Machboos, Souqs and Camel Racing in Doha, Qatar

Doha is the thriving funds metropolis of Qatar, where by you can knowledge an intriguing blend of present day miracles and historic traditions. The sparkling skyline greeting arrivals vividly display screen the country’s prosperity that saw Doha develop into a fantastic cosmopolitan metropolis, rendering the earlier modest fishing and pearl diving city unrecognisable.

Doha, capital of Qatar

Few people understood in which or what Qatar was, but now… everyone is familiar with the fortunate host of this year’s FIFA World Cup! Particularly with it coming up in only a several months! The pleasure is creating and the vacation plans are being built for this particular party, which begins on the 20 November 2022 and ends on the 18 December -almost a total thirty day period of gripping and skillful soccer for us all to spoil in!

In accordance to a regional Qatari I a short while ago achieved, the Qataris are incredibly aware of the changing earth, but they are extremely careful not to lose their tradition and custom and as an alternative nurture their one of a kind individuality. Hence, they locate by themselves with the perfect combine of West fulfills East.

A perfect illustration of this is the ongoing use of falconry. While there is incredibly little require of it in modern-day-working day Qatar, the tradition of acquiring a  experienced, spectacular falcon even now life on. So do not be surprised to see men and boys about the town carrying their prized falcons on their arms.

Katara Cultural Village is Qatar’s hub for society and creative imagination, intended in a way to hark back to classic lifestyle with its maze of alleyways and Pigeon Towers.

If you want to just take a move back into historical past and encounter beautiful architecture and huge selection of art and artefacts, then the Museum of Islamic Artwork is the ideal position to check out. Here you can can be transported by time from 14 hundreds of years back to fashionable times when viewing ceramics, manuscripts, metalworks, textiles and other good artwork parts of the Islamic environment.

Even although it’s regarded to be a desert, the country is filled with greenery, tall palm trees decorate quite a few streets and there is also an huge glistening ocean. In point, La Corniche is a stunning seafront promenade, stretching 7 km alongside the Doha Bay, providing incredible views of the ocean and Doha’s skyline.

Your favourite Qatari delicacy?

If you have the chance, all visitors must check out a range of Qatari dishes these types of as machboos, a aromatic yellow colored rice dish, normally served with lamb or goat. One more favourite is threed, which is a lamb stew with vegetables topped with crispy bread. As for desserts, legaymat (or legaimat) is a conventional Arabic sweet served with dibs (date syrup) or sugar syrup.  The dumplings in this recipe are a family members favourite, in particular for the duration of the month of Ramadan.

Which market you have to check out?

Souq Wagif, a energetic generations-outdated market, is a need to take a look at when in Doha. This aged current market is stuffed with classic outlets ranging from scented incense perfumes these kinds of as Dihn ilOud (in Arabian ‘oudh’) is highly valued by perfumers for its sweet, woody, fragrant and sophisticated scent. Also, in the Souq you will encounter common Qatari food stuff bought at stalls. It is a fantastic location to uncover antique gifts this kind of as carpets, jewelry and scarves. Make confident to spoil by yourself with winter season, handwoven shawls.

Ideal 360 degree see?

Visit the revolving A few Sixty Restaurant at the 300-metre-tall Torch tower for the finest views in the town!

Fun facts?

If in Doha in the wintertime months, just take portion in our conventional sports activities of camel racing and falconry. The Camel races are a amazing way to see the youthful Qatari gentlemen prepare their camels for the races – you are going to be surprised at the large next this sport has. Falconry is also a severe passion in Qatar. Major up to the winter season months, don’t be surprised to see numerous Qataris in the desert teaching their falcons to hunt. If you see them, make confident to stop as they will be content to present you how falcons hunt their prey.

How numerous times really should you shell out in this article (ideally)?

As Qatar is modest in dimension, it is recommended to shell out all-around a week in Doha preferably in the winter months.