Doha City Guide

For centuries, Doha was a fishing village known for its pearl trade. The country’s pearl divers were famed for their skill in finding the largest and most perfectly formed pearls, and the original village (which was known as Al Bidda) was also a busy fishing port for generations.

With the wealth gained from the oil trade in the 20^th century, Doha became one of the key commercial centres for the entire region. Today, it is the economic and metropolitan centre of the State of Qatar and an epicentre for business and finance in the Middle East.

The word 'Doha' or ‘Ad-Dawha’ in Arabic literally translates to ‘the magnificent tree’. However, in certain dialects in the region, the term is derived from the word 'Dawh', commonly used to refer to round shapes, including the curved gulf surrounding the city. 

Doha is such a vibrant city with so much to see and do that one visit is never enough. The best way to make the most of every visit is to plan carefully. Here are a few tips to help you enjoy one of the Middle East's most incredible cities to its full potential. 

Qatar has a desert climate, therefore almost all buildings in Qatar are climate controlled. January, February and March see comfortable temperatures of between 22-27°C, and November and December are also in the low-20s. Doha can experience rain, particularly from December through to April.

During the summer months, the temperature can hit 40°C, although the mercury has been known to climb up to nearly 50°C in July and August. If you prefer to visit during milder temperatures,  then the winter months are ideal for a visit.

Despite the incredible rate of development, Doha is still a relatively compact city, so finding your way around is quite straightforward.

There are around 60 districts in Doha, many of which are residential areas further away from the city centre. If you are visiting for business then West Bay (the main commercial district) is right in the heart of the city,  and is where you will find the headquarters of some of the country's largest businesses, particularly those in the petroleum, oil, and gas industries.

• Along the Corniche Road, you will find the city’s major landmarks, such as Souq Waqif, The Pearl, Katara Cultural Village, the Museum of Islamic Art and the Corniche promenade, within close proximity to each other. They can be easily reached by the many cabs available in the city.
  
• Doha’s West Bay area is filled with incredible architecture, towering skyscrapers, and cutting-edge concept buildings, and is home to some of the country's leading corporations. 
• Al Sadd Street in the centre of Doha and the area surrounding it also present a plethora of dining and entertainment options, and is a well-frequented spot for walking or eating out. This major street in Doha spawns into several side streets lined with Arabic and speciality restaurants, as well as shopping centres and shops selling everything from mobile accessories to fabrics and clothes.

When it comes to travellers with special needs, Doha offers several accessibility features. All the hotels offer accessible rooms, and Kidzania Doha, an interactive play centre for 4-14 year olds, is especially designed to be accessible to wheelchair users and disabled children.

Other accessible venues include the Museum of Islamic Art, Al Khor Park, the Mall of Qatar, and Katara Cultural Village.

Doha is an ever-evolving city, and its glittering skyscrapers are populating the skyline with incredible speed. The city is energetic and full of vibrancy, making it an enticing destination for both leisure and business travellers.

You can pack in as much (or as little) as you want to for a holiday in the city, so here’s a quick run through of the more interesting (and some of the more unusual) sights and things to do in and around Doha.

Doha is packed with hidden places to discover. If you would like to experience the city like a local, take a trip to the camel feeding pens at the Corniche end of Al Jasra Street, and later walk to the nearby Bird Souq to see colourful birds on display.  

For a little bit of history, rent a car and head to Al Zubarah city ruins on the northwestern coast of Qatar – which was once a pearl and fishing port, and today is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site  – and home to the impressive Al Zubarah Fort. 

Doha’s mosques are spectacular and offer everyone a warm welcome. Head for the Education City Mosque, a stand-out architectural building with a breathtaking exterior, or visit the State Grand Mosque, one of the city’s largest places of worship, and a haven of tranquillity and peace in an otherwise buzzing city.

The Sports City complex, also known as the Aspire Zone, is a fantastic sports village that includes an Olympic-size swimming pool, the Khalifa International stadium, and the Aspire dome, the world’s largest indoor multi-purpose sports hall with 13 different playing zones all under one roof. The 2.5sq kilometre complex houses its own park, fully equipped with a walking and running trail, open green spaces and a café at the edge of the lake.

Al Bidda Park is another frequented spot among athletes. The large and newly renovated park features cycling and running tracks, a tennis court, a skating corner, as well as gymnasiums and outdoor exercise equipment. 

If you’re in Doha for a short stop (perhaps between flights, or just for a short business trip), opt for a pre-bookable city or desert tour.

Choose from a range of activities to help you experience Qatar during your stopover. These include the popular Doha City Tour, where you can hop on a tour bus that takes a three-hour trip around the city’s key locations, including The Pearl, Katara Cultural Village, the Museum of Islamic Art, and the famous Souq Waqif with its quirky umbrella roof and bustling stalls.

In addition, try Monster Bus Desert Experience, Private Desert Safari, Stop & Shop and chauffeur services to explore Qatar at your own pace. 

Qatar Airways passengers who wish to take the advantage of the Discover Qatar Transit Tours can pre-book here or visit the Discover Qatar Transit Tours desk at Hamad International Airport with their valid passports and boarding passes for their onward travel.*

*Terms and conditions apply.

 

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Doha is home to some of the world’s finest restaurants offering international cuisines and local Arabic cooking. The city welcomes millions of travellers every year, so there are plenty of hotels, restaurants, cafés and more for you to explore.

Here is some insider information on where to eat to experience the authentic flavours of Doha, as well as where you can find the best hotels in the city.

Qatari cuisine is inspired by the flavours and spices of the region and if you are looking to sample some authentic local food, try ‘Harees’, a much cherished, porridge-like dish in the Gulf area made of cooked wheat mixed with meat. Another flavourful dish and regional staple to sample is Machboos, which is made from  spiced chicken and rice.

Home to people from all around the world, when it comes to international cuisine choices, Doha is certainly not lacking. With a host of restaurants offering everything from Italian and French cuisine to African and Asian delights, Doha truly is a haven for international gastronomy. 

Souq Waqif is a particularly famous place with a wide variety of cuisine choices. From quick bites such as Turkish Kumpirs (stuffed baked potatoes) and falafel sandwiches to more elaborate dishes in casual and more upmarket restaurants, you will be spoilt for choice with the variety of flavours on offer.

During the month of Ramadan Muslims fast from dawn to sunset. Ramadan usually lasts for around 30 days, and ends with a huge celebration in Eid Al Fitr, when the new moon appears. You will find that some businesses operate shorter working hours from 9am to 2pm, although most international businesses will continue to operate as normal.

During Ramadan, most restaurants are closed at lunchtime, with a few exceptions offering take-out or delivery options for people who are not fasting.

Once the sun goes down, Doha turns into a food lover’s haven. Ramadan is a very sociable and family-oriented month, and you will find lavish buffets and meals on offer after dusk at hotels and restaurants, with ornate Arabian-inspired and themed decorations in ‘Ramadan tents’. This evening meal is known as 'Iftar' and is a wonderful opportunity to sample traditional Arabic cuisine.

You will normally hear a canon firing to indicate the end of the daily fast. Keep a lookout for nightly football matches, evening shows and celebrations, especially at the end of the month.

The West Bay area is where you will find the majority of Doha's world-renowned hotels, and this part of the city is also conveniently close to the main highlights such as the The Pearl, Souq Waqif and the Museum of Islamic Art.  

Many of the hotels in the city offer suites and apartments, so if you are travelling with a larger party or are staying for a longer duration, these would be ideal for business or leisure trips.