Qatar : Stunning Not to Miss Places to Visit in Qatar

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Qatar is one of the most hip-and-happening places in the Middle East. It gained independence from British rule in 1971 and hasn't looked back since then in terms of progress. It is one of the largest producers of oil and natural gas in the world and abounds in riches. It also has a rich, diverse culture to showcase to any oncoming traveler. The rich nation is a peninsula located towards the western coastal region of the Gulf of the Arabian Sea. It spans over a width of 100 km across and extends almost 200 km into the Arabian Gulf. There are many exciting places that you could visit while you are in Qatar and here is a list of some of the most stunning, unmissable places while you are traveling through this country!

Doha Fort and Doha Desert

Qatar, being a part of the Middle East, is largely covered in desert regions on which civilization has been built. Quite naturally, the Doha Desert is one of the finest features that you could be seeing while you are traveling into this land. It is part of the capital city, Doha, and a mesmerizing treat to the eyes. The sheer immensity of the desert is going to leave you awe-struck and in wonder! A day safari through the desert region ending with you watching a terrific sunset could just be your ideal start into a journey through Qatar.

While in Doha, you should also make it a point to visit Al Koot Fort, also known as the Doha Fort. It was built by Sheikh Abdulla bin Qassim Al Thani in 1927 as a military fortress during his rule between 1913 and 1949. It is now converted into a museum and quite a grand one at that depicting the culture and tradition of Qatar. Handiworks including wooden and gypsum ornaments, fishing implements, oil paintings, and old photographs line the walls of the museum in the fort, depicting the interesting history of Qatar. However, the most alluring feature of the fortress has to be the outer arena. It is heavily illustrious and creates the aura of yourself being encompassed by something eternally powerful. All of this makes the fort an important point to visit as you travel through Qatar.

Barzan Towers

The Umm Salal Mohammed Fort Towers, also known as the Barzan Towers is one of the most famous attractions to go to while visiting Qatar. These are a series of watchtowers that were initially constructed in the latter part of the 19th century. The towers were later modified during the reign of Sheikh Abdulla bin Qassim Al Thani around 1910. The main purpose of the towers was to provide fortification to the “rawdat”. A rawdat is a valley area where fresh rainwater is collected as it flows down from the higher regions and later used for a variety of regular activities.

The towers stand tall at a height of 16 meters and also served several other purposes. It was also built to keep track of the pearl divers and also to look out for approaching vessels on the sea. The tower might also have served as an observatory to track the moon and the skies. It has been restored in 2003 and is a marvelous sight to visit. The tower is also a stunning example of Islamic architecture. You will get some of the best views of the surrounding areas as you climb to the top of the tower. Be sure to carry a camera with you since the tower provides some of the most exceptional examples of photography.

The National Museum of Qatar

The National Museum of Qatar is situated in the capital city, Doha, and demands a special mention. It was opened to the public eyes on 28th March 2019 after reconstructing the original Qatar National Museum. Jean Nouvel designed this brilliant architectural masterpiece after being inspired by the desert rose crystals which are found abundantly in Qatar. Sheikh Al Thani’s palace is part of the museum since it is part of the Qatari identity. The intricate design of the museum would baffle onlookers to whom it may appear like an origami masterpiece. The museum is still under construction and slowly taking the form of an intricate desert rose.

Inland Sea

Inland Sea or Khor Al Adaid is one of the most innovative natural features in the world that you are going to see. It is alluring and captivating and is a common haunt for tourists as well as locals alike. You will find tranquillity and serenity like nowhere else while you come to visit this spot coupled together with astonishing beauty. You also get to see untouched nature in one of its purest forms as you behold Khor Al Adaid. There are options to camp at this site too for the more adventurous soul who wants to experience desert camping at its finest. Geographically speaking, Khor Al Adaid is an inlet of the sea from the Persian Gulf that cuts through the border between Qatar and Saudi Arabia. The water in this region is much saltier than the surrounding areas since the region has high temperatures and low rainfall.

Mesaieed is the nearest settlement to the Inland Sea and you have to reach this exclusive spot from this location. If you visit the Inland Sea during a high tide you can see the dunes smoothly sloping into the sea. On the other hand, during low tides, a mesh of microbial mats is left on the sand while intricate natural patterns are drawn upon the sand visible through the inlet’s crystal-clear waters.

Al Jassasiya Carvings

Situated towards the northeastern side of Doha the Al Jassasiya Carvings are one of the most mysterious geographic features that Qatar has to offer. These are a set of petroglyphs or carvings done on stone. There are such carvings found at other sites within Qatar but these are some of the most well-preserved ones out there. The quality of these ancient carvings is also top-notch which adds to the allure that this holds. There are about 900 such glyphs found in the Al Jassasiya site representing geometric patterns, animal forms, and boat-like structures found along two parallel “jebels” or lines. These are believed to be some sort of symbolic representation though the true purpose of the petroglyphs is yet to be discovered. There are many more such markings in the region that have become indistinguishable over the years. The true origin of the symbols is also a mystery though it is believed that the markings are at least a few hundred years old.

Katara Cultural Village

The Katara Cultural Village is part of The Pearl and is situated on the eastern banks of West Bay. It is a terrific cultural center amongst the Qatari people and is a center for music, art, theatre, literature, displays, and gatherings. Huge events such as the Doha Tribeca Film Festival, Ajyal Youth Film Festival, and TEDxDoha are organized in the Cultural Village.

At the heart of the Katara Cultural Village is the Katara Mosque, an unmissable place while you are traveling through Qatar. Everything from the architectural fashion to the surrounding areas of the Katara Mosque is different from what you usually see in any Islamic nation, even within Qatar. The blue mosaic edifice with hints of red and yellow is most alluring. The design is tricky while the interiors are equally fascinating. The mosque was designed by Zainab Fadil Oglu and is regarded as one of the most beautiful mosques to visit in Qatar and the Middle East. The structure of the mosque coupled with the minarets, the interiors, and the prayer hall are all inspired by various famous mosques found in several cities throughout the world.

Doha Corniche

The Doha Corniche is another structure within the capital city, Doha, which demands a special mention. This 7 km long waterside promenade is excellently designed and has quite the mesmerizing appeal to it. Many annual celebrations in Qatar such as the Qatar National Day or the National Sports Day in Qatar are centered around this waterfront promenade. It is a popular attraction among the tourists to enjoy some relaxing and leisurely time in the capital.

Corniche is one of the most-visited places in Qatar. In fact, you’d have to cross the Corniche some time or the other as you are exploring through the capital city. It used to be empty space at one point in time but the 21st century has bought about all kinds of developmental works in the area with new skyscrapers being added to the skyline every year.

Souq Waqif

Souq Waqif is THE marketplace in Doha where you have to go to believe how grand it is. It is one of the most unmissable places in the nation and is the best place to look for all kinds of souvenirs to take home with you from your Qatar trip.  Handicraft items, spices, and traditional garments are some of the exciting wares that you are going to find at the Waqif Souq. There are also a series of restaurants as well as Shisha lounges to cater to all your culinary and relaxation needs while walking through the marketplace. Though the traditional marketplace dates back hundreds of years, it was reconstructed in 2006 to give it a more modern feel while beautifully preserving the Qatari tradition and architecture. It is not very far from Doha Corniche and should be on your  Qatar itinerary. Some of the more exotic find to look out for while walking through the marketplace has to be embroideries, perfumes, spices, and oud, a traditional incense made from agarwood.