Time starts… now! You’ve managed to fit in a 24-hour stopover in Qatar’s capital of Doha (possibly by taking advantage of Qatar Airways’ stopover program) but you’re not quite sure how to fill the time.
No worries. No stress. Rihlat Travel News has you covered.
Whether you’re looking to pack in as much of the Qatari capital as possibly, wanting to treat yourself to some new clothes or simply keen to kick back and relax until your next flight – the city has something for everyone. Read on for our top tips and recommendations for your next 24-hour stopover in Qatar:
Shopping
You touched down with 15kgs and you’re going to leave with at least 5kg more!
Qatar has followed in the footsteps of its UAE counterparts by becoming a shopper’s haven with large, unique and well-branded shopping centres.
We highly recommend making Souq Waqif one of your first stopover stops in Doha. Located on the banks of the Wadi Musheireb, Souq Waqif is a 100-year-old trading market where travellers can pick up all kinds of trinkets including gold jewellery, rugs, antiques, spices and even Middle Eastern instruments.
The Venice-inspired Villaggio is another must-visit with shopping options that range from budget to high-end luxury. True to the north-eastern Italian theme, Villagio even has an indoor canal with gondolas that take shoppers from one end of the mall to the other.
If you have time to squeeze it in, there’s also Place Vendome an extravagant 1,150,000 square metre mall with 580 high-end and mid-range stores including Alexander McQueen, Bershka, Louis Vuitton and Urban Outfitters. The mall also features a water canal with a dancing water fountain.
History and architecture
You’ve showered, shopped and now it’s time to explore Qatar’s past.
With human occupation dating back 50,000 years, there’s a fair bit to explore and the best place to start it the National Museum of Qatar. Spread across 430,000 square feet, the museum is home to 11 galleries full of archaeological and heritage objects, manuscripts and jewellery.
While we wouldn’t usually recommend using holiday time to visit a library, the Qatat National Library is truly one of a kind. A marvel on the outside and inside, the building is designed to resemble two pieces of paper being pulled apart and folder diagonally while the bookshelves within rise out of the floor and blend in with the architecture. Beyond the physical beauty, the library itself houses rare and valuable books, documents, and journals as well as printed materials dating back to the 15th century.
To wrap up the history and architecture portion of your stopover, check out the Museum of Islamic Art which won a Pritzker Prize for its unique architecture. As the title suggests, the museum located on Doha’s waterfront promenade is a heritage library to Qatar’s main religion with 21,000 books including 200 rare editions.
Rooftop views
Wrap up the first 12 hours in Qatar with dinner and a rooftop view.
There’s no shortage of rooftop dining in Doha but we recommend starting with Alwadi Hotel’s Infinity Rooftop Lounge. Looking over Doha’s skiline, the venue has a menu of 42 cocktails from 28 countries including beverages made famous during the US prohibition era. Food-wise, Infinity Rooftop serves a range of light dishes including Turkey and Cheese Croquets, chicken and vegetable wraps, mini sliders and more.
For more of a fine dining experience accompanied by an epic view, check out The Secret Garden at Marsa Malaz Kempinski. Open from 6pm to 11pm, the venue is often described as a ‘fairytale’ with fairylights, plants and 360 degree views of The Pearl-Qatar waterfront and skyline. The menu has something for everybody, ranging from tacos to skewers and even pizzas.
Desert sunrise
Wake up a little early on the second day of your stopover and experience one of the most specatular desert sunrises in the Middle East.
Best booked with a guided tour, in the warmer months, you’ll need to leave your city hotel at around 3.30-4.00am to drive out to the desert for a truly Instagram-worthy sight. You’ll be in awe as the sun rises over the desert dunes.
The Rihlat Travel News team thoroughly enjoyed this experience with Qatar adventure experts, 365 Adventures. We even gave sandboarding a go – no skills required, just prepare for the adreline rush!
Cool neighbourhoods and parks
With only a few hours left to take in Doha, we suggest a walking tour taking in the city’s cool neighbourhoods and parks.
Doha’s 5/6 Park is a must-visit because right in the centre is a large plant maze that’s in the shape of Qatar. Impressive! The park is also ideal for getting in a stopover workout with a 1.4km jogging path and 1.1km cycle path.
Another park to tick off on your short visit to Doha is the 88-hectare Aspire Park. The largest park in the city, it has walking trails, cycle routes, a skate park and a swimming pool inside the Hamad Aquatic Center, Khalifa International Stadium.
Meanwhile, The Pearl Island and West Bay are two of Doha’s coolest suburbs and worth a visit if you have the time. Pearl Island is one of the largest real estate developments in the Middle East at 4 million square meters along 32km of coastline. It houses 25,000 residence and is home to the world’s biggest district cooling plant. Then there’s West Bay in the heart of Doha. Surrounded by coastline, West Bay is the ideal spot for a few hours outdoors with an outdoor cinema, volleyball court, a kid’s playground, a food area and of course… a beach!
Also read: Qatar’s best-kept travel secrets: seven hidden gems to explore
