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Culture enthusiasts

An itinerary dedicated to travellers of an average age of 45, who want to immerse themselves in a different culture. During their stay, they can visit museums, cultural heritage sites and traditional parks. They can explore the city, eat the local cuisine, and attend culture-rich performances and events.

Highlights

  • Explore the museums of Qatar
  • Discover the heritage sites of Qatar
  • Enjoy live performances 
  • Visit the Education City Mosque 
  • Duration

    3 days

  • Hotels

    4 - 5 star

  • Performances

    Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra

  • Tour

    Qatar Foundation Art and Architecture

  • Visa

Explore Doha's Corniche and nearby museums

Morning / afternoon

1. Visit the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) and MIA Park

Begin your tour at the famous Museum of Islamic Art, an architectural wonder designed by Pritzker prize-winning architect I.M. Pei, covering 14 centuries of Islamic art and artefacts. The museum comprises four floors of permanent and temporary exhibitions, a gift shop, a café and the haute cuisine restaurant IDAM by renowned chef Alain Ducasse, on the fifth floor. Afterwards, relax and enjoy the surrounding MIA Park where you can stroll, enjoy public art, gardens and cafés and take in the Doha skyline from the best vantage point in the city. 

Culture enthusiast

2. Experience the National Museum of Qatar (NMoQ)

Be awed by the desert-rose inspired National Museum of Qatar, where interactive displays bring the country’s past to life. Built around Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim Al-Thani’s original palace, the National Museum of Qatar charts the country’s history and progress through the centuries. While on-site, enjoy rotating activations of the museum courtyards, fabulous cafés, and unique shops. 

Culture enthusiast

3. Enjoy a traditional Qatari lunch at the National Museum of Qatar (NMoQ)

Enjoy a traditional Qatari lunch experience that preserves and displays key aspects of Arabic hospitality, culture, culinary heritage and more at one of the restaurants on the premises of the National Museum of Qatar.

Afternoon / evening

4. Explore the Fire Station arts hub

The Fire Station, built in 1982, had the last fire engine removed in December 2012 and then became a part of the Qatar Museums network. Converted into a contemporary arts hub, the galleries showcase art and artists, engages the local community, and nurture emerging talent through its artist in residence program.  

Culture enthusiast

5. Wander through Al Bidda Park

From the Fire Station, take a walk through Al Bidda Park that stretches along the Corniche from the heart of Doha to West Bay. The park showcases native trees, including the iconic Sidra tree, and glimpses of Qatar's art, heritage, and architecture. It also houses a wide variety of sports and recreational facilities. 

6. Take a dhow boat (dinner) cruise from the Corniche

End the day aboard a traditional wooden dhow boat, hailed from the Corniche. If pre-booked you can turn your dhow boat adventure into a dinner cruise and take in the breathtaking views and dazzling sunset during your meal. Head back to your hotel to relax for the rest of your day.

Culture enthusiast
End of day 1

Qatar Foundation and beyond

Morning / afternoon

1. Qatar Foundation art and architecture tour

Qatar Foundation (QF) is known to have a thriving art scene that is almost impossible to miss if you're an art lover. Wander along the streets of Education City and register for one of QF's specialized art trail tours and be amazed by the incredibly diverse artistic ecosystem in this intellectual capital within Qatar. 

Culture enthusiast

2. Tour Qatar National Library

Go on a guided tour of the Heritage Library at Qatar National Library and learn more about the history and inheritance of the State of Qatar through rare manuscripts, maps, and more. A number of the printed materials date back to the 15th century, and these antiquarian books are among the rarest and most valuable features of the Heritage Library's collection. 

3. Tour the Education City Mosque and Gallery

Head out to visit The Education City Mosque and the Quranic Botanic Gardens. The mosque is housed within the Minaretein building that gracefully rests on five large columns, representing the five pillars of Islam. Take a tour of the mosque and adjoining gallery to learn about the basic tenants of Islam and how they reflect in the masterful piece of architecture as well as inspiring art being created by young innovators across Education City. 

Afternoon / evening

4. Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art tour

Head to Mathaf to receive an Arab perspective on contemporary art in Qatar. The museum’s permanent collection features over 9,000 works by notable artists from the Arab world, from the 1840s to the present day. Various renowned artists from countries and regions connected to the Arab Peninsula are represented, encompassing Africa, Asia, and Europe.  

5. Dine and spend the evening at a unique Qatari farm (optional overnight stay)

On your way back from Zekreet, stop at Heenat Salma Farm to wind down after a long adventurous day. Hennat Salma is dedicated to holistic methods in agriculture, architecture and community development. Enjoy an organic farm-to-table meal at the large family-style dining table, and sit around a campfire under the stars to enjoy music and shared story telling. For an exceptionally special experience stay the night for one of the traditional tent dwellings.

Fresh vegetables, fruits, and nuts on gray background
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Alternatively

Tour the Zekreet area

Venture out on a tour of the Zekreet area, a village in north-western Qatar near Dukhan and about 80 km north-west of Doha. Nestled between limestone rock formations outside Zekreet and Ras Abrouq Nature Reserve, you will find Richard Serra's East-West/ West-East installation, comprising four steel plates, each of which is over 14m in height, and spanning over 1km. It stands in stark contrast to the soft brown hues of the desert surrounding it and offers a comment on isolation and the passage of time. Other highlights of the tour includes rock climbing,  exploring Film City and visiting an Arabian oryx sanctuary, a breeding farm for Qatar's national animal.  

Culture enthusiast
End of day 2

Wander Msheireb Downtown & Souq Waqif

Morning / afternoon

1. Msheireb Museums 

Dive deep into Qatar's untold stories and intriguing history at the Msheireb Museums. Explore the four historic heritage houses that have been restored and transformed into museums to explore key actors and periods in Qatar's history and evolution. The Msheireb Museums provide visitors with a walk through Qatar's history in an up-close and personal way.

Culture enthusiast

2. Doha Design District

Qatar’s newest hub for creativity and innovation is the Doha Design District. The district is home to new galleries, showrooms, creative services, stores, as well as restaurants and cafes on offer by Qatar's up and coming designers, artists, and entrepreneurs. 

Afternoon / evening

3. Souq Waqif

Built on the site of Doha's century-old trading market, Souq Waqif's winding alleys with merchants selling traditional garments, spice and handicrafts remain an important part of daily life in Qatar. The newly renovated souq now also offers a myriad of restaurants, coffee shops and lounges. Souq Waqif is also home to the Falcon Souq, where you can see the majestic birds up close and pose with a falcon perched on your arm. Continue the tour to the Gold Souq across the street where all that glitters is, in fact, gold. Shoppers can find a rich variety of jewellery, both traditional and contemporary pieces, at competitive prices. 

Portrait of a Saker Falcon in Hood Close-up. Hunting Falcon-Saker on a stand in an Arabic tent.
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4. Katara Cultural Village

Take a stroll at Katara Cultural Village, Doha’s ultimate destination for culture and entertainment. Enjoy the perfect combination of art galleries and workshops, theatres and performances venues, along with a wide variety of exceptional cafes and restaurants. Katara Cultural Village is also home to Galeries Lafayette which features unique partnerships with local designers for shopping enthusiasts. 

6. Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra (QPO) performance at Katara Opera House (schedule dependent)

While at Katara Cultural Village, enjoy a live performance by the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra at the Katara Opera House, where classical Western and Arabic music are performed by internationally acclaimed music professionals and conductors. With renowned musicians and artists from across the world. QPO will leave you in awe of the level of music on offer in Qatar, which is on par with major orchestras in cities around the world. 

End of day 3

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