Qatar’s capital, Doha or Al-Dawhah in Arabic, is located on the eastern coast of the Qatar Peninsula which borders the Persian Gulf in western Asia. The five-kilometre coastline became an important port for Qatar in 1970 when the gulf was transformed to accommodate large ships. In the 21st century, the city gained 400 hectares of land and additional 32 kilometres of coastline with the artificially created Pearl Island known as Pearl-Qatar thanks to urban development. The city’s central part has a population of 344,939, while the metro area has a population of 651,799. The tourist city of Doha grants approximately 27,000 foreigners residence permit in 12 districts on the artificially created Pearl-Qatar. With the following travel tips, we invite travellers to join us as we travel to Doha, the capital of Qatar.
A visit to Doha and exploring Qatar’s cultural characteristics offers an insight into the history and development of Qatar’s capital. By changing the geological composition of the area in the Persian Gulf with the artificially created Pearl-Qatar, a cultural attraction of Qatar’s urban planning, the city is developing the typical architecture of western Asia. Doha has been the country’s capital since 1971 and has been developing its urban part in the likes of large US and Asian cities as well as metropolises in western and eastern Asia. The typical Islamic architecture that blends in with the city’s modern architecture, combines elements of the traditionally Islamic and conceptually modern style.
The Katara Cultural Village is an art and culture centre that links various institutions and buildings. The complex that houses an amphitheatre, a mosque, the Katara art centre, shops, restaurants and cafés is a tourist centre of culture and relaxation located next to a beautiful beach on the western coast. There was a five-day event called Doha Tribeca Film Festival at the Katara Cultural Village in 2010 when it was officially open. The festival showed both Arab and foreign films. There’s a free exhibition at the Al Thuraya Planetarium every day from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Explore the Milky Way and our solar system, the home of planet Earth, in the endless universe.
The Amphitheatre at the Katara Cultural Village was designed in Greek style and influenced by Islamic architecture. It spans on an area of 3,275 square metres. The semi-circle open-air amphitheatre can accommodate up to 5,000 spectators in 30 rows and offers a view of the sea and the Katara Cultural Village. The view of the arena in the background shows an art sculpture named The Force of Nature. A sculptural accomplishment, it illustrates the power of nature humans are losing against. The Force of Nature sculpture depicts the personified power of nature which, with a piece of cloth, stifles life on Earth by hindering the development of the humankind.
The Katara Mosque was designed by a Turkish architect and interior designer Zeynep Fadillioğlu. She has been awarded multiple times for her interior design and her work presents the typical West Asian Islamic style with elements of the modern style and traditional architectural decorative elements. The mosque’s exterior reflects in the shades of blue and gold of Persian and Turkish enamelled tiles. It was inspired by Istanbul’s Dolmabahçe Palace but, with the Pigeon Towers, combines the elements of traditional architecture and modern style in the Katara Cultural Village, emphasising the building’s usability.
The Katara Art Center (KAC) is an area with numerous art galleries, exhibition areas and art stages. Many art workshops, exhibitions, auctions and lectures take place in eight open areas spanning over more than a thousand square metres. With the motto »a place where art meets culture«, it creates creative ecosystems that go beyond the established and traditional in art, design and culture. The art incubator is trying to develop a programme through art production by unknown artists as well as world-famous trademarks, such as Sotheby’s. The Katara Art Center is an art institution of the Middle East.
The Doha desert offers travellers plenty of options for adventures that are a must when visiting Qatar’s capital. Exploring sand dunes, camel riding, sandboarding and dune bashing is an experience that offers relaxation from all the hustle of the bustle of the city. Endless dunes at sunset are a sight you never forget. A trip to Wakra and Messaid, the Sealine Beach and Khawr al Udayd in addition to quad biking in the dunes is an adventure filled with adrenaline. All those who want to take a bus ride through the desert can take advantage of the Monster Bus adventure. The bus can take up to thirty-two passengers on an off-road journey.
The traditional Souq Waqif market in Doha is an art gallery and shopping centre where you can buy spices, herbs, fragrances and other interesting items. The two-hour visit to the market will allow you buy local products and help you learn about the local points of interest in Dhow Harbour. Take a cruise with one of the traditional dhow boats that were once used for fishing as well as transportation of people and goods. The boat tour will show you the bay’s surroundings and the artificially created Pearl-Qatar. In the evening, you can take a city tour with a stop at the Museum of Islamic Art, Souq Waqif, Katara, Pearl-Qatar and Doha’s other attractions, and enjoy dinner at a restaurant with locally produced food.
Art and history enthusiasts can visit three Qatar museums, namely the Msheireb, the Museum of Islamic Art and the Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art. The guided museum tour also includes transfer. The boat ride through the Qanat Quartier, Porto Arabia and Medina Centrale coupled with a food experience that includes six different international dishes and a cup of Arabic coffee will introduce explorers to the lively surroundings of Pearl-Qatar in the multicultural part of the capital. You can go shopping in the Villaggio Mall or City Centre Mall where you can relax in one of the fourteen cinemas, bowling alleys, ice rink, eighty-three restaurants and family entertainment centre. Spend the day at the entertainment areas.
When holidaying in Qatar’s capital, here at Hostelling International Slovenia we help you out with numerous benefits we’ve prepared for you, so your trip would really be tailored to your wishes. By becoming a member of Hostelling International, you gain numerous discounts, which help you save money and time. In addition to sustainable modes of transport in Doha, such as the Karwa bus, Msheireb tram and Doha metro, we recommend all travellers who want to go beyond the established public transport lines to rent a HERTZ vehicle.
Wherever you go, your trip can be safe, with simple and customisable international travel insurance for solo travellers and families. Get travel insurance through World Nomads and get a policy with 24-hour assistance and transport for medical emergencies, as well as cover for more than 220 sports and leisure activities on snow, water, air and land. The insurance policy may include, among other things, coverage for experiential activities, such as au pairs – part-time or voluntary work with children, working in a bar, fruit picking, office work, teaching and some other work abroad. Protect yourself or your family with World Nomads travel insurance.
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