Attractions in Doha

The Wind Tower
In the times before AC some buildings were cleverly designed to circulate cooling air. This building, located in Souq Ahmed off Grand Hamed Street, is the last one left in Doha.

The Heritage Village
Located on Doha's Corniche, next to Al Bidda park, the Heritage Village showcases traditional Qatari life.

Doha Fort
This square white fort, on the outskirts of Souq Waqif, was built by the Ottomans in the nineteenth century. After being defeated in battle by the Qataris in the 1893 they lurked there until finally being kicked out in World War One.

Al Shaqab Stud
This is a private stud farm. According to the Marhaba, visits can be arranged through a tour company or by ringing the Riding Equestrian Academy on 4812061/5737654.

Qatar National Museum
The Qatar National Museum, a former palace, is now a museum with a variety of exhibits from early Qatar History to the present. It should eventually contain an aquarium. The National Museum is officially shut, but if there is anyone there they normally allow you to walk round.

Museum of Islamic Arts
Located on an artificial island off the Corniche, Qatar's Islamic museum is scheduled to open at the end of 2008.

Weaponry Museum
The weaponry museum has a fantastic range of exhibits - if you can get to see it (see Museum Frustrations). It is probably easiest to arrange a visit through a tour company.

Waqif Art Center
The Waqif Art Center is located in Doha's Souq Waqif. The art center contains a mixture of exhibition rooms, and shops selling art, jewelry, books and art supplies.

Dhows
Traditional fishing dhows and fishing traps can be viewed close to Doha's port.

Dhow Boat Tours
Dhows will take you on boat trips around the bay - they leave from various points from around the Corniche. Be very clear about the price before leaving the jetty to avoid getting ripped off!

Live Animal Market
One of the most interesting places in Qatar is the live animal market. This covers a huge area, and you can see camels, goats, sheep, chickens and even birds of prey in the bird section!

Doha Zoo
The Zoo is located in Al Rayyan on the outskirts of the city. It has both local and international species of animals (they avoid polar bears for obvious reasons), a children's area and provides a pleasantly green alternative to much of the rest of Doha.