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Popular Things To Do | Miscellaneous Things To Do Tips | All Tips (106)  | |  |  | Doha Cultural Festival | Tip Rating:   |  |  | |  |
If you happen to be in Doha during the annual Doha Cultural Festival, be sure to check it out. It lasts for a week or two, during which there are performances, lectures, and other events happening throughout the city. Finding out details about these can be a challenge, but you can start with the festival's website. Some performances require tickets, which can be bought at the door or ahead of time at two of the local shopping malls - City Centre or the one that's creatively named The Mall. One thing that doesn't require tickets is the heritage village in Al Bidda park. This is a reconstruction of what a Qatari village was like a hundred years ago. Actually, this is probably just about what Doha was like a hundred years ago! Local crafts and foods are sold here, and demonstrations are given on aspects of local culture, such as pearl diving. Singing and dancing performances are held here in the evening. This was written during the 2006 festival, which was held in late March/early April. Remember things can easily change in subsequent years, so do your own research. Address: Al-Bidda park and many other locationsDirections: Al-Bidda park is a large "families only" park just across from the Corniche, not far from the main post office. It's a nice place to go even when the festival is not on, and it's always crowded with families on weekend (Friday and Saturday) afternoons.Website: http://www.dohafestival.net/english.html
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| | | | This is No Boyscout Tent! | Tip Rating: | | | | |
If you find yourself in Doha during Ramadan, make sure to visit a Ramadan tent. This is a local tradition in which families set up tents outside their homes and invite friends and family over for iftar, the meal taken at sunset to break the fast. The eating, sheesha, and socialising often continue through the wee hours of the morning. While it might be difficult to get invited to one of these family tents if you don't know any locals, all the major hotels around town have their own version of the Ramadan tent, some of which are quite glamorous. The price varies, as does the quality. You may be able to find one for as little as QR25, but this will probably just get you a bit of finger food. The tent at the Ramada serves dinner for QR50, but it's just an average tent. If you have a little extra money to splash out, at QR90 the Ritz-Carlton has the best tent in town in my opinion. For this you get a huge buffett, live entertainment (musicians, whirling dervishes, fire twirlers, etc.) and it's all in a beautiful setting that will make you feel like royalty. Sheesha and drinks (non-alcoholic) are extra, as is the 17% tax. The Four Seasons has one that's QR115 plus tax, but it's much smaller and in my opinion not as good as the Ritz-Carlton. Phone: 4848000Directions: Follow the Corniche all the way to the end. It's just after the new island real estate development The Pearl (currently under construction).
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The Doha Corniche stretches 7km around Doha Bay. It is an ideal place to see locals walking with their families, jogging, talking or taking naps in the shade of all the palm trees which line the paved walkway. There is a photo exhibit up now near one of the cafe's which is worth a visit and postcards and posters can be purchased from the cafe. It is also a great spot to check out the Doha city skyline. Early in the morning during my visit there tended to be a haze that was soon burnt off by the sun. Leave a Comment Address: Al Corniche
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While I love to see different species of animals from all over the world, I believe that those animals deserve to roam free in their natural habitat, so I'm generally not a huge fan of zoos. They can serve a positive purpose if done well, though, and if they do things like captive breeding programs and conservation education. While the Doha Zoo is not the best zoo I've seen, it's certainly not the worst. Most of the animals have decent-sized enclosures and seem to be healthy. And it's not often you get to see lions, tigers, leopards, and elephants all for less than US$1.50! The zoo is set to expand to twice the size it is now, and there are plans to include a free-flight aviary, a marine world, and 'jungle adventures.' I'm not sure how they're going to create a jungle in the middle of the Qatari desert; that might be worth coming back to Doha in a couple of years just to see! In addition to the animals mentioned above, you can also see giraffes, chimpanzees, oryx, flamingoes, zebras, a rhinoceros, lots of baboons, various deer and antelope species, as well as several nocturnal species that are kept in a special dimly-lit area so that you can see them when they're active. Entrance is only QR 5. Opening hours are 7:30-11:30am and 3:30-8:30pm daily except Friday mornings. Tuesday afternoons are for ladies and children only; Wednesday afternoons are for families only. Opening hours can vary according to season so it's best to call ahead. Phone: 468 2610Directions: On Al Furousiya Street near the Doha Racing and Equestrian Club. Some written sources say it is 20km outside Doha but this is incorrect. There is construction (surprise!) at the entrance, but despite how it looks the zoo is open.
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on June 17, 2004
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on April 3, 2006
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