QATAR
Qatar is often considered the perfect combination of cultural authenticity and modernity. A small peninsula stretching into the Persian Gulf from the eastern side of Saudi Arabia, Qatar boasts 563 kilometers of a gorgeous coastline.
Like many countries in the Middle East, Qatar offers new-world extravagances and old-world traditions. Take in a soccer game amid the skyscrapers of Doha or trek the desert on camelback. While small compared to many of its neighbors, Qatar has endless surprises waiting for its visitors.
Though there are plenty of nightlife options year-round, it’s worth noting that during the month of Ramadan, alcohol sales will be restricted in many areas of Qatar, We recommend several major places to visit in Qatar, See below.
Here are just some of the amazing sites Qatar has to offer…
National Museum of Qatar
The National Museum of Qatar is the place to visit in Qatar and was designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Jean Nouvel. According to him, he took inspiration from the naturally occurring formations known colloquially as “desert roses.” The museum covers an impressive 430,500 square feet and was actually constructed around a palace that once functioned as the seat of government.
Museum of Islamic Art
Resting atop a man-made island near Doha’s waterfront, the Museum of Islamic Art is the work of Pritzker Prize-winning architect I.M. Pei, who designed the glass pyramid at the Louvre. The building features an array of distinctly Islamic patterns in its architecture, including domes, arches, and geometric shapes, and houses more than 800 words in various styles.
Qatar National Library
Designed by Rem Koolhaas, the National Library is a breathtaking building filled with natural light. It contains over one million books and uses a special automated sorting system to serve waiting readers. It’s special “heritage library,” which is located in the basement, has documents dating back to the 7th century.
Four Seasons Hotel Doha
The Four Seasons is not only one of the premier places to stay in the Capital, but the hotel’s private marina boasts world-famous Japanese restaurant, Nobu. A three-level oval building with an open roof, it offers diners the chance to enjoy incredible cuisine as well as dazzling views.
Qatar National Convention Center
Yet another building designed by a world-class architect, the Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC) features a series of intertwined sidra trees with branches designed to provide shade and structure. The work of Arata Isozaki, the building hosts a wide range of events and exhibitions year-round.
Sidra Medicine
This hospital and biomedical research center is one of the most recognizable buildings in Qatar, which is saying a lot. Designed by Cesar Pelli, it features tranquil gardens and atriums, facilitating healing with both traditional and modern approaches.
Qatar Faculty of Islamic Studies
Among other things, this structure is where you’ll see the Education City Mosque, which won the World Architecture Festival in 2015 in the “Religious Buildings” category. The Mosque is truly something to behold, resting atop five columns that represent the five pillars of Islam.
Al Janoub Stadium (host 2022 world cup)
Al Janoub Stadium has received a lot of attention lately as one of eight venues for the FIFI World Cup 2022. A new building first opened in 2019, it can hold 40,000 fans with ease. It was designed by Zaha Hadid, who took inspiration from the dhow boats so common in Qatar.
Al Thumama Stadium (Host 2022 world cup)
This stadium was specifically constructed for the FIFA World Cup. Designed by a native Qatari architecht named Ibrahim M. Jaidah, it was inspired by the shape of a gahfiya, a woven cap worn by Arab men. It seats some 40,000 people quite comfortably. During the World Cup event, half of these seats will be allotted to visiting countries.
Al Bayt Stadium
Al Bayt Stadium is situated near the coastal city of Al Khor. The stadium is very sustainable, using a canopy cover that very closely resembles the tends used by the Bedouin people. It has a capacity of 60,000, but the modular seating can quickly be reconfigured if needed.
Kitesurfing
Over the last few years, Qatar’s sandy shores have been filled with colorful kites dancing along in the wind. Water sports like kitesurfing have become increasingly popular and the country is fast gaining a reputation for being a go-to destination for water sports enthusiasts from all over the world.
Romantic Getaway
Qatar offers a host of activities for honeymooners and couples seeking a private holiday experience. Relax and rejuvenate with your loved one while you experience the best of Qatar’s desert life, beaches and the extravagances of the city.
The Pearl-Qatar
The Pearl is a man-made island located just offshore from Doha’s West Bay District. It is well-known for its Mediterranean-inspired yacht marinas, villas, hotels, and more. If you’re looking for a luxury experience of any kind, you’re sure to find it here.
Souq Waqif
Located in the same place as Doha’s ancient trading market, Souq Waqif is a piece of the past amid one of the most modern areas of the city. Its buildings feature mud-daubed architecture complete with winding alleyways and vendors selling their wares.
Al Shaqab
Qatari culture places a lot of emphasis on equestrianism, which is why this building was constructed back in 1992. If you’re interested in the history of Arabian horses, this is one of the best places in the Middle East to learn.
Katara Cultural Village
The Katara Cultural Village combines workshops, art galleries, theaters, and restaurants into one massive experience. Situated in the northern section of Doha, this is a must-see entertainment complex when visiting Qatar.
Qanat Quartier
Visitors are usually quick to figure out the inspiration or this neighborhood. With its turquoise canals and arched bridges, you’ll swear you’re in Venice, Italy. All in all, it’s of the best places to enjoy the views of Doha and the hospitality of the Qatari people.
Education City
Education city more than lives up to its name. Home to the campuses of the country’s leading universities, it is an inspiring place to visit. There is also an automatic library, an art museum, and plenty of leisure and entertainment activities.
Dahl Al Misfir
West of the city at the center of the peninsula, you’ll find one of the country’s most unique sites. A 120-foot deep cave in the middle of the desert, it is made mainly of gypsum, which gives the entire cave a faint and beautiful glow.
Imam Abdul Wahhab Mosque
Also known as the Qatar State Grand Mosque, this is one of the largest buildings in the country. While it appears modernized in many respects, the Mosque holds true to the beautiful simplicity of Islamic architecture. It can hold more than 30,000 worshippers at once and also houses a library and many other facilities.
Aspire Zone Foundation
This area is easy to recognize, thanks to the Doha Torch, a 900-foot-tall hotel that dominates the area. The Aspire Zone is home to many sports venues, stadiums, a lake, and multiple entertainment options, as well as world-class accommodations. If you’re considering visiting Qatar for the World Cup, this will be one of the best places to stay in Doha.
Khor Al Udaid Beach
Visitors that might want to take a break from the city will find Southern Qatar to be among the most peaceful places in the world. This is certainly true of Khor Al Udaid Beach, which features tranquil waters surrounded by dunes that often reach heights of up to 120 feet.
Heenat salma Farm
Heenat Salma Farm sits in the Al Shahaniya municipality northwest of the Capital. The farm is a haven for eco-travelers and fans of natural/organic foods. The people who run the collective have fostered quite the community here, and it’s worth exploring.
Fanar
One of the most popular spots in all of Doha, this spiral-shaped building is located just a stone’s throw away from both Souq Waqif and the Museum of Islamic Art. Once the largest Mosque in the country, this unique building is truly a sight that needs to be seen to be believed.
The Corniche
The Corniche is another of Doha’s many iconic attractions. Essentially, this is a 7-kilometer long promenade set along the city’s beautiful waterfront. Not only is it the site of many annual celebrations and parades, but it offers some of the best views of the city skyline.
The ZIG ZAG Towers
In a city known for its amazing architecture, the Zig Zag towers are one (or two) of a kind. Situated between The Pearl and Lusail, the West Bay Lagoon Plaza Towers are known for their unique construction that makes it seem as if they’re dancing across the skyline.
Msheireb Downtown
Another must-visit district in Doha is Msheireb, which consists of about 100 buildings, mosques, retail outlets, and homes. This is the place or al fresco dining options, and it boasts some of the most beautiful ground-level architecture in the country.
- Doha night city tour
- Island sea visit
- 25.ATV 4*4 experience through Qatari desert
- Dow boat cruise
- Quad Bike and dune bashing