Qatar is home to luxuries situated in Western Asia and considered one of the biggest transit gateways in the world for overseas tourists. One of the main reasons why people yearn to spend their vacations in Qatar is the hospitality offered by the country.

You will be flabbergasted to see what the country has to offer, from profound activities and art, and culture to visiting a range of best places, one can easily find countless options to enjoy in this amazing country.

Therefore, if you are in search of a destination to spend a long weekend alone, with family, friends, or your partner, then plan your next vacation to this astounding country.

Best Time to Visit

From mid of November to mid of March is considered the best time to visit Qatar when you can enjoy an array of activities in pleasant weather. You can relish at beaches as the sea temperature remains normal and you can also spend a day in the desert and have fun doing different adventures without getting exposed to sweltering heat.

However, you can visit Qatar from December to February also, as the country welcomes moderate rainfall. Moreover, the months from June to September are considered off-season and are super-hot as well. Therefore, plan your vacation accordingly.

Visa Information

Travelers do need a visa unless they belong to any of the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) countries or they have citizenship of the countries eligible for the visa waiver. Moreover, you can obtain a visa online, either from their official site or Qatar Airways’ website if you have booked your flight with the airline.

Except for the GCC citizens, all travelers are required to hold a passport with a minimum of three months of validity from the arrival date. Whereas, GCC citizens are allowed to use their national identity cards to enter the country.

10 Top Things to Do in Qatar

Explore Museums in Doha

If you are a history buff then visiting museums in the capital of Qatar must be on your list! Explore the National Museum of Qatar, which is quite popular for its tremendous historic collection as well as architectural excellence. Tourists visiting this place can see stunning views of the bay and walk through the history of Qatar in three different sections.

Also, visit the Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani Museum, one of the most eccentric museums in the entire Middle East. You can see a wide variety of artifacts and a lot more belonging to different eras of history.

Go on a Shopping Spree at Souq Waqif

While in Qatar, evoking your inner shopaholic person is one of the best things you can do. Stroll down Souq Waqif, one of the brilliant places to visit in Qatar, visited by thousands and millions of tourists every year. Settled on a prehistoric trading site, this marketplace is set up in a traditional way where you will see old Qatari buildings, traditional shops rendered in mud, etc. Besides buying items like jewelry or spices, and handicrafts, you can binge-eat at any of the traditional or international restaurants present at this place.

Marvel at Beaches

If you want to add some thrill to your tour, hit Sealine Beach a perfect place for kitesurfing. Considered one of the best beaches in Qatar, here you can enjoy doing kitesurfing activities in the pleasant weather.

You can also head to one of the most awe-inspiring beaches of Qatar, Fuwairit Beach. Situated almost 100 km north Of Doha, here you can have fun camping with family or friends and then move towards Coral Hill to capture some awesome pictures. Moreover, this place is apt for swimming as well.

Visit Villagio Mall

Qatar is home to many luxurious malls including the Villaggio Mall, which gives Venetian vibes and eatured among major tourist attractions in Doha. You cannot miss the chance of visiting this uber-chic place shaded with magnificent architecture inspired by Venetian art. You will be surprised to know that around 50,000 visitors come to this mall daily not for just shopping purposes but to experience fine dining options to satisfy their cravings. Furthermore, one of the main things, which attracts people, is the ceiling of the mall that mirrors the sky.

Take a Tour of at Katara Cultural Village

Exploring the culture of any country must be the utmost priority for any tourist. Hence, those visiting Qatar should visit the Katara Cultural Village, a perfect tourist attraction highlighting the culture of Qatar adequately. This place houses marvelous art galleries, two beautiful mosques, gardens, a theatre, and a lot more.

Each corner of this place reflects the exclusive art and culture of Qatar and features a glimpse of the rich history of the country. You will also find an array of restaurants enough to ignite your taste buds. Here you can see the astonishing nightlife of Doha and enjoy relishing food and view both.

Have a Whale of a Time at At Katara Beach

Qatar is a perfect destination for adventure seekers and provides a wide variety of exciting activities at different famous locations. Parasailing is one of those activities, which grabs the attention of the majority of tourists, and to relish it there is no perfect spot than Katara Beach, settled in Doha in one of the most scenic locations of Qatar.

Besides parasailing, the beach offers other amazing facilities as well for both adults and kids. So, if you love outdoor activities, hit Katara Beach and it’s a promise you won’t be disappointed!

Enjoy Kayaking at Al Thakira Natural Reserve

Kayaking is one of the most exciting things to do in Qatar and Al Thakira Natural Reserve is the best option to experience this adventure. Settled about 64 km away from the country’s capital Doha on Qatar’s northeast side, Al Thakira is the biggest mangrove natural reserve in the country offering picturesque views of nature to numerous tourists.

The never-seen-before wildlife present at this reserve makes Kayaking more adventurous. Just imagine yourself kayaking through the mangroves while closely looking at the wildlife, must be already giving goosebumps to you.

Enjoy Sands Dune Striking at Doha Desert

Qatar is undoubtedly full of adventurous activities and dune bashing is certainly one of those. This activity is not for weak-willed people as it involves riding on a 4×4 vehicle and bashing the huge red sand dunes. Usually, most of the tourists visiting Qatar try their hands on this 30 to 40 minutes long thrilling activity, which is enough to leave their hearts thumping.

The interesting fact is that this adrenaline rush activity is not only famous in Qatar but also considered one of the best things to do in the whole Middle East.

Relish the Sparkling Waters of Banana Island

If you are a beach bum, head to Banana Island one of the stunning places to visit in the country. This island has gradually grabbed immense importance and become one of the favorite spots to explore for tourists, and the reason behind that is its serenity.

Nestled 24 km away from the center of Doha, you can enjoy swimming in the crystal blue waters or other mind-blowing arrays of watersports.

Moreover, banana boating is one of the most popular activities endeavored by travelers and is a perfect place to visit with family and kids.

Take a Tour of Dahl Al Misfr Cave

Another best thing to do in Qatar is to seek an awe-inspiring adventure by discovering Al Misfr Cave a famous natural landmark in Qatar. In this 40 meters deep cave, tourists can witness a blazing glow shining like a moon.

Exploring this massive cave is a next-level thrill, where you will end up watching owls or other unique inhabitants of the cave adding a touch of astounding adventure to the tour. Undoubtedly, it is one of the exceptional hidden treasures and a tourist attraction where escapade lovers can embark on a thrilling journey.

3 Best Hotels to Stay in Qatar

Sheraton Grand Doha Resort & Convention Hotel

This hotel has gained immense recognition among travelers making it one of the most iconic hotels to stay in Qatar. Featuring a private beach and spectacular outdoor amenities such as a fitness center, children’s pool, an outdoor pool, and this 5-star luxury hotel perfectly situated just 15 minutes away from the Hamad International Airport and in the heart of Doha.

While staying at this lavish hotel you can take in breathtaking views from your room’s private balcony as well as visit one of the most enigmatic landmarks of Qatar including the Museum of Islamic Art, Souq Waqif, and Doha Corniche.

W Doha

W Doha settled along the West Bay Lagoon of Doha is one of the outstanding 5-star hotels in Qatar. The hotel boasts superb facilities and stylish rooms, offering its guests a visual treat of a blend of the latest design and Islamic art. W Doha is quite popular for its great culinary options including stunning restaurants, spice market, and Market by Jean-Georges, allowing guests to ignite their taste buds in a luxurious ambiance.

What else? The hotel also features a spa, a swimming pool, a poolside bar, an indoor lounge, a gym, and seven halls where they organize events.

The St.Regis Doha

St. Regis Doha is one of the best hotels in Qatar as well as for some reason considered one of the top-rated attractions in the country. Boasting exceptional services, 336 extravagant suites, and rooms with an Arabian touch and an incredible sea view, this hotel is all about luxury.

Settled on the West Bay and bordered by the Arabian Gulf, this hotel offers a remarkable array of restaurants like Vintage, Oyster Bay Bar, Astor Grill, Al-Sultan Brahim, and much more, where you can tuck into a delicious range of dishes. There will be no dull moment while staying at this hotel.

3 Best Restaurants to Eat in Qatar

Saffron Restaurant

Located at Banyan Tree one of the premium hotels in Qatar, Saffron Restaurant is an exquisite eatery to give your taste buds a delicious treat. The restaurant serves the best quality range of Thai food including fried rice, tom yum soup, green curry, and braised chicken.

Moreover, the meals served at this restaurant are highly expressive and Instagram-worthy! Nestled in a serene location, Saffron features stunning views of the sparkling skyline of Doha. It is quite different from typical Thai restaurants, which is why you should add it to your list if you visit Doha.

The Panoor Restaurant

Rooted in Al-Khor, the Panoor Restaurant is one of the most famous family restaurants and the best option to satisfy your food cravings, especially if you prefer vegan cuisine only. Its diverse menu comprises both finger-licking non-vegetarian and vegetarian dishes prepared by highly skilled chefs.

Their menu also includes a delish food range from South and North India making this eatery one of the best Indian restaurants in the country. Therefore, if you are an ardent fan of Indian cuisine, you should give a try to this place!

The Teatro Restaurant

Located in the city center Mall of Doha, Teatro is one of the top rated Indian restaurants in Qatar and favorite among tourists for its impeccable services and diverse menu. This award-winning restaurant is quite popular for offering business lunches on weekdays and an excellent fixed menu, which makes it no less than a 5-star restaurant in the country.

They ensure a delightful dining experience for their guests by offering a scrumptious food and drinks menu, which not just includes Indian dishes, but also features traditional cuisine of Qatar and International cuisines like Japanese, Chinese, Italian, and Thai cuisines.

Conclusion

Those planning to visit any Arab country, book your flight to Qatar and grab the opportunity of witnessing stunning landscapes including deserts and a Persian Gulf coastline boasting picturesque beaches and panoramic sand dunes. Your one itinerary list won’t be enough for this mesmerizing place, as it offers oodles of options for hotels, restaurants, shopping, or activities. Moreover, there are numerous best things to do in Qatar, so after exploring one, you will be ecstatic to discover the next. So, what are you waiting for? Get a visa stamp on your passport, pack your bags, and get ready to explore one of the most astonishing countries in the world.