Qatar
Traditional dhows bobbing on the water alongside a spectacular modern skylines hints at Qatar’s dynamic yet sympathetic mix of old and new
Highlights
There’s more to Qatar than opulent skyscrapers, malls and luxurious cars in the world’s richest country.
The Museum of Islamic Art
Top of the sightseeing list is The Museum of Islamic Art, built on an artificial island and set in a beautiful park, this dramatic building dominates one end of the 11km long Corniche. The exterior and the interior combine traditional and modern features to create an amazing building that seem to float on the water.
The permanent collections of ceramics, glass and textiles artefacts that interpret 1,400 year of Islamic art as well as the touring exhibitions, regular concerts, guided tours and incredible architecture make this Doha’s top attraction.
Souq Waqif
For hundreds of years this site has seen the Bedu trade in sheep and goats and from these origins, Souq Waqif has been lovingly resorted in the last ten years to become Doha’s top retail and social space.
The souq (market) has been sympathetically redeveloped to look like a 19th-century souq, with mud-walled shops, timber beams and some renovated original Qatari buildings
The other sport of kings
Synonymous with culture and leisure in this part of the world, falconry is a sport at the heart of Arabia. For a glimpse true Qatari heritage, don't miss the Falcon Souq.
The scale of the souq, within its own traditional arcaded building off Souq Waqif, conveys the importance of falconry in Qatari society. Entering a falcon shop can be a little unnerving, as the birds, most of them hooded in black leather, perch on an open railings just a handspan away.
When to visit
Qatar has a sub-tropical, arid climate. Sunny blue skies and high temperatures can be expected most of the year. Rainfall is sporadic, falling mainly in winter (November to March) and averaging 12 cm per year.