If it had been necessary to bet ten years ago on the tourist attraction of a small country like Qatar, few travelers would have bet a riyal there.
However, today it is a transformed country, where the money from natural gas has been transformed into cultural, sporting and touristic investments.
Enough to make the destination more attractive, as evidenced by the buildings commissioned from internationally renowned architects, such as Jean Nouvel, Ieo Ming Pei and Rem Koolhaas.
To discover
Find all the results of the legislative elections
The FIFA World Cup, which will be held from November 21 to December 18, 2022, will put this small Middle Eastern emirate in the spotlight.
Qatar intends to take advantage of the opportunity to develop its tourist offer and find a place for itself alongside its big neighbors in the Arabian Gulf, Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
A hundred new hotels will open on the occasion of the Mondial and will be added to the 180 that already exist.
Thanks to its location between Europe, Africa and Asia, Doha is an ideal destination for an extended air stopover of one or two days (
stopover
).
Read alsoQatar announces the opening of a seaside resort dedicated to kitesurfing
The arrival
To reach the center of Doha from Hamad International Airport, it is best to take the red line of the metro, inaugurated in 2019. The journey of only 15 minutes can be done in Standard class (0.50 €) or in class Gold (€2.50) which offers more space and comfort.
Count €1.50 and €7.50 respectively for the day pass.
Traveling to Qatar during the World Cup, a guide
Hotels, apartments, villas... Accommodation reservations are centralized on the qatar2022.qa website.
If it is still possible to book nights via the usual channels (hotel sites, Airbnb, etc.), availability is allocated in priority on this platform and to holders of tickets for the World Cup.
In addition, it is necessary to apply for a "Hayya Card" - a kind of visa reserved for stays during the World Cup - for any arrival between November 1, 2022 and January 23, 2023, even if you are not attending the matches.
Read alsoFifa World Cup in Qatar: it's time to book your accommodation
What to do right now in Doha
THE EXHIBITION TO SEE
The exhibition dedicated to Pipilotti Rist includes an installation of 12,000 LED lights.
Ali Al Anssari / Qatar Museums
The Swiss visual artist Pipilotti Rist is exhibiting in the magnificent National Museum of Qatar until December 20, 2022. The exhibition "Your Brain to Me, My Brain to You" is intended as a reflection on the collective unconscious of humanity and the power of the mind.
An installation of 12,000 LED lights evoking neurons communicates with abstract images of Qatar's landscapes.
National Museum of Qatar, Museum Park Street, Doha.
Free admission, online reservation required.
THE GOOD TABLE
Jiwan
Located on the fourth floor of the National Museum of Qatar, Jiwan ("perfect pearl" in Qatari) showcases the country's culinary specialties.
At the head of this second Alain Ducasse restaurant in Qatar (after IDAM, located in the Museum of Islamic Arts), chef Philippe Duc, originally from Charente-Maritime, is keen to respect Bedouin cooking techniques.
We appreciate the care given to the crockery, scrupulously selected from artisans around the world.
Jiwan, Museums Park Street, Doha.
Such.
: +974 4452 5725. Jiwan menu at €50, à la carte dishes at €25.
THE HOTEL IN VIEW
Banyan Tree Doha
An Urban Retreat room at the Banyan Tree Doha hotel.
Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts
It is the first address of the Singaporean hotel group Banyan Tree in the Middle East.
Opened in the summer of 2021, this five-star developed in partnership with Accor on the concept of "urban retreat" is ideally located in the central district of Mushaireb.
In addition to 126 rooms and suites, the establishment has 215 residences with balconies.
Customers have access to a Rainforest spa, five restaurants (Thai, Italian, Indian, etc.) and a lounge bar, the Vertigo, located on the 28th floor.
Banyan Tree Doha at La Cigale Mushaireb, Al Khaleej Street, Doha.
Such.
: +974 4410 3333. Urban Retreat room for two people from €369 per night, breakfast extra (€26).
Read alsoQatar announces the opening of a seaside resort dedicated to kitesurfing
Day 1: did you say culture?
Morning
Inaugurated in April 2019, the National Museum of Qatar, designed by Jean Nouvel, is one of the prides of the emirate.
PATRICK BAZ / NATIONAL MUSEUM OF QATAR / AFP
After a good breakfast, head for the Corniche to go to
the National Museum of Qatar
, inaugurated in 2019. Designed by the French architect Jean Nouvel, the building of more than 52,000 m² in the shape of a sand rose immediately impresses.
Inside several galleries are proposed to discover, in turn, the fauna and flora of the country, the customs of its inhabitants, the essential pearl fishing or the development of the exploitation of natural gas.
Also on the edge of the Corniche is a few minutes walk from the
Museum of Islamic Art
(MIA).
Opened in 2008, it is undergoing renovations and will reopen in the fall of 2022. This building designed by the architect Ieoh Ming Pei - to whom we owe the Louvre pyramid in particular - retraces 14 centuries of history. through the exhibition of 800 works of art.
The interest here is above all in the building, another architectural feat of Doha.
Do not miss the outdoor terrace which offers a breathtaking view of the
skyline
.
The perfect place for the souvenir photo!
To get around the park surrounding the museum, hail an electric cart (free).
Lunch break
For lunch, head to the
Yasmine Palace
restaurant , in The Pearl archipelago of man-made islands that has become one of Doha's fanciest neighborhoods.
Its sublime decoration, with its authentic Arabic architecture, and its mixture of Andalusian, Levantine and Qatari-inspired dishes, make it one of the addresses not to be missed in Doha.
Afternoon
"Mom" is a sculpture by visual artist Louise Bourgeois.
Dedicated to the artist's mother, it takes the form of a gigantic spider.
QNTC
Head to the
Education City
neighborhood , where the campuses of some major US universities are located, and pay a visit to the
National Library
.
Designed by the Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas, it is reminiscent of an ultramodern airport, and its collection is also impressive: more than a million books, in several languages, and 500,000 digital editions are available to readers.
Then make a short stop at the
Convention Center
to admire “Maman”, a must-see and monumental work by
Louise Bourgeois
, before ending with the surprising
Education City Mosque
.
A futuristic place of worship, signed MYAA, capable of accommodating several thousand worshipers.
Do not hesitate to enter it once the hour of prayer is over, the welcome is very warm and we will tell you with pleasure the genesis of the site.
Dinner and evening
Not far from the beach, Katara, the "cultural village" of Doha.
Natalia - stock.adobe.com
End the evening at
Katara Village
, located on the east coast of the city, between West Bay and The Pearl.
At nightfall, many locals come to stroll through this cultural district, passing from the small alleys to its open-air amphitheater, where concerts and shows are regularly offered.
If walking is the best way to discover the place, electric carts with drivers can be borrowed for free.
For a dinner on the terrace facing the Arabian Gulf, the
Mamig
, still located in Katara Village, is a good restaurant offering Lebanese and Armenian specialties, all in a traditional atmosphere.
Remember to book, the restaurant is often full.
And prefer the terrace to be able to discuss quietly, once the music and the songs started by the invited artists.
Day 2: get lost in the desert or in the souk
Morning
One hour from the capital, the desert and the inland sea Khor al Adaid.
Brice Lahaye / Le Figaro
Wake up early to depart for the
desert
and Khor al Adaid Inland Sea, located just over an hour from the capital.
A half-day
4x4 safari
, with the Q-Explorer agency, to discover this UNESCO World Heritage nature reserve.
The opportunity also to try "dune bashing" - sensations guaranteed!
- before finishing in the very south of the peninsula to enjoy a swim in the middle of the desert, with a view of the coast of Saudi Arabia.
A place of rare beauty.
Lunch break
Back in Doha, head for the Corniche, where the
Al Mourjan
restaurant is located , a must-see restaurant in the city.
First for its terrace and its magnificent view of the bay and the buildings.
But also for its menu, made up of Lebanese dishes and seafood specialties. Sharing is appropriate with a large choice of mezes to discover the flavors on offer.
All accompanied by a mint lemonade, refreshing as possible.
Afternoon
After lunch, schedule a visit to
Al Shaqab Stables
.
This immense complex of 980,000 m² in the shape of a horseshoe has all the infrastructure imaginable for the well-being of equines: outdoor and indoor competition tracks (in case of high heat), ultra-modern care center and numerous facilities, including the indispensable jacuzzi.
The visit ends with the stables, where the most beautiful Arabian thoroughbreds in the world rest, athletes worth several million euros, before leaving to take part in the biggest international competitions.
Dinner and evening
In the evening, it is good to stroll through the narrow alleys of Souq Waqif, in search of carpets, jewelry or souvenirs.
Visit Qatar
End the day in the narrow aisles of
Souq Waqif
, starting with the market.
The opportunity to negotiate some local products: carpets and fabrics, jewelry, crafts or fruit.
A passage is also essential to the hospital for falcons, a surprising medical establishment, where the only patients are birds of prey.
If, let's be clear, most shops sell imported products, you will find artisanal products in an alley called Handicraft Market.
Finally continue in the main avenue, Al Souq, where the
restaurant Al Parisa
is located .
With its sparkling decor and vibrant colors, the establishment resembles a Persian palace.
Iranian food is a reflection of the place, warm and very hearty.
And to prolong the evening, head to the Marsa Malaz Kempinski hotel, in The Pearl district.
At the top is the
Secret Garden
, a
speakeasy
like it is developing more and more in Qatar.
Whisper to an employee that you want access and they will discreetly lead you to the rooftop.
Very chic for a last cocktail.
Address Book
RESTAURANTS
Al Parisa Souq Waqif restaurant.
Jean-Marc De Jaeger / Le Figaro
Al Parisa Souq Waqif - Al Souq Street, Souq Waqif Doha.
Such.
: +974 4441 1494.
Jiwan, Museums Park Street, Doha.
Such.
: +974 4452 5725.
Al Sufra - Marsa Malaz Kempinski, The Pearl - Doha.
Such.
: +974 4035 5555.
Spice Market - W Doha Hotel, West Bay, Doha.
Such.
: +974 4453 5135.
Deli Kitchen - Al Messila, Um Al Saneem Street, No. 970, Zone 36, Doha.
Such.
: + 974 4445 0000.
CAFES AND BARS
The Nobu Bar at the Four Seasons Hotel in Doha.
Visit Qatar
Nobu - Four Seasons Hotel Doha, West Bay.
Such.
: + 974 4494 8888.
Vertigo - Banyan Tree Doha Hotel, Al Khaleej Street, Doha.
Such.
: +974 4410 3338.
Secret Garden - Marsa Malaz Kempinski Hotel, The Pearl-Qatar.
Such.
: + 974 4035 5757.
Sky View - La Cigale Hotel, 60 Suhaim Bin Hamad Street Doha.
Such.
: + 974 4428 8204.
Belgian Café - InterContinental Doha, 223 Lusail Street, Al Dafna, West Bay.
Such.
: +974 4484 4919.
OR SLEEP ?
The Banana Island Resort Doha by Anantara and its villas on stilts, located on an island off the coast of Doha.
Anantara
Banana Island Resort Doha by Anantara.
Such.
: +974 4040 5050.
The Ritz-Carlton Doha, West Bay Lagoon, Doha.
Such.
: +974 4484 8000.
Le Royal Méridien Doha, Place Vendôme, Lusail.
Such.
: +974 4141 6000.
Al Najada Doha Hotel by Tivoli, Barahat Al Jufairi Street, Doha.
Such.
: +974 4470 4444.
Sharq Village & Spa at Ritz-Carlton Hotel - Ras Abu Abboud Street.
Tel: +974 4425 6666.
GO
With the company
Qatar Airways
, voted "best airline in the world" for the sixth time in 2021 in the Skytrax ranking.
Paris CDG-Doha return ticket from €908 in economy class and from €4622 in business class.
Three daily flights from Paris, including one by A380.
The national airline of Qatar serves many destinations in Africa, Asia and Oceania with a stopover in Doha.
qatarairways.com.
ASK ABOUT
Qatar Tourism Board: visitqatar.qa.
[Originally published on December 31, 2019, this article has been updated.]