Tuesday 23 / April / 2024
Muscat: From water sports to camping, nature to architecture, luxurious spas, best shopping experiences, a thriving art scene and thrilling adventures, Qatar has something for everyone.
The country offers a blend of tradition and modernity that is difficult to find elsewhere in the world. While Qatar celebrates its heritage it also offers travellers modern amenities, hotels and infrastructure, and a mix of international cultures, cuisines and lifestyles. Cultural authenticity meets modernity where the world comes together to experience unique offerings in culture, sports, business and family entertainment all rooted in service excellence.
The Doha skyline may be the most popular image of the country but there are hidden gems like the Souq Waqif, the Corniche, Katara Cultural Village, Aspire Park, the Qatar National Library, Msheireb Downtown Doha and more.
Doha Quest
Doha Quest, is a 32,000 square metre indoor experiential theme park located within Doha Oasis mixed-use development in Msheireb. Quest has more than 30 rides and attractions, featuring a mix of adrenaline-heavy thrill rides, media-controlled simulators, virtual reality experiences, and family-friendly attractions, all offering unique experiences. Quest’s signature rides are the EpiQ Coaster, crowned as the World’s tallest indoor roller coaster, and the Magma Blast, the World’s tallest indoor drop tower. Being the first of its kind, Quest is a themed and story-based concept that caters to an audience of all ages.
Printemps Doha
Printemps Doha, located in Doha Oasis, is the largest luxurious department store in the Middle East. It was launched for the first time outside France and is designed as a 3-floor elliptical architectural masterpiece spanning 40,000 sqm. The store has been able to attract iconic brands such as Louis Vuitton, Dior, Valentino, Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana, Bottega Veneta, Balenciaga, Balmain, and more.
Qatar International Food Festival 2023
Earlier this month, Qatar Tourism (QT) celebrated the opening of the 12th edition of the annual Qatar International Food Festival (QIFF) at the minted Al Sa’ad Plaza in Lusail Boulevard. QIFF is Qatar’s longest-running food and beverage festival and is a headline event in the country’s annual social calendar. In partnership with Qatar Airways, more than 80 exciting and popular culinary vendors attended the festival, which attracted more than 7,000 visitors a day.
From fireworks and family-friendly entertainment to chef masterclasses at the Qatar Airways cooking theatre, the festival offered something for all ages. Global cuisines, from local shawarma to Mexican tacos and Liberian rice bread were on offer. On a daily basis, the leftover food is collected and distributed by the festival’s charity partner Qatar Charity.
Katara Cultural Village
Since opening in late 2010, Katara Cultural Village has been a hub for art and culture lovers in the city. It is the new cultural hub located in the heart of urban Doha. While its name implies a certain provinciality, Doha’s brand new Katara Village is a stunning show of architecture, modernity, and global unity.
The village contains dozens of galleries and event spaces, restaurants and theatres. Exhibitions range in subject from patriotic tributes to the royal family, to works from local potters and painters. Each space has its own unique architecture that pulls inspiration from several different parts of the world. Perhaps the best example is the Katara Masjid, or mosque, that was designed by world-renowned Turkish architect, Zainab Fadil Oglu. The façade features blue and gold tiles inspired by the Dolmabahçe Palace in Istanbul.
Lusail City
Qatar’s futuristic green city is part of Qatar’s extensive tourism development strategy as the country works to diversify and build upon its offering for visitors. Lusail is becoming Qatar’s next popular destination for tourists and residents alike. It is Qatar’s first sustainable city. The foundation idea was to develop the city by combining true modernity with the richness of Qatari traditions and Islamic architecture. Rooted in authentic Qatari heritage and cultural values, the name ‘Lusail’ was derived from one of Qatar’s rarest flowers, an emblem of the city’s uniqueness, and the seamless fusion between Doha’s heritage and contemporary transformation.
Place Vendôme
It is the jewel of the entertainment district. The Parisian-inspired development pays ode to the famous high-end shopping street in Paris, Rue de la Paix, where Place Vendôme originated. It includes 1,000,000m² of retail, leisure, entertainment, and luxury at a one-stop family destination by the seafront. Place Vendôme is set to become a new destination for the region, combining utmost convenience with an ocean of choices. It is home to the most prestigious international brands in magnificent surroundings inspired by iconic Parisian architecture.
National Museum of Qatar
As one of Doha’s top museums, it’s an absolute must-visit for tourists. The immersive and experiential National Museum of Qatar tells the nation’s story from earliest times to today, giving voice to the rich heritage and culture, and expressing a vibrant community’s aspirations for the future. The museum has as its centrepiece, the restored historic Palace of Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim Al Thani (1880-1957), son of the founder of modern Qatar. It is a building that in former times was both the home of the Royal Family and the seat of government and was subsequently the site of the original National Museum. Jean Nouvel’s new building incorporates the Palace while seamlessly integrating innovative artworks commissioned from Qatari and international artists, rare and precious objects, documentary materials, and interactive learning opportunities.
If there’s one thing that sets the National Museum of Qatar apart from other museums, it is the building itself. Designed by French architect Jean Nouvel, the striking structure was inspired by the complex form of the desert rose, and the entire site covers a 147,425 sq m area.
The National Museum of Qatar’s permanent collection is spread across 11 galleries, covering topics such as archaeology, life in the desert, and modern history. The museum is designed to bring the story of Qatar to life, so you can expect plenty of immersive elements in each of the galleries, with oral histories and archival images forming a key part of the experience. Historical pieces on display include early maps of the region, and jewellery. The museum is also home to the Pearl Carpet of Baroda, which has been embroidered with more than 1.5 million Gulf pearls, and was commissioned by the Maharaja of Baroda in 1865.
Located near Doha Corniche, the National Museum of Qatar is easily accessible via the Metro gold line, which has a stop right outside.
