10 Things to Do in Qatar for First-Time Visitors

You can book excursions to explore its natural wonders or stroll around the streets to enjoy contemporary designs. As long as you have arranged travel insurance from a respectable Qatar insurance company, you should be ready to take your first steps in enjoying the country’s culture.

Top 10 Attractions for Your First Visit

Learn About the Past at the Museum of Islamic Art

The Museum of Islamic Art is one of the first sites that comes to mind when visiting Doha: it is a structural wonder conceptualized by a renowned architect, I.M. Pei, and has one of the richest collections of Islamic artifacts in the world. Here, you would be able to view works of art, ancient manuscripts, ceramics, textiles, and traditional jewelry. This museum is situated on Doha Corniche, where you can take a walk by the water and enjoy nature after cultural stimulation.

Taste Traditional Dishes at Souq Waqif

A visit to Qatar is never truly complete without Souq Waqif, the traditional marketplace integrating the old and the new. It is an ideal bustling checkpoint where visitors get to experience local culture. The narrow alleys are full of stalls that sell spices, perfumes, textiles, and typical Qatari handicrafts, allowing you to peek at the country’s heritage. Even if you’re not planning on buying anything, strolling through the maze of shops and tasting local food such as machboos (a spiced rice dish) or fresh juices would be enough to get a taste of the local culture.

Stroll Around Pearl-Qatar

To get a glimpse of luxury, visit The Pearl-Qatar, an artificially made island. There, you’ll find luxury shops, exclusive restaurants, and beautiful scenery down the coastline. The Pearl-Qatar is a perfect environment to relax and look into the glamorous side of the city, whether you are window shopping or having an exquisite dish by the waterline.

Travel to Al Zubarah Fort

The Al Zubarah Fort is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and it’s only 20 minutes away from Doha. Providing an interesting insight into the history of the country, it is a prolific freshwater pearling and trade fort, now a good source of understanding of the Gulf trade in ancient times. It also reveals the remains of a previously prosperous town, so the nearby archaeological site is a must-visit.

Go Dune Bashing in the Desert

Qatar has some of the largest deserts, and a desert safari is one of the best ways to appreciate its natural beauty while getting an adrenaline rush. Book an excursion via a 4x4 and get ready to experience a dune-bashing thrill, with drivers placing themselves in the midst of the largest sand dunes at high speeds. You can finish off your visit by resting under the stars and sampling a fine Bedouin-style meal or even a camel ride through the desert. To make it more special, you could book desert camping to fully experience life in the dunes.

Peek into the Qatar National Library

The Qatar National Library is not only a book lover’s feast; it is a world of architectural masterpieces and a state-of-the-art library. Modeled by renowned architect Rem Koolhaas, it’s the home of millions of books, rare handwritten documents, and multimedia materials. The library would be the perfect place to spend a silent afternoon or a calming walk across, and it even has dozens of cultural events and exhibitions throughout the year that you can enjoy. If you don’t feel like going in, you should at least check out its futuristic exterior.

Spend a Day in the Katara Cultural Village

Katara Cultural Village has everything an art and culture lover would need: theaters, art galleries, and concert halls that abound in this colourful cultural centre promote local and international talent. Tourists are welcome to experience various cultural activities, including the traditional performance of the Qataris, showcases, and concerts. This location also has long walking tracks, cafes, and restaurants, making it ideal for a whole-day excursion.

Go On a Traditional Dhow Cruise

To explore the city from the water, consider booking a traditional dhow cruise along the Doha waterfront. These wooden boats are mostly used in pearl diving and fishing and have been a part of the country’s culture for decades. Lots of dhow tours have dinner services, so you can also have dinner as you watch the sunset over the Arabian Gulf. It is an excellent way to relax after a day of sightseeing, and will provide you with the opportunity to take impressive photos of the Doha sights.

Check Out Qatar Falcon Souq

Falconry is a well-known tradition in Qatar, and Falcon Souq is the ultimate place to experience it. Here, you can find an assortment of elegant birds and falconry-customized equipment. The trainers working there are fascinating to observe, and visitors can usually interact with the falcons and ask the trainers questions. It is a great immersive experience, as you get a close view of one of the most beloved traditions in the Gulf region.

Explore Mangroves of Al Thakira

If you want something a little different, visit Al Thakira, a coastal region with natural mangroves. It’s approximately a 45-minute drive north of Doha, and you could go kayaking and bird watching there. Riding in the calm waters in a mangrove-filled environment is a perfect way to forget about the busyness in the city and enjoy Qatar’s secret gems.

To Sum It Up

Qatar is a land of contradictions: there are ancient traditions and the most modern innovations. There is so much to do here: you can take a walk in its cultural world, rest in its exclusive resorts, go to a placid desert, or explore its natural beauty. Hopefully, by this time, you have already obtained the Hayya A1 visa that enables you to enter Qatar, and all that is left is to dive into the adventure.