Doha Does It All: A Guide of 5 Things Not to Be Missed While in Doha

Discover Doha and capture the most beautiful spots in the city with your smartphone.  The concierge team at Four Seasons Resort and Residences At The Pearl-Qatar recommends:

Nestled in the Arabian Peninsula, Qatar is a destination that blends culture and tradition in an ultra-modern setting. From wonderful museums and art galleries and a vast array of dining options that will suit every craving, to an unrivalled shopping experience, state-of-the-art sports and entertainment facilities that offer plenty of options when guests are not hitting the dunes or camping by the sea, Doha really does it all.

We’ve put together a list of our top picks of must do and see when visiting Qatar.

Where Sand Meets Fun

The desert has options for everyone, from water and air activities to adrenaline-packed adventures, so get ready to spend endless days and nights doing what you like the most. Start the journey with a camel ride before embarking on a dune bashing desert experience, get your sandboards and surf the sand up and down or hit the dunes on a quad bike or buggy. Discover the unseen while paragliding, conquer the sea while kitesurfing, and, for those looking for a more authentic Arabian experience, spend the day, evening, or stay overnight camping in Bedouin-style tent by the sea.

Catering to Art Lovers

The National Museum of Qatar, a striking and eye-catching architectural masterpiece designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Jean Nouvel, showcases the history and culture of Qatar, from its beginnings all the way to its present, in an innovative and interactive way.

Visit the Doha Fire Station, a contemporary art space dedicated to promoting local, regional, and international artist through temporary exhibitions and showcases. It is also the host of numerous community-led events and engaging programming.  In the past, the Doha Fire Station showcased world renowned artist such as Kaws, Virgil Abloh and Ai Wei Wei. Find their latest programing here.

Discover the Al Riwaq Gallery, an exhibition space with an impressive schedule of temporary exhibitions from world class artists. Previous exhibitions include Jeff Koon’s Lost in America, Demien Hirst’s Relics, and Ego by Takashi Murakami. Learn about their latest exhibition here.

Like a Local

Built on Doha’s old Bedouin trading market, Souq Waqif takes visitors on a trip through time and remains as one of the liveliest places in the country.  Without doubt a must-see site while in Doha, Souq Waqif’s mud-rendered allies offer a representation of traditional street life where you can hold a falcon in your hand at the Falcon Souq, explore local art at the Art Center, eat local street food, learn more about the history of the pearls, and put your bargaining skills to test while indulging in some retail therapy.

Ready, Set, Shop!

For an ultimate shopping experience, visit the Place Vendôme Qatar mall.  Located in Lusail, at just 10 minutes’ drive from Four Seasons, find the world’s most desired brands, plenty of entertainment options for all, and a big selection of dining venues in an extra luxurious palatial-like setting. Within its extravagant architecture, top designer labels count with a dedicated wing while a music and light spectacle alongside the mall’s canal set the tone for an experience that is anything but usual.

Public Art Hunt

Qatar’s Public Art program boasts more than 80 installations around the country, and more to be added in the coming years, ranging from sculptures to interactive works featuring local and international talents. Here our top picks of must-see installations while visiting Qatar:

• Around Doha: Dugong by Jeff Koons, The Miraculous Journey by Damien Hirst, Gekröse by Franz West, 7 by Richard Serra, and the Falcon by Tom Claassen
• At Desert: Slug Turtle, Templearth by Ernesto Neto, Shadows Travelling on the Sea of the Day by Olafur Eliasson, East-West/West-East by Richard Serra