Things to do in Qatar
-
A
Souq Waqif
Currently enjoying the last phase of a major make-over, Souq Waqif is a wonderful place to explore. There has been a souq on this site for centuries, as this was the spot where the Bedouin would bring their sheep, goats and wool to trade for essentials. It grew into a scruffy warren of concrete alleyways in recent years but now its tourist potential has been recognised and it's been cleverly redeveloped to look like a 19th-century souq, with mud-rendered shops and exposed timber beams.
Despite the slight 'Disneyfication' of the area, the chief business of the souq continues unabated and it remains one of the most traditional market places in Doha. This is the place to…
reviewed
-
B
Gold Souq
This pageant of glorious design and spectacular craftsmanship is fun to see even without the intention to buy. The souq comes alive later in the evening, especially before a holiday, when men traditionally express the value of their relationships through buying 22kt gold bangles, or a 'set' comprised of earrings, necklace and bracelet for the women in their family.
Qatari bridal jewellery can cost thousands, but sometimes pieces can be traded back after the wedding for something more readily usable, or even just for cash.
reviewed
-
City Center-Doha
The largest of the Middle East's shopping palaces, City Center-Doha is a veritable pantheon of the shopping world. The food halls in this shopping complex include all the usual Westerin fast-food outlets in opulent surroundings. Also the best cinemas are located in City Center-Doha. They show the latest Hollywood blockbusters and the occasional film from Iran or Europe.
With its 350 shops, from Debenhams to the Family Development Centre (top floor, selling local crafts); tented architecture, marble flooring and glass-fronted lifts; its ice-skating rink, bowling alleys and climbing walls; its congregations of juice-sipping Qataris and huddles of homesick expatriates; and…
reviewed
-
C
Museum of Islamic Arts
Rising from its own purpose-built island, the monumental Museum of Islamic Arts, designed by the renowned architect IM Pei, is shaped like a postmodern fortress, with minimal windows and a 'virtual' moat. With an avenue of palm trees extending along the approach road from the corniche, it makes a bold statement about a capital that has matured into one of the most culturally engaged cities in the region.
The museum houses the largest collection of Islamic arts in the world. It also includes exhibition halls, a gallery, library and restaurant.
reviewed
-
Khor Al-Adaid
Understandably promoted as the major attraction in Qatar, this 'inland sea' is actually a huge salt-water inlet jutting into the desert and surrounded by kilometres of towering sand dunes. The best time to visit the dunes is in the late afternoon, but to appreciate the area fully it's best to camp overnight.
reviewed
-
Pearl
Hotel bars are generally only open to guests and 'members' (who pay an annual 'membership'). These rules, however, are continually relaxing and even Qataris can now be seen in some of these establishments (once strictly forbidden). One of the more popular bars is the cocktail bar, Pearl.
reviewed
-
Al-Shahaniya
Al-Shahaniya is a good place to see camels roaming around the desert and camels racing in a purpose-built stadium. If you have a car - a 4WD is not necessary - it's fun to drive alongside the 18km (11mi) racetrack during the race.
reviewed
-
D
LeNôtre Paris
Think chrome and blue-glass in this hip coffee shop that attracts busy professionals and be-seen sushi-eaters alike. If chocolate is your thing, there's plenty of wickedness in the designer desserts.
reviewed
-
Animal & Bird Market
Located behind the colourful Wholesale Market (selling wholesale fruit, vegetables, meat and fish), this market may be of interest to anyone who hasn't seen pink, yellow and lime green chicks before. Why the birds are dyed is a mystery of the region. Fortunately, they leave the spotted guinea fowl, ring-necked parakeets, African greys and cut-throat zebra finches untinged - possibly because the plumage of the rows and rows of domestic birds is outrageous enough already.
The day before an eid (Islamic feast), the market is heaving with goat-buyers, camel-traders and sheep-shoppers, all looking for a suitable eid supper, but the animals are well shaded and watered, and…
reviewed
-
Falcon Souq
This souq has recently dwindled to a single shop in a corner of the larger Thursday/Friday Market, just off the Salwa Rd roundabout at the junction of Wholesale Market St. It is, nonetheless, worth a visit just to see the kind of paraphernalia involved in falconry. Equipment, such as burkha (hoods) and hubara (feathers), is on sale. And during falcon season (October to March), you might also see a dozen or more peregrines and other assorted falcons.
A truculent falcon costs about around DIN2000, but a well-mannered bird can be many times that figure and usually changes hands privately. The shop owner is quite happy to show off the birds to anyone who shows some interest.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
E
Al-Bandar
On a balmy evening in the cooler months, there can't be anywhere much more pleasant to enjoy the breeze than in the collection of restaurants at the end of the dhow jetty. Eccentrically shaped like dhows, with split-level wooden flooring and a garden of potted trees around the terrace, it's always brim-full with local families. Try the whole hamour wrapped in banana leaf or the barracuda and chef's spices for a taste of deeper waters.
reviewed
-
Omani Market
This small market, near the Thursday/Friday Market, offers a curious mishmash of items, such as Saudi dates and hand-woven baskets, Omani dried fish, tobacco and lemons, Iranian honey and pots, camel sticks and incense, and fronds of pollen-baring date flowers (to fertilise the female date palms). Buying anything here renders the satisfaction of taking part in a trade that has existed between Oman and the Gulf for centuries.
reviewed
-
Doha Golf Club
- Doha, Qatar
- Activities › Golf
A sight to behold amid the surrounding barren desert, the gloriously green Doha Golf Club has an internationally recognised 18-hole course, which hosts the annual Qatar Masters in March. Open to nonmembers, it also has a flood-lit, nine-hole academy course for those in a hurry. The opulent, marble-rich clubhouse sports an excellent restaurant called Il Mediterraneo (reservations should be made through the golf club).
reviewed
-
F
Heritage House Museum
Formerly an ethnographic museum, the restored Heritage House Museum was built in 1935 and offers the best view of the badghir (wind tower). The square wind tower was commonly used as a form of pre-electric air-conditioning throughout the Gulf, sucking fresh air into the house and channelling it into the ground-floor rooms. It is closed to visitors but is worth a look from the outside.
reviewed
-
Dhow Ride
For a chance to see the corniche from the sea, consider taking a Dhow Ride around Doha Bay. These local fishing boats leave from the jetty near Balhambar restaurant on the corniche. The dhows used to cruise over to Palm Tree Island, but this is currently under redevelopment. All the tour companies offer three- to four-hour evening dhow cruises with dinner, traditional music and entertainment.
reviewed
-
Weaponry Museum
The Weaponry Museum has an impressive collection of arms and armour, some from the 16th century. However, what makes this museum worth a visit is the dazzling array of gold and silver swords and daggers, including a khanjar that belonged to Lawrence of Arabia. The museum is not generally open to the public, except by prior appointment or with a tour guide.
reviewed
-
G
Doha Fort
Built during the Turkish occupation in the 19th century, the Doha Fort has been used as a prison and an ethnographic museum. During restoration in the late 1970s, however, many of the original features of the fort were lost. The fort is now being returned to its former glory, as part of the neighbouring Souq Waqif project, and is closed to visitors.
reviewed
-
Paloma
Hotel bars are generally only open to guests and 'members' (who pay an annual 'membership'). These rules, however, are continually relaxing and even Qataris can now be seen in some of these establishments (once strictly forbidden). One of the most lively bars in town is the Paloma which often has live music and doubles as a Tex-Mex restaurant.
reviewed
-
Doha Players Theatre
In existence for 50 years, Doha Players continue to stage productions, undeterred by the suicide attack of 2005 in which one person was killed and several were wounded. This was an isolated incident, however, precipitated it would seem by widely shared anger at the Western fiasco in Iraq. It is trying to raise funds to rebuild its own theatre.
reviewed
-
Balhambar
For an authentic taste of Qatar, this elegant, gypsum-walled seafront restaurant serving traditional Qatari food, is highly recommended. The turtle shell and swordfish hanging in the porch give an idea of the by-gone cuisine, but there's nothing to lament in the ghuzi - a whole roasted lamb with rice, pine nuts and harees.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
H
Qasr Al-Sahel Iranian Restaurant
Housed in the Ras Al-Nasaa, an extraordinary red and white brick complex on the southern end of Al-Corniche, the blue-tiled Qasr Al-Sahel Iranian Restaurant serves tasty and reasonably priced kebabs and hotpots. With a pontoon on the bay, this is a pleasant place to enjoy supper with views of the harbour and occasionally live Arabic music.
reviewed
-
The Tent
Located under a Bedouin-style tent, this highly popular restaurant is a relaxed place to try delicious Arabic fare or a puff of sheesha in a traditional, carpet and sedan-style setting. The waiters are accustomed to helping non-Arabic people find their way around a Middle Eastern menu of mezze (small preparatory dishes).
reviewed
-
Mint Living Restaurant & Café
- Doha, Qatar
- Restaurants › Café
If you've reached the limit of your fascination for Middle Eastern food, one international-style venue that is worth singling out for a mention is The Mint. With Ron Arad furniture and other top artists featured in the interior design, this is an ultrahip location for a coffee and exotic sandwich, or for the full fusion experience.
reviewed
-
I
Second-hand Market
If you're looking for something quirky, the best place to visit is this market in Doha's Najma area. It's a great place to find that teapot from the British administration, minus the spout no doubt, or the date palm saw that you always wanted. The souq comes alive on Friday, when sales are conducted briskly from the back of trucks.
reviewed
-
Aladdin's Kingdom
Aladdin's Kingdom, an outdoor entertainment park, has a roller coaster, dodgem cars and go-karts (for which you need a driving licence!). Some days are allocated for women or families only, so ring first - or do as the locals do, and listen for the screams. Admission is free but you pay a small fee for each ride.
reviewed