Whether you are in Doha on a cruise, as in our case, or on a Qatar Airways national airline flight and you have only a one-day stopover, you will have plenty of time to visit the main attractions of this captivating city.
Here are some tips and our itinerary on the top attractions that we saw during our stopover in Doha. I have added a map to help you in seeing as much as possible and, as in our case, make you want to return to this magical city.
A little bit of history of Doha and Qatar
Doha was founded in the 1820s as an offshoot of Al Bidda, and was officially declared the country’s capital in 1971, when Qatar gained its independence from being a British protectorate. Qatar has been a hereditary monarchy of the House of Thani since Mohammed bin Thani signed “an agreement, not a formal treaty” with Britain back in 1868 recognizing its separate status.
Doha, which in Arabic means “the big tree” is the capital of Qatar, one of the richest countries in the world. It is an 11,500 km2 peninsula stretching northward into the Arabian Gulf, with well over 500 km of coastline. Doha is full of modern skyscrapers, cleverly juxtaposed with classical Islamic architecture, and has one of the most beautiful skylines I have ever seen; if you are lucky enough to see it in the evening, as we did, you will be fascinated by all the different shapes and colours of the various buildings. As in all the UAE, the majority of the population is of Islamic faith. The official language is Arabic, but do not worry English is commonly spoken almost everywhere. The currency is the Qatari Rial or QAR whose exchange rate is 4 QAR for about 1 euro.
Doha remained a sleepy pearl fishing village for a quite a long time, and at the beginning of the 20th century there were about 350 fishing boats in Doha. Unfortunately, the development of cultured pearls by the Japanese and the worldwide economic depression of the 1930s hit the city hard. Fortunately, Qatar, which is extremely rich in oil and natural gas, (Qatar has more than 15 percent of the world’s proven gas reserves!) has managed to emerge quickly as a center of international trade, culture, architecture and cutting-edge technology, facilitated by being the crossroads between Asia and the Middle East.
The current emir, Hamad Al Thani, intends to make Qatar a cultural hub, where Doha will become the venue of choice for many events, performances and concerts.
This city strikes you as it is environmentally friendly and clean, plus it is one of the safest metropolis in the world. In fact, a friend that lives in Doha told me that she never locks her doors and often leaves the keys in the keyhole!!!
What are the documents needed to enter Qatar
The most important thing is to make sure that your passport is valid for at least 6 months from the date you enter the country.
Until recently, a visa had to be purchased to enter Qatar, but now a free of charge visa is granted to Italian citizens upon arrival at the airport.
When arriving at the airport all you will have to do is present your passport with a minimum validity of 6 months and your confirmed round-trip air ticket. You will then be issued an entry visa waiver valid for 180 days from the date of its issuance, which will allow you to stay in the country for up to 90 days.
My advice is before you leave get all the updated information and check the website of the Italian Embassy in Doha: https://ambdoha.esteri.it/it/news/dall_ambasciata/2023/05/informazioni-per-l-ingresso-di/:
Best time to visit Doha
Doha has a hot desert climate, therefore summer months are really hot while winter months are usually mild. We have been in Doha twice, the first in late January and believe it or not it was really very cold. The second, this year at the end of February, and we found a fantastic temperature which was perfect to visit the city without stress. In winter, between December and February, downpours may occur but they usually do not last long.
The best time to visit Doha is between December and end of March as the average temperature in winter months ranges from 22°C to 27/28°C.
The months of June to September should be avoided as the temperatures can reach and exceed 40°C with a very high humidity factor.
Remember that whenever you decide to visit Doha, you should always, even if the day is cloudy, bring with water, sunglasses, a hat and sunscreen.
We started our visit from the cruise the terminal located near the MIA (Museum of Islamic Art). The port area is booming and the only way to leave the area is by means provided by the local authority, or by taxi. No other means will be needed to visit the main central areas of the city.
What we saw during our visit in Doha
The Souq Waqif and Falconry
Qatar is one of the countries where falconry, which is the art of raising and training falcons for hunting, a custom no longer practiced in the country nowadays, but remains a deeply felt and widespread tradition. So much so that this tradition has been officially recognized by UNESCO as being of cultural importance. Bedouins have made falconry an important tradition in Qatari history. About 5,000 years ago, tribes used falcons to hunt prey as a necessity for their livelihood. Owning a falcon is a status symbol and it is quite common to see men and boys walking around the city with a beautiful falcon resting on their arm.
The best place to understand and learn more about this fascinating world is without any doubt the Falcon Souq, located near Souq Waqif. At the Falcon Souq you will be able to see many shops selling all kinds of accessories for falcon breeding and hunting. If you are lucky and arrive on the right day you may have a chance to attend the auction which is held every month. During our stopover we were really lucky as we where able to visit the Waqif Falcon Hospital, this place is really amazing and are equipped of the most modern instruments for medical care and it has the appearance of a modern clinic for human….s. Workers move about while beeping sounds and blinking lights come out of the operating rooms; while specialists look at X-rays and doctors prepare for surgery. In this hospital they perform all kinds of x-rays and surgeries as well as the feather implantation, as every single of the falcon’s feather is important for its ability to fly. The doctors have access to a wide collection of feathers and are able to find the one that will perfectly match the wounded bird. If the damaged feathers are not changed, this can cause the loss or reduction of the bird’s fitness, therefore if the feathers are damaged they must absolutely be replaced. If you have the opportunity I recommend you visit this hospital as very interesting.
Doha Corniche
Doha’s Corniche is without any doubt one of the city’s most significant attractions. This stunning seven-kilometer-long crescent-shaped promenade is the walkable waterfront area surrounding Doha Bay. As you stroll around you will be able to admire incredible views of the city skyline, the old port with its traditional “dhows,” and the city’s symbol which is a huge oyster with a pearl inside to remind you that once Doha was a pearl fishing village. From the northern end of the promenade you will be able to see the pyramid of the famous Sheraton Hotel and from the southern end the Museum of Islamic Art. These are just a few of the many attractions that this city hides and that attract the interest of Qataris, expats and tourists from all over the world.
The Corniche is overflowing with restaurants, clubs, parks and cultural attractions, you also have the possibility to take a boat ride and admire the city from the sea.
Fanar
The Abdulla Bin Zaid Al Mahmoud Islamic Cultural Center – commonly known as Bin Zaid, or Fanar or Islamic Culture Center of Qatar and Spiral Mosque – is a cultural organisation and landmark in Doha which is located not far from the Corniche .
The main feature of the center is its mosque, which has a uniquely designed minaret inspired by the Great Mosque of Samarra. Until 2009 it was the largest in the country, later surpassed by the Imam Muhammad Ibn Abe al-Wahhab Mosque, yet remaining the tallest mosque in Qatar. A variety of religious activities, social activities and Islamic culture courses for foreigners take place in this center. This huge structure is located near the market it is impossible to not notice it, especially when lit up in the evening. The spiral shape of its minaret is the peculiarity that gives the mosque its name.
Souq Waqif the central market of Doha
The market is not very big but for those who like to get lost in the maze of its alleys, as I do, it is very quaint. You can find typical handicrafts such as ceramics and Middle Eastern carpets as well as beautiful and colorful fabrics that I obviously had to buy. When walking around you are inebriated by the scents of the various spices, and if you fancy trying the delicious local delicacies, there are plenty of restaurants, bars and cafes for every taste and pocket…
Katara Cultural Village and Mosque
This cultural and commercial complex is located on the east coast between West Bay and the Pearl and was opened in October 2010 during the Doha Tribeca Film Festival.
The complex is beautiful and you will feel like as you are stepping into a world that honors Qatar’s rich cultural heritage while embracing the present. Katara is a mix of art, history and entertainment and is a must-visit place and really worth a visit. You will be able to visit the Katara Mosque and the Gold Mosque (smaller but eye catching), discover the Amphitheatre (than can accomodate up to 5000 spectators. Explore the Al Thuraya Planetarium https://www.katara.net/en/Visiting/Venues-Landmarks/Al-Thuraya-Planetarium
And why not enjoy beach activities at the spacious public beach.
A museum showcasing the country’s maritime heritage was opened in 2015. Here you also find the headquarters of the AlBahie auction house and, much to the delight of the ladies, a 38,000 sq. ft. outdoor, air-conditioned shopping mall called 21 Hight Street. The complex also hosts a variety of art galleries, exhibitions, festivals, workshops, lectures, concerts, and religious activities. As well as the famous Galerie Lafayette, designer boutiques, jewelery stores, restaurants, cafes, and an underground parking garage for 2,000 cars. Katara’s buildings and structures have been deliberately arranged to reflect the country’s cultural and architectural heritage. A beautiful place to shop, stroll and enjoy local specialties.
Katara Towers
Katara Towers is located on the shores of the Persian Gulf, and symbolically represents Qatar’s national seal, with an ode to traditional scimitar swords and is one of the country’s most stunning examples of architecture. This structure houses two luxury hotels, Fairmont Doha and the Raffles each occupying one of the half-moon towers.
A visit at the Museum of Islamic Art
If you only have one day to visit Doha, I would suggest you visit the Museum of Islamic Art, which, among other things, is the main museum in the country. Arranged on 5 floors, it features impressive architecture; in fact, it consists of several huge stone blocks stacked on top of each other creating a harmonious tower-like composition. The collections in this museum come from three continents with dates between the 7th and 19th centuries. You can admire paintings, ceramics, textiles, manuscripts and other very interesting Islamic artifacts.
The Museum of Islamic Art is easily accessible by car or cab (Uber is widely used, you can otherwise use Karwa or Careem) from Hamid International Airport from which is 15 minutes away, while from the Cruise Terminal (Hamad Port) it is about 30 minutes away.
Admission to The Museum of Islamic Art costs 50 QAR. (Remember that on Fridays’ the museum opens at 1:30 pm).
Important update: It is now mandatory to pre-purchase a special ticket package online before visiting the museum. For more information, visit the official website https://mia.org.qa/en/
Amari Diwan and Palace Guard Dromadaries
The Royal Palace in Doha is patrolled by brilliant and photogenic royal guards riding dromedaries and wearing traditional white thobes. If you get there at 8 a.m. you will be able to see the dromedaries before they begin their morning rounds.
Qanat and Little Venice
The Qanat neighborhood is a private and very special community where Venetian charm meets Arab chic. Its pastel-colored low-rise buildings, canals creeping between homes, and pedestrian plazas – a little Venice in Qatar! Each canal is crossed by elegant bridges that evoke the soul of romantic Italian life. Those who love shopping can find a wide selection of boutiques and outlets. Residents and visitors alike can choose from a wide variety of eateries that cater to all palates. The district boasts a classy waterfront with extraordinary views and visitor car parking with more than 1,000 spaces.
The Pearl
The Pearl is a residential neighborhood built on an artificial island that is home to some of Doha’s most idyllic and luxurious world-class accommodations and restaurants as well as beautiful shorelines to walk along.
Is one day enough to visit Doha?
I would definitely say no. If you want to visit the main attractions without lingering too much I think it is enough, but to see and appreciate the city you need much more time. Personally I would return for at least a long weekend and most probably we will.
There is so many other activities to do, as visit the desert, go dune bashing and watch the sunset over the sea and why not go to Al Maha Island and have a blast you will not regret it.
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