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Qatar Museum of Islamic Art:
The Qatar Museum of Islamic art, under the umbrella of QMA is the flagship project of His Highness, the Emir of Qatar. Situated
on a man-made island on the corniche, it was designed by I.M.Pei - world renowned architect and designer of Louvre Pyramid in Paris. The Museum of Islamic Art is dedicated to being the foremost museum of Islamic art in the world, and as well a centre of education and information in the field of the arts of the Islamic world.
Timings: Sun, Mon, Wed, Thurs -10.30am to 5.30 pm,
Fridays -2.00 pm to 8.00 pm and Tuesdays are closed.
Tel.: 44224444
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Al
Bida park:
This beautiful landscaped area on the
corniche between the Ministry of Interior and the National Theatre.
It has an art gallery, open air theatre, water features, shops and
a cafeteria as well as children’s rides and attractions which include
boats, a ferris wheel, miniature train and skateboarding half-pipe.
The park is very busy in the evenings and at weekends when it is
popular with picnickers.
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Al
Koot Fort:
A Moorish-style fort in the center of
Doha heavily decorated with gypsum carving, it houses small exhibits
of weaving, woodcarving, painting and other local crafts. It is
located at the corner of Jassim Bin Mohammed and Al Qalaa streets,
adjacent to the souq waqf car park. Timings: Sunday to Thursday
7 am to 12 noon and 4 pm to 7 pm, and on Fridays 4 pm to 6.30pm,
Tel: 44412742.
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Al
Khor:
This small town lies north of Doha,
a former center for pearl fishing attracts weekend picnickers to
the shaded and sheltered corniche and beach. Plenty of photo opportunities
with the old fishing harbour, a regional museum, and nearby mangroves
are popular with ornithologists.
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Al
Shaqab Stud Farm:
There are pure-bred Arab show and racing
horses at this stud farm, owned by HH the Emir, as well as a riding
school. Visits can be arranged through one of the tour companies.
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Al
Zubara Fort:
Site
of successive communities through history, partial excavations at
Al Zubara on the north west coast have revealed the foundations
of city walls and dwellings at several different levels. The fort,
which now houses a regional museum, was built in 1938 during the
reign of Sheikh Abdullah bin Qassim Al Thani and was used by the
military until the mid 1980s.
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| Corniche:
Popular with walkers, joggers, roller-bladers
and picnickers, Doha’s 7 km landscaped corniche is a beautiful place
to relax. Recent work has extended the paved and parking areas still
further, and it is now possible to walk along the shoreline almost
the whole way from the Ras Abu Aboud flyover to the pyramid-shaped
Sheraton hotel. Palm Tree Island can be reached by dhow from the
jetty on the corniche near the Sheraton.
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Khor
Al Adaid:
The Island Sea in the south east of
the peninsula is surrounded by spectacular crescent-shaped sand
dunes. An area of outstanding beauty, photographers appreciate the
changing light and colours at different times of day, you need a
four-wheel drive to access the area, and to be in the company of
someone who knows the route. Since you will be using unmarked tracks
through soft sand, it is also advisable for several vehicles to
travel in convoy with experienced drivers. Vehicles need to be checked
thoroughly, and to carry additional water and supplies. Tour operators
organize both day trips and overnight camps, providing picnics and
barbecues, folkloric entertainment and sometimes the opportunity
to ride camels or go sand-skiing.
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Oryx
Farm:
Once
threatened by extinction, the graceful Arabian Oryx now live and
breed as protected herds in Qatar. The landscaped oryx park at Al
Shahaniyah provides the opportunity to watch the animals – thought
to have given rise to the legend of the unicorn – at close quarters.
Permits to visit are available from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs
and Agriculture but most people find it easier to go with a tour
operator.
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Doha
Zoo:
Located on the outskirts of Doha near
to Salwa Industrial Area, Doha Zoo is in an attractive landscaped
setting and offers a good opportunity to see some of the region’s
desert creatures as well as the more traditional zoo animals. There
is a children’s play area as well as a cafeteria. Winter timings
are 8 am to 11.30am Sunday to Thursday and 2.30pm to 7 pm daily
(except Saturdays). School groups are welcomed in the mornings.
Tuesday afternoons are for ladies and children only (boys must be
under 9); Monday and Wednesday afternoons are for families only;
on other afternoons the zoo is open to the general public. Timing
may vary; check by calling: 44682610.
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Weaponry
Museum:
The weaponry museum in Al Luqta is not
normally open to the general public but can be visited by arrangement
or with a tour group. It houses an amazing display of gold and silver
swords and daggers from the region as well as weapons and armour
dating back to the 16th century. Each exhibit is labeled
in English and Arabic, and some of the displays include relevant
photographs or paintings.
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| Wakrah:
Just
a short drive south of Doha, Al Wakra has grown from a tiny fishing
and pearling village to a small town. Good photo opportunities with
the harbour and numerous old mosques and buildings. The sandy beach
has shades, and there is a small park and children’s play area.
Mangrove plantations are developing nearby.
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Animal
Market & Falconry Souk:
It is ideally located behind the central
markets just off the Salwa Rd, the animal markets trade in camels
and sheep as well as in chickens, ducks, geese, rabbits, caged birds
and domestic pets. Fodder and grain are also sold here, the huge
cylindrical bales of straw mostly imported by trailer from Saudi
Arabia. Hunting falcons are sold prior to and during the season
(October to March) although the most valuable birds usually change
hands privately. Shops selling falconry equipment are also located
in the Thursday & Friday market complex nearby.
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Traditional
Coffee House:
A combination of coffee shop and restaurant
on the corniche near to the Ras Abu Aboud flyover, this modern building
is based on traditional designs and is proving popular with both
residents and visitors.
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