Local Attractions

Local Attractions

Welcome to Marhaba’s
Local Attractions section!

Qatar has a wealth of places to visit offering something for everyone, from beaches and theme parks to heritage sites, parks and new urban hotspots.

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Local Attractions

Nature & Environment

Our Discovering Qatar e-Guide

Local Attractions

Sightseeing

Sightseeing: Beaches – Public

Sightseeing: Beaches – Public

Sightseeing: Beaches – Public

Qatar is a peninsula; the coastline is over 560 km long, so there are plenty of beaches to choose from. A four‑wheel‑drive is best for most public beaches. Most of…

Sightseeing: Tradition and Tours

Sightseeing: Tradition and Tours

Sightseeing: Tradition and Tours

There are plenty of local traditions and customs to discover in Qatar. To learn more about the heritage, history and culture of Qatar you can visit the places below including…

Sightseeing: Museums and Art Galleries

Sightseeing: Museums and Art Galleries

Sightseeing: Museums and Art Galleries

Qatar is full of museums and art galleries showcasing some of the best art in the world. Most museums and art galleries don’t only show international masterpieces, but they highlight…

Sightseeing: Archaeological Sites, Forts and Ruins

Sightseeing: Archaeological Sites, Forts and Ruins

Sightseeing: Archaeological Sites, Forts and Ruins

If you want an insight into Qatar’s history, culture and heritage, visit one of the archaeological sites or old forts. Some of these heritage sites have been partially restored, while…

Sightseeing: Souqs

Sightseeing: Souqs

Sightseeing: Souqs

Since ancient times, traders and merchants have congregated in traditional markets to socialise and provide for the daily needs of the local community. These souqs are still very much part…

Sightseeing: Natural World and Nature Reserves

Sightseeing: Natural World and Nature Reserves

Sightseeing: Natural World and Nature Reserves

According to the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, nature reserves in Qatar stretch across an area of 3,464 sq km, which is 23.6% of the country’s total land area….

Sightseeing: Parks and Recreation Areas

Sightseeing: Parks and Recreation Areas

Sightseeing: Parks and Recreation Areas

The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change’s Public Parks Department is responsible for the design, development and maintenance of public parks in Qatar. The ministry launched Plant One Million Trees…

Sightseeing: Mosques

Sightseeing: Mosques

Sightseeing: Mosques

There are numerous mosques in Qatar, some of which are very old, that are still used for daily prayer by local Muslims. There are over 2,000 mosques across Qatar, mostly…

Our Partners

Urban Hubs

Urban Hubs

The Pearl Island

The Pearl Island

The Pearl Island

The Pearl Island is an innovative urban development in Qatar. With Mediterranean-style yacht-lined marinas, state-of-the-art residential towers, luxury villas, 5-star hotels and residences, chic shopping at top brand name boutiques,…

Katara Cultural Village

Katara Cultural Village

Katara Cultural Village

Sitting on the waterfront, just a few kilometres north of Al Dafna, Katara Cultural Village is one of Doha’s premier attractions, with something to entertain both residents and visitors alike….

Souq Waqif

Souq Waqif

Souq Waqif

One of the most popular destinations for tourists and locals alike, Souq Waqif is a lively traditional market with bustling alleys of authentic, traditional commerce, architecture and culture. Souq Waqif,…

Msheireb Downtown Doha

Msheireb Downtown Doha

Msheireb Downtown Doha

Transforming the centre of the capital city, Msheireb Downtown Doha (MDD) is the world’s first sustainable downtown regeneration project that is reviving the old commercial district with a new architectural…

Lusail City

Lusail City

Lusail City

An extension of Doha to the north across an area of 38 sq km, Lusail City is the second largest city in Qatar, a beacon of smart living, and a…

Souq Al Wakra

Souq Al Wakra

Souq Al Wakra

Also known as the Souq Waqif of Al Wakra or Al Wakrah Old Souq, Souq Al Wakra is a top shopping, dining and beachfront destination for both residents and tourists….

Main Urban Centres

Main Urban Centres

Main Urban Centres

Qatar is divided into eight municipalities: Doha, Al Rayyan, Al Wakra, Al Sheehaniya, Al Daayen, Umm Slal, Al Khor and Al Shamal. There are many urban centres in Qatar’s various…

Environment Features

Nature & Environment

Hadiqaa: Building Desert Gardens

Hadiqaa: Building Desert Gardens

Hadiqaa: Building Desert Gardens

Hadiqaa is helping gardeners grow green spaces in the challenging environment of Qatar and in the region. Qatar is home to many initiatives, projects and organisations focusing on sustainability, pushing…

Qatar Under the Sea feature 88

Qatar Under the Sea feature 88

Qatar Under the Sea

Qatar is a peninsula, surrounded by the waters of the Persian Gulf, a Mediterranean sea and extension of the Indian Ocean, which is also known as the Arabian Gulf. This…

The Ports of Qatar

The Ports of Qatar

The Ports of Qatar

Qatar has invested in the development of world-class ports such as Hamad Port, Doha Port and Al Ruwais Port. To showcase that development and the maritime history of Qatar, Mwani…

Falcons: The National Bird and Pride of Qatar

Falcons: The National Bird and Pride of Qatar

Falcons: The National Bird and Pride of Qatar

The falcon is the national bird of Qatar. A crucial part of Qatar’s rich heritage and culture, falcons are highly honoured and celebrated as the national bird. Similarly, falconry is…

The Whale Sharks of Qatar

The Whale Sharks of Qatar

The Whale Sharks of Qatar

Qatar has the biggest whale shark concentration in the world. According to the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MoECC), Qatar’s concentration of whale sharks reached 600 sharks in 2020…

Qatargas' Coral Reef Project

Qatargas' Coral Reef Project

Qatargas’ Coral Reef Project

An ambitious Coral Management Programme focused on sustaining and preserving Qatar’s marine biodiversity has been successfully overseen by Qatargas, in collaboration with the former Ministry of Municipality and Environment and…

Greener Neighbourhoods

Greener Neighbourhoods

Greener Neighbourhoods

Qatar is implementing several projects to build public parks within residential neighbourhoods across Qatar. The Supervisory Committee of Beautification of Roads and Public Places in Qatar has announced the start…

Al Khor Snails Didn't 'Dye' In Vain

Al Khor Snails Didn't 'Dye' In Vain

Al Khor Snails Didn’t ‘Dye’ In Vain

Jazirat Bin Ghannam, generally known in English as Purple Island, is joined to the mainland by a shallow causeway which, although broken in two places, provides easy access. Perhaps its…

Initiatives by Qatar to Preserve its Heritage Sites and Natural Reserves

Initiatives by Qatar to Preserve its Heritage Sites and Natural Reserves

Initiatives by Qatar to Preserve its Heritage Sites and Natural Reserves

Qatar Museums (QM) holds a strong belief in the importance of protecting the country’s history, and heritage and natural sites. In 2020, QM and the Ministry of Municipality and Environment…

HAWKSBILL TURTLE

HAWKSBILL TURTLE

Qatar Museums to Facilitate Visits to Hawksbill Turtle Nesting Grounds

Qatar Museums has announced that it is facilitating tours to the nesting grounds of Hawksbill turtles located in Fuwairit Beach this hatching season. In her social media accounts, HE Sheikha…

Trees of Qatar

Trees of Qatar

Trees of Qatar

Qatar is a small desert peninsula, with sporadic rainfall and a hot and humid climate. So you could be forgiven for thinking that plants and trees stand no chance of…

50 Years of Earth Day: Celebrating Environmental Activism Amid COVID-19

50 Years of Earth Day: Celebrating Environmental Activism Amid COVID-19

50 Years of Earth Day: Celebrating Environmental Activism Amid COVID-19

This year marks the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, celebrated every year on 22 April. Did you know that the first celebration of Earth Day was in 1970, and participated…

Baladiya Nursery Plants

Baladiya Nursery Plants

Pocket Friendly Gardening

It is the time of the year to get the gardening kit out, as the weather has started cooling down favouring the planting season. With an interest in gardening, one…

Gardens of Al Andalus Exhibition Promotes Intercultural Dialogue and Respect for Environment

Gardens of Al Andalus Exhibition Promotes Intercultural Dialogue and Respect for Environment

Gardens of Al Andalus Exhibition Promotes Intercultural Dialogue and Respect for Environment

The Qur’anic Botanic Garden (QBG), a member of Qatar Foundation (QF), has launched its ‘Gardens of Al Andalus’ exhibition at the College of Islamic Studies of Hamad Bin Khalifa University…

Marhaba’s Guide to the Natural World and Nature Reserves in Qatar

Marhaba’s Guide to the Natural World and Nature Reserves in Qatar

Marhaba’s Guide to the Natural World and Nature Reserves in Qatar

Bird Watching Migratory birds are becoming increasingly attracted to Qatar since the introduction of parks, gardens and agriculture. Several species breed in Qatar before escaping the summer heat. Ornithologists have…

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