Are you travelling this summer and transiting through Doha? If you are, this is a great opportunity for you to explore the city. This country has a lot to offer for tourists but this list has been compiled keeping the distance from the airport in mind. These are all budget-friendly places, so you don't have to break your bank while roaming around Qatar.
Qatar is also offering visa-free entry and on arrival visas to a number of countries. You can find more information here. And, in case you don't have international roaming, the country offers free WiFi in many places
So, here are the iLoveQatar.net teams top five picks if you have a few hours to go sightseeing in Doha.
The National Museum of Qatar (NMoQ) opened on March 28, 2019. Jean Nouvel - the architect - drew inspiration from the desert rose, a flower-like formation that occurs naturally in the Gulf region when minerals crystallise in the crumbly soil just below the surface of a shallow salt basin. NMoQ holds a number of exhibitions, telling the story of Qatar throughout its life. There are a number of cafes and restaurants serving different cuisines as well as contemporary Qatari dishes. There is a gift shop as well where you can buy keepsakes.
The Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) Park is one of the most beautiful parks in Doha. There is a hidden gem at the very back of the park in the form of a cafe that overlooks the Doha Skyline, giving you the best possible view. You can also visit the Museum of Islamic Art and eat at one of the restaurants inside. Or take a walk along the perimeter of MIA park and think that all this wasn't here around 15 years ago. Doha has transformed from a tiny city to the metropolitan hub of the middle east. One last piece of advice: try and catch the sunset here if you can. It's worth it.
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Right across the MIA Park is Souq Waqif; Qatar’s traditional market and an absolute must-visit. Souq means 'market' or 'bazaar' in Arabic. Qatar is synonymous with Karak; strong, frothy milk tea that is like no other. Tea Time's Karak is a fan favourite. So, do take a cup as you stroll along the cobbled streets of the Souq. And, as you roam around the tiny, twisting alleys within Souq Waqif, you'll be taken back to the days when there weren’t any malls and this is how people did their shopping, haggling with the vendor to reduce the price, taking in the fragrance of spices, perfume and food. The pathways of the Souq are lined with vendors selling local authentic cuisine like Luqaimat, Oman Chips Crepe, Shawarmas and Fatayers.
Along the Corniche, you will see a number of boats called Dhows which are traditional sailing boats mainly used in the Arab region. If you have a little bit of time, you can book dinner on a Dhow cruise, otherwise, you can enjoy a 20-minute trip on a Dhow, taking in the beautiful scenery and skyline of Doha. Ask the Dhow captain to blast your favourite song as the boat sails across the waters of the Arabian Gulf.
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More on the Corniche and Dhows:
Imam Muhammad bin Abdul Wahab Mosque is the largest mosque in Qatar. The original Grand Mosque was built by the founder of Qatar Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani, who had it constructed in memory of his father. The mosque was refurbished and opened to the public in 2011. The best part is that Non-Muslims can also visit and look at the architecture of the mosque.
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