As the host of the FIFA World Cup 2022, Qatar is the first middle eastern and first arab country to host the event and it has really put the country on the map for a lot of people. Qatar may be underrated, but there are a lot of things to do in Qatar! I have a list of 15 of my favorite activities, and places to visit in my home country of Qatar to help you on your next visit!
The country is a peninsula jutting out into the Persian Gulf. Qatar is normally very hot because of this location, so it is best to visit during the winter months as the weather is pleasant during this time. Also the metro system is still new and doesn’t have all of the stops in place yet, so it’s best to go by car (rental or private hire).
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1. Take a stroll in the Msheireb Downtown Doha area
Doha is the capital city of Qatar and where you are most likely to start your adventure in the country, especially since you come in from Hamad International Airport. And only minutes away from there you will find the developing area known as Msheireb Downtown Doha. The master plan project for the area is fully finished & ready to be one of the things to do in Qatar!
Msheireb Downtown Doha area consists of a specific section of downtown Doha and is set up as a cultural center and heritage site for the downtown area itself. Within the Msheireb Downtown Doha area you’ll find the Msheireb Museums as well as the Galleria Mall. The Galleria Mall has lots of entertainment, shopping, and dining options to choose from! The Msheireb Downtown Doha area is pretty large too, so you’ll find something to do and explore, as it is the heart of Doha! It’s the past and the future of Qatar coming together!
2. Learn about history at the National Museum Of Qatar
In addition to the museums of the Msheireb Downtown Doha area, you’ll have to check out the main and largest museum in Qatar: the National Museum Of Qatar! This building is actually quite new, having been built and opened in 2019. It was designed by a French architect named Jean Nouvel; who was inspired by another piece of Qatari symbolism; the desert rose crystal.
Inside the museum you will find several different areas to explore and see, with highlights including Bedouin culture, history of the region, and the discovery of oil. You’ll see displays with artifacts like documents, jewelry, and artworks! It even encompasses Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim Al Thani’s Palace! Definitely one of the highlights of things to do in Qatar, for sure!
3. Immerse yourself at the Katara Cultural Village
Being the historical name of Qatar, it’s easy to see how Katara Cultural Village got its name. Located in Doha, this is a waterfront site with many attractions! One of the easiest to notice due to its waterfront location is Katara Beach. This stretch of natural beach offers activities like Dhow rides, parasailing, waterskiing and more! There is a pair of hills that mark the edge of the Katara Cultural Village called the Katara Hills that are worth checking out as well!
One of the main attractions of the area is the Galeries Lafayette. It is an luxury department story from Paris located near the giant red wrapped present, which is the Children’s Mall. You’ll find walking paths all over the Katara Cultural Village site, which will surely lead you to the Katara Amphitheatre! This is a Greek-inspired structure at the heart of the Katara Cultural Village complex and worth seeing for sure! They hold events at the amphitheater, so see in advance what will be held during your visit.
4. Acknowledge knowledge at the Museum Of Islamic Art
The next item on this list of things to do in Qatar is actually on a man-made island! It’s the Museum Of Islamic Art. The building is easy to spot with its cube shaped sides and being connected to the mainland by only 2 bridges. It is near the traditional Dhow harbor as well. It was designed by award-winning architect I.M. Pei, the same person who designed the Pyramid at the Louvre Museum in Paris!
It spans over a thousand years worth of Islamic art like textiles, woodwork, and ceramics. Inside you’ll find five floors (four floors with art exhibitions and a fifth floor restaurant) as well as a café and gift shop. There is even a library inside as well with books in both English and Arabic.
5. Take a trip up to Al Zubarah Fort
There is actually a UNESCO World Heritage site located in Qatar! Leaving the capital of Doha takes you to the ancient settlement known as Al Zubarah, where you can find the Al Zubarah Fort. It was built in 1938, so it is not as old as the region it belongs to, but it is still an impressive structure. With 4 stone towers that rise out of the desert and guard the northwestern coast of Qatar, it is a walled-in city within the fort’s barriers. The fort is an archeological site too, with the history of the fort as a defense against invaders being explored and preserved.
6. Feel the thrills of the Doha Quest theme park
When you think of Qatar, you probably don’t think of theme parks and roller coasters…but Doha actually holds a Guinness World Record for the tallest indoor roller coaster! And that coaster is located inside of Doha Quest! The coaster, EpiQ Coaster, is 56.736 meters (185 feet 1.7 inches) tall! And Magma Blast is the world’s tallest indoor drop tower, just a bit shorter than the coaster’s height.
Of course the roller coaster is not the only ride there. You can also go on swing rides, VR rides, and other traditional theme park rides as well! Planet Hollywood Doha is actually located here too (a restaurant with Hollywood memorabilia in it), so you’ll have a great dining option as one of your things to do in Qatar here! The park is divided into 3 sections: The past, the present, and the future of Qatar. Tickets are 200 QAR each but make sure you book in advance, as there are no walk-ins!
7. Shop like a local at Souq Waqif
One of the must-experience things to do in Qatar is visit the Souq Waqif! This is a traditional old-style marketplace area in Doha, not too far from Msheireb. Here you will find a wide variety of things for sale…anything from spices to clothes to food…even pets! It dates back to ancient times (the exact date is unknown), but it was renovated in 2006 so it is now modern while maintaining its old-world charm.
The Souq Waqif area has a couple of branches that make up part of the complex as well, including the Gold Souq and Falcon Souq. For fine jewelry and lots of gold items, you really should check out what the Gold Souq has to offer! And the Falcon Souq, as its name implies, is for falcons…or rather the sport of falconry. Here you can find the birds themselves for sale as well as accessories for falconry like bird hoods. Most people won’t actually be able to buy the birds here, but you can still learn about the sport from enthusiasts there.
8. Embrace the beauty of the Pearl
If you are not from Qatar and wish to move there, one place you’ll probably get recommended is the Pearl. It is a place where foreigners can actually own land! It is reclaimed from the sea and made into a man-made island (like the Museum Of Islamic Art), near the West Bay District.
You can find a lot of things to do on this Qatari artificial island! There are restaurants, hotels, and even a marina area to stroll around at! There are Venetian-style canals there too! You’ll see residential towers all around; making the area iconic with their alignment and positions. You’ll be able to stroll around in the squares and even take a yacht ride in the marina area too!
9. Shop and dine at Qatar’s impressive malls
While there are many things to do in Qatar, one of the most prominent is shopping. And what better place to shop than at a mall! Qatar has a lot of malls, but 3 of the most iconic ones are Villaggio Mall, Mall of Qatar, and Doha Festival City. Probably the most beautiful aesthetically is the Villaggio Mall, which has Venetian-style canals inside of it, complete with gondolas!
The Mall of Qatar and Doha Festival City both compete for the title of the largest mall in Qatar, and it really depends upon who you ask. Doha Festival City includes IKEA, but it is not a part of the actual mall itself; but is instead attached to it. As for the Mall of Qatar, it has 3 floors, opened in 2016, and is connected to a 5-star hotel. All 3 malls offer a plethora of dining, shopping, and entertainment options; so any of them are worth checking out!
10. Soak in the waters of the Inland Sea
Time to leave Doha once again and travel south towards Qatar’s only land border. On the border between Qatar and Saudi Arabia is Khor al Udaid, more commonly known as the Inland Sea. Actually an inlet from the Persian Gulf, it is recognized by UNESCO as well. Here you can go for a swim if you want. There are also sand dunes surrounding the area as well, making for a contrasting landscape. This is also a place where the Arabian Oryx can be found as well (the national animal of Qatar). If you wanted to get their on your own you would need a 4-wheel drive vehicle because you will be driving through sand.
11. Spend the night at a Bedouin camp
Going out of the cities and into the desert may seem like a daunting task, but people have been doing it in Qatar for centuries. Because of this, you can find Bedouin camp sites all over Qatar! Some of them are more mainstream with rental and luxury options, some include dinner, and others are more traditional. You’ll be spending the night in the desert though, so be sure to pack warm clothes as it does get cold at night!
12. Have fun dune bashing in the desert and more
If you’re going out to the desert, you’ll want to find some activities to do there. Fortunately there’s actually quite a lot of things to do! Some of them include camel riding, dune bashing, and sandboarding.
Dune bashing is where you take an off-road vehicle like a ATV or 4-wheeler out into the desert and ride across the sand dunes! Sandboarding is just like snowboarding, but on sand dunes as well! All of these activities can be booked in advance and online, and vary in price.
13. Relax at the luxurious Banana Island resort
Qatar is not only home to artificial islands, it has some natural ones as well. And one of them that comes to mind is one near Doha called Banana Island. This is in the Persian Gulf and has a marina and reef all to itself! It is one of the most luxurious areas of Qatar, holding the Banana Island Resort Doha by Anantara (the only hotel on the island), and is accessible only by boat. This crescent-shaped island also offers the only over-water villas in addition to the beachfront ones. The hotel has 141 rooms in total and a surf pool and dive center too! Dining is taken care of too with a variety of cuisines and even class to learn how to make the foods as well.
14. Traverse the mangroves of Al Thakira
When people think of Qatar, forests are not usually associated with it. But the Al Thakira Mangrove area is Qatar’s oldest and largest forested area! It is a wetland area that birds like flamingos call home. There are also beaches in this area, but the mangroves are the main attraction. Kayaking is the main activity here, where you can see the wildlife from your kayak. You’ll also find Purple Island there as well; a place to reconnect with nature.
15. Walk along the Doha Corniche
The last of the things to do in Qatar goes back to Doha, and this time to the Doha Corniche. It is a promenade that goes for seven kilometers (about four miles) along Doha Bay. Here you can see the truly iconic and breathtaking Doha city skyline – beautiful during the day or night – by walking along the waterfront. At the end of the Corniche is the Sheraton Hotel, one of the oldest hotels in Doha and famous for its pyramid-like shape. It has a crescent-shaped walkway along the entire stretch of it, where you can see the traditional dhows and even take a ride in one! Activities include biking, sports, picnics, and just taking in the view from Sheraton Hotel Park’s hill of the West Bay.
Where to Eat:
- Nobu Doha: The world’s largest – and arguably most architecturally outstanding – branch of chef Nobu Matsuhisa’s globally acclaimed Japanese restaurant, located on a manmade island as a part of Four Seasons Hotel. Located at Diplomatic St, Doha, Qatar.
- Saasna Restaurant: Looking for authentic Qatari cuisine? Then Saasna is the place for you! With barbeque, seafood, and even breakfast; you can find unique dishes local to the region. Located at Barahat Msheireb street, Sikkat Al Maiz، Doha, Qatar.
- Parisa Souq Waqif: Part of the Ritz Carlton Hotel in the Souq Waqif, this restaurant offers Persian cuisine in a unique and refined way. Located at Ras Abu Abboud Street, PO Box 26662 Doha, Qatar.
- Spice Market: A rather uniquely named restaurant inside of the W Doha Hotel. Offering Southeast Asian cuisine and sushi. Located at W Doha Hotel & Residences West Bay, Doha, Qatar.
- Evergreen Organics: For those looking for Vegan food options, Evergreen Organics has what you need. Containing a juice bar and a café. Located at The Pearl, Mercato – Palazzo 1, Doha, Qatar.
If you are looking for a place to stay in Qatar, I would recommend some of these fine hotels:
Where to Stay:
Luxury choices:
- Marsa Malaz Kempinski: This 5-star luxury hotel is located in the Pearl itself! Its got a spa, outdoor pools and even a private beach! This seaside resort is sure to cater to your fancy side. Located at Marsa Malaz Kempinski, The Pearl – Doha Costa Malaz Bay, Doha, Qatar.
- Sheraton Grand Doha Resort & Convention Hotel: Mentioned before as part of the Doha Corniche, this hotel is one that is famous in Qatar due to its historical nature (built in 1979) and pyramid shape! It’s also a 5-star hotel with dining and not-to-be-missed views! Located at Al Corniche Street, P.O. Box 6000, Doha Qatar.
- Mandarin Oriental: In the heart of the Msheireb Downtown Doha area, this 5-star hotel is a great location for easy access to virtually anything Doha has to offer! A fitness center, pool, and other luxury accommodations await you here! Located at Barahat Msheireb Street, Doha, Qatar.
Mid-range choices:
- Al Najada Doha Hotel by Tivoli: Breakfast, gym, restaurant on site and other conveniences are yours here at this hotel. Just feet from the Souq Waqif, this hotel is located at Barahat Al Jufairi, Street، Doha, Qatar.
- Fraser Suites Doha: By the Corniche promenade area, this hotel offers suites, studios, and apartments! There is a spa and pool here as well. Located at Al Meena St, Doha, Qatar.
- Souq Waqif Boutique Hotels by Tivoli: Another one of the Tivoli hotels, this one is in the Souq Waqif and a short drive from Hamad International Airport. Offering exquisite rooms and even a spa. Located at Souq Waqif, Doha, Qatar.
Budget choices:
- Radisson Blu Hotel: Stylish rooms can be found at this 4-star hotel. Free Wi-Fi, indoor and outdoor pools, and restaurants are here as well! Located at Salwa Road, Intersection of, C Ring Rd, Doha, Qatar.
- dusitD2 Salwa: Near the Aspire Sports Academy in Doha, this hotel has a restaurant, pool, and is also near lots of shopping areas. Located at Muntazah Area, Wadi Al Markh St, Doha, Qatar.
- Millennium Central: This hotel is close to the airport and within a short drive to most locations in downtown Doha. With 7 floors of rooms in this 4-star hotel, you’ll find a room to suit your tastes. Located at Airport Road, Doha, Qatar.
This is my home country, and it is a place I am very proud of. I hope you will be able to come here to Qatar and see all that the country has to offer! Qatar is not very big, but it certainly makes up for its size with the places to see and things to do! Please let me know in the comments what you liked about Qatar if you have ever been there!
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