If you love history, culture and photography, Qatar has the perfect places to visit for you. The country offers a lens friendly feast of authentic lighting, awe-inspiring nature and modern architecture.
The Katara Cultural Village is one of the best places to visit in Doha that opened in 2010. It offers a glimpse into Qatari heritage and culture.
Katara Cultural Village
Located on the eastern coast of Doha, Katara Cultural Village is a fusion of Qatari culture and international art. It incorporates opera houses, museums, galleries, ancient Roman open-air ring theaters, theatres, art schools and a cultural and creative market all in one place.
The Village is an amazing complex that reflects Qatar’s rich heritage and its modern status as a cultural hub, offering visitors a wide variety of performances and exhibitions throughout the year. Besides the impressive theatres, galleries and performance venues, it also features a number of restaurants serving Qatari and international cuisine.
Food-wise, Katara offers plenty of choices ranging from Lebanese and Egyptian dishes at Khan Farouk Tarab Cafe to Armenian and Palestinian cuisine at Ard Canaan Restaurant, and even Indian dishes at Sukar Pasha or Saffron Lounge. Take your pick of a wide range of dining options and enjoy the sea views and laid-back atmosphere while you eat.
Film City Qatar
If you are looking for a unique experience on your Qatar vacation, consider visiting the mysterious Film City. This artificial town, which was built for movies and TV shows, sits in the middle of a desert peninsula in Zekreet.
This peninsula has a unique geology with bizarre rock formations, salt flats and plateau rocks. It also features some of the best views over the blue waters of the gulf.
As you drive up the slope, you will see several buildings in the distance. Eventually, you will reach the walled village.
In this area, you can walk around the village and imagine what it would be like to live in Qatar back then. You can even climb the turrets and enjoy amazing views of the desert.
You can visit Film City at any time during the day, but if you want to get the best shots of this mysterious place, you should come early in the morning or before sunset. Besides, you can find wild camels and oryx in the area so make sure to watch them.
Al Shahaniya Camel Race Track
A unique clash of modern and ancient sports delights locals and tourists alike at Al Shahaniya Camel Race Track, Qatar. Remote-controlled toddler-sized robot jockeys clad in colourful racing silks ride lanky camels across the sandy racetrack, which is the center of professional camel racing in Qatar and is an integral part of its culture.
During the race season, thousands of camels from Qatar and further afield compete to win valuable prizes, including gold and silver daggers and swords. The races run over varying distances, from 5 to 10 km.
You can get to the Al Shahaniya Camel Race Track easily from Doha city centre by hiring a taxi. The location is around 38 kilometers from Doha and is situated off the Dukhan-Doha highway. After passing the Al Rayyan football stadium, you will see a roundabout and turn left to the first exit. When you get there, look for the Oryx sign board. After that, you will find the racetrack on your left.
Al Khor Island
Al Khor Island, also known as Jazirat bin Ghanim or Purple Island is a beautiful natural gem in Qatar that will definitely satisfy your longing for peace and tranquility. Located in the municipality of Al Khor on the northeast coast of Qatar, it is surprisingly green and perfect for nature lovers to appreciate spotting fish, crabs, plants and blooms, fossils and wildlife as you take a stroll along the salt marshes.
- Whether you are traveling with family or alone, there are numerous activities that you can do on the island. Some of the most popular include Kayaking, bird watching, Kite surfing and paddleboarding.
- To get to the island, you can take a car or rent one from a nearby airport. Alternatively, you can book a vacation package that includes flights and hotel accommodations.
