Curator’s statement
Qatar is a place of contradictions, delicately suspended between old and new. Visitors are immersed in ancient times, but with the world’s most modern advancements. Qatar can be a natural destination when traveling from West to East, as our U.S.-based family did, spending a week in the Middle East on a route to Southeast Asia. With our feet rooted in Doha, we learned what makes Qatar intriguing, exciting, and, at times, even a bit shocking. Discover top attractions, food and day trips in this detailed guide.
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Things to do in Qatar
Take a walking tour: The city comes alive after dark, so you won’t want to miss Souq Waqif and Msheireb Downtown. The Souq is reminiscent of Marrakech, albeit smaller. But the people, sights and sounds are no less impressive. We visited a “Majlis” or a public living room where locals greet guests with coffee and conversation. Near the Souq, you’ll find the small Msheireb Museum that is worth a walk through for a glimpse of the area’s history. The museum keeps late hours to accommodate evening tourists.
Visit the Falcon Hospital: Qatari people revere the falcon as an ancient cultural symbol. There is an entire Souq dedicated to falcons that has its own hospital for these majestic birds of prey. Just trust me — you have to go.
Explore the city on foot (with the help of Uber): Doha offers an impressive array of places to visit. Some of our favorites include the Katara Cultural Village, where we experienced the incredible Blue Mosque. As one of only a handful of Mosques in the world open to non-Muslims, we received a warm welcome and a substantive lesson on the Muslim faith. The Cultural Village offers complimentary golf cart service to navigate the sprawling complex, which is helpful in the summer heat.
Another area of interest is known as The Pearl. It’s a nice modern stop with a big city feel after visiting the Mosque. Here’s you’ll find restaurants and great shopping. But then again, the Middle East is all about great shopping.
Kayak in the mangroves (Day trip): If time allows, head north into the desert via private car for sunset kayaking and BBQ in the beautiful mangroves. Some tours or drivers will suggest a stop at both Zubara Fort (a Qatar Archaeological Heritage Site) and the artwork, "Shadows Traveling on the Sea of the Day" by Olafur Eliasson. Our family could have skipped the fort but found the art installation in the desert to be both magnificent and Instagram-worthy.
Places to eat & drink in Qatar
No trip to Doha would be complete without dinner at Parisa. Our meal was delicious and an overall visual experience that served as a great introduction to Qatar.
Mangoes in Qatar are fabulous, and we were fortunate to be visiting during the Mango Festival. Even if your plans don’t align with the festival, don’t be shy about trying any mango product you encounter. Our favorite was mango cheesecake ice cream.
Need to know
As a Middle Eastern country, respectful dress is expected at all times. This includes covering shoulders and knees. This can be tough in the summer, so choose your fabrics carefully. We lived in our linen and lightweight skirts.
Travel Advisor
Michele Rhudy
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For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our Qatar page.