If you are planning your next trip to Qatar or planning a layover in Doha, be sure to read this post to know more about the top things to do in Doha. Doha, unlike Dubai, is still up and coming. It is trying to be Dubai, but it’s not there yet. The older part of Doha is located in the south of the city and the Cornichie is the centre of the city (also the financial district). The north is mainly the newly built Pearl Island and Lusail.
Pro tip: The best way to go around Doha would be by taking a taxi. Uber’s are pretty quick to arrive and are relatively cheaper than London. The roads are quiet (and very lit up) all day, and all evening.
National Museum of Qatar
One of the first stops in Doha should be the National Museum. Located in the south of Doha (in the older part), the National Museum gives you a great depth of insight into the country’s history and how it got to where it is today.
Souq Waqif
If you’re looking for a place to relax in the evenings with some good local food (including local crepes made fresh), shisha and karak chai, Souq Waqif is your spot. It felt like all of Doha was here. The streets were buzzing and the food places were so busy all evening. We definitely recommend this as your go-to spot to spend an evening in Doha. You can also explore the local markets and buy yourself a souvenir. What was most pleasing was that the tradesmen in the local market were not reaching out to tourists and shouting at the top of their voices (unlike Grand Baazar in Istanbul) which led to a much more pleasant and civilised stroll around the market.
There are plenty of restaurants in this area. Take a prime spot at one of the al fresco diners, enjoy Qatari food and people-watch.
Just outside the Souq, at night you can walk to the waterfront to get some great views of the Corniche and the evolving Doha skyline!
Qanat Quartier, The Pearl
Here’s another great evening spot in Doha to walk around. You can enjoy the Piano stairs and also walk along the replica of the famous Venetian Rialto Bridge.There are a few cafe’s near the bridge to sit back and relax. One of the popular ones being Volume Cafe. The place had an amazing cereal milk cake I would go back for!
The Corniche
The Corniche is a seven-kilometer waterfront promenade along Doha Bay. It is a great place for a stroll. You could also hire one of the electric bikes if you do not want to walk! We hired one of the electric bikes to ride a short distance and enjoyed every bit of the sun.
Katara Village
Katara village was a great place to spend a few hours of the day. We walked around the village (albeit a bit quiet), visited the amphitheater and enjoyed some good food. They also have an outlet of the famous Galeries Lafayette that had some good offers and sales!
Relax by the Beach
I personally do not do this enough on holidays. However in Doha, with the weather being so perfectly warm (and me being a bit ill), it was great to sit back and relax under the sun by the beach. We ordered some chips and relaxed on the sunbed, taking in the calmness of the sea!
Planning your next trip?
See our review of the Four Seasons Hotel Doha.
To help us plan your next trip to Doha, do reach out to us via our Bookings page. We’ll help you find the best hotel deals with our preferred partners and work with you to plan your perfect holiday or layover in Doha based on your interests!