Top 10 Attractions in Qatar

So, you’ve booked your luxury hotel and you’re getting ready to pack for your sun-soaked Qatar holiday. But what should you do while you’re there? Below you’ll find our top 10 attractions in Qatar, from cultural experiences to opulent shopping, that will get you feeling inspired…

#10

Aspire Zone Foundation

Perfect for sports lovers, Aspire Zone Foundation is home to fantastic world-class venues including the National Teams Club and Hamad Aquatic Center, as well as a training academy and a turf research centre. Away from the sporting venues, you’ll find the sprawling Aspire Park, which offers a dose of fresh air away from the city streets. Here you can go for long strolls, take the kids to fun play areas, and enjoy delightful lunches at the many cafes that line the park. Villaggio Mall is also close-by, which has over 200 shops and an amusement park.

#9

Al Zubarah Fort

This fascinating UNESCO World Heritage Site is well worth a visit. Located adjacent to the walled town of Al Zubarah, the fort was created back in the 20th century and is an excellent showcase of traditional Arab architecture. The fort is now an interesting museum, offering visitors the chance to discover artefacts from the pearl diving age including cannonballs, diving weights and original coins.

#8

Pearl Qatar

Should you fancy a taste of Qatar’s luxurious side, Pearl Qatar offers the most exquisite luxury boutiques and designer shops. This sophisticated artificial island has an extravagant community lifestyle, and it’s lovely to see stylish people go about their day as you sip coffee or cocktails at a café or bar lining the canal. The Mediterranean-inspired marina is adorned with luxury yachts and is a great place to take a stroll.

#7

Museum of Islamic Art

This is one of Qatar’s most popular museums, and has made its name as a world-renowned attraction. For good reason. The museum houses four floors of permanent and temporary exhibitions, showcasing artwork from talented Arab artists. Located on a purposely built island next to the Corniche, the Museum of Islamic Art is also home to a heritage library, and hosts a lovely bazaar at the weekends in the cooler months.

#6

Zekreet Beach

Take a trip away from Doha’s bustling city streets and venture to the West Coast of Qatar. Here you’ll find a secluded beach on a peninsula that can only be accessed by a 4x4, making for a quiet and relaxed beach experience. Once there, there are no facilities – so be sure to bring lunch and any gear you may need. This is a wonderful place to soak up the sun, go snorkelling, and look out for wildlife including gazelles and ostrich that roam the sands.

#5

Doha Corniche

This waterfront promenade is a popular spot, thanks to its beautiful city skyline views, variety of fabulous restaurants and even Al Bidda Park where you can zipline, play sports and have a barbecue. This is a fantastic leisure attraction which really has something for everyone day and night. Head here for an evening stroll and you’ll see the traditional dhows that light up the Corniche.

#4

Dahl Al Misfir

Dahl Al Misfir is an incredible natural site - this is your chance to be adventurous and explore a cave in Qatar. At 40 metres deep, this is the deepest accessible cave in Doha, inviting people to don their walking boots and journey underground. Believed to have been formed 325,000 to 500,000 years ago, the cave is largely made from fibrous gypsum, giving it a moon-like glow. It’s a great attraction for adventurers and bird watchers – you may see wagtails, bee-eaters, nightjars and more.

#3

Katara Cultural Village

This is the place to be should you fancy experiencing Qatar’s booming arts and culture scene. This self-styled cultural village can be found between the financial district of West Bay and The Pearl neighbourhood, and is a brilliant destination to dine, discover Qatar’s arty side, and experience the culture. Highlights include the marvellous Katara Mosque, created by the first female architect to specialise in mosques, a charming and classic Greek style amphitheatre and the sprawling beach with fun water sports.

#2

Inland Sea

Located at the southern end of Qatar, on the borderline of Saudi Arabia, this UNESCO recognised site is one of the only locations in the world where you’ll see desert meet the sea.  The unique ecosystem is a sight to behold, including wildlife such as ospreys, flamingos, sea turtles and oryx. Otherwise known as Khor Al Adaid, this is also one of the best places for exhilarating activities such as paragliding, kite surfing, and dune bashing in a 4x4.

#1

Souq Waqif

A hub of activity, this popular trading market is an amazing insight into Qatar’s vibrant souqs and markets. You could easily spend a whole day or evening here, wandering through the stalls and shops filled with incredible handicrafts, spices, antiques and decadent gold jewellery, while taking in the wonderful sights, sounds and smells. The original building dates back to at least the 20th century, so there is plenty of culture and history to discover, as well as great food trucks and street performers.