Make the most of a 36-hour stopover in Doha, Qatar
A few months back, I told my colleague how we made the most of our 36-hour stopover in Doha, Qatar and he was shocked. He immediately wondered why someone would choose to visit Doha instead of Dubai . He even phrased Doha as being a ‘staler version of Dubai’. We haven’t visited Dubai yet, but our impression of Doha differed completely. In addition to being a good welcome break in our long journey, Doha pleasantly surprised us. As a smaller city, it is a perfect destination for a 36-hour or slightly longer stopover. Bonus, if you are flying with Qatar Airways, this stopover comes at no additional cost to you!!
We traveled with our 3-year-old kiddo, so, you could squeeze a lot more than we could in this short duration. Let’s talk about how to make the most of a 36-hour stopover in Doha, Qatar.
Qatar Airways & Doha Stopover
Qatar offers visa-free arrival for 95 countries and also provides stopover packages which include 4* and 5* hotels and other add-ons like Discover Doha tour etc.
If you are planning for a stopover in Doha, I would highly recommend booking your flights directly with Qatar Airways instead of any other third party. It’s as simple as choosing a ‘Qatar Stopover’ in the search panel while booking your tickets. The search bar will ask for other details, like the number of days in Doha, a stopover during your departing or return flight, selecting a stopover package, etc.
We decided to book our trip without any package. Instead, we booked our accommodation through the Discover Qatar website, to be eligible for a visa on arrival. As an Indian citizen, we were also required to have a 2-night stay in Doha. You can check your visa requirements here on the Visit Qatar website.
Currency Exchange in Doha
We were very surprised by how easy it was to use our credit cards/phone taps while in Doha instead of Cash. With a Revolut account, it was so easy to tap our phone and pay in Qatari Riyal at the current market exchange rate. No change fees or any additional withdrawal charges. All you need to do is sign up, add your Revolut card to Apple Wallet or Google Pay, and exchange your currency for Qatari Riyal before paying.
We also withdrew 100 euros from the atm at the airport, to pay in cash during those rare occasions when card transactions weren’t possible.
Transportation in Doha
From what we have read, Doha has public transportation. But during our visit, taxis were our go-to medium of transportation. Taxi fare in Doha is very affordable in Doha and hence they are a convenient mode of transportation. You can call them from the concierge desk of your hotel or hail them from one of the many taxi stands. In addition, most taxi drivers accept a card swipe/transaction. It’s a win-win situation, in my opinion.
Make the most of a 36-hour stopover in Doha, Qatar
As Doha is a small city, there are mainly these four major attractions that you can consider exploring during your 36-hour stopover in Doha, Qatar. But like they say, it was all quality over quantity. This little city charmed us beyond means.
Explore and Shop at Souq Waqif
It’s impossible that you travel to a Middle Eastern country and skip their traditional market. Souq Waqif is Qatar’s traditional market situated in the heart of the city. The site was rebuilt in 2004, following Qatari traditional architecture. The best time to visit is in the evening when the sun is not so strong and the entire site comes to life.
You will find numerous shops selling not only souvenirs, spices, dry fruits, traditional clothes, and Qatari sweets but also goods from other parts of the world. I was pleasantly surprised to find Indian Kashmiri and Rajasthani handicrafts in the heart of the souq.
There are many restaurants and cafes in the area serving a variety of cuisines. We enjoyed amazing Middle Eastern cuisine and here are some of the restaurants you should consider dining at.
- Damasca One Restaurant: We thoroughly enjoyed our first dinner here. Damasca One is a traditional Syrian restaurant, with lovely decor and casual ambiance. We mainly ordered several small plates and devoured them until our tummies were blasting full.
- Abo Shariha Restaurant: If you are in search of delicious falafel, this is the place to visit. However, keep in mind that falafels are traditionally served on the breakfast and lunch menus only.
- Parisa Souq Waqif: Parisa is the most highly-rated restaurant in Souq Waqif. However, our experience was otherwise. I would give it full marks for its decor and ambiance, which is stunning. However, we found the food pretty ordinary and not worth the exorbitant price range. You will need to reserve a place in advance if you plan on dining here.
Islamic Art Museum, Doha
The Islamic Art Museum houses a good collection of Islamic Art including manuscripts, metalwork, ceramics, jewelry, woodwork, textiles, coins, precious stones, and glass. Keeping the museum aside, I would recommend going here to enjoy the view of Doha’s skyline. With a jet-lagged kid in tow, we couldn’t make it here but if you have a couple of hours to spare during sunset, highly recommend Islamic Art Museum for the views it offers.
Inland Sea Tour
Our favorite activity in Doha was this Private Desert Safari and Inland Sea Tour.
We did loads of research before booking this desert tour. Since we were traveling with a 3-year-old kid, we weren’t sure if the tour would be safe for smaller kids as it included dune bashing. But we also wanted our kiddo to experience a desert, so we looked a loads of alternatives and options. Finally, we decided to go for a private tour with Get Your Guide, and our experience was 5 stars.
It’s a 4-hour tour and includes a camel ride, dune bashing, sand boarding, loads of photo spots, and finally a stop at Inland Sea before heading back. We recommend starting the tour at 2 pm so that you can reach the Inland Sea for sunset. Also, the sand gets a little cooler in the evening, allowing you to experience and enjoy sandboarding.
I need to appreciate our driver during the tour. He took at most precautions to ensure our kiddo stayed safe during the tour. During dune bashing, he drove super carefully and at the same time, ensured our kiddo had a great time.
There are many other tour providers, providing similar itineraries. However, Get Your Guide had the best reviews of all, and we can vouch for them based on our experience. Also, their tour price is pretty competitive as compared to other tour providers.
Katara Cultural Village
If you have more than a 36-hour stopover at Doha, Qatar then you can consider visiting Katara Cultural Village as well. It’s like an outdoor museum with a mix of modern and traditional vibes. You can expect theaters, art galleries, colorful performances & shows, and even a beach. It gets lively in the evening when the temperature drops, like other places in Doha.
Where to Next?
Well, this is how we made the most of your 36-hour stopover in Doha, Qatar. Check out our blogs from other parts of the globe and don’t forget to pin us for later.
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