5 Best Things To Do In Qatar (Outside of the World Cup)!
If you're visiting Qatar...then you have to check out these 5 things!
I just returned from spending two weeks in Qatar for the FIFA World Cup and I have to say I had an absolute blast!
For anyone who’s currently in Qatar, about to make the trip, or just curious…here are State of Soccer’s “Top-Five Things To Do Outside of Football in Qatar!”
Let’s kick it off with NUMBER FIVE…dune bashing!
Just about 30 miles outside of Doha lies massive sand dunes. These dunes go on as far as the eye can see! Outside of taking in their natural beauty & sheer size, I recommend dune bashing!
Dune Bashing is basically a form of off-roading done on sand dunes. It’s almost always done in a 4X4 vehicles like the Toyota Land Cruiser, or Fortuner. It basically consists of driving over these dunes ay varying speeds, and even drifting the car downhill at an almost 45-degree angle.
I totally recommend checking this out if you’re in Qatar…but only if you hire an experienced driver and are not afraid of heights.
AT NUMBER FOUR…check out the museums of Doha!
While in Doha I recommend three museums…all of which I spent considerable amount of time in.
First & foremost check out the National Museum of Qatar where you’ll get an in-depth history of not only Doha, but also the history of Qatar as a nation. I highly recommend this museum when you arrive in Doha.
I would also recommend the Museum of Islamic Art. This museum like the National Museum of Qatar is hosted in an unbelievable building with sweeping views of the West Bay. The exhibits were fascinating and if you’re hungry, it has one of the best café’s we came across during our time in Doha.
Finally, I would recommend the 3-2-1 Olympic & sports museum. Here you’ll get to glance at some of the more historic artifacts in world football history as well as learn about the early periods of European football, and the sports foundation in Qatar.
The Olympic Museum absolutely blew me away with its artifacts, and torches from every Olympic game. You can’t miss these museums.
At NUMBER THREE…take full advantage of the many restaurants in Doha.
Doha has incredible restaurants. Whether you’re looking for a fine dining experience, or just a quick bite to eat. This city has it all.
If you are trying to eat some top local cuisine, then you have to check out Saasna in Msheireb! Here you’ll find tons of local Qatari dishes in a more upscale area of Doha. Close by to Saasna is another terrific restaurant called Nourlaya which I highly recommend. Nourlaya is known for its SriLankan cuisine, and I have to say might have had the best service in all of Doha.
Lunch options are all over the city. I would personally recommend a Lebanese restaurant called Abajour in West Bay. The food was tremendous & at a reasonable price. My other lunch recommendation would be Bayt Sharq. This restaurant allows you to sit out in a really nice courtyard & enhoy some middle eastern classics. Both Bayt Sharq & Abajour are available for dinner.
I’ve added links to all of these restaurants in the description below!
At NUMBER TWO…is Souq Waqif.
The Souq Waqif was my favorite area in Doha. It is known as the marketplace of Doha. These aren’t luxury shops but everyday essentials. While in Souq Waqif I recommend taking a stroll through the spice market, and grabbing a bite to eat at one of the man restaurants.
This district was once a gathering place for the Bedouins and locals to trade a wide variety of goods…and now it is situated as the perfect place for a tourist to relish in Doha’s merchant past.
Last but certainly not least at NUMBER ONE…explore!
Doha continues to evolve in so many ways…and there are several ways to capture this evolution.
I recommend taking a dhow boat ride around the bay!
Take a stroll along the Corniche with sweeping views of the West Bay! Explore the West Bay and go shopping in Doha’s center, Msheireb!
Check out Qatar’s Katara Cultural Village. Take in some beautiful views in the world-famous Pearl! And lastly…you cannot miss taking a stroll along Lusail Boulevard.
Wherever you go Qatar or the city of Doha…I would recommend learning something new, and challenging yourself to speak with locals!
I hope this list helps anyone traveling to Qatar for the World Cup, or maybe even someone who is looking to visit Qatar for several other reasons.
Thanks for reading!
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