3. An iconic tower standing high above Doha’s West Bay The
iconic Doha Tower, known also as Burj Doha, rises 238
metres above the West Bay in Doha, Qatar. Its phallic
shape rises 46 stories above the ground, with a further 3
floors stretching underground. The French architect Jean
Nouvel, who designed the building, described its shape as
suggestive of “a fully assumed virility.”
Though this high-rise office building looms large in the
skyline, it's by no means the largest in the city. It is,
however, one of the most unique. Its outward lattice of
diagrid columns echoes Islamic Mashrabiya architecture,
with a design intended to protect the building from the
scorching heat and sandy residue that coats many of the
glass buildings in the region. A photo of this extremely
distinctive skyscraper will serve you well as a memento of
your visit. It’s especially beautiful when illuminated at
night.
4. Enjoy panoramic views from Doha’s tallest building Also
known as The Torch Doha, Aspire Tower is a 300-metre
high-rise hotel in the Aspire Zone complex in Doha, Qatar.
The hotel is centrally located and near to several local
attractions, including Villaggio Mall Shopping Center and
the Khalifa International Stadium. The building’s proximity
to this stadium saw it become a focal point when Qatar
hosted the 15th Asian Games in December 2006.
Aspire Tower is one of the tallest structures in Qatar. For a
view over a spectacular cityscape and a little fine dining,
check out the Panorama Restaurant at the top of the tower
itself.
5. Snap a shot of this distinctive hourglass-shaped
building Tornado Tower’s distinctive hourglass shape is
instantly recognisable. Also known as QIPCO Tower, this
building’s 52 floors stretch almost 200 metres into the
skyline. Though most of its space is rented office space,
there are a number of restaurants open to the public
inside, including a sushi restaurant and a steakhouse.
On the 27th floor, you’ll find a gym while fine dining
with a view can be found on the 28th floor.
The tower is located in Doha’s West Bay district. If you’re
driving here, there’s ample parking available in the
underground car park. If you come in the evening, you’ll
get a chance to see the building’s spectacular exterior
lighting that secures its position as a highlight of the
capital’s skyline.
6. Enjoy one of Qatar's world-class public art
installations Located right in front of Sidra
Medical and Research Center, you’ll find a
renowned art installation by the controversial
British artist Damien Hirst. Known as The
Miraculous Journey, this installation consists of 14
large bronze sculptures depicting the human
journey from conception to birth.
With sculptures ranging in height from 5- to 11-
metres tall, Hirst has charted the miracle of birth
in vivid detail. The reality for some may be
shocking as among the scenes depicted is a
breech birth. There was some controversy
surrounding the unveiling of the sculptures
initially, but this divisive art piece is now widely
praised. While some were upset with the harsh
realism of the scenes, this fascinating public art
installation is certainly worth a visit.
7. Catch a show at this Sidra tree-inspired buildingOne of the
region’s premier events venues, Qatar National Convention
Center offers several state-of-the-art theatres, conference
halls, and meeting rooms within its distinctive building. The
building’s facade is designed to resemble a desert tree, the
Sidra. At the front of the foyer, you’ll find the world-famous
spider sculpture, Maman. You’ll also find versions of this
sculpture by French artist Louise Bourgeois in museums
around the world, including the Tate Modern in London.
The convention centre plays host to top regional and
international acts and is an excellent spot to catch a show
while in town. You’ll find everything here from stand-up
comedy and public discussion forums to Hello Kitty Live
and classical music, so be sure to check ahead to find
something to suit your tastes.
8. Visit this UNESCO World Heritage site for a glimpse into
Qatari historyLocated near a now-deserted town of the
same name, Al Zubara Fort is a large fort dominated by 3
huge circular towers and a single rectangular one. The fort
was built in 1938 by Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim Al Thani
to serve as a coast guard station. It’s now used as a
museum and hosts regular exhibitions on the history of
the area.
Located about 105 km from the capital, the remains of the
deserted town and the fort protecting it are a UNESCO
World Heritage site that lies on the northwestern coast of
the Qatar peninsula and can make for an interesting day
trip. Be sure to bring snacks and plenty of water and note
there's little in the way of shade while exploring here. It’s
probably best to avoid arriving around midday and early
afternoon when the heat is at its most intense.
9. Visit these aptly named 19th-century towers day or
nightThe Barzan Towers date to the late 19th century and
were erected to stand guard over the precious rainwater
that collected in the nearby valley. Barzan means 'high
place', and with watchtowers that stand over 16 metres in
height, the place is well named. The towers were also used
for observing the moon to accurately pinpoint the start of
Ramadan.
The towers are just 15 km north of Doha and are open 24
hours a day, so there’s never a bad time to visit. With
enormous staircases and impressive buttresses, the
architecture here offers some great photo opportunities
for visitors, with the best views available from the top.
There are some shops nearby too, so you don’t have to
worry about finding refreshments while visiting.
10. Catch a glimpse into Qatar’s storied past at this 18th-
century fortOne of Qatar’s oldest historical sites, Al
Wajbah Fort dates to the late 18th century. The site of
significant battles between the Qatari people and
Ottoman forces, the fort holds a special place in the hearts
of the locals and evokes a strong sense of national pride
for many. With thick walls and 4 high watchtowers, the fort
contains weaponry displays and exhibits detailing its
history.
Just 15 km west of Doha, access to Al Wajbah Fort is free
to the public. The watchtowers stand out impressively in
contrast to the predominantly flat landscape that
surrounds them. They make for an excellent backdrop for
some photographic mementoes of your visit to the
country.
11. Enjoy one of the many free events hosted by this
impressive national libraryThe Qatar National Library is
not only a national library but a research and public
library, too. It houses over 1 million books, as well as
extensive digital collections. Membership is open to all
Qatar residents and visitors are also made welcome.
Located in Doha’s Education City, the book collections
aren’t the only draw to this library. Each month, the library
hosts up to 80 free events that are open to the public.
You’ll find everything from a knitting group to art
exhibitions going on here. Once a month, the Qatar
Philharmonic Orchestra holds a free public performance.
Details of each month’s events can be found on the
library’s website.
12. Don’t miss this unique and intriguing pigeon-related
attractionQatar’s Pigeon Towers are undoubtedly one of
the country's most unique and intriguing attractions. A
popular photo opportunity for tourists and locals alike, the
towers also serve an extremely practical purpose. Home to
thousands of pigeons, the distinctive towers have been
designed to collect their droppings for use as fertiliser by
local farmers.
Located right beside the Katara Mosque in the Katara
Cultural Village, the Pigeon Towers are designed in a
traditional Islamic architectural style. They are worth the
trip to the cultural village alone but can easily be
combined as part of an itinerary to take in several other
nearby attractions such as the amphitheatre, the
convention centre, and even a beach.
