How to Explore the Vibrant Doha Culture—The Best of Qatar

Doha, Qatar, is one of the favoured holiday destinations in the Middle East. The capital city retains much of its exotic traditions and culture, which perfectly intermingles with the elegant modernity that is visible throughout Doha. If you are planning to explore the cultural sites there, ranging from vibrant souks to magnificent museums, check out this article on how to explore the vibrant culture of Doha.

Visit the National Museum of Qatar

National Museum, Doha, Qatar | Image via unsplash

The desert rose, a naturally occurring crystal found in the desert sands, was the inspiration behind the design of this museum, which was envisioned by architect Jean Nouvel winner of the Pritzker Prize. The entire complex is an impressive 430,500 sqft and quite a sight to admire. It’s built at the site of what was the seat of government in Qatar for over 25 years, the Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim Al-Thani Palace. Inside are displays and artefacts that shed light on the exotic cultural heritage of the nation. It certainly is a fascinating place to explore and one that is guaranteed to treat the culture buff in you. When planning your cultural holiday destinations, make sure to explore your options online. Several sites such as The Vacation Gateway offer information on the best historically and culturally rich destinations to explore.

Explore the Museum of Islamic Art

Head over to the Doha corniche to discover this beautiful complex that’s an ode to Islam. Located on a man-made island, the museum was designed by I.M. Pei, who is also a Pritzker prize winner. Made up of four floors, the place boasts a range of artefacts as well as several displays that are either permanent or seasonal. Apart from exploring the arts and culture, you can visit the designer café manned by a world-renowned chef located on the 5th floor. The best treat, by far, is visiting the heritage library, which has a treasure trove of over 21,000 books including some rare editions that are in English and Arabic. Before you leave, head over to the gift shop to pick up a few valuable souvenirs.

The Al Zubarah Archaeological Site

Declared a World UNESCO Site, Al Zubarah Fort belongs to the 20th century; therefore, it’s deemed one of the newer sites belonging to the dig. The fort is located in the similarly named town of Al Zubarah and is part of an ancient archaeological site. It’s a well-preserved piece of history that showcases ancient Arabic architectural styles. One impressive aspect of the place is the 1-metre thick walls that are designed to help keep the interiors of the fort cool during the blistering heat of desert summers. Inside the fort is a miniature city complete with palaces, winding streets, traditional courtyard houses, humble huts belonging to fisherfolk, cemeteries and a harbour, as well as a canal system.

The Pretty Pigeon Towers of Doha

This unique attraction is one of the more popular sites to visit in Doha. The towers are built to accommodate pigeons and as a method of collecting their droppings to be used as fertilizer. They are built in the traditional architectural styles of Islamic culture and look like two tall cones. It’s a one-of-a-kind attraction with an old amphitheatre located close by.

The Al Koot Fort Built as a Police Station

Built during the Ottoman Empire the Al Koot Fort was constructed to serve as a police station in the 1800s. It’s not as tall as other traditional forts and sits on a dry waterbed belonging to the Wadi Musheireb. Souq Waqif occupies the site today which helps recreate the old Arabic trading traditions that are a huge part of Qatar’s heritage.