5.- The cultural city of Katara
Katara, as Qatar was known in ancient times, is a cultural and commercial center with its own personality and some of the most impressive buildings in the city. In the Katara Cultural Village all cultures come together through museums, commercial galleries such as Lafayette -whose building tries to simulate a small Versailles-, the Greek amphitheater with views of the sea and two mosques of unique design, the gold one and the blue one . In addition, there is no shortage of restaurants and bars in the area, and it has a perfect beach to take a dip or do water sports. A perfect place to spend the day.
Our recommendation: It starts at Galeries Lafayette, an area that also has underground air conditioning that comes out through cracks at street level and makes it possible to have a snack or eat at any time of day without worrying about the heat. Make your way towards the sea and discover its monumental buildings, works of public art, shops and restaurants, to finish on the promenade and the beach. It is worth going to a concert in the Greek amphitheater, with capacity for 5,000 spectators and about 3,300 square meters. A place full of magic.
6.- The luxury and gastronomy of the pearl
Welcome to the ‘Qatari Riviera’. La Perla is one of the best-known neighborhoods in the capital. An artificial island of four million square meters recovered from the sea with a marina, luxury hotels, some of the best restaurants in the country and a distribution of water channels, bridges and charming squares, which house large commercial and landscaped areas.
Our recommendation: Its circular structure is perfect for taking a walk around the marina. Yachts and boats, ice cream parlors, restaurants, luxury boutiques and a special light. is the zone chic From the capital. The residential area, with its canals and squares, is also worth a visit.
7.- Buy in Venice
Doha is full of shopping options. From traditional markets, such as the souk Souq Waqif, to the shopping areas of La Perla or Katara, but at the same time it has a huge variety of shopping centers, many of them with a special charm and almost all of them with hundreds of activities. Among them, the Villaggio stands out, inspired by Venice with canals, gondolas and decoration on walls and ceilings, and an entertainment area with an amusement park included. You can travel by gondola and thus be able to go from one end to another in a different way -at least-.
For his part, the Mall of Qatar, the largest in the country, offers incredible leisure activities in its 500 thousand square meters. The ‘Oasis’ area is a 30-meter-high stage with elevated tree-shaped gardens and a 360-degree revolving theater.
Our recommendation: The shopping souk is unique. Not only as a sensory experience but to be able to feel the pulse of the country. The labyrinthine alleys with falcons, gold, jewels or spices are a must. Popular prices adjusted to all pockets. Haggle a lot or try to win rewards in the form of products. But the shopping centers are a spectacle in which to taste food from all over the world, let yourself be surprised by its leisure proposals and take advantage of the best stores, from extreme luxury to the usual franchises. If I had to bet on one, the Villaggio and its recreation of Venice is something you can rarely see anywhere else in the world.
8.- Design, music and culture in the national library
There are few spaces in Doha that are as surprising as the National Library, located in the Qatar Foundation’s Education City. It is a 21st century agora. Not only because of its architectural design, the work of the German Rem Koolhaas, but also because it is a multidisciplinary building.
In this place you can do everything: learn about the origin of the country through its Heritage Library with manuscripts, atlases, photos and maps, attend a music concert, eat, drink coffee, play a musical instrument, print in 3D your own designs and even rest in a ‘silent room’.
Our Recommendation: Its wide spaces, the light that is always present throughout the huge building, the book shelves always face the visitor and have volumes in all languages and for all types of disabilities, the dazzling originality of its proposal and the feeling of being in an unforgettable place make the National Library a must on a trip to Qatar. The entrance is free and the concerts too. Coffee or lunch on its modern designer sofas and reading spaces is at your own expense.
9.- Mosques in Doha
In Doha you can visit many mosques and they all have something special. But the two in the Katara neighborhood -the gold one and the blue one- are coquettish and surprising and the Great Mosque is monumental, but if one stands out for its design and solemnity it is the Education City Mosque.
Located in a complex of 35 thousand square meters, it was designed by the Iraqi architect and calligrapher Taha al-Hiti who wanted to leave the mark of all the typical elements of Arab culture. In addition, the complex has the Koranic Botanical Garden, with the plants mentioned in the Koran and the native flora of Qatar.
Our recommendation: The building is a work of contemporary art. Inside we find patios of surprising beauty in which the white color and calligraphic details transform it into a magical, harmonious place. The Koranic Garden is a must and the space for prayer is unmatched by any other in the world. It will not leave anyone indifferent.
We recommend going at prayer time (it’s not complicated because there are five daily calls to prayer in Qatar) and being very respectful to understand the importance of worship and, at the same time, admire the beauty of an impressive and unique building.