The Katara Cultural Village is a project for art, and cultural exchange, which came to life through the vision and leadership of H.H. Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Father Amir of Qatar.
Katara has theatres, concert halls, exhibition galleries and cutting-edge facilities, making it a hub for multicultural activities in Qatar.
The ILoveQatar.net (ILQ) team has put together this guide for you on what to see and do while you're here. Enjoy!
Katara has announced vehicle restrictions from 15 November to 18 December.
Below are the restrictions imposed by Katara:
Visitors of Katara may access the following parking zones allocated for visitor vehicles:
Visitors may also use public transportation to access Katara. The Katara metro station and Al Qassar metro station connect visitors to the Katara Cultural Village.
Apart from amazing views and luxury, Katara Cultural Village has a lot to see and do. Keep your phones ready for those Instagrammable pictures.
Enjoy dining at the various restaurants, cafes and their variety of offerings at Katara Cultural Village. We have listed down the spots to check out below.
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This is hands down one of the most beautiful beaches in Qatar. The beach spans over 1.5 km. People can enjoy a quiet time at the beach or enjoy water activities.
READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Katara Beach
The Amphitheatre is one of the main attractions of the cultural village. The space is inspired by classical Greek theatre concept with a mix of Islamic architecture.
The Amphitheatre was officially opened on 11 December 2011 with a beautiful concert. The seating capacity is 5,000 persons.
Katara Masjid, designed by globally-renowned Turkish mosque designer Zainab Fadil Oglu is one of the most beautiful mosques or Masjids in Qatar.
The outer surface of the mosque has a turquoise and purple mosaic. We contacted the authorities at Katara Cultural Village via their call centre number 182, and were told that visitors are allowed to enter the mosque during non-prayer times, but please be quiet and respectful while visiting the mosque. Kindly note that photography is allowed inside the mosque only during non-prayer times.
RELATED: Here's what you need to know before visiting mosques in Qatar
The Golden Masjid has extremely small golden chips all around its structure.
The mosques offer many religious programs and lectures by esteemed scholars and also offer advanced structured courses in Quran memorization. We contacted the authorities at Katara Cultural Village via their call centre number 182, and were told that visitors are allowed to enter the mosque during non-prayer times, but please be quiet and respectful while visiting the mosque. Kindly note that photography is allowed inside the mosque only during non-prayer times.
Katara's gardens have many seasonal plants and flowers, in addition to a large number of evergreen trees, adapting beautifully to the local conditions.
The total area of the Gardens is 32,700 sqm. Apart from this, Katara's vast landscape is a great place to enjoy your morning or evening stroll. Katara hills' planned walking track, a distinct purple-coloured walking/jogging track, lush green landscape and carefully planned layout, is the perfect spot to get your feet moving and relax your mind.
READ MORE: Katara Hills: a serene haven amidst nature and panoramic views
The Opera House is the only facility of its kind in Qatar and is home to the famous Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra. The Katara Opera House is a favourite for some of the world's leading artists and musicians.
Boasting a capacity of seating 550 people, its model is inspired by modern and traditional Islamic design.
The Drama Theatre's architecture is inspired by the buildings and houses of Qatar and gives the audience an open-air experience.
It can host a wide range of different events and screenings. With an independent entrance and annexe hall, the seating capacity of the Drama Theatre is 430 people.
Katara has various halls and galleries that can host multiple conferences, seminars and exhibitions.
They host frequent exhibitions and is a favourite and must-visit venue for artists and art lovers alike, from around the world.
The Al Thuraya Planetarium offers a beautiful experience to visitors, giving them the best of education and entertainment, especially students, families and astronomy enthusiasts. It is named after the Thuraya (Seven Sisters), a cluster of seven bright stars.
Many events happen around Katara throughout the year; check them out on our events page!
Also read: A quick guide to visiting the Al Thuraya Planetarium (plus photos!)
Indian artist Subodh Gupta's 'Gandhi's Three Monkeys' were installed at Katara in 2012. They're made from bronze, steel, and old utensils and refer to the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi.
'The Force of Nature' symbolizes human strength and determination. It was created by Lorenzo Quinn with a mixture of bronze, aluminium, and steel and is his idea of the destructive power of tropical storms, hurricanes, and typhoons around the globe.
"Oryx Going Ahead" is the masterpiece of the famous Argentinian street artist Martin Ron. The 11 meters tall masterpiece showcases an Arabian oryx, with the map of Qatar on its forehead, bursting through a wall with the Doha skyline as the background. According to the artist, it highlights the pride and resilience of the people of Qatar.
READ MORE: Top 5 outdoor murals (street art) in Doha you need to see
NOTE: Professional photography and videography are prohibited in all parts of Katara and require prior permission. To apply for permission, fill-up the form here. For any queries while visiting the Katara Cultural Village, you can always enquire at Building 15.
What are some of your favourite spots at Katara Cultural Village? Let us know in the comments below! Do share this article – it keeps us going!
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