How to spend 3 days in Doha – Maximise your time and investments within the Qatari capital
Doha, Qatar has a reputation for offering the perfect base for both laidback and adventure-savvy vacationers to find their own niche. From culture-soaked trips that will have you combing through museums, cultural centres and souqs to escapes involving riding on a traditional Dhow over the waters of the Corniche, one’s time in Doha is bound to go off well. Provided below is a 3-day itinerary for prospective travellers.
Day 1
No sooner you check into your 2 bedroom apartment in Doha, do toy with the thought of exploring the southern portions of the city for during these trips, you will have the best seat in the house to learn of the finer points of the local culture. Kick things off with some time at the Souq Waqif which will allow you to pick and choose form a vast array of traditional garments, handicrafts, pungent spices and fancy souvenirs that would make for excellent gifts for family and friends back home. The sellers do not come off as being pushy and therefore, you will not be intimated as you attempt to strike up a favourable deal. Literally a hop, step and jump from Souq Waqif is the Fanar Mosque which can be easily distinguished by its spiral design elements which glisten against a clear blue sky. Once here, you can be educated on the principles of Islam before focussing your attention on the Doha Corniche where you may employ the services of a local to take you sailing in a Dhow boat. Riding a Dhow will prove to be a step in the right direction for you will have an outstanding chance to capture the city skyline bathed in all its glory.
Day 2
Reserve your second day in Doha for its northern areas and particularly, do head straight for Katara Cultural Village which acts as an educational and recreational playground for all ages and likes. First up, pause by the magnificent Blue Mosque where you will be greeted by scenes of turquoise and purple hues that adorn the outer surface of this place of worship. From here onwards, you may opt to unwind on a beach, rent a kayak, shop till you drop and even sample authentic fare from across the globe at any of the Village’s restaurants. Next up are the night markets in Lusail which aside from offering insightful walking tours will hand you a wonderful opportunity to indulge your foodie senses in an assortment of cuisine served from food trucks. Also, never lose sight of how valuable the local shopping malls are to Doha’s identity and with this thought in mind, it is advisable to set foot within Place Vendome Mall whose design style has drawn inspiration from classical France. Once here, you can get your daily caffeine dose and purchase your favourite brands, all neatly found under one roof.
Chainwit., Doha - Katara Cultural Village Entrance, CC BY-SA 4.0
Day 3
Make the most of your final day in Qatar’s capital by scheduling a full day or half-day tour of the desert. With a knowledgeable tour guide by your side, you will be well on your way towards enjoying the thrills and spills of some dune bashing in the comfort of a robust 4x4, sandboarding and even a few hours on the back of a camel. Cap it all off with a traditional local dinner spread that will be provided alongside the finest entertainment you can ask for, out here in the deserts of Doha. On a concluding note, you must spend time researching on which form of accommodation will suit you best and where you see yourself travelling with family or friends, then you will need to take into account the whims and fancies of all those concerned prior to arriving at any informed decision. Ideally, choose to stay at a hotel or resort that provides ease of access to Doha’s most sough after sections and attractions. One such example will be to book with Al Najada Doha Hotel Apartments by Oaks.
