Stopover in Qatar for More than FIFA World Cup Thrills

Stopover in Qatar – it does not have to be for an exciting World Cup event. A stopover in Qatar is a worthwhile endeavor no matter what the season, no matter what the reason. In this smaller and smaller world, it is getting harder to find places that are not overrun by mass tourism. And it is now easy to go to previously remote locations that provide plenty of allure and mystery. And that would be Qatar, the tiny emirate on the Persian Gulf that packs plenty of punch when not front and center as the world watches the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. 

Places to Visit in Qatar

Flying to Qatar means flying to and through Doha’s Hamad International Airport, which flips the conventional airport experience on its head. Passengers will initially notice the silence. The vast hallways are devoid of any background music, airline announcements, or advertising. The modern airport, build on ground that had reclaim from the nearby waters, debute in 2014 as a shining monument to contemporary technology that incorporate the history and culture of its surroundings into its sweeping exterior design and immaculate, cathedral-like interiors. It is understandable why HIA consistently takes home the Skytrax trophy for “World’s Best Airport.” 

Passengers will also notice the art as they move through the areas toward the lounges, the gates, the exquisite designer shopping, the range of dining options, and even the impressive gym, spa, and 75-foot-long glass-encase pool. Around 70 notable works are display throughout the airport in both permanent and changing exhibits, making it a destination unto itself. A treasure trove of amenities and pleasures are illuminated by the sun, which is maximize by soaring windows and skylights. 

Places to Visit in Doha on a Stopover in Qatar

Doha is the place to visit for inquisitive travelers with three to eight hours, or perhaps a day or two, between flights. The capital of Qatar is a wonderland of tumbling souks, towering mosques, world-class museums, unique cuisine, and open-ended adventure. There is a Metro station at the airport that provides a cool, clean connection to Doha’s main tourist areas. 

In addition, Discover Qatar, which is run by Qatar Airways, offers specialize transit trip programs that may be book at the Discover Qatar kiosk at HIA. A 3-hour city tour of Doha’s Dhow Harbor, the Corniche, Katara Cultural Village, and Souq Waqif is one of these. There are also three- and five-hour tours available. 

The I.M. Pei-design Museum of Islamic Art is tuck away on the Doha Corniche promenade. The Museum displays a significant collection of objects going back to the 7th century, including metal work, ceramics, jewelry, woodwork, textiles, and glass, and exhibits Islamic art from three continents. Travelers must also pay a visit to the crowd Souq Waqif, where they may explore the passageways and booths, sample traditional Qatari cuisine and take in live entertainment. Pearl-Qatar is in this location with its alleyways of  art galleries, street art exhibitions, and traditional architectural enclaves, A visit to the Doha Corniche is in order, especially at dusk as Doha’s impressive city skyline becomes a necklace of lights.  

Finally, for a sense of place and adventure, consider the desert. You can ride a camel, kite surf, go biking, go dune bashing in a 4WD, or take on the dunes on a wakeboard. Visit Khor Al-Adaid to see the Inland Sea, which is now a UNESCO World Heritage site close to Saudi Arabia’s border. 

Final Words

A stay at the Hilton Salwa Beach Resort & Villas is recommend for longer layovers as it boasts the largest waterpark in the area and provides visitors with an opulent and affordable escape with more than two miles of private beaches, However, it is located little over 50 miles from the center of Doha. The hotel’s spas provide typical Arabian hospitality, and there are more than 20 restaurants on the premises, offering a variety of eating options. 

Visitors who have a few days to spend in the Qatar should check out the Place Vendôme Mall, expanding out to more than three million square feet and design in the style of traditional French architecture. It features a dancing water fountain and water canals that run through the mall’s interior and outside. 

Visitors can experience the calm warm Arabian waters by jet skiing around the marina or on a cruise with a traditional wooden Dhow boat that floats by the Pearl-Qatar against the backdrop of the city. Take repast at Al Shoomos, one of the Doha’s well-known eateries, for a typical Qatari lunch, or Nobu at The Four Seasons Hotel Doha for an outdoor supper with unrivale views of the Arabian Gulf.