Things To Do In Qatar
Al
Zubarah | Barzan
Towers | Camel
Racing | Dhow
Workshop | Doha
Zoo | Heritage
Village | Inland
Sea | National
Museum | Rumeila
Park | Sheik
Faisal Museum | Singing
Dunes | Things
To Do | Umm
Slal Mohammed
 Wondering what to do in Qatar? Here's a few ideas!
Bars and Clubs
Check out the Sky View Bar at La Cigale for some open air fun, or you could go to the Rugby Club for a more British experience. The Qube is currently Doha's newest nightclub, located in a stand-alone building at The Ramada Hotel, with a separate area for women and couples upstairs, or there's our favourite seedy bar, Cloud 9, in Al Sadd Street. See our Qatar Bar Guide & Qatar Bar Listing.
Blokarting
Sail along the beach in a blokart with the Blokarting Association. Contact: Mobile [+974] 55 07 2661 Fax [+974] 44 65 4813
Camel Racing
Visit the camel racing stadium in Shahaniyya, and either watch the camels in training and have a camel ride or watch the races. Ring +974 44 872 028 for details.
Comedy
Go to the Laughter Factory in The Ramada and see international comedians. Ring +974 44 417 417 for details, or see the Laughter Factory Website
Corniche
Saunter along the Corniche in the evening, enjoying the fresh breeze coming off the sea (not at the height of summer, obviously). Or buy fresh fish straight off the boats.
Dhow Trips
Take a dhow trip round Doha Bay boats are available along the Corniche.
Dune & Wadi Bashing
If you drive past Messaieed towards Sealine on a Friday you will see quads for hire along the side of the road. Alternatively, hire a quad from sealine beach resort or go in a four wheel drive with a tour company the safest alternative. (If you go in a rented car remember insurance is not usually valid off-road.)
Football
 Drag yourself along to a local football game, and listen to the Arabic football chants shouted to the sound of drums. There are ten football teams in Qatar (the Al Sadd team is probably the best), and what their supporter lack in numbers they make up for with enthusiasm. Check out Qatar Football for more information.
Fishing
Qatar has some big fish to catch, as you will see if you visit the fish market! For boat trips contact Basil on +974 55 518 100. Fishing trips are also organised by the tour companies see our list of Qatar Tour Companies for details. You could also ring the Qatar Sea Angling Association (David Bolton +974 55 500 179) they hold meetings and fishing competitions.
Flying
Flights
Take a flight over Qatar. Ring Kabitha on 44 329 101 between 7.30 and 12.30 in the morning for details.
Lessons
Or, if being a passenger is not enough for you, take flying lessons and earn your pilots licence: Ring Qatar Aeronautical College on 44 329 101.
Golf
Play a round of gold at the Doha golf club. Although joining is expensive, the golf club is open to non-members, as is the Doha Golf Restaurant. Even if you don't play golf, both the course and the clubhouse make for a refreshing change of scene from the surrounding desert. Call +974 44 832 338 for details.
Horse Racing
Usually takes place every Friday at the Racing and Equestrian Club off Al Furousiya St. It is not just free - you can also win prizes. Look on their website, email them at prms@qrec.net or tel/fax: +974 44 822 540 for more details.
Horse Riding
You can ride horses at the Sealine Beach Resort, or take lessons at Al Shaqab Riding Club (Tel: +974 44 812 061) or at the racing and equestrian club's training section (see full details on their website or tel/fax: +974 44 822 540).
Ice Skating
Okay, it is not very traditional, but how many people can say they have been ice-skating in the desert? There are now two ice-skating rinks, one at City Centre shopping mall and one at Villagio.
Jet-skiing
Jet skis can be rented from Sealine beach resort (tel: tel/fax: +974 44 822 540).
Kitesurfing
There is an active kitesurfing club (40 member from 20 different nationalities) with qualified instructors. Email qatarkitesurfing@hotmail.com (they are both quick to respond and helpful) or ring Jonathan on 00974 55 350 336 for lessons on Friday and Saturday, alternatively another instructor, Acrum, is available in the week (55 899 217).
Learn A Language
If you have a lot of time, you can put it to good use by learning a new language or brushing up an old one. It's not limited to Arabic, either - you can also learn French, Spanish, Japanese and other languages. See our list of language courses for more details.
Markets
Visit the wholesale markets: buy dates and spices in the Omani market, or veg and fresh fish in the veg and fish markets. Then wander over to the animal markets (avoiding the slaughter house) and gawp at the camels, or look at the falcons in the bird markets.
Motor-racing
 Losail Racing circuit holds the World Super-bike racing and the Moto Grand Prix.
Natural History
The Qatar Natural History Group organise trips on the last Friday of every month to places of interest around Qatar. Check out the Qatar Natural History Group for more information.
Parasailing
Ring Sheraton Recreation on +974 44 854 600
Sailing/windsurfing
Join the sailing club (temporary membership is available), or hire boats from the Regatta Sailing Academy Tel: +974 550 7846 Fax: +974 44 424 577. This is based at the Sheraton Hotel: (974) 44 854 444.
Sand Boarding/skiing
Ring a tour company (see numbers at bottom) and book a sand boarding trip.
Scuba Diving
Ring Pearl Divers +974 44 449 553, or Doha Sub-aqua club on +974 55 651 775.
Shopping
Visit the souqs: buy Qatar pearls in the Gold Souq or sniff at the spices, browse the antiques and admire the falcons in Souk Wakif. Alternatively go to the malls - try ice-skating in City Centre Mall or relax by the canal in Villagio. Check out our shopping section for more information.
Swimming
Provides a welcome relief from the heat. All the major hotels have swimming pools, while at Sealine you can swim in either of the two pools or the fenced-off swimming area of the beach. In addition, some of the major Qatar sports clubs are beginning to open up to non-Qataris.
Alternatively, go to a beach and swim for free. Al-Wakra beach is close to Doha and has good access and parking. Wear flip-flops many of the beaches contain broken glasses and sting rays and stone fish both live in Qatar waters. (Don't be too scared of sea creatures in two years of living here I haven't heard of one incident while swimming. Jet skis are far more dangerous.) Why not have a barbecue at the same time?
Also see our blog post: Swimming in the Sea - Is it Safe?
Take A Tour
Ring a tour company and book a trip to the Khor Al Adaid - also known as The Inland Sea. (Only accessible by four wheel drive). You can experience extreme driving, have a barbeque and, if you wish, camp overnight.
Writing
Join the Doha Writer's Workshop, list your details on our Qatar Writer's page or Write for Qatar Visitor!
Yoga
Yes, you can now practice this ancient Indian tradition in the hot depths of the sandy desert - or, even better, in the cools of the Sheraton hotel. The classes are taught by Tammie Ann, a US certified Yoga Instructor.
Arabic Art courses
VCUQ offers a number of courses, including Calligraphy and Islamic art. They also run other courses such as Survival Arabic and Photoshop - check them out for more info: VCUQ Community Programs.
|
