Doha is one of the fastest growing cities in the world in today’s time. Capital city of Qatar and most populous city in the country, Doha is home to over 950,000 people. Doha was formed in the 1820s with the settlement of the Al Bidda tribe. Today Doha is a close to becoming a premium destination in the Middle East, and Qatar is one of the richest countries in the world. Due to its strategic geographical location, Qatar is a popular tourist and transit spot for travellers from all over the world. Here are a few of our favourite things to do in Doha.
Learn about culture and history
Doha is abundant in cultural and religious history of the region and visitors will have plenty of opportunity to learn and explore the rich heritage. The Museum of Islamic Art is located on the Corniche and houses Islamic Art and representation from over 1400 years. Items include jewellery, statues, textiles, metalwork, ceramic and much more and have been sourced from three continents; Africa, Europe and Asia. Another important museum in Doha is the also another popular attraction, architecturally designed to reflect old Qatari culture and showcases the ethnography of Qatar.Orientalist Museum that showcases a one-of-a-kind collection of influential art based on Western artists’ experiences of the ‘oriental’ East. The Heritage House Museum in Doha is also another popular attraction, architecturally designed to reflect old Qatari culture and showcases the ethnography of Qatar.
Explore the desert
No trip to the Middle East is complete without going a desert excursion. A typical desert safari trip will include a ride into the desert and some dune bashing. The driver will then park at a camp in the middle of the desert where visitors can take part in a range of activities like camel riding, sand boarding, henna painting and even have a traditional Arabic dinner and even smoke shisha. If you’re feeling quote adventurous, then why not book an overnight camping stay in the desert to experience the cool night under a blanket of stars.
Go shopping
Doha is not short of large and varied shopping malls. Offering goods from all over the world and the region, you can find the most popular international brands and retailers at any of the shopping centres in the city. The most popular shopping malls in Doha include Salam Mall, Royal Plaza, Villagio, City Centre and Landmark. If you are looking for a more traditional shopping experience then a visit to a ‘souq’ is a must. A souk is an outdoor street market and offers fantastic bargains on collections like fabrics, jewellery, perfume, ornaments, spices, shoes, carpets, furniture and much more. Souq Waqif is the most popular and is a great place to spend the evening with family and friends.
