Joanna James
As one of the region's most dynamic holiday destinations, the capital of Qatar offers visitors a plethora of exciting activities. Here are four activities every tourist must experience in the city.
Whether one is a shopping enthusiast or a culture buff, no trip to Doha would be complete without walking along the narrow alleyways that make up the city's best-loved traditional marketplaces. Known as "souks", the maze-like outdoor markets have been a fixture in Bedouin culture for centuries and remains a focal point of the local retail industry even today with the Souq Waqif serving as Doha's most popular retail hub for traditional wares. A tour of Souq Waqif, which was refurbished back in 2006, is a must for all first-time visitors as the sheer scale and size of the market will impress while the staggering variety of goods for sale will also shock visitors who are not used to finding everything from live falcons, perfume and gold jewellery being sold in a single outdoor thoroughfare. Divided into different sections, the souk's atmosphere is unlike any other retail venue in the city while those who wish to explore the Al Wakrah Souq will find that it is a less crowded and more laid back market than Souq Waqif.
The recent past has seen Doha converted from a thriving business Mecca to a global cultural hub with its own art scene and iconic museums. The National Museum of Doha also opened in March of 2019, and the breathtaking structure designed by celebrated French architectural genius Jean Nouvel is an awe-inspiring first point of attraction that every traveller should explore during a holiday. Tracing the complex history of the country through a host of ancient artefacts, the museum's impressive collection of films and relics are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to cultural encounters in Doha museums. The Msheireb Museums, which is made up of the Company House, Radwani House, Mohammed Bin Jassim House and Bin Jelmood House are another cluster of cultural spaces that delves into various aspects of life in Qatar with evocative exhibits. The Arab Museum of Modern Art should also be part of a museum tour in Doha.
One of the true pleasures of a holiday in Doha is the opportunity to sample so many culinary delights from various cuisines in a single city. Regarded as a food lover's dream destination, Doha's multi-cultural populace means the city is a melting pot of culinary schools ranging from traditional Qatari and Middle Eastern fare to Chinese, Nepalese, Malaysian, American, Filipino and Mexican cuisine. With Michelin-starred restaurants and street food outlets vying for one's attention, the meal options in Doha are anything but boring. Some of the best restaurants to experience during a food tour in Doha include the Al Jamal Restaurant and the Bandar Aden while Flat White Specialty Coffee and Nobu Doha are also worth wining and dining in.
Revered for its sky-piercing malls and department stores, visitors based at Banana Island Resort Doha by Anantara or any similar luxury hotels in Doha should not miss out on the great retail opportunities available in the city. Highlights include the Mall of Qatar, Doha Festival City and Doha City Center, The Landmark Mall and Villagio.
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