Joanna James
From public art installations all the way up to its award-winning architectural establishments, the Qatari culture has loads to show-off! Here are some of the best places you can think of visiting to explore the Qatari Culture!
The Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) is one of the foremost collections of Islamic art across the world. Within the span of a few hours, it transports you through over 14 centuries revelling you through the monumental pieces relating to the reality of each of these phases. It features a variety of artifacts including and not limited to paintings, glasswork, metalwork, ceramics, textiles and manuscripts covering significant periods across three completely different continents. The best time you could imagine visiting this fine establishment is during lunch – that way you could also stop by and treat yourself to some lunch at its high-end restaurant located on the 5th floor. As for the dress code, it is advisable that you dress conservatively out of respect to the faith of the locals.
Located on the Northern flank of the city, the Katara Cultural Village could very well be identified as the centre of Qatar's art and culture picture. The establishment is an art of its own- a waterside collection of passageways and watercourses housing studios for artists of all nature. This part of the city also features a number of different Doha hotels as well as restaurants serving up some delicious staples just as well as high-end hospitality labels the likes of Banana Island Resort Doha by Anantara. From fancy international restaurants offering rooftop dining to numerous street food stalls offering lip-smacking eats the likes of chapatis and everything in between awaits your arrival. The marble amphitheatre certainly takes the crown! The best time of day to visit is right before dusk so you can peacefully cruise the promenade and watch the night coming to life with its many thousand lights.
Do not miss out on the remarkable public art collections put together by professional artists at the Sidra Medical Centre as well as the enormous sculptures scattered throughout the city of Doha and the far-reaching deserts beyond it. Do make sure to set aside a day to visit the Richard Serra installation so that you can also pair it up with the Al Zubarah Fort and its ruins as well- which incidentally happens to be a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Numerous Doha hotels the likes of Banana Island Resort Doha by Anantara stand by to provide unequivocally hospitable services to you as well!
This happens to be the newest museum that opened in 2019 and is said to have been designed by award-winning French architect Jean Nouvel and is located strategically to ensure that it is the first sight that travellers coming into the city from the airport will notice. Built around the palace of Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim Al Thani, the museum's unique design is said to have been inspired by desert roses. As for the pro-tip about visiting this museum – do not rush it; take the several hours you need to properly explore this masterpiece inside and out!
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
