Doha, the vibrant capital of Qatar, is a modern city with a rich cultural heritage. Located on the Persian Gulf, it offers a mix of historical sites, stunning architecture, and bustling markets.
Visitors can explore attractions like the Museum of Islamic Arts, Souq Waqif, and the Pearl Monument, or relax at Katara Beach. With its warm desert climate, Doha is perfect to visit from November to April.
The city’s efficient public transport and world-class amenities make it easy to navigate and enjoy everything Doha has to offer, from its unique traditions to its contemporary charm.
Things to do in Doha:
1. Museum of Islamic Arts:
The museum takes the shape of a postmodern fortress or a desert rose with minimal windows to reduce energy use. It spans 4 floors.
The first floor features an auditorium, gift shop, cafe, special exhibition gallery, library, education centre, and male and female prayer rooms. The second floor showcases sections on pattern, science, calligraphy, and the figure of art.
The third floor displays antiques from Early Islamic Art, Iran/Central Asia, Egypt/Syria, India, and Turkey. The fourth floor hosts temporary exhibitions throughout the year.
To explore the museum in depth, join the free guided tours offered every Thursday and Saturday at 2 pm. The tours, available in English and Arabic, last around 40 minutes.
Dress appropriately, as the museum does not permit entry without decent clothing. The museum opens at 9 AM and closes at 7 PM.
2. Corniche, Doha:
It is about 5 miles 5-mile-long walkway along Doha Bay. This is a perfect place for a morning jog and evening walk. Here at Corniche, you can work out in the public gym, picnic, fly a kite, and much more.
Here you will wind a lot of small cafes where you can make a stop and enjoy the picturesque view of Doha Bay. This promenade starts from the Museum of Islamic Arts and ends at the Diplomatic Area in West Bay. This is also a perfect spot for photography.
3. Pearl monument:
This monument is located at the northern end of the corniche within walking distance from the Museum of Islamic Arts. It marks the entrance of the Dhow harbour.
Before Qatar found oil, parling was Qatar’s one of the major revenue streams. This is a fountain sculpture depicting a giant open oyster presenting a huge pearl.
This is a popular spot of photography for tourists. We advise visiting the Pearl Monument at night, as the lighting enhances its beauty.
4. Falcon Souq:
This market is located at Al Jasra Street. At this spot, you can observe the real Qatari heritage. The market is located in a traditional arched building near the Souq Waqif Falcon Hospital.
The best time to visit this market is in the evening, especially on Thursdays. You can watch the customers examining the falcons, buying birds or their supplies, and shopkeepers crafting leather falcon helmets. At the entrance of the market, you will find life-size sculptures of falcons.
This market opens from 9 pm to 1 pm and then from 4 pm to 8 pm. On weekdays and only in the evening on Fridays.
5. Katara Beach:
Located in the Katara Central Village, this beach stretches about 1.5 km in width. Visitors must buy a QR50/day pass from the kiosk.
Strict rules apply for women, including the requirement to be fully covered while swimming and not showing elbows or knees.
The beach offers a variety of activities, including fishing trips, parasailing, water skiing, wakeboarding, kneeboarding, and windsurfing. It opens at 9:30 AM and closes at sunset.
6. The National Museum Of Qatar:
French architect Jean Nouvel designed the National Museum of Qatar, which spans 1.5 km. Time magazine named it one of the World’s Greatest Places to Visit in 2019.
The building consists of multiple interlocking discs, a design inspired by the desert rose found in the Qatari Desert. This museum has 4 floors.
On the 4th floor, you can find the Jiwan Restaurant from where you can have a panoramic view across Doha Bay. To enter the museum you have to buy a ticket that costs QAR 50 for adults and QAR 25 for students.
Entry is free for children under the age of 16 years. The Museum opens at 9 am and closes at 7 pm except for Friday. On Friday it opens at 1:30 pm and closes at 7:00 pm.
7. Souq Waqif:
Souq Waqif literally means “The standing market”. This market is located at the heart of Doha City, next to Wadi Msheireb, the first town of Doha.
You will find a large number of shops selling textiles, scarves, pets, spices, henna, and souvenirs. The market is a human maze, you can easily get lost here in the lanes of spices, perfumes, and fabric alleys.
There are also several restaurants and cafes in this traditional market where you can taste the local food.
You can also enjoy live music, and watch dancers, musicians, and visual artists walking through the souk. Most shops here open from 10 am to noon and reopen from 4 pm to 10 pm.
8. Enjoy Camel racing at Al Shahniya:
Camel racing has been a part of the Qatari lifestyle for centuries. Camel racing at the professional level started in the 1970s.
Al Sahaniya is about an hour away from the city centre of Doha towards the north of the country. It is advised to visit before 10 in the morning if you want to watch the experts training camels for the competition season.
Most of the camel racing competitions take place from October up until February every year on Fridays. The event takes place from 7 am to 2 pm and entry for watching these events are free.
Food to try in Doha
1. Majboos:
Influenced by Indian Biryanis, this dish is Qatar’s national dish. It typically consists of lamb or chicken, with rice cooked in the water used to cook the meat or fish.
The dish is slow-cooked to enhance its flavor and spice aroma. The rice and lamb or chicken are then mixed and garnished with homemade sauce and fresh coriander.
2. Luqaimat:
This dessert, made especially during Ramadan, consists of small dumplings made from butter, milk, flour, sugar, saffron, and cardamom.
The dumplings are deep-fried to create a crisp outer layer and then dipped in sugar syrup to enhance their sweetness. They are perfect for satisfying any sweet lover.
3. Saloona:
It is a classic Arabic stew. It is made up of beef, lamb, fish, and vegetables. The broth of saloona is generously seasoned with sauteed onion, garlic, ginger, and vegetables.
It is served with rice or bread to soak up the broth.
How to reach Doha:
1. Reach Doha by Flight:
Doha has its airport named Hamad International Airport. The cheapest way to reach the city centre from the airport is by bus.
You can catch a bus on routes 747, 777, and 109 to reach the city centre. To get into the bus you will require a Karwa smartcard. You can get it from the information desk near Baggage claim belts 5 and 6.
