Doha's skyline along the Corniche is one of the first things that greets any new visitor to the country. It is beautiful both by day and by night, dotted with interesting and iconic landmarks throughout its stretch. In this week's Top 5, we listed down below the top five iconic buildings along the Corniche that any visitor or resident should see!
Inspired by desert roses and designed by the French architect Jean Nouvel, this massive structure opened in March 2019 is built to be an icon celebrating Qatar's past, present, and future. In its first year, the museum won the Best Roofscape honor at the 15th edition of the annual Wallpaper* Design Awards and was selected by Time Magazine as one of the greatest places to visit.
The cluster of interlocking discs surrounds the historically important restored palace of Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim Al-Thani which was the seat of the government for 25 years and the Royal Family home. Further, this was the site of the original National Museum of Qatar.
Read more:
Opening hours: Sun-Wed: 9 am-7 pm; Thurs & Sat: 9 am-7 pm; Fri: 1:30-7pm
Tickets:
Restaurants/Cafe: Desert Rose Café, Jiwan Restaurant, Café 875 (coming soon)
How to get here using Metro: Take the Gold Line, go down at National Museum Station
Website: https://nmoq.org.qa/
Opened in 2008, the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) is one of the most visited landmarks in Qatar. The world-class museum stands on its own island and designed by the award-winning I.M. Pei. Unbeknownst to many, he is the one who designed the glass pyramid in Louvre Paris.
While MIA has a permanent vast range of Islamic art collected from all over the Muslim world and across three continents, it also houses a number of temporary exhibitions with artifacts and art pieces brought specifically to Qatar and these changes periodically.
Read more: All you need to know about the Museum of Islamic Art
Opening hours: Sat - Thurs: 9 am - 7 pm; Fri: 1:30 pm - 7 pm
Tickets:
Restaurants/Cafe: MIA Cafe, IDAM by Alain Ducasse
Website: http://www.mia.org.qa/en/
The most famous of Doha's skyscrapers is also designed by French architect Jean Nouvel who designed the newly opened National Museum of Qatar. The award-winning cylindrical building features a mashrabiya façade that serves as a shade against the sun rays and the high winds which brings sand as well.
Its top floor (the dome) offers a stunning panoramic view of Doha. This floor, however, is not open to the public. The ground floor is below ground level and enclosed by a garden which makes it a good refuge from the busy streets outside. There used to be two coffee shops on this level but they have already closed.
The 46-story architectural landmark was commissioned by His Excellency Sheikh Saoud Bin Mohamed Bin Ali Al-Thani.
Website: https://burjdoha.qa/
Standing tall beside Souq Waqif, the building also known as Fanar is one of the departments of the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs and aims to make non-Muslims aware of Islam, its culture and rich civilization through different activities.
At night, it shines like a beacon from afar with its spiral minaret. It used to be one of the biggest mosques in the country until the Imam Muhammad ibn Abd al Wahhab Mosque took its place. The iconic mosque is named after the famous Qatari Islamic scholar who was also the founder of Qatar’s judicial system.
Additionally, Fanar offers Arabic courses where one can be proficient in speaking, reading, and writing Arabic.
Read more: Fanar Qatar Islamic Cultural Centre: understanding Islam and learning Arabic
Location: Abdulla bin Jassim Street, Doha, Qatar
Contact number: 4444 7444
Website: https://www.binzaid.gov.qa/
Opened in 1982, Sheraton is one of the oldest five-star hotels in the city. It has undergone a major renovation for months and reopened in December 2014. The Sheraton Hotel was the first completed component of the New District of Doha Master plan. The hotel opened in 1982 to celebrate the 10th year anniversary of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad Al-Thani's Rule.
Because of its shape, the hotel is known as the "Pyramid of the Gulf" and is one of the most famous landmarks along the Corniche. Moreover, it is strategically located near the business district and government institutions with sweeping views of the Arabian Gulf.
Location: Al Corniche Street, Doha
Contact number: +974 4485 4444
Website: Sheraton Grand Doha Resort & Convention Hotel
What do you think of these iconic buildings? Which area should we feature next? Drop us your comments and don't forget to like and share - it keeps us going!
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