Finding the spirit of the old Qatar
Published: 03:07 PM,Jul 15,2022 | EDITED : 04:07 PM,Jul 18,2022
Souq Waqif
As a destination, Qatar has been known to provide some of the world's most luxurious experiences. For its size, the capital Doha is packed with everything that you need, from trendy restaurants, pristine beaches, Guinness-world record thrilling rides, beautiful architectures and stunning skyline and tons of options for luxury and affordable shopping.
A recent trip to this Middle Eastern country just confirmed that there is an adventure for everyone whether you're looking for a beach holiday, a sporty thrilling experience and even authentic art and culture experience.
Whether you're visiting Qatar to watch FIFA World Cup or had always been planning a family getaway, these are the things you can do in 48 hours to make the best out of your Qatar experience.
A culture trip on the first day
So you have 48 hours in Qatar for family getaway. The first 24 hours are essential for learning more about what makes Qatar the beautiful country that it is. Thankfully though, the majority of the main attractions are only about 20 to 30 minutes max wherever you are staying in the city.
On your first day, spend the morning understanding the lavish pulse that keeps the people of Qatar busy.
If you wanted a shopping experience that combines not just luxurious retail with insight into what Qatar is all about, head out to Porto Arabia, a modern Mediterranean district with a mix of indoor and outdoor retail outlets with residential living spaces overlooking a beautiful marina or Galeries La Fayette which houses more than 400 luxury brands from around the world in its sprawling beautiful complex which is a stone's throw away from another beautiful attraction.
From these two attractions, you can already decide whether to explore Pearl Qatar, one of the most prominent waterfront developments in the Middle East or Katara Village — a cultural space that showcases Qatar's historical beauty and developing art scene.
A walk through these attractions is insightful not just of Qatar's ambition to establish itself as a trendy, modern city but also of its longing to hold on to and preserve its past.
Of the different attractions, the most memorable walk was in going through the alleys of Katara Village. The ornate mosque right at one of the entrances is eye-catching and definitely worth one of your Insta-posts. A little farther, you will be welcomed by different studios that offer art lessons or if you decide, you can stand in the middle of a giant amphitheatre and be amazed by the genius of such beautiful architecture. Heading out to the beach side of this village, giant artworks dotting the streets make it a very memorable hike you can do in a big city.
For lunch, if you want something unique, you can head out to Marsa Katara Restaurant which sits by the water surrounded by cottages that can be rented for the day. This chic restaurant offers delectable dishes and being one of the popular stand-alone restaurants, booking early is the secret to getting the best seats.
In the afternoon, there is no better place to get lost than the historic Souq Waqif. In what is perhaps one of the oldest quarters of Qatar, time flies so fast here with the many fascinating attractions you can visit.
In our case, we started the tour by checking out the different falcon shops where we discovered that the starting price of one of these birds of prey can already cost a really good car. This was followed by a visit to Falcon Hospital where a small museum dedicated to these birds serves as a focal point in the reception area. Barely a hundred steps from this hospital is a stable for the horses offering great insight into the Qataris' love for horses.
The next section for you to stop over is definitely the sweets and spices section. Here, you will find some good bargains for chocolates, sweets and some of the most expensive spices available on this side of Qatar. One of the most unique stops we made is inside the shop that makes halwa. The sweet smell of that delicious offering will overpower every other smell that makes Souq Waqif a vibrant place to explore.
There are dozens of different themed restaurants spread across the souq. It is highly recommended to grab a bite at the Sufrat Omi Lolwa, a restaurant that offers some of Qatar's traditional food. It's easy to miss the restaurant as the entrance is located in an unfrequented alley but if you do happen to find it, you can take a tour inside and check out how the Qataris used to dine. No better insight into an authentic experience can top this.
You can end the night by making a stop at the corniche where one can also experience riding traditional dhows while enjoying the Qatar skyline at night.
The thrill of Salwa park and fast rides
On day two, if you have time to spare, you can drive almost an hour toward Hilton Salwa Beach Resort and Villas to experience Desert Falls Water & Adventure Park which features 18 attractions and 56 rides and slides. This side of Qatar showcases what the country can offer to families when it comes to wholesome and shared family experiences.
What is fantastic about the design of this park is that it reimagined a big cave and put the different attractions inside this cave so while the temperature outside may be hot, inside the park, one will have a different experience shielded from the sun by giant arched stones.
There are several food joints inside the park. It even includes a Starbucks.
Going back to the city for lunch, drive straight to Msheireb Downtown Doha and book a seat at Izu in Mandarin Oriental Hotel. If you want an insight into the fancy dining scene in Qatar, this is one of the best places to experience that as they offer some of the most delectable food items and even memorable drinks.
You can end the day by checking out Doha Quest — Qatar's first indoor theme park offering high-tech indoor rides and interactive games. One of the must-tries here is their roller coaster that is said to have broken a Guinness World record.
Culture and enjoyable experience at every turn
While Qatar is among the smallest countries in the Middle East, it doesn't mean that it lacks attractions or enjoyable things to do. In fact, it's the opposite.
For its size, Qatar has several museums that showcase not just its historical beauties but including its aspirations for the future. The National Museum of Qatar with its forward-thinking design has established itself as one of the must-visit museums in the GCC.
Qatar cannot be explored in one day — the shopping destinations and entertainment centres on their own can last you days if you visit all of them. Beyond the luxury, Qatar remains faithful to its roots. Whether a visit to Al Zubarah Fort or the Museum of Islamic Art or even a walk on Msheireb Downtown Doha or a nonchalant stroll at the corniche, it is easy to find the spirit of the old Qatar that has survived the challenges of the desert. The country's luxury-inclined reputation may overshadow the real beauty of Qatar's culture but it remains enthralling to those who are looking for an authentic experience.
A recent trip to this Middle Eastern country just confirmed that there is an adventure for everyone whether you're looking for a beach holiday, a sporty thrilling experience and even authentic art and culture experience.
Whether you're visiting Qatar to watch FIFA World Cup or had always been planning a family getaway, these are the things you can do in 48 hours to make the best out of your Qatar experience.
A culture trip on the first day
So you have 48 hours in Qatar for family getaway. The first 24 hours are essential for learning more about what makes Qatar the beautiful country that it is. Thankfully though, the majority of the main attractions are only about 20 to 30 minutes max wherever you are staying in the city.
On your first day, spend the morning understanding the lavish pulse that keeps the people of Qatar busy.
If you wanted a shopping experience that combines not just luxurious retail with insight into what Qatar is all about, head out to Porto Arabia, a modern Mediterranean district with a mix of indoor and outdoor retail outlets with residential living spaces overlooking a beautiful marina or Galeries La Fayette which houses more than 400 luxury brands from around the world in its sprawling beautiful complex which is a stone's throw away from another beautiful attraction.
From these two attractions, you can already decide whether to explore Pearl Qatar, one of the most prominent waterfront developments in the Middle East or Katara Village — a cultural space that showcases Qatar's historical beauty and developing art scene.
A walk through these attractions is insightful not just of Qatar's ambition to establish itself as a trendy, modern city but also of its longing to hold on to and preserve its past.
Of the different attractions, the most memorable walk was in going through the alleys of Katara Village. The ornate mosque right at one of the entrances is eye-catching and definitely worth one of your Insta-posts. A little farther, you will be welcomed by different studios that offer art lessons or if you decide, you can stand in the middle of a giant amphitheatre and be amazed by the genius of such beautiful architecture. Heading out to the beach side of this village, giant artworks dotting the streets make it a very memorable hike you can do in a big city.
For lunch, if you want something unique, you can head out to Marsa Katara Restaurant which sits by the water surrounded by cottages that can be rented for the day. This chic restaurant offers delectable dishes and being one of the popular stand-alone restaurants, booking early is the secret to getting the best seats.
In the afternoon, there is no better place to get lost than the historic Souq Waqif. In what is perhaps one of the oldest quarters of Qatar, time flies so fast here with the many fascinating attractions you can visit.
In our case, we started the tour by checking out the different falcon shops where we discovered that the starting price of one of these birds of prey can already cost a really good car. This was followed by a visit to Falcon Hospital where a small museum dedicated to these birds serves as a focal point in the reception area. Barely a hundred steps from this hospital is a stable for the horses offering great insight into the Qataris' love for horses.
The next section for you to stop over is definitely the sweets and spices section. Here, you will find some good bargains for chocolates, sweets and some of the most expensive spices available on this side of Qatar. One of the most unique stops we made is inside the shop that makes halwa. The sweet smell of that delicious offering will overpower every other smell that makes Souq Waqif a vibrant place to explore.
There are dozens of different themed restaurants spread across the souq. It is highly recommended to grab a bite at the Sufrat Omi Lolwa, a restaurant that offers some of Qatar's traditional food. It's easy to miss the restaurant as the entrance is located in an unfrequented alley but if you do happen to find it, you can take a tour inside and check out how the Qataris used to dine. No better insight into an authentic experience can top this.
You can end the night by making a stop at the corniche where one can also experience riding traditional dhows while enjoying the Qatar skyline at night.
The thrill of Salwa park and fast rides
On day two, if you have time to spare, you can drive almost an hour toward Hilton Salwa Beach Resort and Villas to experience Desert Falls Water & Adventure Park which features 18 attractions and 56 rides and slides. This side of Qatar showcases what the country can offer to families when it comes to wholesome and shared family experiences.
What is fantastic about the design of this park is that it reimagined a big cave and put the different attractions inside this cave so while the temperature outside may be hot, inside the park, one will have a different experience shielded from the sun by giant arched stones.
There are several food joints inside the park. It even includes a Starbucks.
Going back to the city for lunch, drive straight to Msheireb Downtown Doha and book a seat at Izu in Mandarin Oriental Hotel. If you want an insight into the fancy dining scene in Qatar, this is one of the best places to experience that as they offer some of the most delectable food items and even memorable drinks.
You can end the day by checking out Doha Quest — Qatar's first indoor theme park offering high-tech indoor rides and interactive games. One of the must-tries here is their roller coaster that is said to have broken a Guinness World record.
Culture and enjoyable experience at every turn
While Qatar is among the smallest countries in the Middle East, it doesn't mean that it lacks attractions or enjoyable things to do. In fact, it's the opposite.
For its size, Qatar has several museums that showcase not just its historical beauties but including its aspirations for the future. The National Museum of Qatar with its forward-thinking design has established itself as one of the must-visit museums in the GCC.
Qatar cannot be explored in one day — the shopping destinations and entertainment centres on their own can last you days if you visit all of them. Beyond the luxury, Qatar remains faithful to its roots. Whether a visit to Al Zubarah Fort or the Museum of Islamic Art or even a walk on Msheireb Downtown Doha or a nonchalant stroll at the corniche, it is easy to find the spirit of the old Qatar that has survived the challenges of the desert. The country's luxury-inclined reputation may overshadow the real beauty of Qatar's culture but it remains enthralling to those who are looking for an authentic experience.