on a man-made island off the Corniche and features sophisticated shops, fine dining restaurants and cuisine from around the world, luxury yacht marinas, and impressive condo towers inspired by Venetian, Mediterranean, and Arab architectures. Main Avenue formerly known as Av. do Marco is the main pedestrian strip of Porto Arabia that houses most of the exotic and luxurious shopping malls. You’ll get to shop for luxury brands from renowned designers such as Armani, Valentino, Stella McCartney, and Moncler among others, and jewelry shops sparkling with diamonds. If the prices are too steep, there is a less fancy nearby shopping mall called Medina Centrale with a children’s zone inspired by the Inspector Gadget character.

Take a Desert Safari

It would be incomplete to visit the Arabian Peninsula without some form of desert encounter and several companies provide half-day or evening desert safari from Doha. Swallow up the bumpy paths in a 4x4 vehicle for some practice in dune bashing before going to the desert camp. Here you can watch the sunset with colors of fire, ride a camel, take sandboarding, hookah with fruit flavors, and experience henna tattoos. See the strap of the Qatari national bird in a falconry show. Have dinner at a restaurant offering a traditional Middle Eastern buffet and spend the evening watching Arabic music and dance shows until the night returns back to the city.

Sightsee by Dhow

More engaging in observing the skyline of Doha can be a trip on the water at night time in the crescent-shaped bay on the traditional wooden boats called dhow which were used by ancient pear divers and fishermen. There are morning, afternoon, sunset, and even dinner cruises available as well as some tours allowing fish. Here you will be able to take shots of different attractions such as the Sheraton Grand Hotel, the National Museum, and three skeletons of towers in the wave-shaped Esher Palace from the water view that is impossible to get on land. As you take a gentle cruise around the Doha Corniche you may be offered refreshments such as coffee, tea, soft drinks, and dates depending on the cruise tour.

Savor the evening at Katara Cultural Village.

This is one of the cultural sites that you will need to visit if you are fascinated with Qatari food, arts, and culture. A mirror of the Qatari coastal town, Katara features art galleries with exhibitions of Arab and Islamic artworks, studios where Qatari artisans craft souvenirs and jewelry, a Jasra fish restaurant with fish from the gulf, and an amphitheater for music and dance performances as well as a mosque with artistic touches. Tawash traditional coffee shop; try gahwa Arabic coffee and don’t forget tawash sweet bread. As a family-friendly beach with free access and within walking distance from some of Doha’s attractions, Katara is a perfect place, which is situated less than 10 10-minute drive from downtown Doha.

Attend a Sporting Event

Being the host of the quite debated 2022 FIFA World Cup, Doha has several sporting stadiums that one can attend for an event. Certainly, football (soccer) enthusiasts will not wish to leave the pitch when they visit the Khalifa International Stadium which was reconstructed for the event, or the Education City Stadium which has been designed in the form of diamonds by Zaha Hadid who died in March 2016. Aspire Park Cycling and Archery Complex is the latest addition to Aspire Park’s state-of-the-art outdoor cooled dome. Horse Racing in Qatar is held between October and April at Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club, which has both dirt and turf tracks to support different types of races. Or to look for the time of basketball games, an ice hockey match, tennis, martial arts, a motor race, golf, etc. to watch a sporting event in Doha.

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