Doha came as a big surprise for me: although I’ve travelled around the Middle East before, I never felt so deep in a truly Arabic vibe (even if it was created by comparably modern efforts).
I’d return there in a heartbeat, and please see the list of the best things to do in the capital of Qatar below.
1. Katara Cultural Village
The Katara Cultural Village is a must for every tourist in Doha.
Although it was opened in 2010, it’s the best place to feel the historical Arabian city vibes (like Aladdin cartoon but in an authentic, not Disney – sort of way!) I’ve been so far!
It’s extremely well made, has lots of different projects going on and highlights the main architectural characteristics of this part of the world.
There are two mosques, a few cultural organisations including the Postal museum, a planetarium and an art centre, an operating amphitheatre, numerous restaurants and cafes.
Pay special attention to the 21 High street – an air-conditioned street with shops, cafes and Galleries Lafayette (come for Pouchkine cafe!), on its side. If you visit with kids, you can also pop inside the OliOli children museum located nearby.
And finally, visit the SNAN food hall here – its name means ‘the tip of the spear’ in Arabic – for its coloured glass ceiling!
Golden Masjid, or the Golden mosque, is definitely one of Katara highlights – it’s inlaid with small gold tiles, and looks the best in the evening light!
The pigeon towers made out of mud are probably one of the most photographed landmarks of Katara village. Can you see the holes in it? The birds can actually pass through there to hide from their natural predators! In Arabic culture pigeons were used as the message carriers and their excrements were used as fertilisers.
The Katara Mosque, or Katara Masjid, is located by the most famous set of pigeon towers and is considered one of the most important mosques of all Doha. It was designed by Turkish architect Zainab Fadil Oglu and is famous for its turquoise tiles!
2. National museum of Qatar
The National museum of Qatar is one of the most famous and recognizable buildings of Doha.
The museum’s core is a restored Palace of Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim Al Thani, and the previous museum on this site was opened in 1975; in 2019 the old building was replaced with the current masterpiece by Jean Nouvel.
This unusual building is created in the shape of a desert rose, a natural phenomenon when a part of sand kind of fossilises and creates a crystal ‘flower’ with irregular petals. This building was constructed with this idea in mind.
You can visit a permanent collection which consists of a few sections. There is a section of the natural life of Qatar where you can also learn about the ancient Homo sapiens living here and various rulers who controlled these lands in the past; and later you examine the section of the cultural heritage and traditions of Qatar people from the historic times up to our days.
The museum also held temporary exhibitions (during our visit there was a Hermes getting ready, and there was a preview of a luxury cars exhibition).
But there’s more in this museum to explore! Admire the courtyard with an installation of the National flag of Qatar held by numerous hands representing the nation’s unity, pop into the Desert Rose cafe or go to the fantastic Jiwan restaurant!
Jiwan is the second restaurant by Alain Ducasse in the country. We had a fantastic experience there trying the traditional Qatar food with a modern twist. Amazing views of the Old Port and the whole building of the National Museum of Qatar are guaranteed. And I was left speechless observing the interior of this restaurant: just look how stylish it is!
3. Katara Towers
Katara Towers is an impressive skyscraper inspired by the crossed swords symbol of the country.
Each tower contains a hotel: the Raffles Doha Hotel and the Fairmont Doha Hotel.
We had a peek inside: this is an impressive pearl chandelier at the Fairmont, and the whole hotel is glittering with golden panels. And Fairmont Doha has a fantastic Asian restaurant/ bar on one of the upper floors with a fantastic view over the city!
And also we had a look at the Raffles interiors: the kaleidoscopic reception lounge is just magical!
4. Msheireb Downtown
Make sure you explore Msheireb Downtown Doha – luckily, our hotel Mandarin Oriental was located right in the heart of it! This architectural project combines modern technologies with traditional Qatar architecture, and it’s just a pleasure to walk its streets (or you can take a free tram!)
There are four Msheireb Museums (Bin Jelmood House, Company House, Mohammed Bin Jassim House, Radwani House), two mosques, M7 Art centre, shopping mall, art installations everywhere and more!
And the cafes there are all familiar to Londoners: it’s Harrods, cafe Kitsune Doha and EL&N cafe Doha!
5. Souq Waqif
Souq Waqif is a restored traditional market in the Doha downtown.
Come here to get introduced to the local arts&crafts and food and get lost in the old alleyways! Carpets, pillows with traditional patterns, clothes, spices, oud and perfumes, souvenirs-you can find everything here.
It’s been recently renovated however I found that it is at least 2 centuries old – Bedouins brought their goods for trade here.
We also had a fantastic dinner there at the Village – they serve traditional food there.
Come into Souq Waqif Art Gallery too not only to observe the local artists but also admire the building itself with magical lamps hanging from the ceiling!
You can also spot Al Koot Fort (or Doha Fort) built in 1927 by Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim Al Thani.
The camels of the royal guard are kept at the Camel pen (with a roof and the ceiling fans!) at the Souq Waqif, and you can see the guards riding them in the evening.
Camels are not the only animals you can see here: there’s a falcon souk too! Falconry was one of the main traditional activities in this part of the world, and you can see the birds here by yourself, sitting on the poles and wearing a traditional hats covering the eyes. Some of them are super expensive!
And finally, the Arabic horses are also located by the market and you can spot many marvellous creatures here in the stables. Do you see that they are actually different from European horses?
6. Museum of Islamic Art
The Museum of Islamic Art, or MIA, is a gorgeous museum standing in an artificial peninsula close to the Corniche promenade. It was designed by Ieoh Ming Pei, a Chinese – American: the museum was established in 2008 and renovated in 2022.
It might be well known for its outstanding architectural overlay and the inner atrium with a ceiling decorated with Islamic patterns, but its collection is very good too.
Come here to learn about the 14 century history of Islamic art: manuscripts with meticulously made illustrations and calligraphy, metalwork, tableware, carpets and other textiles, jewelry coming from India, Iran, Iraq, Turkey, Central Asia, Spain and Egypt.
The view from the lobby of the museum is just incredible! We ordered some desserts and cold drinks in the ground floor cafe and enjoyed them in a fantastic space with a view over the financial district of Doha. You can also visit the restaurant on the top floor.
7. The Pearl
The pearl is an artificial island built in the shape of an unfastened pearl necklace (aka S form) where the expats live in Doha.
You won’t believe this but the whole island has some Italian vibes. Yes, it’s not a joke!
They built the whole of Venice here, with Rialto bridge, canals, palazzos and even boats aka gondolas! Qanat quartier, Little Venice with musical steps installation, Medina central area, and photo walk with a view over Marina with yachts, clock posts, – those will be your destinations here!
8. City Centre Shopping Mall
The City Centre Shopping Mall is one of oldest and largest shopping centres of Doha: it might not be the newest one in Doha but you can still come here to shop at one of a few hundred shops or to eat in the food court! It’s located at the West Bay area close to the Katara village.
9. Mina district and the Old Port
Mina District where the Old Port was located is now completely transformed for the tourists.
There’s the Grand Terminal for cruise liners, with an aquarium inside, and an Arabic village with many pastel coloured houses.
Colourful container boxes occupies part of the district too – and spot the National Museum from here too! And finally, spot the square of Flags, on your way here.
And make sure you don’t miss Chabrat Al Mina, a modern fish market with an incredible stained glass ceiling! If you loved it here, you can have some freshly prepared seafood dishes made for you next door in the restaurant of the same name.
10. Al Dafna financial district
Doha financial district – Al Dafna at the West Bay – is not all the touristic place because people work here.
However, here are quite a few notable skyscrapers you can spot from afar such as the Al Bidda, Burj Doha, Tornado tower, D-shaped bank building, Sheraton Grand Doha hotel, and World Trade Center.
11. Lusail
We also visited Lusail, which is considered the second largest city of Qatar but feels like a part of Doha.
It’s a breathtaking place overlooking the Persian gulf, with an innumerable number of fantastic modern architectural wonders such as Katara Towers. Come here to see a colourful fountain, a promenade and a large sign I Heart Lusail!
12. Doha Corniche
Corniche is a famous promenade along the Persian gulf with traditional dhow boats.
Come here to see the World Football Championship 2022 clock and the famous pearl monument in the form of an open shell with a huge white pearl inside (pearling was the main object of trade before the country discovered its oil).
Spot or walk to the famous 7 installation by Richard Serra: it consists of seven metal 24 metres high with number seven carrying the special significance in Islamic culture. It was erected in 2011.
13. Qatar National Library
Qatar National Library was established in 2012 and located by the Oxygen park close to university campuses. It was inaugurated in 2018.
It’s a modern public and research library with some historical artefacts too – and they have a great children’s multilingual library too (we spent a lot of time there with George!)
14. Villagio mall
Villagio is a shopping mall built in 2006 and redesigned in 2012, full of international brands, shops and cafes and even a large ice rink. And yes, it looks like an indoor Venice – it reminded me of our Macao trip and The Venetian Macao.
The architecture is Italy-inspired, and the ceilings are painted as if it was the sky. And you can even have a quick ride along the canal on a motor boat aka gondola!
If you visit Qatar with kids, come to Gondolinia, an indoor theme park for kids with many rides options. There are rides for all ages, and the area was not crowded during the daytime on a weekday.
15. Aspire tower
The Aspire tower is located right next to the Villaggio mall. It’s a 300 metre high building shaped like a torch: it was built in 2006-2007 as a landmark for the Asian games and now there is a hotel inside. It’s also the second highest building in Qatar!
Where to stay in Doha
We stayed in a Panoramic suite at the Mandarin Oriental, one of the best hotels of Doha. But still, I didn’t expect to have such a fantastic balcony with a view!
The suite was so big that it could easily be an apartment, and just have a look at our bathroom – it feels more like a private pool. We got some welcome treats like fresh fruits, moon cakes to celebrate the mid autumn festival and traditional dates, and George received a super cute camel.
Breakfast area is vast, with a selection of local and international dishes. The pool of MO overlooking the Msheireb, a historical district of Doha, and the services of the hotel are exceptionally good.
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Hope you liked my blog,
Yours,
Anna xxx
