Qatar’s capital city Doha is an ideal destination for a family holiday. It blends the modern with the ancient, the futuristic with the traditional to create an inspiring landscape for you to explore. Whether you’re looking to delve into the city’s fascinating history, enjoy a day at the beach, or let your hair down at a theme park, Doha delivers.
Megapolis, The Pearl
Located on The Pearl, a man-made island now dubbed the ‘Arabian Riviera’; Megapolis is a cutting-edge entertainment centre that offers something for all the family. Situated indoors, it’s a great place to escape the midday heat and is home to a huge range of activities. If high-tech gadgetry is your thing then you’ll love the range of simulators, including F1 race cars and F16 fighter jets, while the state-of-the-art bowling alley is the perfect activity for all the family to enjoy.
Elsewhere there’s an extensive games arcade, numerous pool and snooker tables, and a chance to hone the family’s golf game with instruction from the in-house PGA professional. And when its time to put your feet up and refuel there’s the impressive food court that will guarantee everyone is well fed and watered.
Katara Beach
Opened in 2010 Katara is a cultural village situated just outside the city. It’s home to a thriving arts scene with lots of galleries to explore and is a world away from the ultra-modern skyscrapers that dominate the Doha skyline. But the jewel in Katara’s crown for any family is certainly its beach. It’s open from 9.30am until sunset and entry to the 1.5km stretch of sand is now free of charge. Here you’ll find plenty of water-based activities including parasailing, kneeboarding and waterskiing as well as a children’s play area – ideal if you’re travelling with little ones.
Aqua Park Qatar
Aqua Park makes for an ideal day out, allowing you and you’re family to enjoy the weather with the added bonus of being able to cool off in the water. The park has numerous swimming pools, including the relaxing lagoon pool where you can chill out and enjoy a drink from the nearby juice bar, as well as plenty of exhilarating waterslides for all to enjoy. There are also a few extras which elevate this park into something special including the Stingray Surf Machine, the world’s first surfing halfpipe ride, a Jacuzzi cave, and Pirates Bay, a dedicated play area for children.
Souq Waqif
While Doha continues to evolve and shopping is more often done in air-conditioned malls no trip to the city would be complete without a visit to Souq Waqif. The site’s been home to a Bedouin market for many centuries but today you’ll find a Souq that’s been extensively redeveloped while still preserving the classic look of a 19th Century version, complete with a maze of alleyways, squares and restored Qatari buildings. It’s a great place to just soak up the atmosphere, watch some traditional Falconry, try a range of traditional cuisines and, of course, shop.
Museum of Islamic Arts
One of Doha’s most eye-catching buildings and designed by the same architect who created the Louvre, the Museum of Islamic Arts is located just off the Corniche. It’s set in beautiful grounds, with manicured lawns and palm trees as well as its own virtual moat. Inside its just as stunning, a modern reinterpretation of traditional Islamic architecture, and home to the largest collection of Islamic art in the world. If the wealth of exhibits seems a little overwhelming then there are 40-minute guided tours available of the permanent collections.
Premier Inn’s Doha hotels put you within easy reach of all these attractions, making it the perfect place to stay for an exciting Doha family holiday.