Doha as a Tourist Destination

Doha – the capital city of Qatar is located on the coast of the Persian Gulf. This rising city attracts many tourists across the globe paying tribute to its spectacular architecture and one of a kind cultural heritage. Here are a few of the must-visit attractions if you are visiting Doha as a tourist.

 

The Museum of Islamic Art
Located closeby to many hotels in Doha Qatar, such as the popular Souq Waqif Boutique Hotels By Tivoli, the Museum of Islamic Art is an architectural gem of this city. Here you will find a collection of Islamic paintings that were collected from three continents over 1400 years!

The Doha Corniche
No one can visit Doha as a tourist and leave without visiting the ever-famous Doha Corniche! The Doha Corniche is a waterfront promenade that reshaped the country’s coastline in the 1970s and 1980s. It is an ideal place to visit for a leisurely stroll with the family.

Explore Souq Waqif
Considered a one-stop-shop for all things shopping and dining – the Souq Waqif is also one of Doha’s top attractions to visit as a tourist. Explore the alleys filled with many Arabian delights such as spices, perfumes, and even embroidered items for you to take back home as souvenirs!

The Pearl
Known as the first land in Qatar to be available for freehold ownership for foreign nationals, the Pearl is an offshore artificial island in Doha’s West Bay lagoon area. There are many high-end retail shops in this area that you could engage in some luxury shopping!

 

Best Ways to Get Around Doha, Qatar

If you are travelling to Doha, Qatar, and wondering how to get around, this brief guide will come in handy! Here are some of the options available to you.

Doha Metro
Doha Metro | Image Credit : Asianchamp2, DohaMetroRedLine2019, CC BY-SA 4.0

Taxis & Ride-hailing Apps

Transport via taxi is one of the most convenient ways to get around especially when the heat tends to be overwhelming! Those arriving at the Hamad International Airport can use metered Karwa taxis to easily access properties the likes of Souq Waqif Boutique Hotels by Tivoli with are only around a 15-minute drive away. Additionally, ride-hailing apps such as Careem and Uber are also available.

Car Rental & Chauffeur-Driven Options

Alternatively, you can look to rent your own car at the airport which offers great flexibility, though it helps to plan ahead. Of course, you have the option of making use of chauffeur-driven services which are convenient when embarking from hotels in Doha on some extensive sightseeing.

Doha Metro

The newly developed and still expanding Doha Metro is a rapid transit system that came into operation in 2019. This service currently operates three lines (Green, Gold and Red) with the central interchange station located in Msheireb in the downtown area. Amongst the destinations served are the Corniche, Katara, Hamad International Airport and Souq Waqif.

Bus Services

Mowasalat Karwa operates state-owned buses which run along an extensive network that covers many parts of Doha. These air-conditioned buses generally run from five in the morning to midnight, while the main hub is the Al Ghanim Bus Station.

Tips for Women Travelling in Doha

Thanks to Doha’s dynamic and fast-paced development, it has become a cosmopolitan and multicultural and steeped in so much rich Arabic history it is the perfect place to go for a unique holiday that gives you the best of both worlds. If you are a woman visiting alone here are some general tips to make the trip much more enjoyable.

 

Img via Pixabay

1. Best Time to Visit

Go in the winter! Between November to March, the mornings would get as hot as 28 degrees Celsius while at night it tends to get quite cold, almost 12 degrees Celsius.

2. Getting Around

Take an Uber or another type of ride app as that would be the safest option. You can also ask your local resort like Souq Waqif Boutique Hotels By Tivoli if they could provide transport for you. It’s highly recommended that you don’t try to drive as traffic can be pretty bad.

3. Outside the City

As mentioned, Doha is a metropolis, but it is also steeped in a lot of culture, and there is a higher chance that you can go out to explore the desert, take a half-day camel safari or go sandboarding.

4. Eating Well

There is plenty of food for all kinds of budgets, but keep in mind that as a Muslim country there will not be any pork available.

5. Dress Specifics

Tourists in Doha don’t have to adhere to a dress code, but women are expected to dress modestly. If you follow the rule of thumb to keep your shoulders and knees covered, you should be okay. Hotels in Doha, however, will allow you to dress as you please while you are inside.

 

 

Fritzjames Stephen is a travel writer, who writes content based on the myriad of experiences and indulgences that the world has to offer travellers across all walks of life. Google+

Exploring Doha in one day

As Doha is increasingly becoming popular as the hub for international travelers, many of them have one day in Doha and cover everything it has to offer within that one day. It is possible, but with proper planning.

Image by: https://www.tivolihotels.com/en/souq-waqif-doha

Use taxis

To get around Doha in one day, you will mostly have to rely on taxis, and this is the best option too. Taxis are relatively cheap and even if you want to travel in between hotels in Doha, for your business visits, this mode is ideal.

The Museum of Islamic Art- a must visit

The Museum of Islamic Art which is also known as the MIA is a place that you must not miss at any cost during your one day in Doha. A 09-minute drive away from hotels such as Souq Waqif Boutique Hotels By Tivoli, this is an iconic piece of architecture, that tourists fall in love with.

Take a Dhow Cruise

Doha skyline is another must-see sight here and a good way to see this is by taking a Dhow Cruise. A Dhow is a traditional wooden boat in the region which now provide tourists with leisure cruises.

A visit to Souq Waqif

Souq Waqif means the standing market- and indeed the number one Doha tourist attraction. If you are thinking of ending your day with a good dinner here, it is, of course, a good choice!

 

Catalina Forbes is a travel writer who bases her content on many thrilling escapades experienced across the world. Google+

What is Doha Nightlife Like?

Although Qatar is a Middle Eastern country, it has always had differences when compared to other countries in the region. People are very open-minded here and this may be due to the combined population of Europeans and Americans who live here. It’s truly a country of freedom.

Doha Nightlife
Needless to say, Doha is not only rich in its natural gasses and oil sources, but the nightlife here is quite happening too. Visit hotels in Doha Qatar on one fine evening and pop into one of their pubs or night clubs located closeby for an experience of a lifetime!

Alcohol is fine with tourists
Due to religious reasons, alcohol consumption is restricted in Doha, but this does not apply to foreign tourists. Properties the likes of Souq Waqif Boutique Hotels by Tivoli are popular among tourists and bars at such hotels do have alcohol for their guests.

Nightclubs are also there
Nightclubs in Doha are only permitted in the territory of hotels and resorts in the country. Even if you don’t stay at a hotel in the area, you can still enjoy its nightclub with cocktails and famous DJ shows.

Things to keep in mind
If you plan to visit a nightclub in Doha, keep in mind every nightclub closes its doors after 2.00 AM in the morning, and where ever you go to enjoy the nightlife, it is always better to have your ID and passport with you to avoid any hassles.