What To Do In Doha
After nearly a decade in the desert, I hope my curated tips make you feel like a local. xo
Dune Bashing
Required 4x4
Arabian Adventures
Picks you up from accommodation in Doha
Option to spend the night in the desert in a camp
Inbound Tours
Picks you up from accommodation in Doha
About $50/person
Website: http://www.inboundtoursqatar.com/desert_safaris.php
Email Shiraz for booking: info@inboundtoursqatar.com
Walk the Corniche
Al Shahaniya Camel Race Track by 9:30am to see training (on the way to Zikreet)
Call for timings (races in winter): +974 44 87 2028
Villagio Mall/Aspire Zone (looks like Venice inside, real park outside)
Purple Island
Souvenir Shopping
Souq Waqif
Visit Sa’ad, an original Qatar pearl diver. His store is at the front of the souq. His shop closes at 9:15pm
Virginia Commonwealth University, Education City
Best ‘made in Doha’ souvenir shopping
National Museum
Group mangrove kayaking/snorkeling/windsurfing (best to go early morning)
Website:http://www.entalek.org/
Reservation: entalek.org@gmail.com
Great seafood place to eat in Al Khor: Pearl of Beirut
Museums
National Museum of Qatar
MIA (Museum of Islamic Art)
Park + Cafe (inside)
Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani Museum http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g294009-d3583902-Reviews-Sheikh_Faisal_Bin_Qassim_Al_Thani_Museum-Doha.html
Best Beaches
Wakrah Dog Beach. Only go during low tide. Check the tide apps.
Maroona Beach
Azerbaijani Beach
Fuwairit Beach
East Meets West beaches (details below)
Snorkeling
Fuwairit (last live reef in Qatar)
Dropped Pin: http://goo.gl/maps/yuRO2
Castles
Zubarah Fort (northern tip of Qatar)
Several forts to explore along the main highway (only road) in the north http://www.explore-qatar.com/culture_and_heritage/places_to_visit
Richard Serra’s East Meets West
Highway exit:http://goo.gl/maps/UXWQL
Actual structure: https://maps.google.com/?q=25.517522,50.870203&hl=en&gl=us
Mystery Village
Singing Dunes
Sinkhole
>>>DINING:
Souq Waqif
Damasca One (sit on top floor)
Bandar Aden (Yemen restaurant at front right)
Shebestan Palace (Iranian on the main drag)
Zaatar w Zeit
Al Wakra Souq
Several places to eat by the water
Fancy Dining:
Three Sixty, Aspire Tower, 47th floor, reservations: 4446 5600
La Varenne (28th floor), Tornado Tower, Reservation: 4499 0680
Aroma, Kempinski West Bay (ground floor). Try their camel burgers!
Eat a meal at Banana Island (includes boat ride to island)
Must make reservation: http://doha.anantara.com/dining.aspx or call 4040 5050
Takes an entire afternoon
Expensive but worth it. Minimum 200 QR/person to go, includes boat ride
Arabic Restaurants
Mamig (Lebanese-Armenian, Katara) ***Leah’s Favorite Doha Restaurant***
Royal Istanbul: 4493 3737
Hala Istanbul: 4488 1002 or 4412 2129
Marmara Istanbul (near sports + TV round-about): 4436 5414
Al-Khayyal (across from Al Jazeera by TV roundabout, QNB bank. Great Arab food)
Layali restaurant (Lebanese) at the Gate Mall
Egyptian stuffed pigeon (a dive in a sketchy part of town but so good)
Dropped pin: https://maps.google.com/?q=25.272730,51.540199
Al Mayass Armenian restaurant (Near building 30, The Pearl)
Sheesha Garden, La Cigal Hotel – Sheesha + good shawarma
Burj Al Hamam, The Pearl (Porto Arabia) Arabic food + sheesha
Debs w Remman, The Pearl (Medina Centrale) Arabic food + best grilled Halloumi cheese
Mourjan Restaurant, Corniche. Mainly for the view (only restaurant at the Corniche)
Al Aker Sweets (best Knafeh)
Pearl of Beirut, Al Khor