Posted 30 July 2024 in Travel wanderlust

Top places to visit on your trip to Doha

Most people find the Middle East enthralling, captivating, and often magical. Be it for its exquisite food, luxurious and extravagant five-star experiences, or thrilling experiences, Qatar’s booming capital Doha should be on every traveller’s bucket list.

Located on the east side of the country, on the Persian Gulf, Doha is the most populous city of Qatar and the city that receives the most number of tourists in the country. Over the years, Doha has risen as one of the biggest cities in the region in terms of economy, trade and tourism.

Doha offers many thrilling and exciting adventure sports in addition to some of the best five-star resorts, with private beaches to give travellers a unique experience with their loved ones. A special mention is needed for Doha’s local cuisine which offers some of the best dishes. They reflect the place’s traditional cultural values and diversity.

Places to visit in Doha

Museum of Islamic Art: This architectural wonder has been designed by famous architect I.M. Pei. It houses some of the oldest collections of Islamic art. Most tourists frequent this museum not only for the rare paintings but also for the intricate interiors of geometric patterns from the Islamic world. This museum is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. with no entry fee for tourists and visitors.
Souk Waqif: Want to pick up gifts and souvenirs for yourself or your family? For something exclusive to Doha, head to Souk Waqik to buy scents, perfumes, spices, and locally-made shoes and clothing.
Aspire Park: Watch the skyline as the sun sets with its beautiful orange-purple hues as you enjoy a day out or a picnic at Aspire Park. It is one of the largest areas of open land in the Gulf region and an amazing way to spend the evening.
Katara Cultural Village: Most of Doha’s cultural and important events like TEDx Doha, Doha Tribeca Film Festival, and more take place here. If you are visiting the city when these events are taking place, you can experience a full-throttle of how the place comes alive when it is in bloom. Otherwise, you can visit the place to admire the architecture of the old-school building.
The Pearl, Artificial Island: This artificial island gained its fame for being the first island in Doha to be available for ownership by foreign nationals. Several famous clubs, pubs, restaurants, high-end luxurious fine dining areas, and hotels are located here. The view overlooks the West Bay lagoon waterfront, which you can behold while taking a walk along the mesmerising and glittering waterfront.
Doha Corniche: Yet another place from which the view is breathtaking is the Corniche. It starts seeing people at dawn as they come to take a walk or just admire the beautiful view of the Persian Gulf, overlooking the sea.

Read -10 things you should definitely do in Doha

Food to try in Doha

Doha is a place of an authentic and immersive culture of the Middle East, offering indulgent food experiences right from starters to desserts. Some of the best dishes of Doha are:

Saloona: It is a classic, comforting dish. It is an Arabic stew that is prepared with meat, along with seasonal vegetables that can be used alongside garlic and ginger to give it extra flavour. The stew gains its popularity for having traditional Arabic spices. Generally served with steamed rice, it is the staple dish of Doha.
Warak Enab: Quite a unique snacking dish, it is made of minced meat, wrapped in vine leaves, and then lightly roasted.
Balaleet: Another unique combination of vermicelli and omelette, this dish is made with saffron, sugar and rose syrup as the garnishing. It is typically eaten as a dessert.
Majboos: Made of seasoned rice served with chicken or lamb, this is the national dish of Doha and one of the best to try while here at Doha.
Maroubra: This slow-cooked rice porridge takes hours to prepare, hence you can only imagine how wonderful it must be. It is available in almost every restaurant in Doha.
Luqaimat: Flavoured with cardamom, saffron, and other traditional spices, this sweet dish can be found in the bakeries of Doha. It is best eaten when freshly baked and goes well with Arabic coffee.

Places to stay in Doha

Doha offers some of the best and most luxurious stays, all elegant and decked up, giving the tourists a full-blown exquisite Middle-eastern vibe. Five-star hotels and resorts have intricate, romantic fine-dining areas usually by the sea or on top of a 30th-floor building. Over the top and out of this world, everything about Doha seems astonishing and equally indulging. Some of the top-rated hotels and resorts to stay while in Doha are:

Golden Ocean Hotel: With a temperature-controlled rooftop and magnificent view from the top, Golden Ocean Hotel is one of the best hotels to stay in Doha which is slightly on the cheaper side.
La Villa Hotel: Located a stone’s throw from the Souk Waqif and seaside corniche, La Villa is another budget-friendly hotel. It offers the best views and exquisite rooftop dining facilities for its guests.
Radisson Blu, Doha: One of the finest four-star properties with top ratings, Radisson Blu offers outdoor pools, a gym, and a spa for its visitors. You can also enjoy dining by the pool at this hotel complex that houses over 19 restaurants and bars in its vicinity.
Ezdan Hotel Doha: This property is located in the West Bay Area, one of the most prominent commercial areas as well as a hub of hotels and restaurants. The price of the rooms will not drive a hole through your pocket. The food and services provided by the hotel have been complemented by most tourists who stayed here.
The Ritz Carlton, Doha: This five-star property, set on West Bay Lagoon, offers the best view. This property is not only the best and most expensive place to stay in Doha but it also offers one-of-a-kind luxurious services to all its visitors. Staying at the Ritz is a world-class experience, and the view from every hotel room is of the blue lagoon and clear water below the sea, along with lines of boats anchored off the shore. You can choose to stay in spacious rooms or private signature rooms depending on your budget.

Weather in Doha

Since the city is a desert terrain, the weather is mostly warm all year round. The average temperature does not have a huge difference. Summers are long, sweltering, and hot in Doha with some cloudy and muggy days; winters are short, cool, and pleasant.

During May, June, July, August, and September, Doha experiences the hottest temperatures, reaching its peak in July. The temperature starts dropping from October and goes on till March. Being surrounded by desert, the typical monsoon season (June, July) does not affect Doha much. The city has some rainfall for a couple of days in February or March before the temperature starts rising from April.

Best time to visit Doha

The holiday season, which begins in December, is the perfect time to visit Doha. This rush of tourists during this time continues till February, after which the crowd starts dwindling. The temperature remains between 21°C and 26°C which is ideal for sightseeing and all kinds of outdoor activities that tourists can indulge in as tourists. This is also when hotels are overbooked and the rooms are charged at a hefty price. So, it is best to pre-book your tickets and accommodation in advance.

The months between March-October also see tourists but in much lesser numbers. If you are on a budget, travelling during the off-season may be beneficial for you, as you can enjoy luxurious resorts at a much cheaper price than you would if you visit during peak season. You can also enjoy all sightseeing and adventure sports without the rush of people. Make sure to carry an umbrella, sunscreen, and light, breezy clothes to beat the heat if you plan to travel during the summer months.

Travel tips

Keep your travel visa and passport with you at all times. Carry your ID proof for hotel check-in.
Doha hotels and resorts, no matter where you stay, will have different power sockets. Remember to carry a universal travel adapter for all your devices.
Certain medications may be banned in the country and can be seized during the check-in process at the Doha Airport. Go through all the regulations laid out in detail on Doha’s official website.
Carry a scarf to cover your head when you enter a mosque. It is also helpful to protect yourself from the sun. You can also carry hats for protection from direct sun rays. Sunscreen is a must, whether you travel during summers or winters.
Most places are closed on Friday morning and don’t open till 2 p.m.

How to reach Doha?

By air: Doha is well-connected to some of the major countries and capitals all around the globe. IndiGo provides regular flights from many places to and from Doha.
You can avail flights from your nearest airport to Doha Airport, and then rent buses or cabs to travel within the city. Once in Doha, you can also book Careems, which are cheaper than many app-based cabs in Doha
By road: If you are travelling from other parts of Qatar to Doha, you can avail private and luxurious bus services to Doha. However, there are no roadway or bus services if you are visiting from a different country.
By railways: Although Doha has no railway lines within the city, Doha Metro services are fully functional to travel within the city.

Conclusion

Be it the adventure-seeker or someone who wants to visit Doha for pure relaxation, Doha has something for everyone. So visit the IndiGo website or mobile app and book flights to Doha.