How to Spend One Day in Doha - A quick run down!

 Are you on your way to another location and going to make a quick pit stop in Doha? If you choose to remain in your transit hotel rather than explore the surrounding area, you will undoubtedly miss out on all the excitement. You have no choice but to make the most of this opportunity and explore this intriguing and historically significant city. If you just have one day to spend in Doha, these are some of the most exciting activities you can do! 

Tim Adams, Interior of Museum of Islamic Art in Doha, Qatar in December, 2019, CC BY 3.0

The Museum of Islamic Art in Doha

The Museum of Islamic Art is the first place that most tourists will want to explore. It is a magnificently designed structure that occupies a location just opposite the harbour. At a considerable distance, one can make out modern structures that are quite tall, which serves to emphasise the contrast between the historic and the modern. The museum has an impressive collection of works. After you've gotten your fill of looking at artwork in the museum's collections, you can take a walk to the historic harbour that's just outside the building. You can cover ground quickly inside this area since it is not a very vast location. The picturesque sight of centuries-old dhow boats dotting the horizon lends an air of traditional Arab antiquity to the surroundings. The vast majority of people here come to the lake to fish or just rest on its shore. If you are an experienced fisherman, you are welcome to join in on the good times as well. And don't leave without trying some of the regional food served in this region! If you want to have a taste of the regional cuisine, you should make a reservation at one of the city's fine restaurants. There are several famous restaurants located in Doha hotels, the likes of Banana Island Resort Doha by Anantara. You can also book your accommodation here to make sure you get authentic local food every day. That's definitely a plus! 

Souq Waqif 

People from all over the Arab world congregate in these marketplaces known as souqs to purchase and sell a variety of things. Your time in Doha will seem like it is missing something important if you don't visit at least one of the city's traditional markets. The distance from the waterfront to this market is around five to ten minutes by foot. As you meander through the endless lanes that provide a range of things with an Arab theme, it is possible that you will get immediately overwhelmed with awe. At this market, the aroma of all the different spices combines to provide a really special ambience. It is common knowledge that markets are excellent places to get a feel for the life of the locals as well as the city itself, and this is also the case in Doha. 

 Doha shopping

Following your exploration of the traditional market, you will need to either hail a taxi or walk a great distance in order to reach the heart of the city. You simply cannot visit Doha without walking along the waterfront corniche and the esplanade, each of which is breathtaking in its own right. You may go for a walk down the river, and while you're there, you could stop at one of the many shops or cafes that are located in the vicinity. You will go away with a genuinely unique and amazing experience of modern Qatar. Massive shopping malls are places where you can get a lot of your shopping done in a short amount of time and with little effort. In addition, the restaurants in this region provide authentic cuisine. Coming here and spending some time will prove to be an endeavour that is well worth one's time and effort.