Doha - The Pearl of Qatar

Well, I was visiting Qatar in early 2023, once all the furore of the World Cup has calmed down, you’re left to enjoy the beaches, water sports and theme parks as you like. Honestly, I was amazed by the new developments of the FIFA World Cup at the Lusail Stadium are turning Doha into a major tourist destination. They join a rich array of iconic museums, superb restaurants, thrilling desert adventures and world-famous events.

Check out my Top picks that you would recommend when visiting Qatar

1. The Pearl Qatar

My favourite part of Qatar was definitely The Pearl Qatar. It is a fascinating man-made island on four million sqm of reclaimed land. Known for its hotels, charming cafes and restaurants, iconic marina and luxury boutiques, it is a popular residential area, with a lavish community lifestyle. I would recommend taking about ride down the canals to enjoy the beautiful skyline from the water.

2. Banana Island

This crescent-shaped little island in the Persian Gulf off Doha offers a whole different side of Qatar that people often don’t think about. Covering 13 hectares and boasting its own marina and reefs, it’s now home to the Banana Island Resort Doha by Anantara, with Maldivian-style overwater villas and golden sands. Visitors not booked into the resort can go there for a day trip; there are catamaran ferries from Dhow Harbour near the Museum of Islamic Arts or private yacht transfers. Day passes include lunch, beach towels and an activity.

3. Doha Corniche

Explore Doha. The 8km curving Corniche is a great way to get your bearings, and you can also set sail on the Gulf in a traditional dhow, once used for pearl fishing, dive to shipwrecks from Downtown Doha itself, paddleboard, sail and kayak – tours by the latter can take you to hidden sandbanks and beaches.

4. Museums in Doha

Doha’s landmark buildings include the Msheireb Quarter, Education City and the Museum of Islamic Art on its artificial island, with the world’s largest collection of Muslim art. Another must-see is the Jean Nouvel-designed National Museum of Qatar, inspired by a ‘desert rose’ (multilayered crystals that form in salty sand), showcasing the history of Qatar from prehistoric times.

5. Theme parks and Entertainment

Immersive 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum and Quest Doha theme park with the world's tallest indoor rollercoaster. while the previous year saw the opening of the extensive Desert Falls Water & Adventure Park.