10 Amazing Places To Explore and Things to do In Qatar For An Impeccable Experience

10 Amazing Places To Explore and Things to do In Qatar For An Impeccable Experience

In the recent past, Qatar has emerged as one of the favorite destinations for holiday-goers. Despite being a small country, this place has a lot to offer. Its rich cultural heritage, architectural brilliance, jaw-dropping skyscrapers, and an array of sightseeing options make this place worth exploring. Qatar, one of the wealthiest destinations, continues to deliver the finest services to its visitors all year round. The hospitality that this country offers is mind-blowing and one of the major reasons why travelers want to come back again. With the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2022 being hosted by Qatar, there’s no better time to visit this magnificent land than NOW! Combine your passion for sports and quench to explore amazing destinations with a trip to Qatar. 

Ten Amazing Destinations To Explore In Qatar 

Qatar is an awe-inspiring destination in the Middle East that offers a blend of tradition and modernity that’s difficult to find elsewhere in the world. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing beach holiday or an exciting adventure, we’ve got you covered. Check out these amazing destinations to explore in Qatar!

The Pearl – A Lap Of Luxury

Located offshore of Doha’s West Bay Lagoon area, the Pearl is a man-made island built on reclaimed land. This place is the finest example of true luxury as it’s filled with luxurious hotels, world-class restaurants, and cafes. If you are in for an extravagant lifestyle, this place is filled with the finest shopping brands from all around the world. If you don’t want to be hard on your pocket, just take a walk along the beautiful boardwalk while immersing in the scenic backdrops. The harbor here shelters tons of expensive yachts which in itself is a delight to watch. Be assured, the gorgeous Pearl is bound to impress you beyond measure for it is one of the most beautiful places in Qatar.

Souq Waqif – The Standing Market

Your trip to Qatar cannot be complete without visiting Souq Waqif. This place is a one-stop destination for fine shopping and dining experiences. Shop for embroideries, spices, perfumes, and much more while admiring architectural marvels. The market here is popular for its gold jewelry, garments, handicrafts, herbs, and all sorts of retail shops. With no entry fee, you can move around at your heart’s content. Feast your eyes on some beautiful traditional architecture, mud-daubed buildings, and stunning art galleries which will enthrall you in the historic magnificence of Qatar. Though today Souq Waqif stands with a modernized theme, the old essence of this place is still intact. Grab a few souvenirs or two for your friends back home when you visit the Souq Waqif.

Lusail Stadium – Venue For 2022 FIFA World Cup Final

The Lusail iconic stadium, the biggest stadium in Qatar, is owned by the Qatar Football Association. It is one of eight stadiums converted for the 2022 world cup in Qatar and the stadium will also host the final game. In addition to the final game, it will also host six group matches and three knock-out round matches including one Semi-final. This stadium which can accommodate 80,000 people is also very popular for its awe-inspiring outer appearance. From the outside, the shape of the stadium resembles a huge date bowl, which is a reference to the traditional vessel. The stadium is located in Lusail City, a place designed particularly to attract tourists. So with various sightseeing options here, this place will keep you busy even after the Qatar world cup. 

National Museum – Re-Discover Qatar

The National Museum of Qatar is unique among all other tourist attractions. This architectural wonder designed by French architect Jean Nouvel is heaven for history buffs. The outer structure of the museum is designed to symbolize the combination of desert and modernity and the inside shows Qatar’s history in three parts – the beginnings, the present, and the modern history. There are a total of 11 galleries displaying exhibits that are historic, rare, and artistic including archaeological artifacts. The mission of this museum is to celebrate the heritage and future of Qatar and its people. Apart from its extraordinary structure, the museum offers its international visitors a dialogue about rapid change and modernization in the country.

Khor Al Udaid Beach – The Desert Marvel Of Qatar

A complete contrast to the high-rise buildings of modern cities is Khor Al Udaid, the desert marvel of Qatar. Just 80 km away in the southeast of Doha, you can find a dazzling landscape where opposing elements of nature (desert and sea) meet in harmony and peace. This unexplored vicinity is where visitors can break away from the hectic and fast-paced life. It is the perfect place to go aboard on a soul-searching journey. This beautiful beach can be reached by a four-wheel car tour that reminds us more of a desert safari. Once there go plunge into the water, do some sand skating or climb to the top of a sand dune and enjoy the ever-changing scenery of the sand dunes. It’s the perfect place to sit, relax and enjoy the beauty of nature and serene surroundings.

Doha – The Capital City

Doha, the capital of Qatar is also known as the mini version of Dubai due to its futuristic architecture. The constantly changing skyline has a lot of new things to offer to its tourists visiting every time. With the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2022 happening in Doha in Qatar, this city is being modified and beautified each day. Doha has more than two-fifths of Qatar’s population residing within the city’s limits. Doha started off as a port settlement in a desert land, with pearl diving, fishing, and sea trade supporting its economy. But today with the development of the oil industry, Doha began a rapid path to modernization. If you wish to witness a rare city in the making, you must explore Doha at least once. Do not miss the Doha Corniche which welcomes visitors with many attractions all year round.

Katara Cultural Village – Blend Of Culture, Religion, And Modernity

A visit to Katara Cultural Village which houses some of the best artworks in the country can rejuvenate your artistic senses. It is a perfect historical attraction that demonstrates the combination of culture, religion, and modernity. Most of the edifices are designed and built by acclaimed architects such as Zeynep Fadilloglu that are sure to leave you astonished and spellbound. It houses a theater, two elegantly designed mosques, gardens, and a wide number of art galleries. The headquarters for the Qatar Fine Arts Society, Visual Arts Centre, Qatar Photographic Society, and the Music Academy are all set up here. This place is so huge that one day is not enough to understand how Doha rose from its roots to become the city that it is today.

State Grand Mosque – Astonishing Arches And Domes

The State Grand Mosque is not only a place of worship but also one of Qatar’s famous places for tourists. This culturally charged place is an amalgamation of traditional and modern architecture. Its simple lines and graceful arches are eye-catching with characteristics of Islamic architectural tradition. Earth-colored marble flooring and corridors covered by small domes keep worshippers cool during the heat of summer.  The mosque consists of 93 domes which look mesmerizing under the dim lights from different angles at night. It is so big that it can hold over 30,000 worshippers at a time. Entry to the mosques is free, but tourists should ideally go when no prayers are offered. The Grand Mosque houses three libraries, separate prayer halls for men and women, and special halls for Quran memorization.

Film City – The Unexplored City

Set in a backdrop of arid landscapes, this small town was built to shoot movies and TV series. However, all of a sudden all activities were halted and all equipment was moved out. No one really knows why it was abandoned, however, its mysterious backstory and the intriguing vibe is what tourists come chasing after. Qatar Film city is a replica of an ancient Arabic village where you can climb the turrets and enjoy the silence around the empty square. Film City or also called Cinema City has gained popularity in recent years and is becoming one of the top places to visit in Qatar. If you’re a tourist who wants to explore a new location, come sink into the surreal atmosphere of this abandoned movie set in the middle of a desert.

Villaggio Mall – A Paradise for Shopaholics

Villaggio Mall, a shopping mall located in the Aspire Zone in the west end of Doha is equipped to meet the demands of every visitor. Sprawled through a vast area of 360,000 sqm with over 200 stores, it is one of the country’s finest malls. The striking architecture with its sky-blue ceiling and an indoor canal flowing through the mall gives it a Venice-like setting. A staggering 50,000 visitors a day proves that Villaggio Mall is a shopper’s paradise. Some of the best brands from the U.S., U.K., Italian and German markets are available here. There is a kid-friendly Gondola theme park housed inside the mall which offers a unique Gondola boat Ride just like the rides in Venice. Restaurants, movie theaters, go-kart tracks, bowling alleys, laser tag, roller coasters, and roller gliders are the other attractions here.

Also Read: The Absolute Best Things To Do In Oman That Awaits You

Offbeat Things To Do In Qatar

If you are looking for some fun activities to do in Qatar, check out our list of the best things to do in Qatar. You will be in for a surprise as there is something for everyone here.

Go On A Sand Dune Adventure Tour – To experience the vast desert to its fullest, go on a sand dune adventure tour for that classic adventurer experience. Take in the breathtaking scenery of this place on a roller-coaster drive across the vast desert. This is undoubtedly one of the best things to do in Qatar.

Vintage Cars Tour At FBQ Museum – The Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani Museum (FBQ) has an impressive collection of coins, currency, vehicles, Qatar Heritage and Islamic Art. It’s an impressive collection that took years to build up. You can find items all the way back from the Jurassic period, but the most impressive part of the museum is Sheikh Faisal’s astonishing vintage car collection. There are about six hundred vehicles spanning from trucks to convertibles, steam cars to limousines.

Skydive For A Birds-Eye View – Jumping out of a plane might be one of the most adventurous things to do in Qatar. So you might think this is not for the faint-hearted ones. But did you know, Skydiving Qatar is known for its perfect safety record and highly experienced instructors? Go strap yourself to a parachute and take that plunge from the skies!

Camel Ride Safari – Qatar takes things to the next level with its Camel rides across rolling dunes. Discover hidden corners of the stunning Desert of Qatar by venturing well off the beaten track on the back of your own camel. There are different packages to admire the fascinating desert landscapes which include, a one-hour-long camel ride, hotel transfers, and refreshments.

Scuba Diving – Get up close to a variety of marine life from the warm turquoise waters of the Arabian Gulf. There are many centers in Qatar that offer diving lessons to both beginners and experienced divers. Take a chartered boat to see the artificial reefs and to enjoy a pleasant diving experience at the Macadeen shipwreck.

12 Interesting Facts About Qatar

• Qatar is the first Arab Country to host the FIFA World Cup which is to be held in November 2022.
• The Hamad International Airport in Doha is one of the top five airports in the world.
• Only 12 % of the population are Qataris of which 99% of them reside in Doha.
• Khor Al Adaid in Qatar is the only location where the sea meets the desert.
• With a whopping capita of $138,910, Qatar is one of the richest countries in the world.
• The ruling family in Qatar has been in power since 1868.
• It is the second flattest country in the world, with its most elevated point only at 338 ft.
• In 2017, 2019, and 2020, Qatar was ranked as the safest country in the world.
• The inhabitants of Al Khor Islands hold this honor for being the first to make purple dye out of shellfish. 
• Arabian Oryx, an antelope with a long straight horn and a tasseled tail is the national animal.
• In earlier days, Qatari people earned their living diving for pearl oysters.
• The traditional costume called the “Thoub” is a long white shirt that is worn over long white cotton trousers.

Qatar offers various options for tourists from all over the world. Be it the diverse landscapes, impeccable hospitality, authentic food, or pleasant climate, Qatar has all that it takes to be a great destination. You’ll have to see it to believe it!