Highlights of Qatar; Places to Visit, Things to Do, Where to Eat?
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Highlights of Qatar; Places to visit, things to do, where to eat? There are a number of attractions and activities within easy reach of the Marriott Marquis Hotel: we are highlighting some here for your convenience. During the conference, you may also ask our volunteers who will be around to make your visit most memorable. Looking forward to welcoming you in Qatar, Ilham Al-Qaradawi; 9ICI Chair Hotspots and Highlights Doha Corniche (10 minutes) A seven-kilometre long waterfront promenade around Doha Bay, the Corniche offers spectacular views of the city, from the dramatic high-rise towers of the central business district to the bold shapes of the Museum of Islamic Art. Traditional wooden dhows lining the Bay evoke echoes of Qatar’s great seafaring past. The Corniche provides a green, vehicle-free pedestrian space in the heart of the capital. Katara (10 minutes) An innovative interpretation of the region’s architectural heritage, this purpose- built development’s impressive theatres, galleries and performance venues stage a lively year-round programme of concerts, shows and exhibitions. Among Katara’s recreational attractions are a wide choice of dining options, including top class restaurants offering a variety of cuisines, and a spacious, well- maintained public beach with water sports. The Pearl (10 minutes) The Pearl-Qatar is a man-made island off the West Bay coast featuring Mediterranean-style yacht-lined marinas, residential towers, villas and hotels, as well as luxury shopping at top brand name boutiques and showrooms. A popular dining spot, its waterfront promenades are lined with cafes and restaurants serving every taste – from a refreshing ice cream to a five-star dining experience. The Pearl is a popular visitor attraction by virtue of its chic elegance, inviting description as the ‘Arabian Riviera’. Souq Waqif (25 minutes) A stroll down the bustling alleys of Souq Waqif provides an authentic taste of traditional commerce, architecture and culture. The maze of small shops offer a dazzling array of Middle Eastern merchandise from spices and seasonal delicacies to perfumes, jewellery, clothing, handicrafts and a treasure trove of souvenir bargains. Traditional music, art and cultural shows add to the ambience of this special place. Relax and soak up the vitality and atmosphere at one of its eclectic mix of great restaurants and cafes. Opening Hours: Saturday to Thursday 9am-12.30pm & 4pm-11pm Friday 4pm-11pm Al Shahaniya Camel Racetrack (45 minutes) Al-Shahaniya racing track, an hour's drive into the gleaming desert outside north of downtown Doha, holds domestic and international tournaments on Fridays from November to February. Professional Camel racing started in Qatar in 1972 although it is their traditional sport and the camel race track is a must see for those who visit Doha. Directions and timings Al Shahaniya Camel Race Track is located off the main Duhkan- Doha road around an hour drive from down town Doha. Take the Dukhan road from Rayyan, about 35 - 40 kilometres. After the Al Rayyan football stadium, take the first exit in the roundabout in few kilometres and when the Oryx sign is reached, turn left. (There is a signboard that says "Camel Race") It is recommended to arrive around 9:30AM when the camels begin training. Make sure to wear relaxing clothes and shoes. Al Shahaniya Race Track: +974 44 87 2028 Al Wakrah Souq (60 minutes) Traditional marketplace with shops and restaraunts located on the beachfront of Qatar’s second largest city, Al Wakrah. Beach is accessible for free, with male and female changing rooms available. Respect to local customs should be observed. Film City (90 minutes) The film city is a contemporary recreation of an antique Arabic village nestled behind a canyon in the desert of the Zekreet peninsula. The Film City is located in one of Qatar’s truly fantastic site that is entirely deserted. The visitors really feel as they may have stepped into one of the ghost towns in the American west; with anomalous palm trees rather than tumbleweeds afford a visual treat in the never-ending arid landscape. This site is best visited in a group during daylight hours. Please bear in mind that facilities are scarce and it is best to pack food and drinks. Khor Al Adaid (90-120 min) Some 60 km from Doha in the southeastern corner of the country lies one of Qatar’s most impressive natural wonders, the ‘Inland Sea’ or Khor Al Adaid. A UNESCO recognized natural reserve with its own ecosystem; this is one of the few places in the world where the sea encroaches deep into the heart of the desert. Inaccessible by road, this tranquil expanse of water can only be reached by across the rolling dunes. Museums & Galleries Carpet Museum (In the hotel) Located on the 6th floor of the Marriott Marquis Hotel, the carpet museum exhibits a number of interesting woven artefacts from the Arab region. Museum of Islamic Art (25 min) Experience 14 centuries of great art in a few hours. The MIA’s magnificent and imaginatively presented displays of the finest art and artifacts from across the Islamic world have earned it recognition among the world’s top cultural institutions. No visitor can fail to be impressed by the quality and diversity the collections, housed in a modern architectural masterpiece designed by IM Pei. The museum ensures fresh interest through its constantly changing program of special exhibitions. A fee may be charged for these temporary shows, but admission to the permanent galleries is free. Opening Hours: Sunday 10.30am – 5.30pm Monday 10.30am – 5.30pm Tuesday closed Wednesday 10.30am – 5.30pm Thursday 12pm – 8pm Friday 2pm - 8pm Saturday 12pm – 8pm Admission: Free admission 25QR to temporary exhibitions Tours Free guided tours every Thursday and Saturday at 2pm. The tours take around 40 minutes and are given in Arabic and English. Dress code: Please dress modestly. Al Riwaq Gallery (25 minutes, adjacent to Museum of Islamic Art) This large art space hosts a diverse schedule of exhibitions that aim to get people talking. Al Riwaq is currently hosting Driven by German Design, which is part of the Qatar Germany Year of Culture 2017. Admission is free. Open all days of the week: Saturday – Thursday: 9AM to 7PM Friday: 1:30PM – 7PM Doha Firestation (15 minutes) The Firestation is a creative space that allows emerging talent from within Qatar to further their practice, research, and work as aspiring professional artists. The space offers an exciting programme of exhibitions focusing on contemporary art. The station was built in 1982 as a Civil Defence building. It was occupied by the fire brigade until late 2012 when it was handed over to Qatar Museums, to be recycled for contemporary use. Ibrahim Al Jeidah, the Qatari architect leading the project, has preserved the original details of the building and its tower. Opening times: Saturday – Thursday: 9AM – 7PM Friday: 1PM – 7PM Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art (30 minutes) Located in Doha’s Education City, Mathaf museum is the only institution of its type in the region; hosting modern art exhibits and programmes offering an Arab perspective on contemporary art. It is linked by shuttle bus to the Museum of Islamic Art. Opening Hours: Sunday 11am - 6pm Monday Closed Tuesday 11am - 6pm Wednesday 11am - 6pm Thursday 11am - 6pm Friday 3pm - 8pm Saturday 11am - 6pm Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani Museum (60 minutes) Sheikh Faisal’s private museum at Al Samriya features a fascinating collection of more than 15,000 exhibits covering a spectrum of arts, artefacts and equipment, as well as many everyday household and traditional items that evoke a flavour of Qatari life in the pre-oil era. A feature of the museum is its extensive collection of vintage cars. Opening Hours: Sunday 09.00am – 4.30pm Monday 9.00am – 4.30pm Tuesday 9.00am – 4.30pm Wednesday 9.00am – 4.30pm Thursday 9.00 am – 4.30pm Friday 2.00 pm – 6.00 pm Saturday 9.00 am – 6.00 pm Admission: Adults: 15 QAR Children up to 18 years: 10 QAR Under 8 years: free Booking is compulsory Admission: Free admission 25QR to temporary exhibitions Parks MIA Park (25 minutes) & Aspire Park (30 minutes) One of Doha’s defining features is the large number of green parks dotted around the city. These offer a welcome respite from the heat of the built-up areas and provide a vehicle-free recreational space for residents and visitors to enjoy, proving especially popular with joggers, cyclists and walkers. A string of such parks stretch along the Corniche waterfront, including the popular Museum of Islamic Art Park. Inland, the Aspire Park is notable for its lake and extensive facilities for exercise or relaxation. MIA Park Opening Hours: 7 days a week, 24 hours a day Admission: Free admission Aspire Park Opening Hours: All days 7.00am – 11.00 pm Admission: Free admission Malls Lagoona Mall (10 minutes) Lagoona Mall is a high-end shopping mall with many brand stores and dining options, offering a refined retail experience. The mall hosts stores such as Supertrash, Karen Millen, Pronovias, DKNY, Michael Kors and Ted Baker. Opening Hours: Sunday 10.00am – 10.00pm Monday 10.00am – 10.00pm Tuesday 10.00am – 10.00pm Wednesday 10.00am – 10.00pm Thursday 10.00am – 12.00am Friday 2.00pm – 12.00am Saturday 10.00am – 10.00pm Villaggio (30 minutes) The Villaggio shopping mall offers a good mix of shops, restaurants and recreation. Based on a Venetian theme, the mall has a canal that visitors can navigate using a genuine Venetian Gondola. The mall also offers an indoor Olympic-sized skating rink and a 22,000-sqm theme park.