Poised between desert and sea, steeped in old-world culture interspersed with modern architectural marvels, Doha has earned its designation as “The City of Balance.” As it prepares to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Doha is primed to be the next hot spot for those seeking a captivating blend of tradition and innovation. 

FOR THE DESIGN AFICIONADO

Architecture and design abound in Doha. In the last two decades alone, a host of world-renowned visionaries have put their footprint on the city. Their creations range from I.M. Pei’s Museum of Islamic Art, which fuses ancient Islamic tradition with modern architecture, to Jean Nouvel’s National Museum of Qatar, inspired by the formations of the desert rose, to Zaha Hadid’s Al Wakrah Stadium, one of the sites of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Happily, the city’s dazzling design and architecture does not stop at its cultural institutions. The architects behind The Ritz-Carlton, Doha aptly interpreted this marriage of history, modernism and haute design. The hotel, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary, boasts 263 chandeliers (including a Viennese Baakowitz stunner that weighs 1.2 metric tons and utilizes more than 2,000 individual crystals); its domed ceilings are clad in 15,000 square feet of gold and silver leaf; and its corridors are lined with 34 types of stone and marble. Subtle Arabian influences can be seen throughout as well: Arabic etching on the ceilings and walls, rugs in traditional design patterns, and bold colors that evoke the surrounding sand and water.

FOR THE CULTURE BUFF

In 2019, the long-anticipated opening of the aforementioned National Museum of Qatar marked a noteworthy addition to Doha’s cultural offerings. The building incorporates a restored palace, and galleries progress through the history of the nation from prehistoric to modern times. Nearby, The Museum of Islamic Art houses a collection that spans two millennia and includes art and artifacts from Europe, the Middle East and Asia. In the museum’s adjacent library are more than 15,000 rare manuscripts, including a Quran from the 7th century.

A more local experience can be had at the Katara Cultural Village, which has art galleries and an amphitheater that hosts live performances, as well as at the many souks around Doha. The biggest and most extravagant of these marketplaces is the 100-year-old Souq Waqif, a gathering place for locals and visitors alike and where you can find everything from spices and fabrics to gold and even falcons.