All the top things to do in Doha and everything you need to know for your trip. Make the most of your time to the luxurious city amidst the dunes.
Aistis from astraveler.com is sharing his 2 days Doha Qatar itinerary with us, including beautiful hot spots which you shouldn’t miss!
We have a stopover in Doha Qatar with Qatar Airways almost twice a year because Qatar is on our way to Goa, India.
Yet so far we hadn’t had a chance to visit the city.
Aitis explains in this post the essential points about traveling to Qatar and how to make the most of your short trip to Doha in Qatar.
Table of Contents
🗺️ Location
Doha is the capital city of Qatar, which is a small peninsula in the Middle East.
Qatar is situated near Bahrain and borders Saudi Arabia
Travelers visiting Doha are here to experience sand dunes, sandy beaches, and the culture of Arabs.
⌛ When to visit?
Before organizing your itinerary, you need to keep the climatic conditions in mind.
The climate of Qatar is hot summers with low rainfall, so you should avoid planning for a trip during extreme seasons.
The best time to visit Doha is in the months of November to March when the temperature is warm and pleasant.
Traveling from May to October is not recommended as it gets very hot and would make it difficult for sightseeing in the afternoons.
On some exceptional days, the temperature may escalate up to 50 degrees Celsius.
📜 Itinerary
A two-day, 48 hours, trip to Doha, Qatar would be enough to explore the most attractive areas.
You can visit each touristy place by hiring a taxi as they are easily available everywhere and are reasonably priced.
So, if you are planning to spend 48 hours in Doha, then you may use this travel guide.
By following the guide, you can be assured that you will not miss out on visiting the most beautiful places, enjoying the nightlife, and relishing meals at the best eateries.
So, let’s begin our journey!
Day 1 Itinerary
Snorkeling At Fuwairit Beach during the day
On your visit to Doha, you would be under the impression of spending time while riding a camel through the desert.
Who would have imagined that you could even go snorkeling on the beach?
On the first day of your trip, you can visit Fuwairit beach, which is one of the most popular beaches in Qatar and is located to the north of Doha.
It would take about 1.5 hours to reach Doha by road.
The clear blue waters and soft sand attracts many travelers as well as locals to the beach.
So, if you are traveling on a weekend, then expect the beach to be crowded.
The beach remains closed for some time in the months of April to July as the hawksbill turtles are nesting, so check that out before making any plans.
It is the best beach for snorkeling as you can see a variety of underwater marine life in the clear waters.
Remember that you will not find any facilities nearby, so you need to carry the best snorkel gear, shade, water, and some snacks.
You can spend your entire day swimming and relaxing out here.
Visit The Souq Waqif Bazaar in the evening
Souq Waqif Bazaar is one of the best places to visit in the evenings for shopping and relishing an authentic meal.
You will find the area coming alive in the late evenings as the locals enjoy spending their time here.
Travelers usually visit the place for buying traditional garments, handcrafted items, perfumes, scented oils, spices, and souvenirs.
Walk for a few meters, and you will reach the Gold Souq, which is a separate building with innumerable gems and jewelry shops.
To savor Arabic delicacies, you should visit the popular Damasca One and Parisa restaurant at Gold Souq.
Souq Waqif is open 24 hours so there is no hurry to get back to your hotel.
You can spend several hours out there while enjoying the Doha nightlife and relishing authentic cuisine. Consider joining a private night city tour, where you will get to know more about the local culture and the city.
Day 2 Itinerary
Go On A Sand Dune Adventure during the day
Your trip to Doha would be incomplete if you do not go for a desert safari.
The classic adventure of riding a camel on the sand dunes should not be missed at all.
You can consider visiting the desert in the first half of the day as the sand would get quite hot in the afternoons.
You can even book for a dune-bashing activity and have a thrilling adventure on the sands.
Depending on your preference, you can take a smooth ride or a fast and bumpy one, which would be similar to a roller-coaster drive across the vast desert.
Don’t forget to click on several pictures of the sand dunes and the decorated camels.
The Corniche Promenade in the evening
It is a waterfront promenade that extends for seven kilometers along Doha Bay.
You can spend your evenings here by having a walk along the promenade.
It is a popular leisure attraction and comprises three main areas; Corniche Park and Promenade, the Government zone, and Corniche Street.
A few landmarks that you can visit are the Museum of Islamic Art and Sheraton Park.
The museum features over 14 centuries of Islamic Art.
However, note that the museum is open only till 7 pm, so ensure that you visit at least 30 minutes before the closing time.
The entrance ticket costs QR50 per adult (~ 13 US/EUR) and children below the age of 16 can enter for free of cost.
Once you have visited the museum, you can spend time at MIA Park, which is adjacent to the museum.
It is the best place to visit for viewing the skylines of Doha.
The park is open for 24 hours every day, so you can just stroll, gaze, and relax out there.
You may even visit the Sheraton Park, which is situated right in front of the Sheraton Doha Hotel and at the top end of the Corniche.
Do not miss out on the musical fountains, small streams, and waterfalls at the park.
There is a playground for kids and plenty of grass to relax while capturing beautiful pictures of the gorgeous Corniche.
Another great thing to do is a Dhow (local boats) cruise with a corniche walk tour!
The Pearl Monument
On one end of the Corniche is the ‘Pearl Monument’, which is in the shape of an oyster pearl and is a popular spot for clicking photos.
It marks the entrance to the Dhow Harbor, where you can book for a dhow cruise and spend some time on the waters in the light of the setting sun.
A dhow is a traditional wooden sailing boat, which was originally used by merchants.
The boat has now been refurnished with the latest amenities so that tourists can have a comfortable journey.
Once it gets dark, the entire area illuminates with various colorful lights, which should be captured on the cameras so that you can take back happy memories of your trip.
You may even choose for a dinner cruise, which involves luxurious dining in a wooden dhow.
Coming back to The Pearl Monument; it is a manmade island that has become a quintessence of luxury.
You will find several high-end stores, yachts, and gated villas out here.
The expensive dining restaurants and cafés will give you a peek at the lives of super-wealthy people.
Many tourists visit the area just to have a look at the premium lifestyle of rich Arabs.
So, by following the aforesaid guide, you can experience the most vital aspects of Doha, which involve sand dunes, cruising, snorkeling, art, and more.
🛏️ Accommodations
Regarding hotels in Doha, you may choose a simple and reasonably priced hotel since you won’t be spending much time in the room.
There are innumerable hotels available and you can book them online.
Some popular luxurious hotels include the Doha Marriott Hotel, The Airport Hotel, and Ritz-Carlton Hotel.
💭 FAQs
Do I need a visa for Doha?
You don’t need a visa if your country belongs to one of the 80 countries on this list.
Is Doha safe?
It’s now considered one of the safest places. It’s clean and full of guards.
Can you drink alcohol in Doha?
Only in special restaurants.
What local foods should you try in Doha?
Definitely Machabos and Madrouba.
How far is the Doha international airport from the city?
It’s very close. Less than 10km.
To conclude, there are lots of things to do in Doha and you would be able to cover most of the main attractions in your two days trip.
Doha would impress you completely as the Arabs are very kind and well-known for their hospitality.
The happy memories that you take home will surely bring you back to Qatar for a longer holiday.