Doha

Al Bidda Park

Rumeila Park

Formerly known as Rumeila Park, this is opposite the Corniche with an outdoor theatre, art gallery, water features, children’s play area and skateboard/rollerblading half-pipe. There is a metro station, several shops, a third-wave coffee shop, and public toilets.

Al Hamra

A family restaurant offering Lebanese dishes. Service is a bit slow, good for large groups.

06:00-01:00 daily

Al Jazeera Studios

One of Qatar's claims to fame is the Al Jazeera news network, which broadcasts to hundreds of millions around the world. The studios are not made to be a tourist attraction, although you may be able to contact the office and ask for a tour. A small on-site museum is dedicated to journalists who have died in the field, and has various timelines and displays about the network's history.

Al Koot Fort

Doha Fort

Built in 1880 during the Ottoman period, this big white fort is in what is now the parking lot of Souq Waqif. At the time it was built, however, the fort was on the outskirts of the city. It was used as an ethnographic museum, the building is undergoing renovations and is closed, although it is still a popular place to take photos.

Al Mourjan

An upscale place with tasty Lebanese dishes and some of the best views in Doha.

Al Najada

For a glimpse of some older Qatari architecture, it can be worthwhile to wander around some of the older neighborhoods surrounding Souq Waqif, particularly the small neighborhood to the immediate south of the souq. There are still a few notable old villas and mosques which predate the mostly 1970s-era buildings; given the pace of redevelopment in Doha it is unclear how much longer they will survive. Best explored on foot. (As the current inhabitants are exclusively male immigrants, women will feel uncomfortable without a male companion.)

Al Shami Home Restaurant

A Doha institution, featuring traditional Syrian and Lebanese dishes, and sheesha.

08:00-00:00 daily

Al Shaqab Horse Centre

Just "Al Shaqab"

A state of the art horse riding facility and equestrian centre highlighting the importance of the Arabian horse and the detailing the history of equestrianism in the area.

Closed · opens 7:30 am tomorrow·Varies

Al Zarka

Very popular with South Asian workers as well as Qataris. Menu features primarily Indian as well as Arabian dishes.

Open now · closes 1 am tomorrow

Arab Postal Stamp Museum

Established in 2010, this small museum exhibits stamps from 22 Arab countries.

Daily 07:00-13:30, 16:00-21:00

Asian Town

المدينة الآسيوية

A mall, activity centre, amphitheatre, cricket stadium and accommodations catering to migrant workers. Cricket matches are a truly unique experience, and the mall boasts Qatar's cheapest prices. It is controversial for its alleged usage to isolate migrant workers from broader society (though defenders argue it provides much needed housing and community for migrant workers), and is unfortunately often considered a no-go zone for most women.

Open now · closes 11:30 pm

Best Fish

Popular with Qataris. Cheap local fish dishes: the grilled hammour with garlic butter is recommended. Take away and home delivery available.

11:30-14:30, 17:30-00:00 daily

Bukhara

Delicious northern Indian cuisine, with especially good fish tandoori and chicken vindaloo.

Daily 12:00-15:30, 18:00-01:30

Calligraffiti Murals

In 2013 the French-Tunisian graffiti artist eL Seed was commissioned by the Qatar Museum Authority and the Public Works Authority to paint a series of 52 large-scale murals inspired by Qatari culture. The project required four months to complete and showcases eL Seed's signature style fusing Arabic calligraphy with street art. The murals can be best seen by simply driving through the tunnels.

Chingari

Expensive and good northern Indian food, with live Indian music on a small stage.

Daily 18:00-23:00

Ciao

Offers thin-crust pizza baked in a traditional oven, along with a good selection of pastas and risottos.

Open now · closes midnight tomorrow

City Center Doha

The largest shopping centre in Qatar. In West Bay, the modern part of the city on the northern end of the Corniche, it offers a large and diverse shopping experience, including several jewellery and perfume stores. For entertainment there is a large multiplex cinema, a bowling alley, a children's arcade, as well as an indoor ice skating rink. There are several eating options including two food courts and several sit-down restaurants. By western standards, this mall is quite dated for its age, but remains popular due to its large size and ideal location. Finally, the mall is home to a large Carrefour hypermarket.

Clock Tower

Next to the Grand Mosque, this old clock tower features Arabic numerals on its face. The tower is also on a hill, and as such offers some wonderful views of the Corniche.

Corniche

The visual highlight of Doha is Al-Corniche, a long seaside promenade that curves around Doha Bay and affords pretty views of Palm Tree Island and the city's skyscrapers. In the afternoons you will see plenty of locals strolling, often trying to get out of the way of the odd crazy Western ex-pat on rollerblades. It's also a good place for jogging. Cycling is prohibited. If you're looking to have the scenery all to yourself, go on a Friday morning.

Dhal Al Misfir

Misfir Sinkhole

The most well-known of Qatar's caves, this 40 m-deep formation contains fibrous, faintly phosphorescent gypsum crystals. There is also a resident flock of cave-dwelling Little Owls (Athene noctua). For safety reasons the site is surrounded by a chainlink fence but the gate is unlocked and visitors may enter freely.

Doha Zoo

The zoo is undergoing major renovation and refurbishment, and is closed.

Drag racing

Drag racing is promoted by the Qatari government on an organized racetrack so young drivers do not feel the need for crazy driving on the streets of Doha. For a fee you can race your own car, or you can watch one of the regularly-scheduled professional races.

Ezdan Mall

One of Doha's greatest malls, with 200 tenants and a Carrefour supermarket. Not all shops are open yet.

Fabric Souq

This comprises three different neighboring souqs (Al Ahmed, Al Asiery, and Al Dira). Here you can choose from a selection of exotic fabrics and have clothing designed and tailored to your specifications. For a complete outfit, allow about a week or two for completion.

Fanar Qatar Islamic Cultural Center

Easily spotted from the Corniche with its distinctive spiral minaret, the center aims to educate non-Muslims about Islam by offering free Arabic classes as well as art and calligraphy exhibits. The center conducts bi-weekly tours of local mosques followed by a traditional dinner (abayas provided for women, registration required), and also hosts weekly coffee mornings with presentations on Qatari culture and lifestyle (registration required).

Daily 08:00-12:00, 16:00-20:00·Free

Fish Market

The best fish in town at upscale prices, much of it local. Reservations recommended, particularly for the Friday brunch.

Sat-Thu 06:00-00:00, Fri 12:30-15:30

Gold Souq

The place to buy gold and jewellery. The purity of gold is strictly regulated, so you can be sure of the quality.

Heritage Library

Over 51,000 books in Arabic and other languages on Qatar and the Middle East, together with 600 antique maps, 2,000 manuscripts and 6,000 original photographs, form the Arabian and Islamic Heritage Library in Qatar, another initiative of HH Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al Missned through Qatar Foundation. It is one of the largest research centres in the Middle East, and is based on a collection started by Sheikh Hassan Bin Mohamed Al Thani in 1979. Tours of the collections are offered twice on Sunday and Tuesdays, at 10:00 and 11:30, no appointments required.

Free

Heritage Village

Its buildings are modeled on a traditional Qatari village. Visitors can expect to see weaving, pearl trading, and a dhow (traditional boat). The village is open only for Ramadan, Eid, and special cultural festivals.

House of Sheikh Abdullah bin Thani Al-Thani

A traditional Qatari home, remarkable because it has two instead of one 'majlis' (guest reception area). Built in 1935 using traditional materials and techniques, it has been fully restored. The building is not open to the public, but can be viewed from the outside.