Doha Travel Guide

For quite some time, we had been curious about Doha, and in February, we planned a four-night trip to this intriguing city. Following an approximately one-hour flight from Kuwait, we landed at Doha Airport in the wee hours of the morning. This place is usually a transit hub for most people, a spot where they spend a maximum of one or two days. However, we dedicated more time to explore Doha at our own pace.

Doha Travel Guide: Accommodation and Transportation

Opting for convenience, we chose to stay at Radisson Blu, situated close to the city center and the metro station. The hotel offered a complimentary airport shuttle, making transportation incredibly convenient. When selecting accommodation, it’s worth checking if there’s an airport transfer service. You can check all hotels options that have airport shuttle service in Doha from here.

We were quite pleased with the service and cleanliness at our hotel. Being close to the metro station in terms of location also made us particularly happy. This is because we used the metro quite a bit while exploring the city.

Doha Travel Guide: Internet and SIM Card

If you’re a tourist heading to Doha and want seamless internet connectivity, I highly recommend Airalo, a service I’ve been enjoying lately. You can check the options here and choose a package that suits you, acquiring an e-SIM. Activate and use your e-SIM whenever you wish. If you use the code IAMONT3974 when getting your first e-SIM, you’ll receive a $3 discount.

For those who prefer a physical SIM card, you can explore options on the websites of Ooredoo, Vodafone, and Etisalat.

Doha Travel Guide: Local Transportation

Doha boasts a modern and fast metro network, a significant addition for the World Cup 2022. We opted for standard metro cards with no time constraints, which we could use later as well. Details about the transportation card can be found here.

However, it’s essential to note that the metro doesn’t cover some areas in the city. For a comprehensive exploration, we used the metro for two days and rented a car for the remaining two days. I strongly recommend you to rent a car for at least one day to see all part of this city. You can check the rent a car options from here.

Doha Travel Guide: Places to Visit

If you’re interested in activities like a desert or boat tour in Doha, you check the below to see the options and prices.

Now, let’s delve into the places we explored in Doha, shaping our list of must-visit spots:

Katara Green Hills

Located across from Galeries Lafayette Mall, this small park with a city view and meticulous landscaping provided us with a peaceful retreat. We took a moment to breathe and watched the sunset. If you find yourself in this area, it’s a definite spot for relaxation, accessible by metro.

Souq Wakif

Souq Wakif, an ancient market dating back centuries, lost some of its popularity in the 1990s but underwent restoration after a significant fire in 2003. We strolled through its streets filled with cafes and restaurants, enjoying a delightful breakfast at one of the cafes. Accessible by metro.

Doha Exhibition & Convention Center (DECC)

As Qatar’s largest exhibition venue, DECC hosted a massive watch and jewelry exhibition during our visit. Depending on your travel dates, you might encounter book fairs, art exhibitions, or music events. It’s worth checking the schedule.

The Pearl – Pearl Island

Before Qatar became wealthy from oil, it was renowned for its pearl trade. The Pearl, one of the largest artificial islands, was constructed on areas where pearl diving once occurred. Divided into 12 districts, we explored Marsa Arabia and Qanat Quarter before heading to the Venetian-inspired Porto Arabia. While the area was beautiful, it felt eerily devoid of people for a city like Doha, leaving us pondering its worthiness of the investments.

Aspire Park

Spread across 88 acres, Aspire Park is Doha’s largest park, featuring Aspire Tower, which served as the torchbearer during the 2006 Asian Games. It was refreshing to see such a vast green space in a desert country. Unlike parks in Dubai, this one was built on uneven terrain, adding a touch of naturalness.

The Corniche

For a delightful walk with a downtown view along the waterfront, The Corniche is a must-visit. With an extensive promenade, we capped off our stroll by sitting at Costa Cafe in Sheraton Park (Al Dafna Park), enjoying the surroundings.

Katara Cultural Village

Opened in 2010, Katara Cultural Village is a vast complex inspired by Qatar’s historical architecture. It houses restaurants, cafes, a large amphitheater, and shops for art and music-related workshops. We spent half a day exploring the area.

Museum of Islamic Art & MIA Park

One of the country’s largest museums, the Museum of Islamic Art hosts impressive exhibitions during specific periods. If you have a GCC residency, museum entry is free. You can check the exhibitions and book your tickets from here. Adjacent to the museum is a park with stunning views. You can rent bicycles, have a picnic on the grass, or capture beautiful photos with Doha’s downtown skyline in the background.

Doha Travel Guide: Dining

Here are some dining recommendations in Doha that we tried all of them during our visit:

Caffee Vergnano 1882

Ideal for a good coffee and sandwich, this cafe within walking distance from our hotel served our needs well.

Champions

A great sports bar, we were surprised when asked for our passports at the entrance—an unexpected revelation about alcohol regulations differing from the UAE. They scan passports at the entrance, maintaining a record in their system.

Belgian Cafe

Perfect for a pleasant evening meal and drinks in the open air.

The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf

We had breakfast here before starting our day at Souq Wakif. The croissants were delicious, and we returned to another branch for coffee on subsequent days.

Caffe Como – Lavazza

Reasonably priced, this sweet Italian restaurant was where I enjoyed eggplant penne. Consider an estimate of 70 QAR per person for pasta and a soft drink.

Seasonal Tastes

Located inside the Marriott Hotel, this restaurant offered an Asian buffet on the evening we visited. It was a delightful reward for our tiredness.

Hasan Kolcuoğlu

Situated in Qanat Quartier, one of the most beautiful areas of The Pearl, this restaurant provided a pleasant Turkish breakfast experience.

Baskin Robbins

The branch I linked is one I particularly liked, and we enjoyed our ice cream with a view of the artificial Venice.

La Vista 55 and Skybox 61

If you’re looking for a venue with a view and a pleasant atmosphere, I recommend both. Skybox 61, in particular, is stunning during sunset.

The Brunchery

Perfect for both breakfast and coffee, with a variety of delicious options.

Doha Travel Guide: Nightlife

The Backyard

One of my favorite places in Doha, offering an outdoor setting, live music, and a fantastic ambiance.

Society Lounge

An open-air nightclub, recommended for those who want to dance. It has a dress code, and both the setting and the crowd surprised us.

Doha Travel Guide: Tips & Recommendations & Conclusion

• I’ve pinned the places to visit and restaurants in order on Google Maps. Save the map below, and even without internet, you can easily navigate to these locations.
• Be prepared to have your passport or ID scanned when entering places serving alcohol. Knowing that all my information, including my name, surname, and photo, would be stored in their system upon scanning, was somewhat discomforting. Another rule we learned is that Qatari women are strictly prohibited from entering places serving alcohol.
• Given that Souq Al Wakif is located in an old part of the city, I recommend wearing something that covers your legs to avoid any discomfort.
• Qatar’s Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani’s image, silhouette, or reference can be found throughout the country. Every shop, big or small, seems to have something related to him. Qatar felt a bit more intense in this regard compared to other countries.
• If you’re interested in reading about another city I visited in the Middle East, you can access it here.