The municipality of Doha is situated in the east part of the State of Qatar. It is to the south of Al Khor and to the north of Al Wakra. It is the most populous municipality among the 7 other municipalities in the country with an area of 219.7 sq. km, and a population of 956, 457 according to the Planning and Statistics Authority 2015 Population distribution and population density by municipality.
Doha was founded in the 1820s as an offshoot of Al Bidda. It became Qatar’s capital in 1971 and is the political and economic center of the country. (Britannica)
The municipality houses several beautiful places, sights to see, and it is definitely a tourist destination. Are you excited to explore Doha? The ILoveQatar.net team has put together a list of things to see and do here, to help you with your road trip! Let the epic adventure begin!
Disclaimer: Please check the latest COVID-19 restrictions before visiting the mentioned places.
Since Doha has numerous places to see, we have rounded up some of the must-see places in our guide here. This list is arranged in a way that it is easy for you to navigate from one place to the next, starting from the top. These places should definitely make it to your bucket list!
The National Museum of Qatar (NMOQ) is one of the iconic locations in Qatar. The building itself is an architectural masterpiece by Jean Nouvel and is inspired by the desert rose crystal found in Qatar. With 11 permanent galleries, the museum provides visitors with an excellent opportunity to learn more about the history of Qatar, from its inception to its modern-day form. It is a great place to discover, collaborate and you can also take part in the museum's many activities that take place regularly. The museum also holds cafes and gift shops for the visitors to relax and shop. What are some of the things you like to do at NMOQ?
Msheireb Downtown Doha is one of the most happening locations in Doha. Located in the heart of the city, this place is becoming a hub for shoppers and visitors alike. It has a lot of things to see like the Msheireb Museums, Msheireb Galleria Mall, the different art galleries that hold events regularly, the public art around it, and the umpteen number of restaurants and cafes located here! This place has a lot to offer and did you know that you can go around on a tram here too?! Have you explored Msheireb Downtown completely?
Doha houses many souqs or traditional markets inside it like Souq Waqif, Gold Souq, Souq Al Asery, the Falcon Souq etc. You can find everything from traditional clothes, spices, sweets, souvenirs, gold jewellery to unexpected collector’s items and gifts here! Which are some of your favourite souqs to visit and why?
The Amiri Diwan stands tall and proud along the Corniche and close to Souq Waqif in Doha. It is the headquarters for the government in the State of Qatar. It is also the administrative office of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani. The Amiri Diwan was originally a fort called the Al Bidda Fort in the 18th century. The Amiri Diwan also houses the offices of H.H. the Deputy Amir, and H.E. the Prime Minister. You can’t enter the Amiri Diwan but it is definitely something you can see from outside and marvel at! We contacted the authorities at the Amiri Diwan and were told that photography from near the premises is prohibited, however taking photos of the Amiri Diwan from afar, and along with the Corniche is allowed.
Doha Fire Station is an art lover’s paradise. It is a space that provides contemporary artists with a platform to display their art to the world. Built-in 1982, it housed the first civil defense authority in Qatar and in 2014, was repurposed to form the Doha Fire Station. It offers artists in Qatar the residence program and also engages with the community through various events. Visitors also get to see the various public art, graffiti and also can enjoy food and drinks at Café #999 here. You can also purchase art supplies and other items at the store within the Fire Station too!
The Imam Abdul Wahhab Mosque or Qatar State Grand Mosque is the epitome of grandeur. Located in Doha, the mosque was opened to the public in 2011 by the Father Amir His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al Thani. This imposing structure captures the viewer's attention at first glance and it is one of the places in Qatar you must see to believe it!
A Doha trip is not complete without a drive at the Corniche. Start from the farther end of the Corniche road, which starts at the Ras Abu Abboud expressway. Here you can see Muglina Unit Park, followed by Doha Bandar – which gives you an uninterrupted view of the skyline. After this, as you drive down the Al Corniche road, you will spot, NMOQ, MIA Park, MIA building, and the famous Pearl Monument. Here is where you can find boats that can take you to Banana Island. Drive further down the beautiful Corniche road, taking in the views of the tall buildings and the beautiful city skyline. You can spot some of the iconic buildings here. Do make a pit stop to catch the statue of Orry the Oryx along the way. You can also stop and stroll around at the marina, where you will see a lot of people jogging, exercising, or just relaxing here. You can end your Corniche drive at the iconic Sheraton Grand Hotel and at Hotel Park.
This iconic landmark opened in 1982 and is one of the oldest five-star hotels in Doha. It is strategically located near the financial district of the city and is also known as the "Pyramid of the Gulf". It underwent a major renovation and reopened in December 2014. This is still a very happening place in Qatar and has a lot of history attached to it. If you’ve been a long-living resident of Doha, what are some of your memories of this remarkable hotel? If there is one thing you must try from here, it is the Umm Ali! You can thank us later!
A cultural hub of Qatar, Katara Cultural Village is yet another must-visit place in Doha! Many multi-cultural activities take place here and it has theatres, concert halls, exhibition galleries and other facilities. There are a lot of things to see and do here, a few of which are to see the Amphitheater, the Pigeon Towers, the Blue Mosque or The Masjid of Katara, The Golden Masjid and stroll around Katara’s Gardens & Katara Hills Promenade. Apart from this you can also visit the art galleries and check out the many public artworks located here.
Another landmark in Qatar is The Pearl-Qatar. One of the largest real estate developments in the Middle East, it is a wonderful place to shop, stroll, and enjoy food from the many, many different restaurants and cafes here. Explore this place and don’t miss to see places like Qanat Quartier, where Venetian charm meets Arabian chic in the form of colourful buildings, and Viva Bahriya, which gives you beachfront views etc. Do share your Instagram-worthy pictures with us when you visit! Learn more about this destination below:
Doha is dotted with many parks that provide respite and leisure to its residents and citizens. Some of the most famous parks located in the city are 5/6 Park, Al Bidda Park, Crescent Park, Box Park, MIA Park and more! We have visited all these parks just for you and have listed the guides for each of these wonderful public parks below! Visit and enjoy!
The beautiful city of Doha also houses numerous malls and shopping places. Some of these are City Center Mall, Gate Mall, Lagoona Mall, Landmark Shopping Mall, Tawar Mall, Al Hazm Mall and more! Have you explored all of them? We give you the guides below:
How many places from this list have you been to? Have you explored all the 8 municipalities in Qatar? Let us know in the comments! Do share this article - it keeps us going!
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