Qatar is a truly beautiful country that has a fantastic mix of cultural and modern attractions and experiences, endless delicacies to taste, and so much more to explore!
The highly anticipated AFC Asian Cup 2023™ is happening in Qatar from 12 January to 10 February 2024, with numerous events being hosted nationwide to celebrate the tournament!
The ILoveQatar.net (ILQ) team has listed the must-visit places, things to do, and food for the ultimate Qatar experience!
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The desert in Qatar features golden sand dunes and magnificent views like nowhere else. If you're looking for adventure and excitement, there are multiple desert experiences and activities to try, such as dune bashing, camel riding, desert camping, and more.
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Experience a thrilling bird’s eye view of Qatar’s majestic desert landscapes and try paratriking! Take to the skies and marvel at the golden slopes as you fly overhead.
Watch the ILQ team try paratriking: Did you know Qatar is the perfect place to Paratrike?
Immerse yourself in Qatari culture and go on a traditional Bedouin camp experience you will never forget! Travel through the dunes, camp in a secluded desert camp, indulge in authentic Middle Eastern cuisine, enjoy Qatari cultural entertainment, and witness a star-studded desert sky come nightfall.
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The majestic falcons hold much cultural and historical significance to the Qatari people who, to this day, nurture the art of falconry.
Visitors will have the opportunity to get up close and personal with the falcons of Qatar, learn more about its history, training process, and more at the Falcon Souq in Souq Waqif.
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Did you know that camels are actually very fast creatures?
Camel racing is a popular sport among the Qatari people, and visitors may witness these thrilling races at Al Shahaniya during the colder months of November to February.
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In the early days, the Qatari were seafarers that thrived in fishing and pearl diving. They would traverse the waters on wooden dhows. In modern times, dhow cruises are available for visitors offering stunning views of the Doha skyline as well.
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Doha Quest is an indoor theme park that is home to the tallest indoor rollercoaster and tallest indoor drop in the world. The Epic-Q roller coaster and The Magma Blast tower rides hold the Guinness World Record titles, respectively.
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Another great way to learn more about Qatar’s rich history and culture is to visit multiple museums like the National Museum of Qatar, Museum of Islamic Art, Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art, and much more!
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If you love to shop, you’ve come to the right place! Qatar’s malls offer a multitude of local and international brands, and a handful of places even carry designer and luxury names.
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Souq Waqif is a must-visit for anyone travelling to Doha! Explore the maze of beautiful Arabian-designed streets and architecture, indulge in delicious food, haggle at the shops for souvenirs, enjoy street performances, and more.
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Located at the heart of the city, the Corniche offers one of the best views of the Doha skyline and is a beautiful place to jog, walk, or even have a picnic! This place is frequently visited by locals and visitors alike.
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For something truly unique, head over to Mina District at the Old Doha Port to see beautifully pastel-coloured Arabian buildings. Here you'll find eateries, shops, and even a luxurious fish market and a restaurant next door where you can have your fresh seafood cooked just the way you like it!
During the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023, Old Doha Port will host live screenings of matches, Qatari sea-related traditional shows, balloons twist shows, bubble shows & more!
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Katara Cultural Village offers a bit of everything in one large area.
You can have a beach day at Katara Beach, visit the beautiful golden mosque, check out the multiple art installations, explore the Greek-inspired amphitheatre, visit the Al Thuraya Planetarium, take a walk at the Katara Hills, indulge in its many dining options.
During the tournament season, Katara Cultural Village will also be hosting multiple events and activations ranging from art exhibits, markets, traditional shows, and more!
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A modern utopia in the middle of a bustling city is Msheireb Downtown Doha. Explore the area with the Msheireb tram, visit the art galleries, dine at its trendy restaurants and cafes, and shop at its host of boutiques.
AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 fans should definitely check out Msheireb Downtown Doha as it will be live screening of the evening games, host football-themed activities for children, cultural performances, and so much more!
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The Pearl Island is a European-style residential and commercial district with stunning colourful architecture and canals. Enjoy the many cuisines and dining options, go shopping, and have fun with its many entertainment options.
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If you’re a nature lover, Puple Island is a must-visit! Be one with nature and admire the area’s lush mangroves, flora, and fauna. Add an exciting twist to your visit and rent a kayak and explore the area!
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Discover another natural wonder of Qatar where the desert meets the sea. Travel south to the Inland Sea and explore a place where you can enjoy the dunes and the beach in one beautiful location.
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Ever wondered what Qatar looked like in the past before it was the magnificent, modern country it is today? Travel back in time when you visit the Al Zubara Fort! The fort has been preserved and turned into a museum displaying artifacts from the pearl diving era.
The Al Zubara Fort is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Qatar and has been preserved and turned into a museum for visitors to learn more about Qatar’s rich history.
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Looking for the best places to eat in Qatar? Here are Mr. Q's recommendations!
Don’t leave Qatar without sampling traditional machboos! The machboos is an aromatic rice dish made with spices, nuts, and a choice of meat.
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Shawarma is an affordable staple food in the Middle East and in Qatar, you’ll find shawarma joints in every neighborhood. There are a variety of places that offer different styles and twists to the tasty wrap.
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In Qatar, people drink karak at any time of day, in every weather, even if it's 45 degrees outside! A dark tea mixed with milk and sugar and spiced with cardamom, karak is a comforting drink that residents can never get enough of.
RELATED: Top 5 places to get your karak in Qatar
Gahwa is a traditional Arabic coffee that is strong, aromatic, and flavourful. Qatari households traditionally craft gahwa from scratch from fresh green coffee beans and cardamom. This brew is usually enjoyed during gatherings and is best paired with dates.
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Qatar is highly celebrated for its variety of local dates. These delicious bite-sized fruits can be enjoyed just as it is or can be filled with nuts, other dried fruit, and even dipped in chocolate!
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Umm Ali is a creamy bread pudding made with pastry, milk, sugar, spices, nuts and raisins. It is a comforting snack and one of Qatar's most popular sweet treats.
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Kunafa is a unique treat that has a bit of everything: sweet, salty, creamy, and crispy! Made of spun kataifi pastry that’s drizzled with attar sweet syrup and usually layered with cheese. Some shops in Doha now serve the kunafa in fun flavours such as mango toppings, Nutella fillings, Lotus Biscoff flavour, and more!
A traditional dessert found in most Qatari feasts is the luqaimat, which are tasty doughnut balls that are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside and drizzled with sweet syrup.
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Are you travelling to Qatar soon? Which one of these are you most excited to check out and experience? Do let us know in the comments! Do share this article - it keeps us going!
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