Qatar’s capital city stands on both the ground and sky, creating an architectural marvel with towering towers that give it a distinct, modern identity.
Qatar became a protectorate under British control in 1916, and with the discovery of oil in 1949, it has experienced rapid expansion, currently boasting approximately one million residents.
Doha
Doha is the capital and largest city of Qatar. As an international business center, Doha hosted the inaugural ministerial-level meeting of the Doha Development Round of World Trade Organization negotiations in December 2011. It was chosen to host multiple venues for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Doha also serves as a cultural center featuring Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art as the country’s leading contemporary works space as well as Sidra Medicine with their 400-bed women’s and children’s hospital, which features Damien Hirst’s excellent The Miraculous Journey installation with 14 giant bronze sculptures depicting the growth of an embryo on campus grounds by Sidra Medicine.
Doha is also home to the National Museum of Qatar, designed by Pritzker Prize-winning French architect Jean Nouvel and situated on Doha’s Corniche. This dazzling jewel of glass and steel boasts an almost mile-long primary exhibit hall that draws crowds.
Doha is home to numerous architectural landmarks, such as the Torch Tower–a 980ft skyscraper shaped like a flame that houses the Asian Games flame from 2006 –and Education City–an education complex built just outside the city that provides facilities from elementary school level through research-level education, while hosting branch campuses of some of the world’s premier universities.
Doha’s demographics are truly fascinating, with Qataris accounting for only about one-third of its total population and expatriates filling out the rest. Most expats hail from South Asia, with significant numbers from India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, while others come mainly from the Levant, North Africa, or East Asia.
Doha is an amazingly diverse and forward-thinking city, and this can be seen through its culture. There is an excellent selection of restaurants, cafes, and an active retail sector, while its public spaces feature innovative designs. Msheireb Downtown Doha (billed as the world’s first sustainable downtown renewal project) boasts Baharat Square as the region’s largest covered open-air plaza; Crystallisation (an interactive tunnel of light); and M7 (an incubator for fashion design and tech talent).
Al Wakrah
Al Wakrah in Qatar boasts beautiful beaches, fascinating historical sites, and an energetic cultural scene – the perfect getaway for visitors looking for relaxation. Affordable hotels and resorts along the seafront provide accommodation options. Public transportation via buses and trains makes travel even more accessible.
Al Wakrah is a favorite family tourist destination. This city features many family-oriented attractions, including the Al Wakrah Municipality Family Beach – suitable for kids with its play area, shaded seating areas, and toilet facilities – and dog-friendly with plenty of room to spread out and work on your tan.
Bin Jelmood House, once used as a slave house, has been beautifully restored into a museum that showcases Qatari culture and tradition. Conveniently situated near Al Wakrah, it provides visitors with an excellent opportunity to gain more insight into Qatar’s rich past and culture.
Al Wakrah offers many museums and attractions for visitors, along with restaurants and shops for dining and shopping. Local produce can also be found at the Al Wakrah Farmers Yard from October through April each year – one of several agricultural yards affiliated with the Ministry of Municipality and Environment that offer an easy way for guests to purchase fresh local products.
While Al Wakrah offers excellent travel experiences for all kinds of tourists, it is vitally important that when visiting any foreign city, it takes precautions for safety and prudence. Always consult travel advisories issued by your government before traveling abroad, as well as all applicable local laws and customs, and stay aware of your surroundings.
Accessing Al Wakrah from Doha is straightforward; take the red metro line south to reach Al Wakrah station or rent a car from Hamad International Airport.
Al Khor
Al Khor, located on Qatar’s northern shores, is one of its major cities. It served as the municipal seat of Al Khor and Al Thakira municipality and was historically known for pearl trading – once one of their primary sources of income. Established in 1972, this city has become an increasingly popular tourist destination.
Al Khor offers several mosques and museums that display millennia-old finds from its environs, along with a historic harbor and restored watchtowers that date back millennia. Shopping enthusiasts will appreciate Al Khor Mall, which opened in 2012.
Al-Khor has several recreational parks and beaches, such as the Al-Khor Corniche. Offering an escape from Doha with plenty of peace, Al-Khor offers excellent beach relaxation opportunities and shops and restaurants within its town center.
Al Khor was historically known for pearl diving and fishing; these remain key industries today. The Al Khor Museum houses artifacts from this era, including those related to pearl trading.
Al Khor is an excellent way to immerse oneself in Qatar’s unique cultural heritage, which has played an integral part in shaping its society and identity. Home to numerous significant archaeological sites and the Museum of Islamic Arts with displays dedicated solely to them, visiting Al Khor offers visitors a valuable educational experience.
From Doha, Al Khor can be easily reached via the Doha Expressway and Al-Khor Coastal Road within 45-50 minutes. Those interested in the natural wonders of Qatar should head towards Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary or Khor al-Hadeed’s ancient pyramids for an immersive experience.
Al-Khor serves as the commercial hub of Qatar’s northwestern part and boasts an assortment of shops, restaurants, and coffee houses. Al-Khor Mall features a Lulu hypermarket and various retailers; additionally, this large complex has a cinema, theatre complex, food court, and sports facilities.
Al Sadd
Al Sadd is a suburb in Doha, Qatar’s capital city. The neighborhood is most well-known for its association football team that competes in the Qatar Stars League; their stadium hosts international concerts and sporting events. Al Sadd is also famous for its shopping hub status – offering both high-end international designer labels at Royal Plaza Mall as well as mid-range department stores at Al Asmakh Mall; moreover, it provides many artisan pastry shops, trendy cafes, gourmet Arabic restaurants as well as family hotels and budget hostels within its borders.
Al Sadd’s home stadium, the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium, seats 15,000 people. Constructed in 1974 and renovated multiple times since this stadium often draws comparisons to Old Trafford – home of Manchester United FC. Al Sadd traditionally sports maroon and white colors, with its club logo featuring a stylized falcon as its traditional emblem.
Since 1967, Al Sadd has been one of the three main powerhouses of the Qatari League in the 70s and 80s. It first rose to prominence due to its affiliation with Al Attiyah tribe members and the founders’ memories of watching Al Ahlar matches as children.
Al Sadd experienced a difficult period during the late ’90s; nonetheless, they managed to capture several Qatari league titles and win the inaugural Heir Apparent Trophy in 1991. Two years later, they became the first-ever West Asian club to triumph at the FIFA Club World Cup by defeating Kashiwa Reysol of Japan on penalties in a third-place match.
Al Sadd has seen a new generation of players emerge at Al Sadd, led by three-time Spanish national team champion Xavi Hernandez, who also plays for Barcelona and Real Madrid. Hernandez is popular with fans and has helped revitalize Al Sadd’s fortunes. Their recent victory at the Club World Cup was well-received and widely celebrated; they are generally considered Qatar’s finest team.
