It’s always nice when a city is gem enough to absorb in a matter of days – and Doha is a great example. Which is convenient, as it’s often a stopover for travelers heading to far-flung destinations.
Qatar's capital has everything you want from a city break, from memorable attractions to traditional and modern architecture. There are also of course the stadiums which hosted the FIFA World Cup in 2022 and numerous souks for shopping.
If you are a culture enthusiast and love good museums, then Doha is also home to some of the most pristine sites in the world.
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The best museums in Doha
National Museum of Qatar
The National Museum of Qatar is housed in a spectacular, futuristic-looking building, inspired by the shape of the pink crystal of the Qatari desert. Interesting attractions include videos of ancients describing nomadic life during their seasonal journeys between the desert and the sea. It is a must-visit to understand the cultural context of the country.
Museum of Islamic Art
A colossal collection of Islamic art from around the world, ranging from exquisitely illustrated, gold-leafed ancient religious scriptures to stunning, intricately embroidered rugs, eye-catching jewelry and much more. The café overlooks the spectacular Doha skyline.
Msheireb Museums
Located in downtown Msheireb, Doha, there are four history museums housed in attractive Arabic-style mansions. The thought-provoking exhibitions explore topics such as slavery in modern pearl and date culture, as well as the rich and diverse influence of the different communities settled in Qatar.
3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum
Even if you don't like sports, it's a very interesting museum. Here you will see the Victory Works collection – beautiful large sculptures by Swiss artist David Pflugi signed by every player who has reached the World Cup final since 1998. Qatar's transformation into a global sporting destination is also illustrated by videos, medals and more.
Top attractions and things to do
Souq Waqif
Located on the banks of Wadi Musheireb, Souq Waqif is built on the site of Doha's century-old trading market and in a traditional Qatari architectural style. You will see spices, shawls, shoes, clothing, incense, hand-woven rattan mats, perfumes, desert rose crystals, lanterns, gold jewelry and many Qatari decorations . Enjoy a traditional game of 'majlis' at Majlis Al Dama in the souk, where you will be guided through the game over a cup of Arabic coffee.
Calligraphy classes at Souq Waqif Art Center
Book an individual calligraphy class and create your own image, whether it's your name or a message. There are demonstrations of each calligraphy format, from the most ornate to the most robust, and if the result does not meet your expectations, the teacher will create one for you, on the patterned paper of your choice.
Discover Doha by water on a dhow cruise
A fantastic way to see a different side of Doha, from the water, is aboard a traditional dhow. With the wind blowing in your hair and the music playing in the background, nothing beats a boat ride and you can fully capture Doha's stunning skyline and architecture.
Katara Cultural Village
The arts rule this intriguing village which is home to an impressive amphitheater, art galleries, workshops, theaters and a pretty beach to relax on. There are also a plethora of restaurants and cafes, as well as a series of street food outlets. If you like shopping, go to the luxury boutique of Galeries Lafayette.
Qatar-Pearl
This artificial island is truly enchanting. Adults will love the rich array of restaurants and chic boutiques, while children can enjoy the playgrounds and rides. Everyone will enjoy getting on and off the water taxis before posing for photos in front of the pretty multi-colored residential houses.
Where to stay: Alwadi Hotel Doha – MGallery
My base was the charming and located Alwadi Hotel Doha – MGallery, which is just 20 minutes from Hamad International Airport and a short walk from the bustling Souq Waqif, museums and cultural center. For a relaxing respite after a day of exploring, you can take a dip in the pool, treat yourself to a treatment at the spa or dine al fresco at the excellent Cila Restaurant, which serves local classics. The rooms and suites are spacious and the staff are both welcoming and attentive. Room rates start from 500 QAR (£110) per night.
Where to eat and drink
Cila at Alwadi Hotel Doha – MGallery
For traditional Qatari dishes with a modern twist, this restaurant, tucked inside Alwadi Hotel Doha – MGallery, has indoor and outdoor seating, so you can dine while admiring the views from Doha. I started with a delicious lentil soup, followed by a fresh fattoush salad, freshly baked flatbreads, wilted garlic greens and a beautiful main course of Qatari 'machboos', from fragrant rice flavored with saffron, pine nuts, cashews and almonds, garnished with gigantic local shrimp. I didn't have room for pudding but they do a grilled cheese “kunafeh” served with pistachio and sugar syrup.
Cecconi is at Ned
Cecconi was a real treat. I started with crispy squid fritti and a punchy lemon aioli, then an indulgent dish of spaghetti, oscietra caviar and lemon ricotta, accompanied by a delicious “Melano” mocktail made with rosé melon , pineapple, lemon, lychee and aquafaba. My companion opted for a pud and gave good feedback on the traditional tiramisu. The Ned has six other restaurants, each boasting stunning design, delicious food and, if you're sitting outside, epic views of the Doha skyline.
Jiwan at the National Museum of Qatar
This is a resplendent restaurant located on the fourth floor of the National Museum of Qatar. Expect upscale and creative dishes on a menu overseen by award-winning chef Alain Ducasse. I opted for the nine-course Jiwan tasting menu, which had generous portions and a beautiful presentation. Three innovative mocktails are included, using Middle Eastern ingredients such as Omani lemon and hibiscus.
Restaurant Damasca One
The food here is so authentically Syrian that it was like being back in Syria. The ingredients are fresh, the staff is very attentive and the live Arabic music creates a joyful atmosphere. I had the delicious “harraq bi'sba”, a starter of lentils and pomegranate molasses with fried dough pieces, cilantro, olive oil and caramelized onions. Other dishes included tasty stuffed grape leaves, kebab wraps with pickles and sauce, Syrian fatteh, eggplant with ground beef, pita chips and yogurt. To finish, there was a deliciously sweet kunafeh with ice cream and pistachio.
Bayt Sharq
A special restaurant where you can eat in the courtyard of an old large traditional Qatari house. The chef was chosen in a competition seeking the best Qatari chef, so quintessential Qatari cuisine is a no-brainer. I tried the chicken and rice “madrouba”, delicately spicy and succulent; hares, a mixture of chicken and delicious wheat butter; lamb machboos that are bursting with flavor; and a saffron milk pudding with mint tea to finish.
Manos at the St.Regis Marsa Arabia Island
As soon as you walk through the door, you feel like you're in Greece – on the island of Symi to be exact – and it certainly reminded me of my time there, from the quaint Greek decor to the welcoming and cheerful staff , through music and of course Greek cuisine. Choose a window seat to watch the water. I started with a silky and fresh pink taramasalata dip with warm pitta breads, Greek salad and warm saganaki cheese coated in sesame and honey. Next comes the lobster pasta, the lobster coming from the restaurant’s live “fish market.” Customers can choose the fish they want and request how they want it cooked. The “loukoumades” donuts and ice cream made for a delicious dessert.
Travel Details: How to Get There
Qatar Airways offers direct flights to Doha Hamad International Airport from several UK airports, including London Heathrow, Edinburgh, Manchester and Birmingham. Qatar Airways currently serves more than 160 destinations worldwide, connecting via its hub in Doha. See qatarairways.com
Yasemen Kaner-White was a guest of Qatar Tourism; visit qatar.com. Room rates at Alwadi Hotel Doha – MGallery start from 500 QAR (£110) per night; alwadihoteldoha.com
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