Parks and the outdoors in Doha

Parks and the outdoors in Doha

1. See

   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.

2. Do

   Jungle Zone

   3500 m² of animal-themed children's attractions, Qatar's most popular indoor theme park.

3. See

   Katara Cultural Village

   This building complex is designed to resemble a traditional Qatari village, and includes a large open-air amphitheater, opera house, drama theater, galleries, as well as a number of (expensive) restaurants featuring international cuisine. The galleries host changing art and photography exhibits, and various festivals are held here throughout the year. There is also a public beach here (entry fee QR 100) which offers watersport activities. Modest beach attire is required, i.e. for women a one-piece suit.

4. See

   MIA Park

   This modern park was built on reclaimed land and affords great views of the West Bay skyline. Visitors can rent bicycles or paddleboats, and enjoy coffee or ice cream at a small café. At the end of the promenade is the monumental sculpture '7' by American sculptor Richard Serra. During the winter the MIA Park Bazaar is held on the first Saturday of every month, offering an eclectic mix of food, arts, crafts, books, and souvenirs.

   Oct-May: Wed-Mon 10:30-23:30, Jun-Sep: Wed-Mon 18:00-00:00, closed 1 Jul - 2nd day of Eid·Free

5. Eat

   The Garden Village Restaurant Doha

   Recommended for its good ambience and nice Indian village model interior.

6. Do Not mapped

   Beaches

   There are well-maintained private beaches in Doha owned by hotels, which permit public access for a fee. Hotels with beaches include the Grand Hyatt, Diplomatic Club, InterContinental, Sheraton, Sharq Village, and the Four Seasons, with fees ranging from QR 180 for weekday passes to annual family memberships. Additionally, the Katara Cultural Village operates Doha's only public beach, with an entry fee of QR 100. On private beaches western swim wear is acceptable, but on public beaches women should dress more modestly (i.e. with long water shorts and t-shirts).

7. Do Not mapped

   Sheesha

   A typical Middle Eastern activity in the afternoons is to find a sheesha cafe and smoke some fruit-flavoured tobacco. One of the best places in Doha is Ras-Naswa at the non-Sheraton end of the Corniche. It's in a picturesque old-style building reminiscent, in colour and texture if not grandeur, of the red Mughal structures in India. Ras-Naswa has a nice outdoor garden and serves decent Middle Eastern food.

8. Do

   Aspire Park

   The largest park in Doha. Lots of grass, trees, playgrounds.

   Free

9. Eat

   Garden Annapoorna

   It serves great south Indian dishes.

10. Eat

    Shanghai Garden

    Favoured by local Chinese expats.

    Open now · closes 11:30 pm

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Doha (CC BY-SA 4.0).