The Best things to do if you visit Doha

The Best things to do if you visit Doha

Doha, the capital city of Qatar, offers a captivating mix of tradition and modernity, making it an ideal destination for those who are seeking entertainment and cultural insights. From the amusement parks to the numerous museums and monuments, all gathered in the middle of the desert, Doha features a wide range of interests.

 

Doha: The new Capital of entertainment

 

Enjoying the infinite possibilities of the gigantic Quest of Doha, a 32.000 sqm entertainment zone of pure indoor fun with food, roller coasters, all sorts of games, light shows and other activities of all kinds is probably one of the most satisfying ways to escape the burning heat of Qatar’s Sun.

 

Indeed, the temperature can climb really high during the day, especially in summer. This is why Doha is mostly an indoor city, with some great parks to enjoy the outdoors when the sun sets. The Aspire Park is the biggest of the city, and it comes with its own Jungle Zone, another indoor entertainment zone. Angry Birds, Venice canals, Futuristic city, it’s like every theme has its dedicated place in the city.

 

Water parks are also super popular, whether they are directly part of the luxury resort you are staying in, or a bit outside the city like the Desert Falls Water and Adventures Park, accessible in a one hour drive across the sand.

 

But of course theme parks are not the only way to have fun in Doha, the desert and the sea are amazing places to spend a day too. If dune bashing at full speed in a 4x4 can be quite exhausting, a massage session on the exclusive island of Al Safliya must be the most relaxing thing ever.

Discover the cultural heritage of Qatar

 

Exhibitions, interactive and immersive experiences, virtual reality games or any other kind of display are all featured in the numerous museums of the city, celebrating local history and culture but also the bonds created over the years with other countries.

To cite some of the most important, the Museum of Islamic Art or the National Museum of Qatar are open and adapted to everyone, even the youngests. To dive even deeper into the History of the country, the resources of the National Library of Qatar are a great help as well.

 

Some major cultural events in Qatar are part of programs like Years Of Culture, sponsored by the State and by private funds. This initiative aims at creating bonds with partner countries, a new one every year, by celebrating each partner’s culture and history. Created in 2012, Years of Culture already partnered with a dozen countries so far, including the UK, US, France, China, and several MENA countries.

 

And diving into the culture of the country

 

Doha is also fascinating for its mix of modernity and tradition. Everything in Doha is relatively new, but some districts and places have been built to reproduce the ancient qatari’s culture. The best example is probably the Souq Waqif, where you get a true insight of a traditional Qatari marketplace. There, colorful spices face falconers presenting their raptors to the crowds.

Mosques are also common landmarks in Doha. Each with their own style, they express the strong presence of religion in the country’s culture. The Grand State Mosque, the Education City Mosque or the Msheireb Mosque are amongst the most beautiful architectural masterpieces of Doha, and they gather millions of prayers each year.

 

 As they are influenced both by local traditions and by religion, as well as more recent evolution, the cultural habits of Qatari people might be surprising for foreigners, and it is essential to come to the country informed and prepared.For example, despite the heat, clothes should always cover at least the shoulders and the knees. Public demonstrations of romantic affection are forbidden, and people never use their left hand as it is judged impure.

  

Doha is a city with endless possibilities, creating a harmonious mix of past and present, now standing out as a top destination in the Middle East. Whether you’re enjoying one of the many entertainment zones, relaxing on a beautiful island facing the city, or exploring the cultural heritage of the country, Doha promises an unforgettable experience for every visitor.