How to Spend Your Weekend in Doha

Qatar’s entrancing capital, Doha, will always be a mesmerizing city to experience, providing many engrossing things to do. This dynamic destination would offer cultural attractions, sightseeing highlights, shopping opportunities, leisure experiences and much more. Provided below are some suggestions for spending an enjoyable weekend in this captivating city. Since you may not have time for all the activities, you can look to extend your stay or head back here for another fun weekend later on!

Go shopping at Souq Waqif 

An excellent place at which to start your tour of Doha’s highlights would be the famed Souq Waqif, a traditional and historical marketplace that would enthral the visitor with its enthralling ambience. As you might expect, you would find a jaw-dropping collection of merchandise here that would include almost any article that you could wish to buy! Irrespective of whether you seek fabrics, spices, household goods, antiques or almost anything else, you won’t be disappointed at this market. For a different kind of experience, you may also take the opportunity to visit the site's fascinating Falcon Souq which is devoted to falconry and these majestic birds of prey. 

Stroll along the Corniche 

Another of the memorable things to do in Doha would be to take a pleasant stroll along the city’s renowned Corniche. As you make your way along this extensive waterfront promenade, you can enjoy the idyllic views of the skyline of the Qatari capital. During your stroll, you could visit the appealing parks, various attractions and restaurants that you would find on the way. Another interesting experience would be to embark on an enjoyable boat ride in the bay aboard a traditional dhow. 

Tour the Museum of Islamic Art 

Culture and art lovers will be enthralled by the remarkable Museum of Islamic Art which would contain an engrossing collection of artworks from across the Islamic world. Even the breathtaking building that houses this museum would be an attraction in its own right, having been designed by master architect, I. M. Pei. You will see that this structure stands on a manmade island on one end of the previously mentioned Corniche, presenting a marvellous sight for the visitor. Within this museum, you would find a splendid selection of Islamic jewellery, textiles, patterns, calligraphy and other items brought over from three continents. 

Visit the National Museum of Qatar 

Anyone with an interest in the culture and history of the nation of Qatar would be captivated by this outstanding museum. Visitors would be struck by the unique appearance of the building that houses this attraction which takes inspiration from a desert rose. By visiting this museum, you would be able to learn about the fascinating history of this nation commencing from the prehistoric era. Each section of this establishment would be immaculately presented with displays including artefacts, artworks, replicas, murals, photographs and so on. One of the luxury hotels in Doha located just off the coast to consider from which you could plan visits to such sites would be Banana Island Resort Doha by Anantara. 

Experience Katara Cultural Village 

Another engrossing experience to be enjoyed in Doha would be visiting the alluring Katara Cultural Village. As its name indicates, this fascinating site is dedicated to the preservation of Qatar’s unique cultural heritage. At this cultural village, you could experience attractions like the Katara Mosque which would feature splendid architecture and exquisite detailing. Other places of interest here include the Gold Masjid, Pigeon Towers, Arab Postal Museum, Al Thuraya Planetarium and Katara Amphitheatre where live performances are staged. Adding to its appeal is the family-friendly Katara Beach which can be found here as well.

Enjoy a desert safari 

Naturally, a visit to Doha would be incomplete without undertaking a desert safari. Such an escapade would take you into the sandy expanses to witness the magnificent sight of the desert landscapes. There would be an array of activities to enjoy on one of these safaris including dune bashing, which would entail being driven across sand dunes at speed in a four-wheel-drive vehicle. You could also enjoy experiences such as camping, quad bike excursions and camel rides during your visit to the desert.