Qatar: Small Country, Big Attitude
"With age, comes wisdom. With travel, comes understanding." Sandra Lake
7/15/20248 min read
One of my favorite places to visit in the Middle East is Qatar. It is a tiny country, but it made a huge impression on us while traveling. Qatar gained its independence in 1971 and is mainly a Muslim country; however, it is a modern Muslim country that is quickly growing in popularity after hosting the 2022 FIFA World Cup. You don’t need a lot of time to visit, but it may be worth a quick layover here to see the sights. That would be easy to plan, as Qatar Airways is my top pick for airline travel, and Hamad International Airport is one of my favorite hubs while traveling. You can always plan a guided tour for your layover and see most of the sights. Although this is a quick tour, it is packed with all the best.
If you find yourself in Doha, plan to see these top 5 attractions:
National Museum of Qatar
Souq Waqif/ Falcon Souq
Museum of Islamic Art
The Pearl- Qatar
Lusail
If you plan a longer stay in Doha, then take your time at each of these places. You can also plan a desert adventure, a stop at Katara Cultural Village, or see the Grand Mosque.
National Museum of Qatar
The National Museum of Qatar is visually stunning as the design depicts a ‘Desert Rose.’ These mineral formations are actually found in the desert and are unique and distinctive in their formation over time. The tickets for the museum are about $13 for a non-resident adult. As you wind through the galleries, you will be taken through the story of Qatar as a nation, including prehistoric information about the land. For visitors, please remember you are in a Muslim country, so dress modestly (cover knees and shoulders). You can find information on rules, times to visit, and purchase tickets (it is recommended to purchase tickets in advance) at https://qm.org.qa.
Souq Waqif/ Falcon Souq
Visiting a souq in the Middle East is like visiting a market in Southeast Asia; it is a must-do! Caution: These areas are usually tourist traps. Cheap items at a low cost, mostly made in China. However, here you can find anything from local garments to spices/teas and live falcons, camels, and horses. It is fun to explore the area and see the falcons on display, hear about the history pertaining to the use of these birds in Arab culture, and possibly pet them. I found a rug shop there that sold beautiful Persian rugs at a reasonable price. It’s fun to just explore even if you aren’t in the market for anything in particular.
Museum of Islamic Art
Whatever religious background you come from, you can find the Museum of Islamic Art informative and interesting. This collection encompasses 18 galleries and spans time and borders. The pieces range from rugs, to books, to whole rooms, and everything in between. You can find yourself transcended back in time or in the middle of a battle as you wind through the galleries. There is also an interactive trail, a cafe, gift shop, and park; really something for everyone. Purchase your tickets at mia.org.qa.
The Pearl- Qatar
The Pearl is an artificial island nearly 4 square kilometers. This area features residential as well as retail shops and a 3.5 km waterfront promenade. One section, the Qanat Quartier, is known as the Venice of Qatar and features gondola rides around the canals and photo-ready opportunities from this charming Mediterranean-style area. The Medina Centrale is the heart of the Pearl, featuring fantastic restaurants, residential areas, events, pedestrian-friendly streets, and cool cafes/hangouts for the locals and tourists alike. Although there are lots of marinas around Doha, the Porto Arabia Marina is the largest in the Pearl district. It is a popular place for shopping, sightseeing while strolling, or just taking in the fresh air. The Pearl has many hotels to choose from if you wish to stay in this area. We of course would recommend a Marriott property and the St Regis Marsa Arabia Island is located perfectly in the center of the Pearl!
Lusail
Lusail is the second largest city in Qatar behind Doha. This economic center was the site of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. During the time of our visit, there was still a lot of construction going on; however, this area is the up-and-coming place to visit in Qatar. The Place Vendôme is a Parisian-style shopping mall and offers anything one’s heart could desire for retail and food options. Don’t want to shop? Check out the drive-in cinema built during the 2020 film festival that was so popular it remains open today. This town is known for football and the arena, so if you are athletic, check out Crescent Park. It has great photo ops but also offers cycling tracks, football fields, and tennis courts. If you want to see something iconic, then visit Katara Towers. This crescent-shaped structure reaches 36 stories and houses the first 6-star hotel in Qatar.
Anywhere you visit in Qatar, you will find friendly people and bustling areas filled with life, great food, and warmth. The warmth may be a little overwhelming during the summer months, so be advised that November-February are my recommended times to visit any Middle East country, with November being my favorite in the Middle East. Whether you have a few hours or a few days, take time to visit Qatar, you won’t regret it!
One of my favorite places to visit in the Middle East is Qatar. It is a tiny country, but it made a huge impression on us while traveling. Qatar gained its independence in 1971 and is mainly a Muslim country; however, it is a modern Muslim country that is quickly growing in popularity after hosting the 2022 FIFA World Cup. You don’t need a lot of time to visit, but it may be worth a quick layover here to see the sights. That would be easy to plan, as Qatar Airways is my top pick for airline travel, and Hamad International Airport is one of my favorite hubs while traveling. You can always plan a guided tour for your layover and see most of the sights. Although this is a quick tour, it is packed with all the best.
If you find yourself in Doha, plan to see these top 5 attractions:
National Museum of Qatar
Souq Waqif/ Falcon Souq
Museum of Islamic Art
The Pearl- Qatar
Lusail
If you plan a longer stay in Doha, then take your time at each of these places. You can also plan a desert adventure, a stop at Katara Cultural Village, or see the Grand Mosque.
National Museum of Qatar
The National Museum of Qatar is visually stunning as the design depicts a ‘Desert Rose.’ These mineral formations are actually found in the desert and are unique and distinctive in their formation over time. The tickets for the museum are about $13 for a non-resident adult. As you wind through the galleries, you will be taken through the story of Qatar as a nation, including prehistoric information about the land. For visitors, please remember you are in a Muslim country, so dress modestly (cover knees and shoulders). You can find information on rules, times to visit, and purchase tickets (it is recommended to purchase tickets in advance) at https://qm.org.qa.
Souq Waqif/ Falcon Souq
Visiting a souq in the Middle East is like visiting a market in Southeast Asia; it is a must-do! Caution: These areas are usually tourist traps. Cheap items at a low cost, mostly made in China. However, here you can find anything from local garments to spices/teas and live falcons, camels, and horses. It is fun to explore the area and see the falcons on display, hear about the history pertaining to the use of these birds in Arab culture, and possibly pet them. I found a rug shop there that sold beautiful Persian rugs at a reasonable price. It’s fun to just explore even if you aren’t in the market for anything in particular.
Museum of Islamic Art
Whatever religious background you come from, you can find the Museum of Islamic Art informative and interesting. This collection encompasses 18 galleries and spans time and borders. The pieces range from rugs, to books, to whole rooms, and everything in between. You can find yourself transcended back in time or in the middle of a battle as you wind through the galleries. There is also an interactive trail, a cafe, gift shop, and park; really something for everyone. Purchase your tickets at mia.org.qa.
The Pearl- Qatar
The Pearl is an artificial island nearly 4 square kilometers. This area features residential as well as retail shops and a 3.5 km waterfront promenade. One section, the Qanat Quartier, is known as the Venice of Qatar and features gondola rides around the canals and photo-ready opportunities from this charming Mediterranean-style area. The Medina Centrale is the heart of the Pearl, featuring fantastic restaurants, residential areas, events, pedestrian-friendly streets, and cool cafes/hangouts for the locals and tourists alike. Although there are lots of marinas around Doha, the Porto Arabia Marina is the largest in the Pearl district. It is a popular place for shopping, sightseeing while strolling, or just taking in the fresh air. The Pearl has many hotels to choose from if you wish to stay in this area. We of course would recommend a Marriott property and the St Regis Marsa Arabia Island is located perfectly in the center of the Pearl!
Lusail
Lusail is the second largest city in Qatar behind Doha. This economic center was the site of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. During the time of our visit, there was still a lot of construction going on; however, this area is the up-and-coming place to visit in Qatar. The Place Vendôme is a Parisian-style shopping mall and offers anything one’s heart could desire for retail and food options. Don’t want to shop? Check out the drive-in cinema built during the 2020 film festival that was so popular it remains open today. This town is known for football and the arena, so if you are athletic, check out Crescent Park. It has great photo ops but also offers cycling tracks, football fields, and tennis courts. If you want to see something iconic, then visit Katara Towers. This crescent-shaped structure reaches 36 stories and houses the first 6-star hotel in Qatar.
Anywhere you visit in Qatar, you will find friendly people and bustling areas filled with life, great food, and warmth. The warmth may be a little overwhelming during the summer months, so be advised that November-February are my recommended times to visit any Middle East country, with November being my favorite in the Middle East. Whether you have a few hours or a few days, take time to visit Qatar, you won’t regret it!
