If you are visiting Qatar for the first time, you may think Doha is another Dubai with huge malls, luxury hotels and skyscrapers. Although it has got all of these, it also has plenty to offer as a quick stopover destination. Qatar may seem more low-key than its Emirati neighbours, but, it has plenty of cultural offerings to keep you occupied enough during a stopover. Apart from being impressively modern, it is also filled with traditional Arab souks, Arabian desert and the gorgeous beaches. Undoubtedly Doha offers vast cultural treasures with unique blend of Arab hospitality.
How many days is enough to visit Qatar? Is 3 days enough to visit Qatar?
How long is enough to visit Qatar really depends on your preferences and aim. There are varied opinions on the perfect duration of stay in Qatar and what to do during that short visit. While some people visit Qatar only for sightseeing, others just come to relax. But, there is plenty to do in Doha for one and all. There are museums, beaches, amusement parks, malls, desert safari, and everything that you expect from a cosmopolitan city.
In short, Doha has its own charm and style, and people who love art and culture will surely enjoy their visit to Doha, and may find even a week insufficient, while others looking at Doha as a stopover destination may feel 3 days as just right.
If you are staying for just 3 days in Qatar, you may ask, What can you do in Qatar in 3 days?’
Here are a few things that you could consider doing in your short visit to Qatar:
- Spend one of your days visiting the excellent museums the city has to offer. There are several of them to choose from depending on your interest, and they are all free. The Museum of Islamic Arts is worth visiting. There are other museums too like the Msheireb Museum, Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani Museum, etc.
- Take a stroll around Souq Waqif, Doha’s historic outdoor bazaar, located at walking distance from the Msheireb Museum. If you are looking for jewelry, it will be there in abundance in the Gold Souk. More than 40 stores sell variety of jewellery. There are other stalls too that sell spices, dried fruits, candies, and locally made art. You can also find antique stores, souvenir stalls and cafes.
- Don't miss the Desert safari. You can spend a day experiencing the desert, and enjoy dune-bashing, when a trained driver takes you out along the sand dunes for a thrilling ride. You can also stop by for a seaside desert camp for a snack or lunch. The sunset dhow cruise is another thing not to be missed. These cruises include dinner and traditional entertainment, but you can also book a tour which could last a couple of hours that takes you to see the sunset, followed by a stroll on the Corniche.
- Make a visit to the Aspire Park, centred on a large lake, home to aquatic animals. It is an idyllic retreat after a long day of shopping at neighbouring malls, which include the Villaggio and Hyat Plaza Mall. The park is also the perfect place for outdoor activities with green areas, sports ground jogging track, play area for kids, fountains and eateries.
- The Corniche is Doha's waterfront promenade that hugs the bay. This 7km strip offers wonderful views of Doha's progressive city skyline. This green, vehicle-free, pedestrian-friendly space is located in the heart of Doha and has plenty of restaurants and eateries. In the night, the wooden dhows bring the Corniche to life with lights and colour.
- The Entertainment World Village is the latest amusement park in Doha. With more than 30 rides and attractions, this park comes to life at night. It is the largest open-air park in the country. The park is open daily, and you can also get to view the Doha skyline from here.
- Katara, the small cultural village in Doha is a collection of art galleries, offices, a Mosque, pigeon houses, an Opera house, a multipurpose cinema, conference hall, a beach, a souq and the amphitheatre. It also has a museum showcasing the country’s maritime heritage. It is truly a reflection of the cultural and architectural heritage of Qatar.
- A trip to Qatar may seem incomplete without a visit to ‘The Pearl’, the artificial island where the most luxurious high-rise buildings in Qatar are located. This is also the first land in Qatar available for freehold ownership by foreign nationals. The Pearl is so-named as it resembles a string of pearls. It also includes a luxury shopping district.
This is not all, there is the National Library, Villaggio Mall, the Banana Island, the beaches, State Grand Mosque, the Al Shahaniya Camel Race Track and more. So, each time you visit Qatar you can discover something interesting, and realize that this small nation has plenty to offer for visitors, even on a short trip.
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