Updated January 2023.
To Be Updated
Budapest was originally three neighborhoods, Buda, Óbuda, and Pest. It has undergone a lot of rulers, from the Celts to the Romans to the Mongols/Huns to the Hungarians. Now, one can consider two sides of the city to be Buda (on the East of the Danube) and Pest (on the West side of the Danube). Plan to spend 1 day on each side of the city.
Overview
- 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM: Gellért Thermal Bath - wealthy residency
- 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM: Katara Cultural Village - center for arts
- 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM: Imam Muhammad bin Abdul Wahhab Mosque - largest mosque
- 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM: Doha Corniche - walkway with sculptures
- 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM: Al Shouyoukh Mosque - mosque
- 12:00 PM - 12:30 PM: Falcon Souq - falconry stadium
- 12:30 PM - 1:00 PM: Souq Waqif - outdoor "standing" market
- 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Lunch
- 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM: Msheireb Downtown Doha - downtown area with traditional courthouses
- 3:30 PM - 4:00 PM: Abdulla Bin Zaid Al Mahmoud Islamic Center - tallest mosque
- 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Museum of Islamic Art - museum of artwork
- 6:00 PM - 6:30 PM: MIA Park and Flag Plaza - flag plaza
- 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM: Aspire Tower - tall building with best city views
- 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM: Villaggio Mall - indoor mall with gondola rides
- 9:00 PM - 10:00 PM: The Pearl Monument and Dhow Harbour - boats on the bay
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Tips
To/From Airport
The best option is to take the Doha Metro Red line running from Terminal 1 at Hamad International Airport. To reach the metro line, head up the elevator to the first floor and walk straight down the moving sidewalks towards the West Parking Lot. There aren't many signs, but feel free to ask around.
The best option is to take the Doha Metro Red line running from Terminal 1 at Hamad International Airport. To reach the metro line, head up the elevator to the first floor and walk straight down the moving sidewalks towards the West Parking Lot. There aren't many signs, but feel free to ask around.
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Metro (Best Way to Get Around)
Standard Day Pass for Unlimited Rides
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Map of Doha Metro (Source: marhaba.qa)
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NOTE: Metro cars are separated into the Standard/Family Carts and Gold Class, so sit in the right one accordingly. Family carts are reserved for women with children, but this isn't always followed.
Metro station exterior design
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Layout of metro station entry points
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Buses (5 AM - 12 AM)
- Reduced schedules on Fridays and Saturdays.
- Purchase: Karwa Smartcard (can be bought at airport) and requires payment using QAR notes.
- Each ride costs 3 to 4 QAR within city, 4 to 9 QAR outside.
- Card Choices:
- Limited Card (10 QAR): 2 journeys within 24 hours.
- Classic Card (30 QAR): 20 QAR credit and rechargeable for long-term use.
- Unlimited Card (20 QAR): Unlimited trips within 24 hours.
- USE: Tap card when boarding and getting off the bus.
- NOTE: Front of bus is reserved for women and children.
Karwa Taxi
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Taxis All taxis can be hailed via their apps, but Karwa can be hailed on the streets or at taxi stands.
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Ride Programs Along the Corniche, one can rent scooters or bikes to more quickly glide down the Corniche. The following are popular apps:
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Currency Exchange
The best place to exchange currency is by the Doha airport metro station. They have great rates. I would recommend avoiding Travelex or other exchange places that don't show rates.
Generally, only QR 100 (~ 30 USD) is needed per day. This would be to pay for the Dhow and for street snacks, while a credit card should cover the rest.
The best place to exchange currency is by the Doha airport metro station. They have great rates. I would recommend avoiding Travelex or other exchange places that don't show rates.
Generally, only QR 100 (~ 30 USD) is needed per day. This would be to pay for the Dhow and for street snacks, while a credit card should cover the rest.
1-Day Plan
Start in Pest
6:00 - 7:00 AM: City Park
Wander the beautiful park known for a Zoo, Botanical Garden, the Vajdahunyad Castle, romantic castle next to the boating lake which becomes a skating rink during winter. It was built in 1896 through Hungarian design and is the location of of several festivals and concerts.
7:00 - 8:30 AM: Széchenyi Thermal Bath
Neo-baroque palace that is one of the largest thermal baths with 18 pools and 10 saunas and steam cabins. The hot spring that provides water for the baths is 1000 meters deep.
- It opens at 7 AM - 7 PM on MWTh, 8 AM - 8 PM on TF, and 9 AM - 8 PM on weekends.
- Saunas and hot air chambers are open from 9 AM - 6 PM weekdays and 10 AM - 7 PM weekends.
Take the Széchenyi fürdő subway
8:30 - 8:30 AM: Széchenyi Thermal Bath
Take the Red line to Legtaifiya station and then take the M110 Metrolink bus around the Pearl-Qatar area. Get off at the Tower 5 West Fasht Al Ghabi station. Walk along the path back (stop by Monoprix for a small bite to eat) or catch a bus back to town!
Man-made island inhabited by the elite. It's filled with luxurious buildings, villas, and yachts. It's nicknamed the "Arabian Riviera" due to the high-class lifestyle.
8:30 - 9:30 AM: Katara Cultural Village
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Take the Red line south to the Katara station. Known as the Valley of Culture, this "village" space showcases the Qatari and other cultural arts with an opera house, an ampitheatre, art galleries, and heritage centers. One can also spend some time to see Katara Beach.
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9:30 - 10:30 AM: Imam Muhammad bin Abdul Wahhab Mosque
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Walk to the Al Qassar station (use the underpass at the Katara parking checkpoint) and take the Red line south to the West Bay Qatar Energy station. From there, it will be difficult, but one can walk along the Al Markhiya street before walking through the parking lot towards the building. |
Underpass to the Al Qassar station
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Underpass entrance
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Known as the Qatar State Mosque, it is the national mosque of Qatar and opened in 2011. It's named after a Sunni Muslim preacher, scholar, and theologian from the Najd region in central Arabia. Over 11,000 people can offer prayers in the central hall. It is free to visit and there are guides there to introduce you to the interior and Muslim practices.
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10:30 - 11:30 AM: Doha Corniche
Walk towards the Corniche station, visit the Al Masrah Park, and walk 2.5 miles (4 km) along the waterfront.
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The Doha Corniche is a ~4 mile promenade along the West Bay of the Persian Gulf that provides great views of the skyline, sculptures, and fitness machines. Along the way is the Al Masrah park, known for beautifully curated archways filled with plants, lights, and umbrellas, as well as the famous Jeff Koons's "Dugong" polychromed mirror-polished stainless-steel sculpture.
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11:30 AM - 12:00 PM: Al Shouyoukh Mosque
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The Great Mosque was built in the twentieth century, influenced by Ottoman mosques in Istanbul (Sinan Pasha Mosque) and in Cairo (Muhammad Ali Mosque in Salah al-Din Castle). |
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12:00 PM - 12:30 PM: Falcon Souq
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Some of the original settlers, Bedouins, trained falcons to hunt prey. In their effort to preserve falconry, the Falcon Souq was created to preserve the tradition and hertiage of falconry. Besides shops that specialize in falcons, there are monthly auctions, where the physical abilities of the falcons are showcased. |
Entrance to Falcon Souq
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12:30 - 1:00 PM: Souq Waqif
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Translated to "Standing Market", it is filled with many beautiful art and architecture, while there's a bustling labyrinth of shops and restaurants. Also be sure to check out the Golden Thumb Statue.
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1:00 - 2:00 PM: Lunch
2:00 - 3:30 PM: Msheireb Downtown Doha
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Consists of multiple quarters:
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3:30 - 4:00 PM: Abdulla Bin Zaid Al Mahmoud Islamic Center
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Known as the Spiral Mosque or Fanar, it was the largest mosque until 2009, when Imam Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab Mosque was completed, but it is still the tallest one. It's named after a famous Qatari Islamic scholar and the founder of the Qatari judicial system.
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4:00 - 6:00 PM: Museum of Islamic Art (QR 100) Beautiful architecture feat that shows Islamic art masterpieces from the 7th to the 19th century. It has artifacts from all over the Middle East, linked through Islamic history. It was designed by the Chinese-American architect I. M. Pei. who is known for the glass pyramid at the Louvre.
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6:00 - 6:30 PM: MIA Park and Flag Plaza
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MIA Park has lawns, playgrounds, artwork, galleries, and kayaking. There's also the Flag Plaza which has 119 flags representing nations with diplomatic missions in Qatar.
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MIA Park
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Flag Plaza
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Walk to the National Museum station and take the Gold line west to Al Aziziyah station. Also known as the Torch Doha, it is a 980-ft skyscraper hotel that has great views and cocktails at the top floor. One can dine here, but make sure to book in advance by sending an email to try booking Three Sixty (47th floor), revolving resturant, or the Panorama (50th floor).
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8:00 - 9:00 PM: Villaggio Mall (Closes at Midnight)
Massive mall that is designed to resemble an open-air market/neighborhood. There is a gondola ride, ice skating rink, lots of restaurants, and luxury stores.
9:00 - 10:00 PM: The Pearl Monument and Dhow Harbour
Walk to the Al Aziziyah station and take the Gold line east. Get off at Souq Waqif station and walk towards Dhow Harbour.
One can return to the walkway and hop onto a dhow (boat) at night to see the views around the area. A Dhow ride should not cost more than QR 50, but depending on the number of people on the boat, you should haggle for QR 10-20.
NOTE: There is also a Corniche Water Show that starts at 9:00 PM.
NOTE: There is also a Corniche Water Show that starts at 9:00 PM.
Other Attractions
The following sites are listed based on distance from Doha:
- National Museum of Qatar: Qatar's heritage and culture museum.
- Box Park: Colorfully painted shipping containers that offer water activities like boating and jet skiing.
- World Cup 2022 Stadiums: The multiple stadiums are located throughout Qatar, but the closest is 974 Stadium.
- Doha Quest: Massive indoor theme park.
- Banana Island: Resort island off the coast that provides some relaxation and water activities.
- Barzan Towers: 19th century watchtowers for the Ottomans.
- Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani Museum: Museum showcasing the Shiekh's personal collection and separated into four parts: Coins & Currency, Vehicles, Qatar heritage, and Islamic Art. There are artifacts from the Jurassic to modern-day. Its known for the Sheikh's car collection, with over 600 cars in perfect working condition!
- Richard Serra Desert: An art sculpture sculpture called "East-West/West-East" by Richard Serra is a tourist destination within the desert.
- Zubara Fort: Qatari military fortress built in 1938 in the Northeastern coast of Qatar and is one of the most well-preserved settlements and the area was the Gulf's most important pearl diving and trading centers.
Restaurants
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Higher-End Restaurants
More Affordable Eats
Drinks to Try
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