Buzz
The end and beginning of the year are perfect times to visit Doha – the capital of Qatar – as temperatures range from 20 to 30 degrees, instead of potentially reaching 45 degrees in the middle of summer.
Besides Dubai (United Arab Emirates), Doha (Qatar) is also a hot spot in the West Asia region. Here, you can easily get around by bus for just 1-2 USD per trip. This is a very reasonable price for traveling in one of the wealthiest countries in the world like Qatar.
The suggested itinerary for 48 hours here is particularly ideal if you are transiting to continue flying to another country on the next leg.
Day One
City Tour on Open-Top Bus
Vibrant Yellow Hop-on-Hop-off buses are the ideal means for tourists to explore the city. The buses run almost throughout all neighborhoods in Doha with a frequency of 30 minutes per trip. Between trips, you can enjoy Doha's signature dishes for lunch. Don't miss out on Souq Waqif or Musherib Street, Al Kharis… as these are hubs with many excellent restaurants in Doha. You can choose from Thai or Turkish cuisine. Overall, the dishes here are quite spicy and flavorful. If you want something to take away, chicken shawarma would be the most reasonable choice. It's a type of sandwich stuffed with chicken, tomatoes, vegetables, and fragrant sauce. Shawarma dishes are quite popular in Doha, so you can enjoy them regularly.
Shopping at Souq Waqif
Souq Waqif is rated as the best shopping area in Doha, with a market for buying and selling gold like many other countries in the Middle East region. All kinds of rare precious jewelry made of gold, from the most expensive necklaces to affordable ones, can be found in this market area. Additionally, you can also buy spices or fabrics here. An afternoon may not be enough for you to explore all the corners of Souq Waqif, but it's probably enough to choose a few favorite items for yourself.
Dinner and Night Atmosphere in Doha
Souq Waqif is also an affordable area for dinner. Starting from just 15 USD, you can have a fairly sumptuous dinner. You will enjoy dinner while admiring the nightlife in Doha. Tourists can drink alcohol when visiting Doha, but only in international hotels. So it's best to forget about alcohol when dining in this city.
If you prefer more upscale venues, La Spiga or Glo Cocktail are suitable choices. Especially here, there is a restaurant by the world-renowned chef Gordon Ramsey.
Monday
Explore Temples and Museums
Temples are an integral part of Middle Eastern culture. In Doha, don't miss the opportunity to visit the temples that have become the pride of this city. Abdul Wahhab is one such temple. You won't be charged for admission. Abdul Wahhab is the largest temple in Qatar with 90 domes, 13 entrances, and a capacity of up to 30,000 people, equivalent to a football field. This temple is only... 2 years old, so everything is still very new. You will experience the blend of modernity and tradition when visiting Abdul Wahhab.
Besides Abdul Wahhab, the Islamic Art Museum is also a fascinating destination. Here, countless rare artifacts are exhibited, including ceramics, silk, woodwork, treasures, and crystal from Syria, Iran, or Turkey. These are all items dating from a few hundred to over 1,000 years old as they have been collected and passed down by collectors from the 7th to the 19th century. The architecture of the Islamic Art Museum is also unique with a cubic structure composed of stacked squares, which is very unusual.
Visit The Pearl Island
True to its name, The Pearl Island shines like a sparkling gem. It is a gathering place for luxurious resorts, belonging to the upper class, politicians, corporate leaders, or Qatar's celebrities. With an area of 4 million square meters, The Pearl boasts the world's most luxurious restaurants, hotels, or shopping areas.
Explore Sheraton or Rumeilah Parks
After a tiring day of exploration, you can unwind at Sheraton or Rumeilah, two famous parks in Doha. And don't forget to visit the Msheireb Enrichment Centre, where exhibits are displayed that are closely linked to the history, shaping Doha and Qatar today, and future projects of Doha and Qatar. These are considered extraordinary projects. Children under 7 years old are not allowed in this area.
According to Ngoisao.net
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Reference: Mytour Travel Guide
MytourNovember 24, 2015
