A city that’s only been in existence since the 1820s, Doha has had a remarkable rise in recent times.
It has continuously developed since being named as the capital of Qatar when the country gained independence from Britain in 1971. Nowadays, it is an up-and-coming rival to the desert glamour of Dubai.
Accelerated by the hosting of the 2022 World Cup, the city’s rapid evolution has included several new additions since it was awarded the tournament in 2010.
A flagship museum – the Qatar National Museum – opened in 2019, building on previous pre-tournament developments including the striking Museum of Islamic Art, the Education City complex and the Pearl, a large man-made island reminiscent of the Palm Jumeirah in Dubai.
Added to a host of other cultural attractions and historical landmarks, these developments have made Doha a city with a surprising wealth of things to see and do. It’s also a popular aviation hub, with onward flight connections to Middle Eastern and Chinese destinations. Whether Doha is your final stop or simply a stopover, here are the best things to see and do.
Discover the country’s long history
The design of the National Museum was inspired by the patterns of desert roses
(Getty Images)
A recommended first stop is the Qatar National Museum. Designed by French architect Jean Nouvel – who also designed the Doha Tower – it is the capital’s most recent major addition. It chronicles the long history of the region and the country, from the first inhabitants – who can be traced back to at least 6,000 BC – and the nomadic Bedouin people to the lineage of the country’s sheiks, up until the discovery of oil and gas and the subsequent explosion of development.
Other subjects of the various exhibits include cultural traditions, archaeology and wildlife, and there are often temporary events too; one ongoing exhibition showcases some of the works for the upcoming Qatar Auto Museum, which is scheduled to open in 2024.
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Explore the Katara Cultural Centre
The Katara Mosque is one of two mosques on the Katara Village site
(Getty Images/iStockphoto)
You’ve explored the history, so now discover the culture. Katara is a large complex that spans a range of buildings and attractions as well as housing important cultural institutions, including the Qatar…
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