Doha, the capital of Qatar, has experienced rapid development in recent years and has become a popular destination for tourists.
With its towering skyscrapers, luxurious shopping malls and wide variety of cultural attractions, Doha has something to offer everyone.
However, if you are planning your next Euro trip, you may want to ask: Doha is worth a visit?
This city will give you a truly unique vacation with desert views and luxury hotels attached around Doha.
If you’re thinking about visiting Doha, you’re probably wondering what things to know before you go and questioning whether Doha is worth visiting.
Here are some things to know before visiting this beautiful capital of Qatar.
Heading to Qatar soon? Follow our guide to learn how to buy a Qatar SIM card.
Reasons to visit Doha
Doha is known for many things, including its modern scene and rich cultural heritage. Here we will list the positive aspects of visiting the capital of Qatar.
Rich cultural heritage
The rich cultural heritage of both Doha and Qatar make both the city and the country an exciting place to visit.
When visiting Doha, you can soak up this heritage by visiting the many cultural centers and museums here to learn all about the past of both the city and the country.
A great place to start is the Museum of Islamic Art. This is a prominent museum that displays Islamic art from over 1,400 years ago to the present day.
Here you can wander for hours enjoying the incredible art and historical pieces on display.
If you’re interested in more culture, another fascinating museum to visit is the Qatar National Museum. Here you can learn all the details of the history of Qatar and the stories of the present and the future.
This is a unique museum that will give you an insight into the local life of the past.
Modern architecture
Doha is a city full of modern architecture, with breathtaking buildings to admire all over the city.
It’s a city that’s constantly evolving and pushing the boundaries of modern architecture, and the skyline is a sight to behold.
A great way to admire this architecture is to stroll along the Doha Corniche. It is a 7 km long beach promenade with incredible views of the city skyline.
For more modern architecture, you can visit the iconic Burj Doha. This building is a 46-story tower that boasts a twisted design that is very unique.
Another place to visit to experience incredible architecture is Marguerite-Qatar. This is an artificial island where you can find many places to shop and eat.
Delicious Cuisine
Another bonus of visiting Doha is enjoying the delicious Qatari cuisine. Here you will find a cuisine that is a fusion of Arabic, Persian and Indian flavors and influences.
When visiting Doha, you can find a huge variety of cuisines, including many local delicacies as well as any international cuisine you can think of.
Some must-try local dishes include Machboos, which is a rice dish served with tender meat and is truly delicious.
You must also try shawarma when you are in Doha. This is a popular street food in Qatar made with meat, vegetables and sauces wrapped in bread.
You can find a number of international restaurants around Doha, so there is definitely something for everyone.
World class shopping
One thing that draws huge crowds to Doha is the world-class shopping available here.
Doha has some of the most luxurious shopping malls in the world. One of the best and most unique malls is the Villaggio Mall, modeled after the canals of Venice, Italy.
There are stunning views from the many scenic spots along the mall and canals. Here you can find every high-end store you can think of.
There’s also an indoor theme park and movie theater where you can steam or relax after a day of shopping.
The Mall of Qatar is another impressive mall in Doha. It has more than 500 shops and a wide selection of entertainment.
If luxury shopping is your thing, then Doha is one of the best places in the world that you can visit.
Amazing beaches
You might not think of golden sand beaches when you hear of Doha, but it boasts some stunning beaches across the city.
With Doha enjoying such a warm climate, it’s great to have so many places to relax on the beach and swim during your vacation.
Some of the best beaches include Katara Beach which has pure white sand and crystal clear waters.
It’s a great place to enjoy a wide variety of water sports, including jet skiing, kayaking and parasailing.
If you’re renting a car and looking for something luxurious, you can visit Sealine Beach Resort, located an hour away from Doha.
Here you can enjoy a peaceful experience on a private and secluded beach where you can stay in luxurious villas and enjoy many outdoor activities including horseback riding and dune safaris.
Take a short boat ride to Artificial Banana Island, which has some stunning beaches and plenty of water sports.
Reasons to visit Doha
While the pros may seem to outweigh the cons, there are a few things to be aware of when traveling to Doha, as these particular cons may affect your Qatar travel plans.
High cost of living
The downside to visiting Doha is that it is extremely expensive due to the high cost of living in this city.
Like many other cities in the Middle East, it is known as a very upscale destination and you can expect to pay a premium price for your accommodation, food and any activities you can do.
It can be difficult to find budget accommodation and dining options in the central areas of Doha.
However, if you travel outside the city, you will find some cheaper accommodation and more local restaurants where you can eat without the high price.
You can also use public transport to get around rather than taxis to save money.
Extreme heat
Something to keep in mind when considering whether Doha is the right destination for you is that it gets extremely hot at certain times of the year.
Doha has a desert climate, which means temperatures can be quite extreme during the summer months of the year.
Between June and September, temperatures can and often do reach over 40 degrees Celsius, making it difficult to enjoy any time outdoors.
Doha also has very high humidity, which makes it even more uncomfortable in the summer.
Doha is definitely equipped to handle the heat, with air conditioning absolutely everywhere and plenty of indoor activities to do.
However, if you’re someone who enjoys a day at the beach and some outdoor activities, be sure to plan your visit outside of the summer months.
When visiting Qatar, tourists should be careful to wear breathable clothing that is respectful but does not cause them to overheat.
Final verdict. So is Doha worth visiting?
So is Doha nice and is Doha worth visiting? Absolutely!
Doha isn’t on many travelers’ radars. However, it should definitely be. It is a city full of architecture, culture, history and lots of shopping.
However, this is definitely not a destination for budget travelers. It’s a luxurious and upscale vacation destination, and if you’re on a tight budget, it’s best to stay away from Doha.
So is it worth visiting Doha? Generally yes if you have a high budget for your upcoming vacation.
It is the perfect place for a 2-3 day break to shop, relax and enjoy all that Qatar has to offer.
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