Updated January 2023.
Al-Dawḥah
Qatar is a small nation on the Arabian Peninsula and one of the 7 Arab States; it’s nestled on the Persian Gulf and borders Saudi Arabia. It’s a very wealthy country that is a growing tourist destination. In fact, Qatar became the first Arab nation to host the FIFA World Cup in November 2022. Currently, it is the richest country in the world per capita, and is considered one of the safest places to travel.
Doha is the capital and major city that started as a small pearling and fishing village, before Qatar's large oil reserves transformed the country.
Doha is the capital and major city that started as a small pearling and fishing village, before Qatar's large oil reserves transformed the country.
Overview
- 6:30 AM - 8:30 AM: The Pearl Qatar - 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
Click the star to add the map to your Google Maps! To view it, simply open Google Maps, navigate to the Menu, choose “Your Places,” click "Maps", and voila, the map should be added.
Tips
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.
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.
|
|
|
Metro (Best Way to Get Around)
Standard Day Pass for Unlimited Rides
|
Map of Doha Metro (Source: marhaba.qa)
|
Ticket Vending Machines
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
|
Layout of metro station entry points
|
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
|
Taxis All taxis can be hailed via their apps, but Karwa can be hailed on the streets or at taxi stands.
|
|
Ride Programs Along the Corniche, one can rent scooters or bikes to more quickly glide down the Corniche. The following are popular apps:
|
Ride programs
|
1-Day Plan
6:30 - 8:30 AM: The Pearl-Qatar
|
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.
Entryway sign and fountain
|
|
8:30 - 9:30 AM: Katara Cultural Village
|
|
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.
|
9:30 - 10:30 AM: Imam Muhammad bin Abdul Wahhab Mosque
|
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
|
Underpass entrance
|
|
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.
|
|
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.
|
|
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.
|
|
11:30 AM - 12:00 PM: Al Shouyoukh Mosque 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).
|
Al Shouyoukh Mosque
|
|
|
12:00 - 12:30 PM: Falcon Souq 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
|
12:30 - 1:00 PM: Souq Waqif
|
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.
|
|
1:00 - 2:00 PM: Lunch
2:00 - 3:30 PM: Msheireb Downtown Doha
|
Consists of multiple quarters:
|
|
3:30 - 4:00 PM: Abdulla Bin Zaid Al Mahmoud Islamic Center
Abdulla Bin Zaid Al Mahmoud Islamic Center (daytime)
|
Abdulla Bin Zaid Al Mahmoud Islamic Center (at night)
|
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. |
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.
|
|
MIA Park
|
Flag Plaza
|
6:00 - 6:30 PM: MIA Park and Flag Plaza
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.
|
|
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).
|
|
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 Stadium 974 or the Qatar Sports Club.
- 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
|
Higher-End Restaurants
More Affordable Eats
Drinks to Try
|
Kafar Tea
|
Food to Try
For traditional fare, check out the national dish, machbus (sometimes machboos or kabsa), a combo of meat, rice, and veggies. Other popular foods include dates, saloona (a spicy, veggie-forward broth), and luqaimat (a divine dessert).
For traditional fare, check out the national dish, machbus (sometimes machboos or kabsa), a combo of meat, rice, and veggies. Other popular foods include dates, saloona (a spicy, veggie-forward broth), and luqaimat (a divine dessert).
