Places of Interest in Doha Qatar

The National Museum of Qatar has been newly built with a view to showcase the story of Qatar from early times to the present day and beyond. Organised in three “chapters” - Beginnings, Life in Qatar, and The Modern History of Qatar, each theme is presented across eleven highly individual galleries. Spread over 1.5 km, the museum has an interesting architecture inspired by the local desert rose with its curved disks, intersections, and cantilevered angles. The museum encompases a 220-seat auditorium; dedicated research centre, eating avenues, including a splendid rooftop restaurant and a landscaped park, thus offering a new destination to relax and learn more about Qatar. Museum opening hours: Saturday-Thursday: 9am-7pm Friday: 1.30pm-7pm Please note that last entry is one one hour before closing.

Once threatened by extinction, the graceful Arabian Oryx now live and breed as protected herds in Qatar. The landscaped oryx park at Al Shahaniyah provides the opportunity to watch the animals – thought to have given rise to the legend of the unicorn – at close quarters. Permits to visit are available from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Agriculture but most people find it easier to go with a tour operator.

The Qatar Museum of Islamic art, under the umbrella of QMA is the flagship project of His Highness, the Emir of Qatar. Situated on a man-made island on the corniche, it was designed by I.M.Pei - world renowned architect and designer of Louvre Pyramid in Paris. The Museum of Islamic Art is dedicated to being the foremost museum of Islamic art in the world, and as well a centre of education and information in the field of the arts of the Islamic world. Timings: Sun, Mon, Wed, Thurs -10.30am to 5.30 pm, Fridays -2.00 pm to 8.00 pm and Tuesdays are closed. Tel.: 44224444

Qatar National Library (QNL) is a public library housed in a 45,000 square meters state-of-the-art building, designed to encourage library visitors to explore the progression of knowledge from the past to the present including collecting, preserving and making available the country’s recorded history. In addition to full-text online resources, QNL currently has more than one million books in its collections and more than 500,000 eBooks, periodicals and newspapers, and special collections. The Library offers many events, programs, and activities for the local community to do, learn, and discover. The building also has facilities for individual and group study and research, including assistive technology area with all equipment and specialized software applications to enhance the experience of users with special needs, dedicated area for children and young adults, individual and group study rooms, multimedia rooms, auditorium etc. The library building also houses a specially designed restaurant, a café, and a special events area to enhance the social and recreational aspect of visitors’ experience. This grand library with its unique architecture is a heaven for book lovers and a must see.

Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani Museum is open to the public to view a unique private collection owned by one of the members of the royal family Sheikh Faisal. The museum showcases over 15000 historical pieces which include traditional Qatari artifacts, valuable souvenirs, traditional paintings & international art. The Museum is open from 9.00 to 13.00 hours and 14.00 to 18.00 hours with Friday and Sunday generally closed.

Souq means the traditional Arabic market and at Souq Waqif once can witness that to perfection! It offers a great opportunity to explore a traditional Qatari Market as it has been beautifully designed to give us a glimpse of how Qatar was in the days before the oils & gas discovery, surviving on trade in spices, perfumes, animals, wool etc. The souq has been redeveloped to look like a 19th century souq with shops made of mud walls & wood. Some of the old buildings are salvaged whereas the new ones constructed are also in line with the old architecture. There are traditional art galleries for art lovers. There are a number of antique shops so if you are looking for souvenirs, this is the ideal place to look for it. It is a great place to shop for honey & spices like turmeric, cumin, fenugreek & dry ginger. There are a number of pet shops with variety of birds, rabbits, puppies & cats. Traditional Arabic dress and jewelry can also be purchased here. An array of traditional coffee shops and eateries offer one a chance to try the local cuisine and have a feel of the place. Souq Waqif with its unique concept has turned into a major tourist attraction. Shops in the souq generally close at noon and reopen at 4 pm though cafes and restaurants are open throughout.

On the way to Al Khor, it is a surprising delight to venture into Thakira Mangrove forest cushioned along the coast. The vast greenery offers a welcome retreat amidst the sandy desert. The area is home to an array of birds including Flamingos. The area is mostly explored by nature enthusiasts on foot though many tour operators now offer guided tours and kayaking etc. which all adds up to the attraction of this natural reserve as an ideal picnic place for families & nature lovers.

Just a short drive towards south of Doha is Al Wakra, which has grown from a tiny pearl and fishing village to a small town. The sandy Wakrah beach is visited by families for a welcome break. There is a beautiful large park just opposite the beach which also has a kids play area.

The weaponry museum in Al Luqta is not normally open to the general public but can be visited by arrangement or with a tour group. It houses an amazing display of gold and silver swords and daggers from the region as well as weapons and armour dating back to the 16th century. Each exhibit is labeled in English and Arabic, and some of the displays include relevant photographs or paintings