On my recent trip to Indonesia, I flew Qatar Airways via Doha and took the chance to book a stopover in Doha with no extra cost. I am always up for new adventures in a new country. Furthermore, I used the Qatar Airways stopover programme for a free 5-star hotel stay (I actually stayed 2 nights for a nominal booking fee, more information on this at the end of this post).Doha, the capital of Qatar, is a relatively compact city and can easily be seen in two days. I stayed in Doha for 48 hours and managed to cover Doha’s most interesting attractions. Public transport is literally non-existent in Doha so to get from one place to another I mostly used Karwa taxis. Even though I used taxis I walked more than 20 km each day. I cannot recommend getting around in Doha on foot as the city is not very pedestrian-friendly and the hot desert climate is exhausting.

What to See and Do in Doha

Here is a quick guide to Doha – what to see and do in Doha in 48 hours. Things to see and do in Doha that you do not want to miss.

Souq Waqif bazaar area

Souq Waqif (“standing market”) is Doha’s bustling bazaar area and an absolute must-see. The beautiful maze of alleyways accommodates thousands of tiny shops bursting with clothes, shoes, fabric, household goods, handicrafts, rugs, art, spices, sweets, souvenirs etc. There are even souqs dedicated to pets, falcons, camels and Arabian horses. Souq Waqif is also home to an abundance of restaurants, eateries, coffee shops and shisha lounges.

During the day shops and restaurants may be closed but in the afternoon as soon as the sun goes down Souq Waqif comes alive and you can sense traditional and historical Qatari vibes and see local men gathering in restaurants wearing their traditional white dresses. My hotel was located in Souq Waqif, so I spent two wonderful evenings wandering around in the bazaar and taking in the atmosphere. I also attended a free Souq Waqif walking tour, which was organised by my hotel Souq Waqif Boutique Hotels.

Souq Waqif, Doha

Souq Waqif Park

Right next to Souq Waqif, this well-maintained park area with a small amphitheatre, outdoor exercise machines and a playground for kids is a popular place for all sorts of outdoor activities and picnics with family and friends.

Souq Waqif Park, Doha

Fanar Islamic Cultural Center

The spiral tower of Fanar Islamic Cultural Center that looks like a wedding cake rises above the low buildings right next to Souq Waqif. So this Doha’s famous landmark is the one to look for if you are getting lost in the bazaar. And if you are curious about Islam and wish to learn more you can do it at Fanar Islamic Cultural Center.

Fanar Islamic Cultural Center, Doha

Museum of Islamic Art

One of my favourite spots in Doha is the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA), which sits on its own island off the Corniche within walking distance from Souq Waqif. From the outside the museum looks like a modern fortress with an impressive palm-lined entrance overlooking turquoise waters and Doha’s business district of West Bay with high-rise buildings. From the inside the Museum of Islamic Arts looks very futuristic with a striking double staircase and geometric patterns. The exhibition with a rich collection of Islamic art from several continents is spread over three floors. Admission is free.

Museum of Islamic Art | Doha Corniche

Doha Corniche

The Doha Corniche is an attractive waterfront promenade that stretches seven kilometres along the Persian Gulf from the Sheraton Hotel in West Bay to the Museum of Islamic Art and is lined with palm trees and green parks. This is perhaps the most pedestrian-friendly part of the city and a lovely spot for an evening walk at sunsets during the cooler winter months. I visited Doha in June when temperatures were up at 47C and my intention was to walk the Corniche from the MIA museum all the way to West Bay but I came to my senses and gave it a miss after a short but sweaty walk in the sweltering heat from Souq Waqif to the MIA museum.

Doha Corniche

Rumaila Park

Rumaila Park (aka Al Bidda Park) is located right off the Corniche and offers some pretty amazing views to West Bay. Now looking back, I actually cannot believe I walked all the way from Souq Waqif to Rumaila Park in the boiling hot weather. The distance is not more than a couple of kilometres but in the heat it felt like forever. And once I arrived in the park I was disappointed to find that it was still partly under renovation and completely deserted. Once the renovations at Rumaila Park have been finished I would love to revisit and enjoy a picnic and fun outdoor activities.

Rumaila Park, Doha

Qatar State Mosque

Qatar State Mosque (aka Abd al-Wahhab Mosque) is the largest mosque in Qatar with capacity for 30,000 people, 18 entrances and 90 domes. The exterior is very impressive and offers magnificent views to West Bay. Admission is free. As a female, I was directed to ladies’ prayer room away from the main prayer room. I would have loved to visit the main mosque as that is the place where the action happens and it must also be visually more attractive, but what can I do, I am a female.

Qatar State Mosque, Doha

Katara Cultural Village

This is the hub of Doha’s art and culture scene. Katara Cultural Village is a purpose-built development with theatres, galleries and performance venues. The village’s labyrinth of tiny lanes and small alleyways accommodate a variety of restaurants and cafes, an outdoor amphitheatre overlooking the sea, a mosque patterned with turquoise and purple mosaic and so much more. There is also a nice long public beach at Katara for those who fancy a swim.

Katara Cultural Village | Doha

The Pearl Qatar

If you wish to surround yourself with luxury, you should head out to the Pearl Qatar, which is a man-made island with a collection of high-end designer shops and boutiques, lavish residential buildings, yachts larger than life, and a variety of international cafes and restaurants.

The Pearl Qatar, Doha

Aspire Park

Right behind the Villagio Mall and Torch Doha is Aspire Park that covers extensive green areas perfect for exercise such as running and walking. Aspire Park is also home to Doha’s only lake, where birds flock to cool off from the boiling desert heat.

Aspire Park, Doha

Torch Doha

A nice way to end a busy day shopping at the Villaggio or a walk in Aspire Park is to dine with style in Torch Doha (aka Aspire Tower), which is a 300-metre-tall luxury hotel with a shape of a torch. The location is a bit further out from the city centre but right next door to Aspire Park, Villagio Mall and Hyatt Plaza. The tower houses a five-star hotel, a sports museum, a health club, swimming pool, and an observation deck.

Torch Doha

Shopping malls

Doha is every shopaholic’s paradise. And in you don’t even have to travel far to reach a world-class shopping centre in Doha. Some of the most famous shopping malls in Doha include Villaggio Mall, Hyatt Plaza, Landmark Shopping Mall, Lagoona Mall, City Center, Mirqaab Mall, Mall of Qatar and Doha Festival City. I was in Doha for sightseeing and not shopping, however, I did pop into Hyatt Plaza and Villaggio Mall briefly just to escape the summer heat. Hyatt Plaza was like any other shopping centre but Villaggio blew my mind with its Venetian-inspired theme. You really feel like as if you are walking the colourful streets of Venice under blue sky and scattered fluffy clouds. You can even go on a gondola ride along the grand canal at Villaggio Mall.

Where to stay in Doha

Doha is a rather small city, and there are three main areas where I would consider staying to optimise my visit to Qatar’s capital:

• Souq Waqif: central location, nice and lively atmosphere in the evenings with a good range of shops, restaurants and cafes, easy access to Doha’s main attractions, only 20 minutes by taxi from the airport
• West Bay: modern business district, good location facing Doha Corniche, West Bay’s skyline is one of the most famous postcards views of Doha, 30 minutes by taxi from the airport
• The Pearl Qatar: perfect for luxurious stay and unique experience, high-end shopping and dining, 40 minutes from the airport

Out of these three areas I opted for Souq Waqif as I wished to experience authentic Middle Eastern vibes in the souq instead of the man-made West Bay and artificial Pearl Qatar. I took advantage of the stopover programme by Qatar Airways and Qatar Tourism Authority, that includes a free 5-star hotel stay in Doha. Further reading: How to Book a Free Doha Stopover with a Complimentary 5-Star Hotel when Flying Qatar Airways

I stayed two nights at Najd Souq Waqif Boutique Hotel for a booking fee of 100 USD. The Souk Waqif Boutique Hotels actually have 9 boutique hotels in the Souq Waqif bazaar area and you have access to all amenities in these 9 hotels when you stay with them. Najd Souq Waqif Boutique Hotel hotel was very elegant, modern and comfortable although the single room was fairly small. I was very happy with the location. I loved walking out the front door and enjoy lively vibes of the souqs before returning back to the quietness of my cool and cosy hotel room. For breakfast I headed across the street to Al Mirqab Souq Waqif Boutique Hotel and also used their lovely rooftop swimming pool. I enjoyed my stay at Najd Souq Waqif Boutique Hotel and would definitely stay again.

If you decide not to book your accommodation through Qatar Airways you may want to know How to Get 10% off Your Next Hotel Stay with Booking.com.

More posts you may like:

How to Get 10% off Your Next Hotel Stay with Booking.com

Travel Budget: Two Days in Doha

10 Things I wish I Knew Before Travelling to Doha

How to Book a Free Doha Stopover with a Complimentary 5-Star Hotel when Flying Qatar Airways

Airline Review: Qatar Airways

Free Souq Waqif Walking Tour, Doha

25 Photos to Inspire You to Visit Doha

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