This cultural village brings together performance spaces, galleries, restaurants, cafes, offices and a growing number of shops in the Katara Plaza. It’s best visited in the evening, when the temperatures cool and exhibitions, plays, art fairs, music concerts and culinary festivals all feature in its programme of events.
Things to see in Doha
Tourist offices
Address: Doha, PO Box 24624, Qatar
Tel: +974 4499 7499.
www.qatartourism.gov.qa
This converted school building features thousands of works collected by Sheikh Hassan bin Mohammed bin Ali Al Thani and boasts the world’s largest collection of modern and contemporary Arab art spanning from 1849 to the present day.
Architect I.M. Pei’s extraordinary Museum of Islamic Art appears to ‘float’ above the Gulf Sea and has become one of Doha’s most iconic buildings. At night, the building is illuminated, giving it an austere beauty. The museum hosts one of the Middle East's most impressive Islamic Art collections; discover everything from ceramics and calligraphy to the world’s oldest Korans.
Set to open in 2017 or 2018, the architecturally ambitious national museum was designed to resemble a vast desert rose and is intended to become a cultural hub for Doha. The exhibits themselves will focus on Qatar’s traditional heritage whilst also celebrating its future. The museum will feature a research centre, restaurant, shops and auditorium.
This curving 7km (4-mile) waterfront promenade is the focal point of daily life in Doha. Young lovers stroll along the promenade, mixing with workers getting away from the office. The soft Arabian Gulf breeze and views of traditional dhows on the water are fantastic, but best enjoyed in the relative cool of the early morning or evening.
Doha Fort (known locally as Al Koot) is a 20th-century fort originally built to protect Souk Waqif from thieves. It is one of the few remaining military forts in Doha and houses a modest display of arts and crafts. Its main attractions are its wall-less mosque, Qatar-style battlements and distinct Moorish design.
This sprawling marketplace of open-air stalls and a restored version of the original Souq Waqif is well worth a visit. Shisha and burning incense scent the air in its bustling bazaar, and tourists haggle over Bedouin blankets, twinkling jewellery and Middle Eastern lamps. You’ll also find the Waqif Art Center and cafés amongst its alleyways.
The Pearl-Qatar, or ‘Arabian Riviera’, is a man-made island that combines eye-wateringly pricey real estate with designer shopping aimed squarely at the affluent. Built on one of Qatar’s original pearl diving sites, it’s the ideal place to admire the elegant yachts from a waterfront restaurant and admire the Mediterranean, Moorish and Arabian architectural design.
Discover Qatar’s equestrian heritage at Emir Sheikh Hamad Bin Ali Al Thani's famed Arabian purebred show and racehorses at Al Shaqab Stud. Tours (by appointment only) take in the training grounds and stables, and if you’re lucky, a horse might be using the equine Jacuzzi during your visit. The Riding Academy offers lessons for riders of all standards.
This Venice-themed entertainment centre is mainly aimed at shoppers and families and features a ferris wheel, bumper cars, a roller coaster and other rides in the Gondolania Theme Park. An onsite bowling centre, go-kart track, ice rink and Gondolania boat ride are some of the other attractions.
Worthy of more visitors than it gets, this delightful museum is only available to visit as part of a tour or by appointment. For those who make the effort, Lawrence of Arabia’s khanjar (ceremonial dagger) is usually the highlight, but there are some equally impressive gold swords and 16th century silver armoury.
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