Doha Tower
Doha Tower, also known as Burj Doha, rises above the West Bay business district on the capital’s main Corniche road. The 248-meter building is one of the most recognizable in the city’s skyline from the side of the bay.
National Library of Qatar
The National Library of Qatar is another masterpiece in the treasury of the most crucial contemporary architect Rem Koolhaas. The complex brings together under one roof a public library with a million books and a collection of the most important texts and manuscripts of the Arab-Islamic culture.
Doha is a city where ancient and modern traditions of Qatar converged. Here, residents of skyscrapers and visitors to elite shopping malls coexist with Bedouins who have not changed their way of life over the centuries. And museums impressive in architecture and completeness of collections provide tourists with opportunities to get acquainted with Qatar’s rich culture. Most of the capital’s attractions have appeared over the past 20 years and demonstrate the country’s prosperity. But among them, there are miraculously preserved monuments of ancient times.
Museum of Islamic Art
The modern complex of the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha is the first in the Gulf countries. The three-Storey building is designed in a re-imagined style of traditional local architecture. Inside are exhibition halls, a library and a research institute. The collection is considered one of the most complete globally and includes works of art, ceramics, textiles, glass, manuscripts and more.
MIA Park
MIA Park, located near the Museum of Islamic Art, is considered one of the most beautiful green spaces in Doha. Walking trails, playgrounds, a crescent-shaped jogging track, cafes, restaurants and food stalls provide an opportunity to relax and unwind after visiting exhibitions.
- In the park, Richard Serra’s installation “7” stands out – his first work in the Middle East. The seven 24-meter steel plates are a monumental modern sculpture that reinterprets this figure’s special spiritual meaning for the entire Islamic world and Qatar.
Corniche embankment
The Corniche is one of the main attractions in Doha, a place for a pleasant walk along the Persian Gulf. The promenade stretches for almost 7.5 km, along the way there are luxury hotels and the Museum of Islamic Art, the “Pearl” monument, the fish market and the old port, garden and park areas.
A sightseeing bus runs along the Doha Corniche walking path. The city is separated from the dam by a high-speed highway, there are few crossings, so it is better to calculate forces in advance.
- Evening time is more suitable for walking, as during the day the pedestrian zone can be scorching from the heat. Even at sunset, it is worth taking water with you and wearing a hat.
“Khalifa” – international tennis and squash complex
Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex is a large stadium where tennis and squash matches are held. The complex is run by the Qatar Tennis Federation, but when there is no competition, anyone can rent an area for amateur play or training.
Khalifa is located next to the Corniche. The stadium fully complies with international standards and can accommodate up to 7000 spectators. In addition to sports arenas, it has shops, restaurants, entertainment areas, recreation areas, a spacious children’s area with playrooms and mini-courts for beginner tennis players.
Address: Al Males Twaon Street, Khalifa Intl. Stadium Complex, Al Dafna, Doha, Qatar.
Pearl Qatar
The Pearl-Qatar or “Pearl of Qatar” is a modern area located on an artificial island. This is the largest construction project initiated by Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Tan. By the way, real estate on the complex territory can be owned not only by local residents but also by foreigners.
During the development of the project, the region’s natural features were taken into account and sought to preserve the ecosystem, thanks to which it was possible not to harm the fauna too much and to organize the cleanest beaches with soft white sand.
- The complex resembles a pendant with pearls, each of which symbolizes a lagoon, hence the name. And the most original of the zones – Qanat Quartier – is stylized as Venice with canals, colorful houses and even a copy of the Rialto Bridge.
Villaggio Shopping Center
Another semblance of Venice can be found in Doha at the Villaggio shopping center. Waterways are laid right inside the complex, and it is designed like the streets of an Italian city. It will take several hours to get around it all. The center has cafes and restaurants, an ice rink, roller coasters, and a bowling center in addition to shops.
Souk-Waqif market
The traditional Souk Waqif market is one of the most atmospheric and colourful places in Doha. It is located at Bounded by Al-Souq St & Grand Hamad Street and provides an opportunity to see old Qatar before discovering the oil vein. You can buy spices and sweets, souvenirs and fabrics at the bazaar, meet the locals, and admire the building. Also, there are several art galleries on site.
- 1980-1990 almost all of the old Doha was demolished to build modern districts with skyscrapers in its place, so Suk Waqif is one of the few opportunities to see the city’s ancient architecture.
The Falcon Market is located nearby. They sell these beautiful, proud birds, which are considered part of the local identity: falconry has long been an important activity for the Arabs. Every month, an auction is held at the bazaar, where sellers demonstrate the birds’ skill and capabilities.
Qatar Cultural Village
Qatar’s cultural village is a modern complex, on the territory of which there are three theatres (opera, drama and open-air amphitheater), two mosques – Blue and Gold, a large park, galleries and art shops. Concerts, theatre performances, exhibitions and performances are held here every day. During the walk, you can see modern sculptures, then recover from the heat in an air-conditioned square, where cold air flows directly from the ground, and end your vacation on one of the beaches.
National Museum of Qatar
One of the most impressive buildings on the Corniche is Qatar’s National Museum, opened in March 2019. From a distance, the complex resembles the petals of the “rose of the sand” – crystals of gypsum common in the area, and close up looks like giant intersecting discs that form a fancy roof. The building has already been dubbed the most unusual structure of the decade.
Inside there are 11 galleries, in which Qatar’s history is revealed in stages: from ancient people to the hard life of the Bedouins, from wars and battles to the modern well-being of the country. Several halls are given over to temporary exhibitions, a multimedia complex, a cinema, a television center, recreation areas, cafes, restaurants and souvenir shops.
- There is a 900-meter lagoon in front of the entrance, on which fountain sculptures are installed.
Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani Museum
The private museum was founded by Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani and bore his name. The collection is divided into 4 parts: coins, cars, Qatari heritage and Islamic art. The exhibition of vehicles makes an unforgettable impression – there are more than 600 of them, and all of them are in working order.
- When planning a visit, keep in mind that the museum is located far from the center of Doha. It is convenient to get there by taxi, but you have to pay the driver to wait for the passengers and take them back. Guests need to have their passport with them, as you need to go through the checkpoint to enter.
These are all the landmarks you need to know before you visit Qatar. Getting around in Qatar is relatively easy, but we recommend either using a corporate car rental, or a van rental if you are in a group which may also be pocket-friendly.
