Doha City Guide

Once upon a time, Doha was just a poor desert city in Qatar. Following the discovery of oil and natural gas in the early 20th century, the country quickly established itself as one of the wealthiest countries in the world.

Qatar’s capital, perched on the Gulf coast, is a rapidly developing city that has seemingly emerged from the sand. Although the desert city did not exist thirty years ago, Doha has claimed the spot as one of the world’s modern cities with its very own waterfront and glittering skyline. There may not be many historic relics or ancient sites, but where Doha lacks history, it’s well on its way to making history.

Things to Do

Museum of Islamic Art

Doha is fast becoming an international hub for travelers in transit and those looking to catch a bit of sun. One must-see place in the city is the newly built Museum of Islamic Art (MIA). The iconic limestone building, situated on the Corniche has a unique design that pays tribute to the Middle East. The MIA displays 1400 years worth of Islamic art taken from three different continents. Once you’re done admiring metalwork and ceramics you can relax at Idam, the museum’s top-floor restaurant complete with a stunning skyline view. While the restaurant isn’t cheap, entrance to the magnificent museum is free.

Souq Waqif

For a real dose of the Middle East head to Souq Waqif, Doha’s open air marketplace. Here you can experience the very best of Qatari culture, food and nightlife. Shop for traditional Qatari dress, spices, perfumes and pick up a few souvenirs. There are restaurants and shisha lounges where you can relax and even an indoor theatre for your entertainment. Located in Al Souq, this bazaar which dates back 100 years was given the kiss of life following a fire which broke out in 2003. This souk is a great place to spend a day delighting all your senses. Even when the shops close between 1 and 4pm, there’s always a place open to enjoy a cup of Arabic coffee.

Shop in Style

If you’re a shopaholic, there are two shopping areas you should put on your radar. The Pearl - Qatar is a newly built island in the Gulf coast and home to 12,000 residents. Spend a day shopping on the exclusive island, dotted with high-end retail shops, cafes, and restaurants. Walk along the boardwalk with scenic vistas of the marina. While hanging out at the Pearl may seem a like a dream, it’s getting in and out of the man-made island that’s a nightmare. If you don’t have time to make this trip, the Villaggio Mall at the west end of Doha will suffice. This shopping center is complete with an indoor canal, theme park, and ice hockey rink. What more can you ask for?

Shisha, Food, and Nightlife

Souq Waqif is one of the most happening places in Doha to smoke shisha and enjoy local cuisine. Feast on Qatari specialties including Hummus as well as Machbous, a rice stew typically made with meat or seafood, served on a communal platter. Don’t go expecting to find wine on the menu as alcohol is not widely available in the country. If you want to wet your whistle you may do so at an international hotel or select bars and clubs. ID will be required.

Getting Around

Buses and taxis are the best means of getting around Doha, but a metro system is in the works with expected completion in 2019. It’s better to book your taxi by phone to avoid being overcharged, but you can also hail one off the streets. Older orange and white model taxis are still driving around, but for a little respite from the heat, it’s better to jump into the new green taxis which are air conditioned.  

When to Go

Doha is a city built on a desert, so its arid climate makes for harsh and humid summers. Winter and Spring welcome the odd sand and dust storm. October to April is the perfect time to visit, with sunny skies and not much humidity. Whenever you go, it’s worth keeping an eye on the Islamic calendar to avoid being there during the holy month of Ramadan.

Health and Safety

With its hot climate, heat exhaustion and dehydration and two of the biggest threats in Doha. Make sure you drink plenty of fluids and take shade during the hottest hours of the day. As Qatar is a Muslim country it’s advised for both men and women to dress respectfully when out and about. A general rule of thumb, the less skin on display the better. Western women should especially dress modestly to avoid drawing unwanted attention to themselves from local men. Though most women will experience some form of harassment while walking down the streets, it’s more annoying than anything else.

Sleep