Qatar’s capital is rapidly emerging as one of the places to be in the middle east - a cultural and commercial hub that offers visitors unparallelled luxury, as well as plenty of world-class dining and shopping facilities. Located on the northeast coast of the larger Arabian Peninsula, Doha is a modern and rapidly developing city that has sen huge amounts of investment in recent years - putting the city on course to be one of the world’s top destinations in the near future, as well as a major player on the global business scene.
Where to stay in Doha
With so much investment in recent years, Doha has seen an explosion in the accommodation it offers. From five star hotels to backpacker accommodation, the city has it all. However, those visiting on business or on an extended stay might be better suited to serviced accommodation, as these properties offer a kind of home-from-home, whilst still exhibiting many of the benefits of traditional accommodation, such as room cleaning, secure access and concierge services.
Things to do in Doha
Doha offers visitors a huge amount of attractions, from world-class shopping to historic cultural excursions. The city has invested a great deal in attracting tourism in the last few years, meaning there are plenty of modern entertainment and leisure complexes, as well as cutting edge museums and art galleries dedicated to Qatar history and its development into a major international trading power.
The city is already famous for its incredible nightlife. However, instead of the usual line up of bars and nightclubs, Doha boasts something more. There are numerous themed venues, from ice bars in the desert to retro dance clubs, offering anyone who spends an evening in the city a huge range of entertainment to suit any taste and style. There are also plenty of rooftop cocktail bars with stunning views, offering an unforgettable and high class way of enjoying the warm Qatari nights.
There are also numerous excursions available from the city centre. Visitors can enjoy off-road driving across desert dunes, or miles of unspoilt coastline
Tips for staying in Doha
Places to eat
Eating out in Doha has changed dramatically in recent years. Now there’s everything from fine dining to laid back grills and street food. Gordon Ramsay’s Regis restaurant is extremely popular with locals and tourists alike, whilst Argan and Ruby Wu’s are also popular at the higher end of the dining spectrum. For something a little more laid back there’s the Noodle House, Turkey Central or Al Adhamiyah, each serving a broad range of international cuisine in a relaxed and social setting.
Shopping
One of the best things about Doha is its huge amount of retail opportunities, with numerous modern shopping complexes all over the city. Doha City and the Al Watan Centre are two modern shopping facilities in the centre of town, each boasting a huge array of shops and services, whilst Villagio Mall is a great place to head to if you are looking for designer fashions. There are also several markets in the city, including Souq Waqif and Lagoon Plaza Mini Market.
Attractions
There’s plenty of tourist focused attractions in Doha, with its incredible beaches and sprawling entertainment complexes. Many first time visitors enjoy a trip to the traditional markets, such as the Falcon Souq or the Souq Waqif, gaining a glimpse into the native way of life. There's also the Islamic Art Centre, which showcases local talent and that from across the Islamic world. Al Koot Fort is also a great way to learn about Qatari culture, with numerous exhibits charting the country’s development over the centuries.
Transport
Temperature is an important consideration when travelling around Doha, as the city can get so hot that walking around is ill advised. Thankfully, the authorities have invested a great deal in public transport and Doha is well served by a huge bus network offering convenient and affordable transport to all the major destinations. The Faresaver card offers reduced rates for those making multiple journeys. There are also plenty of taxi and private hire firms which are centrally operated and reasonably priced.
Local Business
As Qatar’s commercial centre, Doha features numerous businesses, ranging from financial services to agriculture and tourism. Qatar National Bank, Masraf Al Rayan and Qatar Islamic Bank are the major banking firms operating locally, whilst Ezdan Real Estate is the property sectors largest employer. There are also numerous industry services and providers, including Mesaieed, Industries Qatar and Gulf International.
