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Doha is the capital city of Qatar as well as it is the largest city in the country. A city on the shores of the Persian Gulf, Doha used to be a hidden gem but is now a popular tourist destination which features sparkling high-rises, alluring museums, souks, and good shopping.
Top Attractions
Museum of Islamic Art
One of the defining symbols of the contemporary city, the Museum of Islamic Art was designed by the master I.M. Pei. The museum has a fair display of Islamic art and craft and architecture from the Muslim world over. Other special interests may include craftsmanship, wood carvings, jewelry, ceramics, fabrics, etc. Years of experience have told me that anything built at the waterfront is always appealing and this one has a breathtaking appearance.
Souq Waqif
Travelers can retreat back to a more traditional era, exploring what remains of the old Qatari market or Souq Waqif in DOHA. This is a lively market that offers almost everything from vegetables and souvenirs right through to birds of prey and domestic cats. Get lost in the maze of densely populated streets, the crowd and savor a cup of boil Karak tea, as well as hone your bargaining talent with the locals. It is again the evening when most of the restaurant starts opening and the traditional Qatari food items are available here.
Corniche Promenade
It is rivaled by the Corniche, a waterfront promenade which stretches for seven kilometers and wanders alongside Doha’s Doha Bay, offering tourists a beautiful skyline of the Doha. The walkway is among the most frequented places in the locality and recreational place for the locals as well as tourists who enjoy an evening walk on this place that has been created with seating space in between some steaks for sunset view. Rich in parks, restaurants and shops the Corniche is frequently used as a venue for various events and celebrations. For that one can hire bicycles or even take an evening dhow cruise to fully appreciate the beauty and marvel at the marvel.
National Museum of Qatar
This new National Museum of Qatar has been envisioned and architected by Jean Nouvel and does more than provide a Glimpse into the Culture, heritage and future of Qatar. The best_bleeding edge installations recapping a phenomenal transition of Qatar from a purely desert region to the most modern city of the world.isNull Each exhibit features important inventions, customs, and other oral traditions of the people living in the desert. Do not leave the palace and a mosque that has been recently restored and built in the 19th century.
Katara Cultural Village
Located by the sea and over 98 acres large, Katara Cultural Village is the arts and arts mecca of Doha. They include an amphitheater, an opera house, exhibition galleries, mosques, and restaurants. The worldview of Bunyaad art can be viewed in the handicraft stalls; a beautiful place to rest is in the Mockingbird Park; amusing performances are done in the Hellenic-inspired amphitheater. Every visitor to Doha must take time and go to Katara beach and be amazed by the sand found there.
Shopping in Doha
Doha is a shopping haven for shopaholics because the malls and shops do not impose taxes, offer modern supermalls and bazaars, and luxury brand outlets.
That is why when it comes to high-fashion designers and jewelry you should head to the shops in Place Vendome. This very posh mall has all Louis Vuitton, Chanel, and Armani and it continues.
If you want brands on the high-street Mall of Qatar has been established to accommodate over five hundred shops for clothes, accessories, electronics, homeware and more. It also has the largest cinema center and an indoor amusement park in the entire country.
For local Qatari fashion and handicrafts visit Souq Waqif where you can get almost everything. Vendors offer hand woven clothing fabrics, silver ornaments, spices and perfumes. A word of caution here, do not forget to bargain for the prices.
Dining in Doha
This Qatar is influenced by Middle Eastern food also Indian and North Africa flavors. It is important also to mention a few of Doha’s specialties such as the machboos – mixed rice and meat, the madrouba – sweet potato desert and karak – spiced tea. It boasts a large foreign community and has an equal variety of worldwide eating establishments.
For Qatari food, some of the favorites are Al Aker and Al Mourjan both are in Souq Waqif. Savor the true flavors of Oman here by ordering sample machboos, madrouba and other delicious typical dishes.
Lebanese food is also common in Doha. They prepare food from a variety of cuisines around the world. Al Jasra serves excellent mezze, grills, and sumukhi chicken while Burj Al Hamam fulfills your Levant desires in an opulent style.
Craving Indian? For more vegetarian pizzas, calzones, pasta and sandwiches, Purple Onion is the name while for Royal Indian cuisine and food with good service Aangan is the place.
Japanese food enthusiasts will surely love the tastes of Izumi which specializes in sushi and seafood. European fusion dishes take luxury to a new level in Doha, and it comes with a statue of Gordon Ramsay, Opal.
Accommodation
Every tourist is assured of getting an accommodation in Doha, whether they are low budget travelers or high end tourists.
- Hotels in the city are: Sharq Village & Spa, an Arabian Beachfront resort Hotel which comprises a BeachFront Infinity Pool, Spa, Health Club among others. Standing along the shore of the Persian Gulf, the Ritz Carlton Doha presents opulent accommodation in luxurious rooms and suites as well as invariable dining services.
- Magnum Hotel & Suites West Bay offers comfortable, large and clean accommodation in a strategic area providing easy access to a lot of the best attractions in Doha and they are also among the best budget friendly hotels. New Radisson Blu Hotel is sited close to the airport and major shopping malls.
On a budget? This boutique hotel has individually designed Qatari-styled villas and apartments and villas each decorated by different personalities. That is pretty much possible with Ezdan Hotel offering prices that are very near to those being offered by Souq Waqif.
Check Out: The Great Pyramids of Giza: The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
Day trips from Doha
While Doha itself boasts enough attractions to keep visitors busy, there are also appealing day trips on offer:
- Khor Al Adaid: Also known as the inland sea of Qatar, the impressive view of the area called Khor Al Adaid distinguishes the area of sand hills by the calm blue waters of the Gulf. Safari tours include; dune bashing, sand surfing/boarding and photo taking at vantage points.
- Al Zubarah: An 18th-19th century pearling and trading station and now a World Heritage Site it provides a historic insight to Qatar. Stroll through the open air digs, visit the small museum, and take in the simplicity of the site’s designation as an oasis in the desert.
- Al Khor: This is a beautiful beach town to the north of Doha with Al Thakira mangrove / bird watching area and the Khor Family park /show and botanical garden, aviary zoo.
Best Time to Visit Doha
The best months to visit doha are during the period from October – April, not during summer. In these months, landmarks remain operational until evening while various functions are conducted at night and activities are intensified in relation to outdoor areas. However, temperatures range between 75 – 90 F, 25 – 32 C during the period regarded as high season.
The winter – for visitors that come to Doha for events such as the Qatar International Food Festival – is relatively warm with the dry weather being felt in March and April. But it is also one of the busiest seasons in the city for tourists, which means that early bookings are even more critical.
As to the budget-friendly period, it can be pointed out that the weather is fairly good in the period from April to May and from September to November. July and August is the hottest part of the year when lots of places shut up for the middle of the day.
Conclusion
Above established, Doha has a good number of sights to support cultural activities, shopping and dining, as well as outdoor activities. Besides cultural production and Islamic art & Qatari history, Doha offers opportunities of shopping in the dust-laden souqs or luxury cruise on luxurious boats.
Whether one is thinking of a short city weekend break, a jam-packed schedule or are simply in transit to further afield destinations Doha with its state of the art attractions sky Scraping architecture and traditional Arabian charm remains as always, irresistible. It has metamorphosed from a small pearling terminal to a strident modern city in the blink of an eye, which complements Qatar’s spectacular and rapid nation building process.
Offering cutting-edge hotels, facilities, and transportation systems together with true Qatari hospitality, there is the Doha of today offering international opulence with Arabian spirit. Combining two very easy layouts of majestic sand dunes and spectacular skylines of the sky scraping classy cities. This is Doha in its twenty-first century glory.
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FAQs
How can one move around within Doha?
Doha currently has a relatively youthful metro that runs most of the primary tourist destinations to the international airport and the downtown area. They are cheap; charged on the meter, air-conditioned and convenient especially for longer distances. Most hotels also provide shuttle facilities such as taxi and or bus services to the patients or any other interested candidates.
What is the recommended form of dress while in Doha?
Situation Wise, it could also be observed that Doha is mostly conservative but how much it is depends on which part. It is only proper that men and women dress conservatively when visiting mosques, markets and old town areas — no shorts or sleeveless tops. sleeveless tops and short shorts are acceptable for hotel pools, beach, malls and uptown.
