Qatar, the emirate on the Persian Gulf with an area of only around 11,500 square kilometres, is one of the richest countries in the world and its capital Doha is an up-and-coming tourist destination which has so much offer!
In this article, I would like to take you to Doha, Qatar and share the most popular and beautiful attractions with you. Let yourself be overwhelmed by luxury, splendour and breathtaking architecture, but also by extreme cleanliness and safety, which you will not miss anywhere in Doha, Qatar.
As always, I’ve added a map at the end where I’ve marked all the attractions for you – including my favourite photo spots in Doha, Qatar!
The rise of Doha, Qatar…
In the past, the locals in Qatar made their living mainly from pearl diving, but fishing and trade were also practised. The emergence of pearl farming in Japan at the beginning of the 20th century and a devastating storm in 1925, which destroyed the entire Qatari pearl fishing fleet, ultimately led to a major famine. But a short time later, with the discovery of enormous oil and gas reserves, Qatar began to develop into an independent and prosperous state. The up-and-coming nation is investing heavily in tourism in addition to its constant development.
Dress code in Doha, Qatar
There is no dress code for tourists, but I would still recommend to dress respectfully. As a woman, this means avoiding skin-tight and revealing clothing, such as shorts, miniskirts or crop tops. When entering mosques or other holy places, women must wear a headscarf and men must cover their shoulders and knees. Both men and women may wear their usual swimwear at the hotel pools of course.
When is the best time to travel to Doha, Qatar?
Summers are very hot in Qatar, so it is advisable to choose one of the other seasons for your trip. Even in winter, the temperatures are pleasant at up to 22 degrees Celsius. This allows you to explore and enjoy Doha’s beautiful attractions to the fullest.
How many days should you plan for your holiday in Doha, Qatar?
Ideally, you should spend 2 to 3 days so as not to miss any of the most popular attractions. As the international airport in the capital Doha is the hub of all connections with Qatar Airways, Doha, Qatar is an ideal stopover destination to split up a long journey or to extend your holiday. Doha is significantly cheaper and less crowded than Dubai.
The most beautiful attractions and photo spots in Doha, Qatar
The Katara Cultural Village
Firstly, I would like to introduce you to what I consider to be the most beautiful part of Doha. The Katara Cultural Village is an absolute must if you love art, culture and history, which come together harmoniously here. Surrounded by Katara Beach, it is characterized by fabulous buildings and works of art, which are so magnificent that you will never cease to be amazed. You will also find numerous shopping opportunities, cultural facilities such as a planetarium and a music academy, as well as a huge amphitheatre designed in the classic Greek style, where major events are often held. I was particularly fascinated by the Katara Mosque, one of the most beautiful attractions in Doha, with its beautiful blue mosaic facade. Behind it are three typical Arab pigeon towers. A unique photo spot in Doha, Qatar.
The Golden Mosque, not far from the amphitheatre, is also an eye-catcher as it is completely covered in golden tiles that shine in the sun. No matter where you go in the Katara Cultural Village, you will feel like Aladdin from the fairytale world of 1001 Nights.
My secret tip, which is also a great photo spot in Doha: Snan Food Hall – probably the most beautiful supermarket in the world, with a colorful glass ceiling through which the sunlight shines.
Golden Mosque
Snan Food Hall
Qanat Quartier, The Pearl
‘Little Venice’ is located on the 400-hectare artificial island of The Pearl, around 330 metres off the east coast. Its characteristic architecture with colourful houses and canals, over which cute bridges lead, looks like a copy of the Italian city of Venice. It is wonderful to walk and stroll here or take a boat trip through the canals. Numerous pretty cafés and restaurants invite you to linger. However, compared to other parts of Doha, this place seems a little empty, as many of the apartments and shops are not yet rented out. This, in turn, is ideal for taking photos, as the likelihood of standing alone in front of photogenic motifs is very high.
The Mina District – an architectural sight in Doha
Pastel-coloured buildings characterise the backdrop of this part of Doha, Qatar. I felt like I had been transported to a dream world and was amazed by the incredible photo opportunities that awaited us behind every corner. As you stroll through the district, you’ll find small shops and cosy restaurants. The impressive Chabrat Al Mina fish market and restaurant is a well-known attraction in Doha and popular with the locals.
Souq Waqif – a historical attraction in Doha
The Souq Waqif is the public and social centre of Doha, Qatar and at the same time a historic place. Over 100 years ago, it was the trading centre for sales men, Bedouins and locals. The Souq Waqif was painstakingly restored to its original appearance and reopened again in 2006. It also includes an old well from which water was drawn and which has been preserved in its original state. Today, pigeons like to use it to rest on.
After sunset, when it is no longer that hot, the Souq Waqif really comes to life. It then glows magically in a thousand warm colours and you feel like you travelled back in time. In the evening, you will mainly meet locals shopping here, or see them sitting in the cozy restaurants. Unlike the souq in Dubai, for example, not every stall here is the same, selling the same souvenirs. At Souq Waqif, you will find individual traders and artisans selling their wares, spices, fabrics, artwork and much more. During your stay in Doha, Qatar, you should definitely immerse yourself in this extraordinary flair and let yourself drift through the alleyways and markets to browse and taste local specialities.
The Museum of Islamic Art – one of the most beautiful photo spots in Doha
Designed by star architect Ieoh Ming Pei and opened in 2008, the museum impresses with its boldness and pure elegance. It is a treasure trove of exhibits from 13 centuries of Islamic art. The most valuable arts and crafts from different countries and eras are presented here in an impressive way. Even the museum restaurant IDAM is unique, as you can expect cuisine from none other than that of French celebrity chef Alain Ducasse.
Another highlight can be found on the sun terrace. From here you can enjoy a fantastic view over Doha’s skyline, especially at sunset. It is without question one of the most beautiful photo spots in Doha. It is therefore well worth a visit in the afternoon and into the evening hours.
Corniche Walk
The Corniche Walk is a famous pedestrian promenade, which is particularly popular and lively in the evening after sunset, when the skyline glitters with color.
My insider tip: The best view of the skyline is from a staircase leading into the water, next to the statue ‘Orry the Oryx’. I have marked the exact location on my Doha map at the end of this post. From the Corniche Walk, you can also take a trip on a traditional boat called a dhow. It runs along the coast of Doha, Qatar and is of course an unforgettable experience, especially at sunset.
The National Museum of Qatar
Designed by French architect and Pritzker Prize winner Jean Nouvel, the National Museum of Qatar is one of the most fascinating museum buildings in the world – inspired by a desert rose. As soon as you enter the inner courtyard, you will be overwhelmed by the light, illuminating the fascinating design. And depending on the position of the sun and the angle of view, the building appears in a new atmosphere. This creates a paradise full of spectacular photo spots. The exhibition itself is also an absolute highlight. The museum concept is to teach about the traditions and origins of the small monarchy of Qatar. This has been realised with lots of details and respect – the multimedia displays and first-class presentations will inspire you. Unfortunately, we didn’t manage to see the exhibition ourselves, but it’s already on our list to make up for it on our next visit to Doha, Qatar.
Half-day tour into the desert of Qatar, a must do in Doha
Don’t miss the unique desert of Qatar! You will be picked up from your hotel by jeep for this tour. The drive to the Qatar desert takes about 30 – 40 minutes, with a short stop at a petrol station just before entering the desert to reduce the tyre pressure. This is necessary as the journey now takes us through the sand. During dune bashing, an experienced driver jets down the dunes – an adrenaline-rich ride with a high fun factor. It’s breathtaking to literally fly over the sand mountains with four-wheel drive. Sandboarding is also possible here. Think of it as snowboarding, but on sand.
An almost fairytale-like highlight is the Khor al Udaid (Inland Sea) – an inner desert body of water created by an inlet of the Persian Gulf. The desert of Qatar is one of the very few in the world where dunes meet the Gulf directly. I was overwhelmed by the unusual contrast between dust-dry desert sand and crystal-clear water – two extremes that nestle close together here. What a fantastic photo opportunity!
However, I would skip the first stop on the tour: camel riding and holding falcons for photos. The atmosphere wasn’t nice, right by the roadside. I felt really sorry for the animals in particular, so we asked our driver to continue without stopping. I had already seen this in Dubai, but there it was much nicer and more animal-friendly.
Place Vendôme Mall
This fantastic, huge shopping centre is also a real attraction in Doha. Inspired in design by the Place Vendôme in Paris, it has everything to make your shopping dreams come true, from designer shops and jewellery stores to shoes and local suppliers to Zara and Co. On the main square in the centre, there are plenty of restaurants with tasty offers. The main attraction here for me, however, is a fountain on whose water you can ride a small electric boat. I didn’t realise this was on my bucket list until now: Boating in a shopping centre. How crazy is that? In the evening, there is a light and water show every half and full hour.
My hotel tip in Doha, Qatar
The Raffles Doha is located in a crescent-shaped building. It covers exactly half of it (the other side belongs to the Fairmont) and is considered the best hotel in Doha, Qatar. The lobby is uniquely designed, with a projection of the sky that appears endless due to the special arrangement of mirrors. At night it is stars and during the day a blue sky with clouds. This alone is an impressive experience. In addition, first-class rooms, a top breakfast, the very elegantly designed Speakeasy Bar in 1920s style and a fantastic roof terrace with a view and two pools await you here.
The Raffles Doha is a wonderful hotel which I highly recommend for your stay in Doha, Qatar!
Restaurant tips in Doha, Qatar
By hosting the 2022 World Cup, Qatar tried to fulfil the culinary expectations of its international guests. Traditional dishes were redesigned for non-Arab guests. This has proven to be an absolutely successful concept for Qatar to this day and is implemented in many restaurants.
Here are some of my favorite restaurants in Doha:
- Kai’s Songbird: Kai’s Songbird is a restaurant chain from London with a modern Asian menu. The interior design is unique, as is the beautiful location – right on the marina. The brunch is particularly popular. We were here for dinner and enjoyed delicious dumplings and crispy Peking duck rolls.
- EARTH organic coffee: This cute café offers delicious cakes, fresh juices and coffee specialities in the Art District.
- Piccolo Café West Bay: This café is particularly good for lunch, with fresh salads, pasta and juices. I also liked the cute interior here.
- Yun: You can roll your own Peking Duck Pancakes at this chic, traditional Cantonese restaurant.
- Bagatelle Beach Club: A great lunch awaits you here, followed by the opportunity to enjoy the sun
- Desert Rose Café: The café is located near the National Museum and offers delicious Arabic dishes.
My map with the best attractions and photo spots in Doha:
Doha, Qatar – My résumé
Immerse yourself in an oriental fairytale for a few days – you can fulfil this dream in Doha, Qatar. It is therefore definitely worth taking an extended stopover in Qatar. There is guaranteed to be something for everyone here. Culture and art lovers as well as shopping enthusiasts can all indulge their passion here while marveling at the countless breathtaking designs that line up seamlessly – each one more unique than the last. We often fly with Qatar Airways and will definitely be returning.
In some places, the city still seems a little quiet and slightly artificial by European standards, but I think Doha has great potential to become a hotspot for international tourists in the Arab world. Doha gets an absolute plus from me for its cleanliness and safety.
I hope I could inspire you to add Doha, Qatar as a travel destination to your bucket list.
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