10 must see places in Doha, Qatar

I recently returned from my first visit to Qatar. It was just a short business trip to the capital, Doha, during which I had the opportunity to visit a few places. In this article, you can find 10 must see places in Doha.

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Doha (Arabic دوحة ad-Dawḥa, English Doha) became the capital in 1971 when Qatar gained independence from Great Britain. Since then, Doha has hosted several international events like FIFA 2022 and Expo 2023. These global events help Doha develop.

I recommend visiting Doha at any time of the day. Each part of the day has a different vibe. During the day, it acts like a classic Arab city. While at night, it’s all lit up and reminded me of Las Vegas.

Souk Waqif, Falcon Souk, Gold Souk

Every country in the Middle East has many colourful markets called souks. In Doha, the most famous is the Souk Waqif. It is the most visited attraction in the city. You can get there easily by metro. Just get off at the Yellow Line metro stop with the same name, Souk Waqif. Then, follow the signs on the walls.

Most people visit this market in the evening when the air temperature drops slightly. You can find everything here – souvenirs, spices, dried fruits, clothes, leather bags, carpets, or gold. A colleague even bought black pepper from Vietnam here. Walk around and soak in the atmosphere.

Part of the souk is Bird Market. I would call it an animal market instead. You can buy any animal here, not only chickens. I saw birds, from tiny canaries to roosters, rabbits, turtles and cats.

Falconry is an integral part of Qatar’s history. Near Souk Waqif is the market for falcons and other birds, the Falcon Souk. It is common to see men walking around Souk Waqif with falcons perched on their shoulders or arms.

The Pearl

Before the discovery of oil, Qatar was famous for pearls. The Pearl is a purpose-built artificial island in the shape of a pearl. It has an area of around 4000 km2. It is one of the few neighbourhoods in Doha where expats can buy apartments. There are luxury hotels and restaurants on the island.

Many hotels on this island have bars where they sell alcohol. Travellers and expats frequent them, as they have daily happy hours and special promotions.

Katara Village

Katara was opened in October 2010. You can get there by metro or taxi. The nearest metro station is Katara, part of the Red Line.

Among the popular places in Katara is the amphitheatre, opposite the beach. Several statues of soldiers displayed on the promenade were made from kitchen utensils (pans, plates, cutlery, etc.). Take your time and stroll through the streets. You will find many picturesque spots, great for social media photos. Local people and tourists like to take pictures at the Pigeon Towers.

Don’t miss the beautiful, colourful Qatar Mosque with Turkish design. It is located in the western part of the village.

West Bay & City Centre Mall

Shopping is in the blood of Qataris, and they like to spend time in many shopping centres. Doha has several colossal shopping malls. One can spend a whole day in one and still not see all the stores. I learned from the locals that shopping malls are popular places for a first date.

West Bay, similar to The Pearl, has many international hotels with bars where they sell alcohol. Travellers and expats frequent them, as they have daily happy hours and special promotions.

FIFA World Cup Logo Statue + Flagpoles of the World Cup Competition

Football fans should definitely visit the FIFA World Cup logo. It was built specifically for the FIFA World Cup 2022.

National Museum of Qatar

Every country has its national museum, and Qatar is no exception. The National Museum of Qatar tells the story of Qatar and its people from the past to the present day. The centrepiece of the museum is the reconstructed historical palace of Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim Al Thani, the son of the founder of modern Qatar. In the past, the building was the home of the royal family and the seat of government.

Tickets can be purchased online (official webpage) or in the mobile application. Entrance is 50 QR.

Museum of Islamic Art

The museum is considered the most important cultural monument in Qatar. It is located in MIA Park on the waterfront. It is trendy not only among tourists but also among local residents.

Islamic art is presented in all aspects – writing and calligraphy, architecture, sculpture, science, jewellery, military armour, and in the daily life of people who advanced to Islam.

Tickets can be purchased online (official webpage) or in the mobile application. Entrance is 50 QR.

Corniche Promenade + The Pearl Monument

From the Museum of Islamic Art, a comfortable walkway leads along the water to the West Bay district. You can see many surrounding skyscrapers from the promenade, The Pearl Monument and the FIFA Logo.

Qatar is currently the wealthiest country in the world per capita. It is also visible in the countless number of expensive sports cars and skyscrapers.

Mina District

The Mina district is known for its colourful buildings that easily attract attention. The buildings are in pastel colours such as pink, orange, teal, blue, and yellow.

The whole district is an excellent place for photography enthusiasts. It is best to visit it during sunset when the best photos are.

Aspire Tower and Park

The Aspire Tower, also called The Torch, symbolises the 2006 Asian Games held in Doha. Until 2023, it was the tallest tower in Doha. But this year, it was surpassed by the twin Lusail Plaza Towers by one metre.

Last Thoughts

There are also many activities outside the capital. Popular tourist activities include trips to the desert. They are organised either late in the evening when it is dark outside and you can see the stars, or very early in the morning, before sunrise. In addition, you can ride camels or surf the dunes.