Top things to do in Qatar & Saudi Arabia
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Hashim Sheikh
- . November 5, 2022
- . Update: November 11, 2022 1:02 am
With one of the most rapidly expanding tourism centers in the Middle East, Qatar has been hard at work establishing itself on the international visitor map.
In 2019, a cheap and efficient new metro system was inaugurated, making it easier than ever to visit the Gulf nation’s ever-expanding collection of attractions. With the majority of attractions and activities located in Doha, you may be amazed at how many must-dos you can fit into a short trip.
Curious to know which activities to undertake? Below, we’ve compiled the top things to do in Qatar & Saudi Arabia:
1. Buy artwork and mementos in Souq Waqif
The Souq Waqif is perhaps one of Qatar’s most well-known attractions. This Doha market is notable for selling a variety of items, including souvenirs, handicrafts, spices, and traditional clothing. Before a Qatar World Cup match, you can consider grabbing traditional Middle Eastern cuisine at the market. We guarantee the cuisine will improve your mood!
The huge Souq Waqif complex in the heart of Doha is one of the most atmospheric spots in Qatar, and is best visited in the evening when it is packed with people. Souq Waqif was reconstructed in the 2000s to resemble a 19th-century souq (market), with mud-rendered stores and exposed timber beams, as well as some beautifully restored heritage structures.
Despite the rise of Qatar’s mega-malls, the Souq Waqif remains at the center of social and commercial life in Doha. It is one of the few places where people from all walks of life congregate to feast on regional cuisine, shop for everything from antique daggers to custom thobes, or simply sip karak (cardamom) tea and watch the world go by.
2. Learn about falconry at Falcon Souq
The Falcon Souq provides a fascinating glimpse into a popular activity in Qatar, although some visitors may find the displays of tethered falcons unsettling. Nearby stables are home to Arabian horses, while a pen near the Corniche end of Al Jasra Street typically has camels.
Historically, Bedouins trained falcons to hunt game. They remain an important status symbol in Qatar today. Falcon ownership might cost as much as S$11,738 for the greatest raptors, which were often purchased at the Falcon Souk. At this renowned falcon market, you can observe merchants creating falcon headgear and interacting with clients. If you have the courage, you can approach a falcon and have it perch on your arm for a photo.
Due to the significance of falconry in Qatari culture, the government has over the years made tremendous efforts to maintain the tradition and the Souq.
3. Take an afternoon stroll in Doha Corniche
The Doha Corniche in Doha Bay delivers the best cityscape views! The entire promenade is approximately seven kilometers long and overlooks the lake. In the late afternoon, you can go for a stroll or grab some Arabian coffee at a neighboring cafe. If you want the whole experience, however, you can sail on a true Arabian dhow.
4. Visit the Museum of Islamic Art
The postmodern fortress-style Museum of Islamic Art, rising from a man-made island off Doha’s Corniche, is Qatar’s showcase museum, housing the world’s biggest collection of Islamic art. In 2019, another essential cultural institution joined it. Built to resemble a desert rose, the name for the crystal clusters found in the Qatari desert, the National Museum of Qatar uses 21st-century technologies to document the nation’s history.
However, these are not the only worthwhile museums and galleries in Qatar. Mathaf, the Arab Museum of Modern Art, displays a wide collection of modern art with an Arab connection, whereas the 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum, which debuted in 2022, is an elegant homage to sports.
5. Go on a desert safari
In the Middle East, conquering the sand dunes is an essential experience for many tourists. Consequently, a desert safari is one of the most popular activities in Qatar, along with camel rides and dune bashing. During the day, you can go on guided tours that include a refreshment stop at a camel camp. At sunset, you can climb to the top of the sand dune and observe the sky’s transformation. It is the ideal conclusion to your trek through the desert.
Read | Top 10 Resorts in The Middle East
6. Go off-roading to Qatar’s iconic “inland sea”
Sign up for an exhilarating 4WD off-roading excursion to Khor Al Adaid, Qatar’s stunning “inland sea,” where massive shifting sand dunes meet the turquoise waters of a unique tidal embayment system that forms a natural border between Qatar and Saudi Arabia. Tours offered by companies such as 365 Adventures normally last four hours, and the dunes begin around one hour south of Doha, beyond Sealine Beach.
7. Seek out the mysterious Al Jassasiya Rock Carvings
On a rocky outcrop in northeastern Qatar are almost 900 petroglyphs representing rosettes, fish, dhow boats, and other objects. This is one of the nation’s greatest mysteries. The poorly preserved features may be underwhelming up close, but imaging communities living here hundreds or thousands of years ago is nonetheless a compelling experience.
Some researchers believe the petroglyphs located 90 kilometers (56 miles) north of Doha date to the third century B.C., while others say they were carved between the tenth and eighteenth centuries A.D. Currently, the site’s only tourist amenities consist of some background information and maps displayed on signboards.
8. Admire the architecture of Imam Muhammad Ibn Abd Al Wahhab Mosque
Since its construction in 2011, the Imam Muhammad Ibn Abd Al Wahhab Mosque in Qatar has become an important place of prayer. However, it is also an example of the city’s magnificent Islamic architecture. If you wish to view the mosque’s lavish sandstone facade, you should visit at night. You will be able to see the entire structure illuminate, which is certainly a sight to behold!
9. Fall in love with the vibrant life of the Katara Cultural Village
Other than the Qatar World Cup, the Katara Cultural Village is the place to be if you are in a celebratory mood. It is primarily a meeting venue for artists and academics, but the forum has previously hosted various concerts and festivals. After traversing the meandering tunnels and rivers, you will reach the center of Qatar’s creative sector. The seaside amphitheater and an opera house that is home to the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra are among its most well-known features.
Katara Beach is a private beach within Katara Cultural Village. It stretches for 1.5 kilometers, and many come to relax or admire the scenery. On the contrary, outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy a day of enjoyable watersports! Kayaking, waterskiing, dhow and catamaran trips, and wakeboarding are some of the sports available for a fee. Here, you’re going to have a great time!
10. Skydive over the Persian Gulf or explore the Dahl Al Misfir Cave
Looking for an activity that will potentially force you to leave your comfort zone? Skydiving is your best bet. You’ll be able to see the entire Persian Gulf from your vantage point, making it one of the best activities for adrenaline enthusiasts in Qatar. However, it is not for the faint of heart.
The Dahl Al Misfir Cave would be a hidden gem to explore in Qatar. It is 40 meters deep, with an ethereal entryway that welcomes you as you enter. With the light refracting off the crystals in the cave, you might be persuaded that there is an entirely different universe on the other side.
