Embark on an Authentic Journey to the Pearl of the Middle East

Ethnographical Museum

This museum pays homage to the daily lifestyle of Qatari families. Situated on Grand Hamad Street, this building is the last remaining construction of its kind in Doha. The museum is open Sunday - Tuesday from 9 a.m. - Noon and from 3 - 6 p.m. and closes on Saturdays. On Fridays it is open from 3 - 6 p.m. only. Admission is free.

Distance: 40 km/20 minutes

Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art

The story of Mathaf, Arab Museum of Modern Art begins more than twenty years ago, when the founder H.E. Sheikh Hassan bin Mohamed bin Ali Al Thani first began to imagine what an Arab Museum of Modern Art might look like. He started to build a collection that could serve artists and public as a rich and representative treasure-house of modern Arab art. And he saw this collection as a starting point, to create more opportunities for artists and for art-lovers in Doha and around the world.

Contact: 974 4402 8855 | Distance: 25 minutes
 

Museum of Islamic Art

The Museum of Islamic Art houses a magnificent collection of artworks dating from the 7th to the 19th century, representing the full scope of Islamic art. It includes manuscripts, ceramics, metal, glass, ivory, textiles, wood and precious stones from the three continents. The building, an architectural masterpiece, was designed by Pritzker Prize laureate, I.M. Pei.

Distance: 25 minutes

Khor Al Udaid

Khor Al Udaid is considered as the desert marvel of Qatar and is located in a strategic location 80 km away in the south-east of Doha. The Khor Al Udaid Beach is very famous for its relaxing and tranquil environment where visitors can break away from the daily hassles of everyday life, and can simply exile themselves and go aboard on a soul searching journey.
 

Oryx Farm

The nature reserve in Al Sheehaniya is home to the largest herd of Arabian Oryx in the world. Visitors can see at first hand the graceful creature that some say is the origin of the legend of the unicorn. The Arabian Oryx was once threatened by extinction; these graceful creatures now live and breed as protected herds in Qatar. The Arabian Oryx is Qatar's national symbol.
 

Doha Corniche

The palm tree-lined Doha Corniche is one of the most famous waterfronts in the Middle East. It sweeps about 7.5km along the coast in a smooth curve, finishing at the newly-built Museum of Islamic Arts. In the early evening, the Corniche is full of atmosphere, with people picnicking in the gardens, exercising on the waterfront or enjoying the cool evening breeze and views of the dazzling city skyline.
 

Ras Abrouq Natural Reserves

Ras Abrouq or Bir Zekreet, a favorite spot for weekend campers, is at the very tip of a peninsula northeast of Dukhan (four-wheel-drive is required). Follow the main Doha-Dukhan road, and several kilometres past the turnoff for Al Jumailiya (about 5 km before the flyover) is a fork where the old Dukhan road veers off to the right – look out for this as there is only one sign, in Arabic. After 1.5 km, turn right onto the road that heads up the northeastern side of the Ras Abrouq peninsula, follow for about 21 km and then branch off to the left, heading up and onto the top of the jebel (hills). The track passes the wild deer reserve set up by the Ministry of Environment and through an area that looks like a deserted village but was actually built as a film set. Notice the trees: the lower branches are ‘cropped’ in a straight line where the camels have eaten them!

Distance from HIA: 1 hour 5 minutes
 

The Singing Sand Dudes (40 KM Southwest of Doha)

There are certain conditions in which the movement of sand grains can create a low murmur or ‘singing’ – a phenomenon often reported by desert explorers. Qatar is fortunate in having sand with the right abrasive qualities in an area that also experiences the necessary wind and moisture conditions to create this wonderful, if weird effect. While the ‘singing’ occurs naturally, it can be triggered by sliding down the face of the dune or running along its crest, whereupon each footstep creates a humming that cannot only be heard but also felt as a vibration through the feet.

Distance from HIA: 50 minutes

Lagoona Mall

Open Saturday-Wednesday: 10 a.m.-10 p.m., Thursday: 10 a.m.-midnight, Friday – 2 p.m.-midnight.

Distance from HIA: 27 minutes
 

Landmark Hall

Open Saturday-Wednesday: 9 a.m.-10 p.m., Thursday: 9 a.m.-11 p.m., Friday: 1:30 p.m.-11 p.m.

Distance from HIA: 24-30 minutes
 

Royal Plaza

Open Saturday-Thursday: 9 a.m.-10 p.m., Friday: 3:30 p.m.-11 p.m.

Distance from HIA: 20-26 minutes

The Pearl Qatar

The Pearl-Qatar is a unique development in a relaxed, friendly and exclusive environment with marina, a wide array of restaurant choices and luxury shopping opportunities. This is the Middle East's most glamorous address where Pearlesque names, crafted from an intriguing mix of Italian, French, Spanish and Arabic, summon up the charm of the old world, and the spirit of the new.

Distance from HIA: 28-30 minutes
 

Villaggio

Open Sunday-Wednesday: 9 a.m.-10 p.m., Thursday & Saturday: 9 a.m.-11 p.m., Friday: 1 p.m.-11 p.m.

Distance from HIA: 30-35 minutes
 

Souqs

Gold Souq

The Gold Souq is a maze of shops specializing in local and imported jewelry made from gold or silver. Pieces including diamonds, pearls and other stones are widely available. All gold jewelry sold in Qatar has a government stamp ensuring its purity. Jewelry can usually be engraved on the spot. Many of the jewelers are highly skilled and can make a piece of jewelry to order; repairs and resizing can be done. Qatari, European and Indian styles are all available. Most shops are happy for people to look around without making a purchase. Most items are priced by weight, depending on the value of gold that day. The souq is particularly lively in the evening.

Distance from HIA: 20 minutes
 

Omani Souq

Located just behind the Salwa Central Market, the Omani Souq sells a variety of merchandise some of which include incense, plants, pottery, camel sticks, nuts, perfumes, and the like.

Distance from HIA: 11 minutes
 

Souq Waqif

At any time of day, Souq Waqif is always bustling with people walking around the alleys window-shopping or enjoying their shisha with friends and family at restaurants. It provides an excellent place for people to gather, shop for traditional knick-knacks, spices or just enjoy a good meal. It has a number of boutique hotels located around its premises that are part of the Souq Waqif Boutique Hotels. There are also stables for horses and camels at the Souq. Restaurants specializing in cuisines from different parts of the MENA region are located all along the souq with international cuisines such as Malaysian, French, and Indian. Souq Waqif being an Ooredoo hotspot also allows visitors to log onto the web with free wireless internet. Live performances and seasonal festivals with street artists and traditional folk troupes make it a one-of-a-kind cultural bazaar in Qatar.

Distance from HIA: 15 minutes