Qatar has quickly become one of the most frequented and talked about locations in the Middle East. Most first-time visitors are pleasantly surprised with how much Qatar has to offer. If you have never been to the Middle East, Qatar should be the first place you visit, whether you are looking for commercial opportunities or are looking for a bit of culture and relaxation.
These are the top 10 things to do when you are in Qatar:
1) Museum of Islamic Arts
This incredible museum houses the largest collection of Islamic arts in the world. It has a gallery, library, exhibition halls, and an excellent restaurant. It was designed to look like a fortress that has few windows, a realistic moat, and palm trees lining the entrance way.
2) Katara Village
Katara Village is located on the eastern coast between the Pearl Qatar and West Bay area and it includes an opera house, a souq, and a drama theatre that can also be used as a cinema. Katara hosts many cultural events, festivals, forums, and exciting exhibitions. It also has a rich variety of international cuisine and its own beach. Katara is well worth a visit, especially if you plan on visiting the Pearl Qatar that is around the corner.
3) The Pearl Qatar
The Pearl Qatar is a spectacular man made island that is broken up into several unique property districts that include a marina on Porto Arabia, beaches in Viva Bahriya, Venetian canals in Qanat Quartier, and low level mixed use apartments in Medina Central. This incredible island is a spectacular sight to see with stunning views of the sea and even downtown in the West Bay. The Pearl Qatar is more than just apartments and retail; it can entertain you whether you’re looking to dine, shop, lie on the beach, or take the boat out.
4) Souq Waqif
This redeveloped 19th-century souq is one of the most traditional marketplaces in Doha. It has mud-rendered shops with exposed timber beams that are filled with a variety of exciting treasures. Thousands of visitors and residents frequent this long ‘standing’ (equivalent translion of ‘waqif’) souq to enjoy the international cuisine, purchase traditional goods, or just relax in the alleyways drinking tea.
5) Khor Al-Adaid
If you have never been to Qatar, make sure to visit Khor Al-Adaid. It is recommended that you camp there for the entire night or visit the area in the late afternoon, because it can be quite hot during the midday sun. This unique inland sea has a huge saltwater inlet that juts into the desert. This incredible sight is also surrounded by impressive towering sand dunes.
6) Gold Souq
The gold souq is the perfect place to visit if you are interested in viewing or purchasing some of the world’s finest gold jewellery. This fabulous jeweller’s market is often referred to as an endless display of the most spectacularly crafted jewellery.
7) Dhow Cruise
A Dhow cruise around Doha Bay makes the perfect romantic getaway. These local fishing boats generally start off by the Islamic Museum and offer day and evening cruises that include food, traditional music and entertainment. The views of Doha’s West Bay skyline and the Pearl Qatar are incredible sights to see once you go offshore and look inland. The water temperature is quite amazing all year round for swimming, so make sure and take a pair of swim trunks!
8) The Doha Golf Club
This upscale golf course is open to non-members and has an internationally recognised 18-hole course. The luxurious green golf course is a refreshing sight after being surrounded by desert. It also has a fabulous restaurant called Il Mediterraneo.
9) Omani Market
This is another traditional trade market that offers a wide array of fun treats. Some of the most popular items at Omani are Iranian honey, incense, woven baskets, lemons, Saudi dates, and tobacco. It is a great place to soak in the local culture and pick up a few souvenirs from your trip.
10) Al Shahaniya
This tourist attraction is best suited for racetrack enthusiasts. There is an 18-km racetrack that you can drive along, as well as camel racing. Many visitors are quite impressed by how fast the camels can actually move.