Find Luxury Hotels in Doha

There are several parks close to the Corniche which are ideal for families, and right on the Corniche there is a giant statue of Orry, the Oryx who is the mascot for the 15th Asian Games, which took place in Doha from December 1-15, 2006.

A popular excursion was to take the small boat ride from the Corniche (near the Sheraton) to Palm Tree Island in Doha Bay, although in July 2006 the island was closed for complete renovation. As of February 2007, the island is still undergoing renovation and is completely bare except for 2 trees.

A typical Middle Eastern activity in the afternoons is to find a sheesha cafe and smoke some fruit-flavoured tobacco. One of the best places in Doha is Ras-Naswa at the non-Sheraton end of the Corniche. Located in a picturesque old-style building reminiscient, in colour and texture if not grandeur, of the red Mughal structures in India, Ras-Naswa has a nice outdoor garden and serves decent Middle Eastern food.

Doha has several markets which are worth visiting as well. See the Buy section for more details.

If you want to people-watch afluent young Qataris who are inseparable from their mobile phones, the best places to head are the modern shopping malls, starting with City Centre, not far from the Sheraton.

The Qatar National Museum reopened in late March 2006 after a long period of closure for renovation.

Because of the restricted availability of alcohol in Qatar, you cannot drink alcohol at restaurants except those that are part of international hotels.

Given the population diversity in Doha, there is a large variety of different types of cuisine, including Indian, Thai, Chinese, Italian, Korean and, of course, typical Middle Eastern food.

Turkey Central, Al-Mirghab St. Offers good, cheap Middle Eastern fare. The portions are large (try the Mixed Grill) and the appetizers are recommended. It's on Al-Mirghab St; to get there, turn right off C Ring Road just after Hardee's if you're heading away from City Centre. Across the street from Turkey Central and a little further back towards Hardee's is a decent Thai restaurant.

Best Fish a little further down Al-Mirghab St. sells good local fish dishes at reasonable prices, and has just been redecorated inside. The Grilled Hammour with garlic butter is recommended.

Il Rustico, Rydges Hotel. Serves quality Italian food, as does one of the restaurants at the Ritz-Carlton.

Among the American fast food chains in Doha are McDonald's, KFC, Hardee's, Arby's, Burger King and Dairy Queen. Pizza places include Pizza Hut, Little Caesar's and Pizza Inn.

The intersection of C-Ring and Salwa Road is known as Ramada Junction, (due to the Ramada being there), or more jokingly as "Cholesterol Corner" due to the high number of fast food and other restaurants within a block or less of it.

More upscale American chains include TGI Fridays (in the Landmark shopping mall), Applebee's, Chili's, Fuddruckers, Bennigan's and Ponderosa Steakhouse.

Starbucks are very common in the malls around Doha