World Cup 2022: Other Places To Visit While In Qatar

The 2022 World Cup in Qatar will kick off in less than two months’ time. Qatar is a diverse Arabian nation where modern experiences and cultural treasures coexist. There is already a lot of excitement among fans for the biggest sporting event in history and for an opportunity to visit the ultra-modern country. 

So, if you intend to visit Qatar in November or December for the 2022 World Cup, be prepared for some beautiful experiences. In between watching football games, there are many activities and places you can explore. 

You’ll never run out of things to do, whether it’s navigating a vibrant Arabian street market, speeding over dunes in a 4×4, or enjoying a traditional Bedouin feast under a starry desert sky. 

Thus, we bring you a list of some of the best things to see and do when you aren’t watching the players battle it out in Qatar.

Explore the Souq Waqif (Doha)

Souqs are an Arabic institution, and the Souq Waqif might be the best and most famous in Qatar, situated in the heart of Doha. It is a traditional market of winding alleys, hiding cafes, restaurants, and shisha bars. It is a unique cultural shopping experience, including clothing, handcrafts, custom-made perfumes, gold jewelry, and a lot more.

Take a guided walking tour, or camp out at coffee shops and people-watch. This is the best place to get all your souvenirs and gifts for friends and family back home.

But you should also hit Qatar’s ultra-modern shopping malls, which tend to be themed along the same lines as Vegas casinos. For example, the Villaggio Mall has indoor canals that you can travel via gondola, as well as more than 200 specialty stores.

Drive a Sand Dune Safari (Doha)

Qatar is a desert state, and you haven’t experienced the country if you haven’t seen its sand dunes. What better way than to tackle them in a four-wheel drive so you can mix thrills with the intoxicating vastness of the expansive desert?

Lots of companies in Doha offer desert safaris, which can be thrilling or tranquil, depending on your preference. Make sure to specify that you want to visit the Inland Sea at the settlement of Khor Al Udaid. The pale turquoise waters are perfect for swimming.

If you are game, you can also camp overnight in the desert in a Bedouin tent. The complete lack of light pollution promises a spectacular night sky view. Make sure you also include a classic camel ride in your itinerary.

Become Friendly with Camels

Camels are surprisingly cute and majestic, and they are part of the cultural history of Qatar. There are lots of opportunities to engage with camels while in the country.

Camel racing has always been popular in Qatari culture, and there are many places where you can watch a race. You should also try camel meat, milk, and cheese, but prepare yourself for the strong taste of camel dairy.

Scare Yourself Silly at Doha Winter Wonderland (Lusail)

While Qatar might be known for its conservative culture, it is actually home to quite a few excellent amusement parks with some of the biggest and scariest rides that you will find anywhere in the world.

Winter Wonderland is one of its newest amusement parks. It is named for the fact that it is almost always sunny and pleasant in Qatar, and you won’t be shivering in any lines here. Try the giant Ferris wheel, the rapid roller coaster, and the family-friendly bumper cars before relaxing on the beach.

Make a Splash at Qetaifan North Island’s Waterpark (Lusail)

From its newest to its oldest, this was the first entertainment island in Qatar and is still one of the best. The Qetaifan water park has more than 60 rides, including Icon Tower, a 279-foot-high slide, plus tamer flumes and raft rides.

The park sits on a manmade island not far from where the World Cup final will take place. As well as the theme park, you’ll find floating hotels, beach clubs, and much more to see and do.

Float Through the Al Thakira Mangroves

Heading to Al Khor for any of the matches? This is the perfect chance to explore the unique Al Thakira mangroves. Unlike in most mangrove areas around the world, the water is clear, giving you a unique look at the unique ecosystem that supports sea life and birds, including flamingos and herons.

The mangroves are only a short distance from the city of Al Khor, and you can rent a kayak to explore the unique landscape on your own.

Visit Al Zubara Fort (Al Zubara)

While Qatar is a country of hyper-modern skyscrapers and man-made islands, it also has a deep and rich history to explore. Start at Al Zubara Fort, a UNESCO-listed archaeological site that preserves original 18th-century architecture.

Explore historic mosques, private palaces, fisherman’s huts, and serene cemeteries. Get a feel for what life in the country was like before the major modernization based on oil exports of the last 50 years.

Take in the Art at the Museum of Islamic Art (Doha)

The Museum of Islamic Art in Doha is one of the best art galleries in the country, and while it has been closed for refurbishment for a while, it will reopen in October 2022 with a blockbuster exhibition, Baghdad: Eye’s Delight.

This exhibition will explore the history, art, and culture of Baghdad, the most influential Islamic city in the world. It will track the history of the city from AD750 to the modern day. If you are in Qatar, it can’t be missed!

Partake in Local Festivals

There will be lots of fantastic local festivals happening in Doha during the World Cup, which will certainly keep your schedule full!

Fans of house and techno music will be impressed by the MDLBEAST festival that will take place in Doha from November 20 to December 19. There are 56 artists playing over the month, and it will certainly make for a good night out.

Discover more local music with the second annual D’reesha Performing Arts Festival, also taking place in Doha from 11-18 December. The official schedule hasn’t been released yet, but in previous years, performances have included the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra and Dana Al Fardan, the first female Qatari contemporary composer, singer, and songwriter.

The Doha Festival of the Moon will also coincide with the World Cup, running from November 5 to December 18. There will be many related events at cultural institutions across the city.

The Corniche is the waterfront promenade that stretches between the Sheraton Hotel and the Museum of Islamic Art. Throughout the World Cup period, from November 14 to December 18, it will be hosting roving cultural performances and a variety of food trucks and beverage outlets.

There is so much more to do in Qatar than just watch football. If you are there for the 2022 World Cup, make sure to build yourself an itinerary that lets you take in all the other great sites and experiences that the country has to offer. Book your flight and hotel early! More than 1.2 million visitors are expected to arrive for the World Cup.