The Best of Qatar

From skyscrapers to souks, modern luxury to traditional culture, Qatar has it all! This small peninsula located in the west of Asia is packed with diversity, with 88% of its population of about 2.6 million being foreigners! The majority of the population is concentrated in the eastern part of the peninsula, where Doha, the country’s capital, is located. Surrounded by water, the country has a strong seafaring past, which contrasts sharply with the vast expanses of desert that are so characteristic of the area. If you’re wondering what are the best things to see in Qatar, look no further! Civitatis has made a convenient list just for you!

Doha Corniche, Qatar’s best promenade

Of course, we have to start our trip to Qatar in the capital! Doha is the economic center of the country, the place where 80% of Qatar’s population lives, and where the largest number of tourist attractions are concentrated. One of the highlights of Doha is the Corniche, a promenade that has one of the most spectacular views of the city.

This area consists of 3 parts: the promenade, Corniche Street, and the government area. Along its more than 5 kilometers, you can enjoy the skyline of Doha, undoubtedly the most iconic image of the city and one of the must-sees of Qatar. You can start discovering the capital with this tour of Doha, or you can book a private tour!

Souq Waqif, Doha’s best traditional souk

We continue our list of the best of Qatar with one of the most important souks of the capital, Souq Waqif. This place oozes tradition and is where local people go to buy typical Middle Eastern products.

Here, you can buy souvenirs for your trip such as spices, dates, fabrics, perfumes, and even furniture. And now, after its renovation, the Souq Waqif also has art galleries, a theater, and a variety of restaurants and tea shops to taste the delights of Qatari cuisine! If you want to discover the capital in a comfortable way, how about booking a tourist bus tour?

The Museum of Islamic Art

Our next stop is the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha, which opened in 2008. This space is dedicated to Islamic art from the 7th to the 19th century and houses everything from manuscripts to textiles. Did you know that some of its pieces are more than 1,000 years old?

The museum is located at the beginning of the Corniche on an artificial island that juts 60 meters into the sea. Its peculiar and recognizable shape is the work of architect Ieoh Ming Pei, who also designed the pyramid at the Louvre Museum in Paris. For this project, he was inspired by the Mosque of Ahmad Ibn Tulun, in Cairo, considered one of the most characteristic works of Islam.

Villaggio Mall, Doha’s best shopping mall

Another major attraction in Qatar is the luxury and opulence of its large shopping malls. If we had to choose one to go to, it’d be Villaggio Mall, which is inspired by Venice. The ceiling is even decorated with a painted sky, just like the Venetian in Las Vegas!

Shopping lovers will have a hard time not getting lost in its streets. And kids will love the Gondolania Theme Park that’s inside! Who would have thought you could take a gondola ride in Qatar?

The Pearl-Qatar, the most luxurious artificial archipelago

This impressive artificial archipelago covers almost 4 million square meters and is a must-see in Qatar! The Pearl-Qatar was the first area in Qatar to be made available to both Qatari and foreign buyers.

The areas that make up the archipelago have marinas for pleasure boats, luxury high-rise apartment buildings, large mansions, a retail district, and even a section modeled after Venice! In short, it’s one of the most luxurious artificial archipelagos in the world. You can explore its islands by taking this private tour of the Pearl-Qatar!

Al Zubara Fort, Qatar’s most impressive fort

Welcome to the municipality of Al Shamal, known for having one of the main attractions of the country: the Al Zubara Fort! Although Al Shamal is Qatar’s least populous municipality today, during the 18th century, it was home to the most important settlement in Qatar, Al Zubarah.

This once-important trading center was destroyed in 1811 and then completely abandoned in the early 1900s. Today, all that is left is the well-kept fortress and remnants of a few buildings. If you’d like to explore the ruins of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, you can book this private excursion!

The Desert of Qatar

You can’t say you’ve been to Qatar without a visit to the desert! This country is composed almost entirely of desert filled with dunes of golden sand.

One of the best ways to get to know this unique landscape is by taking a desert safari! Or, if you’re looking for something more original, how about a desert monster bus tour?

Katara Cultural Village

One thing Qatar stands out for is its dedication to art and culture. A perfect example of this dedication is the Katara Cultural Village, the largest cultural project in Qatar.

This small village represents the coming together of tradition and modernity. Its streets are home to art galleries, cinemas, an open-air amphitheater, and various facilities where film-related events are held. You can learn more about this unique space with a private tour!

Aspire Tower

Another must-see in Qatar is Aspire Tower, a skyscraper located in Doha’s sports complex. Did you know that it was built as a symbol of the celebration of the Asian Games?

At first, a 10-meter-high flame burned at the top of this 300-meter building, but then it was later replaced by a laser projector. In fact, if you look closely, the building itself resembles a torch! Did you know that it’ll be one of the venues for the 2022 World Cup to be held in Qatar?

The National Museum of Qatar

Last but not least, we finish our list of the best of Qatar at the National Museum of Qatar, also known as the “rose of the desert“. Undoubtedly, this is the perfect space to learn about the history of the country, from prehistoric times to the modern era.

Formed by 539 concrete discs intertwined with each other, the museum has 11 galleries spread over 52,000 square meters, forming a total length of 1.5 kilometers. In this unique museum, multimedia artworks are projected on the inclined and curved walls, since they can’t be occupied by any physical object. A must on your route through Doha!