QL Special: 11 must visit tourist attractions in Qatar

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Whether you are new in Qatar, or have been here long enough, there is a good chance you haven't visited all of the famous tourist attractions. Contrarily, you might be visiting the same few places, too many times.

Here are our top 11 picks for must-see attractions.

1. Museum of Islamic Arts

This is easily one of the most popular locations in Qatar, not just for its beautiful museum itself, but for all the other things you can do in the surrounding area. The museum is located right next to the MIA park, which is a popular hangout for residents.

(PC: Jameel Riaz)

The park has great views, and a coffee shop as well. Depending on when you visit, the MIA park hosts several fairs and bazaars and if you're lucky, you might catch one of them.

2. Souq Waqif

This is your best bet if you want to soak in some culture. Old but buzzing streets, roadside vendors, souvenirs, shopping, traditional food, shisha, art and possibly everything that you need to have a complete Doha experience! You can never see all of it, and you can never go too many times.

3. Katara Cultural Village

Another cultural hub in Qatar, located ahead of the famous West Bay. Katara has its own corniche, amphitheatre, shopping areas, restaurants, art galleries and so much more. Grab the famed karak, and stroll around the cultural streets of Katara.

4. Pearl Qatar

Qatar's only man-made island promises not to disappoint. With a host of fabulous restaurants located on the Marina Walkway and in Medina Centrale, the Pearl gives you an exciting out-of-Doha experience.

(PC: Damon McDonald)

The views are fantastic, the options are many, and the place is just gorgeous, especially in the afternoons! Lots of dining options around, be sure to do some good research on where you can eat.

Complete with a five-star hotel, cinema and gaming zone, Pearl Qatar is definitely a must-visit spot!

5. Musheireb Museum

This fairly new representation of Downtown Doha is now open to the public, showcasing four heritage houses. Located within the oldest part of the capital, they form an important part of Qatar's national history. They reveal unique aspects of Qatar's cultural and social development. They also have exhibitions, so if you are an artsy person, definitely don't miss this one.

6. Villaggio Mall

Technically, this is just another mall, but you should visit it for a few reasons, including the location. Villaggio mall is located next to Doha's iconic Torch Tower, which is something to see, especially at night.

Aspire Park is in the vicinity too, which is probably one of Doha's most beautiful parks, complete with a man made lake, and real ducks! The mall itself follows a Venice theme, featuring a long indoor canal with gondolas.

7. Education City

This may not be a tourist destination exactly, but it is definitely worth visiting for its sheer architectural marvel. Right from the ceremonial court to the various universities, each individual building is unique, and the Education city campus itself has a lot of different places you can visit. Chef's Garden would be a great option to have lunch at!

8. Zubarah Fort

This is a historic Qatari military fortress located 105 kms away from Doha, on the Northwestern coast. It is situated in the town of Zubarah, which is the only UNESCO world heritage site located in Qatar.

It is definitely a drive, but if history interests you, it is one of the largest and best preserved examples of an 18th-19th century merchant town in the Gulf.

9. Richard Serra's East West

If you're an art and adventure lover, drive down to Zekreet and locate the towering Richard Serra installation. The sculpture, located in Brouq nature reserve, comprises four large steel plates, that actually make a regular desert landscape spectacular.

(PC: Santiago Sanz Romero)

10. Inland Sea

After roughly an hour of dune bashing in a 4x4, you can reach the beautiful inland sea, more commonly know as Khor Al Udaid. Besides getting a spectacle of dozens of Land Cruisers and Patrols racing up and down dangerously, you can see the sea surging west in a narrow channel that separates Qatar from Saudi Arabia and then curves off to the North to create a shallow lake.

Great for swimming, camping and spending a day there. If you do not own a 4x4, reach out to any of the tour operators who organize day and night tours.

11. Fanar

This landmark located near Souq Waqif is a great example of beautiful and timeless architecture. The Fanar is actually a cultural centre where you can learn about Islam, or even attend Arabic classes, but its definitely something to see, even if just from the outside.

(PC: Ziad Hunesh)

How many have you visited? If you know of other great places to visit in Qatar, let us know in the comments below.

Cover Image: Damon McDonald (QL Flickr Group)

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