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0 / 31 Fotos
The Pearl
- The extraordinary artificial island known as The Pearl should be explored for its luxury residential apartments, villas, hotels, Mediterranean-style marinas, exclusive shopping, and leafy plazas and squares lined with restaurants and cafés. Located in Doha's prestigious West Bay District, the development is referred to as the "Arabian Riviera."
© Shutterstock
1 / 31 Fotos
The Museum of Islamic Art
- Housing one of the most comprehensive collections of Islamic art in the world, this spectacular museum is justly regarded as one of the most prestigious found anywhere. The celebrated Chinese-American architect I.M. Pei (1917–2019) was responsible for the building's design.
© Shutterstock
2 / 31 Fotos
The Museum of Islamic Art
- The museum's priceless and iconic collection represents Islamic art from three continents over 1,400 years. Books and manuscripts on display include this medieval-era Quran.
© Shutterstock
3 / 31 Fotos
The Museum of Islamic Art
- Allow a good few hours to absorb the exhibits, a portfolio that features ancient items fashioned in glass, ceramics, and from metalwork, textiles, and other materials.
© Shutterstock
4 / 31 Fotos
Katara Mosque
- Lined with hand-painted ceramic tile panels in predominantly blue, purple, and turquoise all inlaid with gold leaf, the Katara Mosque is one of the most beautiful and intricate buildings in Qatar.
© Shutterstock
5 / 31 Fotos
Qatar State Mosque
- The national mosque of Qatar is the Imam Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab Mosque, also known as the Qatar State Mosque. It's constructed in traditional Arab style with modern flourishes.
© Shutterstock
6 / 31 Fotos
Al Zubarah Fort
- Completed in 1938, this historic military fortress situated in the ancient town of Zubarah, which in turn is located on the northwestern coast of the Qatar peninsula, originally served as a coast guard station. Besides being a famous landmark, the fort is also a museum.
© Shutterstock
7 / 31 Fotos
Al Jassasiya Carvings
- Al Jassasiya is the most impressive of Qatar's dozen rock-carving sites. Some 900 images, impressions that include human footprints and outlines of fish, ostriches, and scorpions, make up the most extensive collection of petroglyphs in the area. The earliest are thought to date back to the Neolithic era.
© Shutterstock
8 / 31 Fotos
National Museum of Qatar
- One of the finest cultural institutions in the region, the National Museum of Qatar is immediately recognized for its exterior, designed by noted French architect Jean Nouvel and shaped to resemble desert rose crystal.
© Shutterstock
9 / 31 Fotos
National Museum of Qatar
- The museum preserves numerous rare and precious treasures including the magnificent Pearl Carpet of Baroda, embellished with over 1.5 million pearls along with table cut and occasional rose cut diamonds, rubies, emeralds, and sapphires set in gold.
© Getty Images
10 / 31 Fotos
Umm Salal Mohammed Fort
- The late 19th-century Umm Salal Mohammed Fort is distinguished by its Barzan Towers, a series of watchtowers built to protect a valley where precious rainwater would have been collected when it flowed down from higher ground. While the towers are open to visitors, the fort itself is off limits to the public.
© Shutterstock
11 / 31 Fotos
Katara Cultural Village
- "Katara" was the historical name used for Qatar prior to the 18th century, and at this imaginative visitor attraction they've recreated buildings and facilities to mirror the country's cultural and architectural heritage. A novel attraction are the two pigeon towers, a pair of luxury dovecotes that traditionally shelter pigeons from predators.
© Shutterstock
12 / 31 Fotos
Souq Waqif
- You'll no doubt want to take home a souvenir of your stay in Qatar. The place to browse for traditional garments, spices, handicrafts, and other authentic trinkets and curios is the amazing Souq Waqif, a traditional marketplace that's also home to numerous restaurants and shisha lounges.
© Shutterstock
13 / 31 Fotos
Villaggio Mall
- Those preferring to shop in more luxurious surroundings can spend hours at the Villaggio Mall, located in the Aspire Zone in the west end of Doha. Interiors are Italianate-themed, and there's even a indoor canal with gondolas!
© Shutterstock
14 / 31 Fotos
Qatar National Library
- Bookworms can turn a page or two at the state-of-the-art Qatar National Library. Even if you're not much of a bibliophile, the library's restaurant and café makes for a pleasant diversion, and there might be a show or concert taking place in one of the performance spaces.
© Getty Images
15 / 31 Fotos
Falcon Souq
- For a glimpse of Qatari heritage, don't miss the Falcon Souq. This Doha market is dedicated to falconry, featuring trained birds and related equipment, and visitors can sightsee these magnificent raptors and meet their handlers.
© Getty Images
16 / 31 Fotos
Banana Island Resort
- You're spoilt for choice in Doha when it comes to seeking out exclusive beach resorts. Banana Island Resort is a favorite, a composition of water villas set over a crescent-shaped beach. It's anchored off the coast of downtown Doha, and accessible only by private catamaran.
© Shutterstock
17 / 31 Fotos
Katara Towers
- The fabulous Katara Towers stand as one of Qatar's defining buildings. Designed as an architectural translation of Qatar's national seal, representing the traditional scimitar swords, you can admire this remarkable hotel property at Lusail, in the city's Marina District.
© Shutterstock
18 / 31 Fotos
Torch Hotel
- Another emblematic Doha hotel property is The Torch. Standing 300 m (984 ft) tall, the hotel was formerly shaped to represent a colossal torch that for the duration of the 15th Asian Games in 2006 held its symbolic flame, the highest flame in the history of the games.
© Shutterstock
19 / 31 Fotos
Sheraton Grand Doha
- The pyramid-shaped Sheraton Grand Doha is pinpointed by its unusual anvil-shaped roof, from where enviable panoramic views of the city can be enjoyed.
© Shutterstock
20 / 31 Fotos
Strolling the corniche
- Another rewarding way of admiring Doha's breathtaking modern architecture is to stroll along the corniche at West Bay. Time your saunter for dusk and watch the skyscrapers sparkle and glow.
© Shutterstock
21 / 31 Fotos
Bin Zaid
- Bin Zaid—or to give its full name, Abdullah Bin Zaid Al Mahmoud Islamic Cultural Center—is distinguished for its mosque, which has a unique minaret design. It is a popular tourist attraction, and allows entry for non-Muslims.
© Shutterstock
22 / 31 Fotos
Al Reem Biosphere Reserve
- Qatar's Al Reem Biosphere Reserve is located in the northwest of the country and is UNESCO protected. The semi-arid landscape with patches of dense vegetation is home to the magnificent Arabian oryx, which is classified as Vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.
© Shutterstock
23 / 31 Fotos
Vulnerable wildlife
- Also found at the Al Reem Biosphere Reserve and likewise classified by the IUCN as Vulnerable is the dainty Arabian gazelle.
© Shutterstock
24 / 31 Fotos
Al Thakira Mangrove Forest
- This mesmerizing habitat of stubbly salt-laced trees is one of the great incongruous surprises of Qatar. Located a short distance from the city of Al Khor, the Al Thakira Mangrove Forest is a fragile ecosystem that attracts migratory birds such as herons and flamingos. At high tide, numerous species of fish swim in and weave through branches and pencil roots. A number of hides are set over the water's surface to accommodate ornithologists and photographers.
© Shutterstock
25 / 31 Fotos
Dhow time
- The wooden vessels you see bobbing on the water along the Qatari coastline are called dhows, traditional boats used for centuries by merchants in the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean regions, and along the Eastern Arabian seaboard.
© Shutterstock
26 / 31 Fotos
East-West/West-East
- Appearing like copies of the mysterious monolith in Stanley Kubrick's 1968 sci-fi masterpiece '2001: A Space Odyssey,' the enormous steel plates rising out of Qatar's Brouq Nature Reserve are the work of American artist Richard Serra, who calls his installation East-West/West-East.
© Shutterstock
27 / 31 Fotos
Dune bashing
- Qatar's desert landscape is ideal dune bashing country. Jeeps in convoy drive out of town to defy some truly enormous mountains of sands in a four-wheel safari of a different kind.
© Shutterstock
28 / 31 Fotos
2022 FIFA World Cup
- From November 21 to December 18, Qatar will host the 2022 FIFA World Cup—the first World Cup ever to be held in the Arab world. Those visiting the country between now and then can at least catch a glimpse of the stadia set to host the tournament, including Al Thumama Stadium (pictured), the design of which is inspired by the 'gahfiya,' a traditional woven cap worn by men across the Middle East.
© Shutterstock
29 / 31 Fotos
Showpiece venues
- In all, eight stadia situated within a 33-km (21 mi) radius of central Doha will accommodate the tournament, showpiece venues that have been applauded for their state-of-the-art design. Pictured is Khalifa Stadium, which is one of the few venues already built before the World Cup was awarded to Qatar. Sources: (IUCN) (UNESCO) (The New Yorker) (Daily Mail) See also: Unexpected celebrity soccer fans
© Getty Images
30 / 31 Fotos
© Shutterstock
0 / 31 Fotos
The Pearl
- The extraordinary artificial island known as The Pearl should be explored for its luxury residential apartments, villas, hotels, Mediterranean-style marinas, exclusive shopping, and leafy plazas and squares lined with restaurants and cafés. Located in Doha's prestigious West Bay District, the development is referred to as the "Arabian Riviera."
© Shutterstock
1 / 31 Fotos
The Museum of Islamic Art
- Housing one of the most comprehensive collections of Islamic art in the world, this spectacular museum is justly regarded as one of the most prestigious found anywhere. The celebrated Chinese-American architect I.M. Pei (1917–2019) was responsible for the building's design.
© Shutterstock
2 / 31 Fotos
The Museum of Islamic Art
- The museum's priceless and iconic collection represents Islamic art from three continents over 1,400 years. Books and manuscripts on display include this medieval-era Quran.
© Shutterstock
3 / 31 Fotos
The Museum of Islamic Art
- Allow a good few hours to absorb the exhibits, a portfolio that features ancient items fashioned in glass, ceramics, and from metalwork, textiles, and other materials.
© Shutterstock
4 / 31 Fotos
Katara Mosque
- Lined with hand-painted ceramic tile panels in predominantly blue, purple, and turquoise all inlaid with gold leaf, the Katara Mosque is one of the most beautiful and intricate buildings in Qatar.
© Shutterstock
5 / 31 Fotos
Qatar State Mosque
- The national mosque of Qatar is the Imam Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab Mosque, also known as the Qatar State Mosque. It's constructed in traditional Arab style with modern flourishes.
© Shutterstock
6 / 31 Fotos
Al Zubarah Fort
- Completed in 1938, this historic military fortress situated in the ancient town of Zubarah, which in turn is located on the northwestern coast of the Qatar peninsula, originally served as a coast guard station. Besides being a famous landmark, the fort is also a museum.
© Shutterstock
7 / 31 Fotos
Al Jassasiya Carvings
- Al Jassasiya is the most impressive of Qatar's dozen rock-carving sites. Some 900 images, impressions that include human footprints and outlines of fish, ostriches, and scorpions, make up the most extensive collection of petroglyphs in the area. The earliest are thought to date back to the Neolithic era.
© Shutterstock
8 / 31 Fotos
National Museum of Qatar
- One of the finest cultural institutions in the region, the National Museum of Qatar is immediately recognized for its exterior, designed by noted French architect Jean Nouvel and shaped to resemble desert rose crystal.
© Shutterstock
9 / 31 Fotos
National Museum of Qatar
- The museum preserves numerous rare and precious treasures including the magnificent Pearl Carpet of Baroda, embellished with over 1.5 million pearls along with table cut and occasional rose cut diamonds, rubies, emeralds, and sapphires set in gold.
© Getty Images
10 / 31 Fotos
Umm Salal Mohammed Fort
- The late 19th-century Umm Salal Mohammed Fort is distinguished by its Barzan Towers, a series of watchtowers built to protect a valley where precious rainwater would have been collected when it flowed down from higher ground. While the towers are open to visitors, the fort itself is off limits to the public.
© Shutterstock
11 / 31 Fotos
Katara Cultural Village
- "Katara" was the historical name used for Qatar prior to the 18th century, and at this imaginative visitor attraction they've recreated buildings and facilities to mirror the country's cultural and architectural heritage. A novel attraction are the two pigeon towers, a pair of luxury dovecotes that traditionally shelter pigeons from predators.
© Shutterstock
12 / 31 Fotos
Souq Waqif
- You'll no doubt want to take home a souvenir of your stay in Qatar. The place to browse for traditional garments, spices, handicrafts, and other authentic trinkets and curios is the amazing Souq Waqif, a traditional marketplace that's also home to numerous restaurants and shisha lounges.
© Shutterstock
13 / 31 Fotos
Villaggio Mall
- Those preferring to shop in more luxurious surroundings can spend hours at the Villaggio Mall, located in the Aspire Zone in the west end of Doha. Interiors are Italianate-themed, and there's even a indoor canal with gondolas!
© Shutterstock
14 / 31 Fotos
Qatar National Library
- Bookworms can turn a page or two at the state-of-the-art Qatar National Library. Even if you're not much of a bibliophile, the library's restaurant and café makes for a pleasant diversion, and there might be a show or concert taking place in one of the performance spaces.
© Getty Images
15 / 31 Fotos
Falcon Souq
- For a glimpse of Qatari heritage, don't miss the Falcon Souq. This Doha market is dedicated to falconry, featuring trained birds and related equipment, and visitors can sightsee these magnificent raptors and meet their handlers.
© Getty Images
16 / 31 Fotos
Banana Island Resort
- You're spoilt for choice in Doha when it comes to seeking out exclusive beach resorts. Banana Island Resort is a favorite, a composition of water villas set over a crescent-shaped beach. It's anchored off the coast of downtown Doha, and accessible only by private catamaran.
© Shutterstock
17 / 31 Fotos
Katara Towers
- The fabulous Katara Towers stand as one of Qatar's defining buildings. Designed as an architectural translation of Qatar's national seal, representing the traditional scimitar swords, you can admire this remarkable hotel property at Lusail, in the city's Marina District.
© Shutterstock
18 / 31 Fotos
Torch Hotel
- Another emblematic Doha hotel property is The Torch. Standing 300 m (984 ft) tall, the hotel was formerly shaped to represent a colossal torch that for the duration of the 15th Asian Games in 2006 held its symbolic flame, the highest flame in the history of the games.
© Shutterstock
19 / 31 Fotos
Sheraton Grand Doha
- The pyramid-shaped Sheraton Grand Doha is pinpointed by its unusual anvil-shaped roof, from where enviable panoramic views of the city can be enjoyed.
© Shutterstock
20 / 31 Fotos
Strolling the corniche
- Another rewarding way of admiring Doha's breathtaking modern architecture is to stroll along the corniche at West Bay. Time your saunter for dusk and watch the skyscrapers sparkle and glow.
© Shutterstock
21 / 31 Fotos
Bin Zaid
- Bin Zaid—or to give its full name, Abdullah Bin Zaid Al Mahmoud Islamic Cultural Center—is distinguished for its mosque, which has a unique minaret design. It is a popular tourist attraction, and allows entry for non-Muslims.
© Shutterstock
22 / 31 Fotos
Al Reem Biosphere Reserve
- Qatar's Al Reem Biosphere Reserve is located in the northwest of the country and is UNESCO protected. The semi-arid landscape with patches of dense vegetation is home to the magnificent Arabian oryx, which is classified as Vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.
© Shutterstock
23 / 31 Fotos
Vulnerable wildlife
- Also found at the Al Reem Biosphere Reserve and likewise classified by the IUCN as Vulnerable is the dainty Arabian gazelle.
© Shutterstock
24 / 31 Fotos
Al Thakira Mangrove Forest
- This mesmerizing habitat of stubbly salt-laced trees is one of the great incongruous surprises of Qatar. Located a short distance from the city of Al Khor, the Al Thakira Mangrove Forest is a fragile ecosystem that attracts migratory birds such as herons and flamingos. At high tide, numerous species of fish swim in and weave through branches and pencil roots. A number of hides are set over the water's surface to accommodate ornithologists and photographers.
© Shutterstock
25 / 31 Fotos
Dhow time
- The wooden vessels you see bobbing on the water along the Qatari coastline are called dhows, traditional boats used for centuries by merchants in the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean regions, and along the Eastern Arabian seaboard.
© Shutterstock
26 / 31 Fotos
East-West/West-East
- Appearing like copies of the mysterious monolith in Stanley Kubrick's 1968 sci-fi masterpiece '2001: A Space Odyssey,' the enormous steel plates rising out of Qatar's Brouq Nature Reserve are the work of American artist Richard Serra, who calls his installation East-West/West-East.
© Shutterstock
27 / 31 Fotos
Dune bashing
- Qatar's desert landscape is ideal dune bashing country. Jeeps in convoy drive out of town to defy some truly enormous mountains of sands in a four-wheel safari of a different kind.
© Shutterstock
28 / 31 Fotos
2022 FIFA World Cup
- From November 21 to December 18, Qatar will host the 2022 FIFA World Cup—the first World Cup ever to be held in the Arab world. Those visiting the country between now and then can at least catch a glimpse of the stadia set to host the tournament, including Al Thumama Stadium (pictured), the design of which is inspired by the 'gahfiya,' a traditional woven cap worn by men across the Middle East.
© Shutterstock
29 / 31 Fotos
Showpiece venues
- In all, eight stadia situated within a 33-km (21 mi) radius of central Doha will accommodate the tournament, showpiece venues that have been applauded for their state-of-the-art design. Pictured is Khalifa Stadium, which is one of the few venues already built before the World Cup was awarded to Qatar. Sources: (IUCN) (UNESCO) (The New Yorker) (Daily Mail) See also: Unexpected celebrity soccer fans
© Getty Images
30 / 31 Fotos
Kicking off in Qatar
Exploring the country hosting the 2022 FIFA World Cup
© Shutterstock
Few countries combine centuries-old culture with cutting-edge modernity as well as Qatar. This tiny independent emirate situated on the west coast of the Persian Gulf actively promotes its time-honored traditions while developing its reputation as one of the most forward-thinking and tech-savvy nations in the region. Doha, the country's vibrant and dynamic capital, is a world-class city of astonishing visual appeal, its buildings, museums, and resorts designed by some of the most celebrated architects on the planet. Already renowned for its welcoming character and warm hospitality, Qatar is set to greet thousands of soccer fans arriving in November and December for the eagerly-anticipated 2022 FIFA World Cup. Will you be one of them?
Click through for a preview of what to see and where to go.
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