There is not much time left before the 20th of November when the Football World Cup in Qatar will begin. Ghana will have to wait until November 24 to play Portugal at 974 Stadium, which is located right in the middle of the city.
Play South Korea next on November 28 before finishing against Uruguay on December 2.
Ghana will play an international friendly match against Switzerland on 17th November in UAE before flying to Doha, Qatar.
The 55-kilometer radius around the city includes every stadium that will host the more than 3 million lucky spectators who have tickets.
There is plenty of free time in between games to explore this little country with just 11,500 square kilometers, but it is home to numerous attractions, some of which are highly cutting-edge and were built specifically for World Cup visitors to enjoy.
Below are the things to do:
Go to FIFA Fan Festival
From November 19th to December 18th at Al Bidda Park in downtown Doha, close to The Corniche, local and international artists will take to the big stage in a veritable feast and vibrant festival of music, culture and lifestyles, which will feature the local gastronomy. The 64 World Cup matches can be watched by up to 40,000 people on giant screens. A special transport service will allow travel between the stadiums and the FIFA Fan Festival, in both directions. The festival was part of the official activity of the World Cup in the last four editions of the tournament. All festival activities can also be followed around the world through the FIFA+ digital platform. during the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Explore the Corniche on foot or by dhow
It is a beautiful promenade that goes from the Museum of Islamic Art to the Sheraton Park, so you can walk at any time of the day or night, it has a 7 km pedestrian lane that extends in the shape of a crescent, around of Doha Bay. The Corniche was created after the dredging of the Doha Bay area, giving it shape and giving rise to the communication route. More recently, the promenade was created and equipped with leisure, sports and dining areas. From the promenade you can get one of the most spectacular views of Doha, with the skyline of its famous skyscrapers. There are many places to eat or drink, there are 150 establishments, three stages for live concerts, water and light shows and even a Bedouin village. Also from the port you can take a ride on a dhow,
Free visits and discounts with the Qatar Museums Culture Pass
The Culture Pass is the official membership and benefits program for Museums of Qatar. Provides members with access to Qatari cultural institutions and exclusive benefits for unique and memorable experiences including the National Museum of Qatar, Museum of Islamic Art, Al Riwaq Gallery, M7, Fire Department, Qatar Olympic Museum3-2-1 and Mathaf and the Arab Museum of Modern Art. The benefits program includes a complete program of benefits to satisfy all artistic passions and the opportunity to enjoy exclusive behind-the-scenes access to tours, lectures and workshops. Culture Pass Plus and Family members can enjoy unlimited access to all Culture Pass program visits, lectures and workshops, which provide the opportunity to learn about heritage, culture, the environment and gain a vision of the future of Qatar. . You can also enjoy a 25% discount at restaurants, cafes and souvenir shops, in addition to offers at participating hotels.
Enjoy international cuisine
Of course, you can try traditional and elaborate Arab cuisine, not only from Qatar, but also from Iraq, Syria, Iran, Yemen… the best place is Souq Waqif and its endless alleys; in case you want to expand the range of exotic cuisines, you have to go to Al Waab Street with fabulous food options, from sophisticated to fast food and affordable. You can try Chinese, Egyptian, Lebanese, Qatari, Thai and Turkish dishes as well as Western dishes. But if you crave a European touch, head to the Qanat Quartier, an exclusive island with Venetian-style streets and its Marsa Arabia with its exceptional marina views and moored luxury yachts. And if nostalgia is Portuguese, there are a dozen to choose from.
Discover the Katara Cultural Village
Aldeia Village is an architectural project still under development, but which can now be visited and was created with the intention of creating a space for culture. It is known as the largest cultural plan in the country. The name of this majestic space is due to the fact that Katara is the historical name used for Qatar before the 18th century. The complex is built in a style that combines oriental architecture and classical romanticism, giving it a unique and different appearance from most of the new cultural buildings in Doha.
Among the best is its amphitheater, an architectural beauty that balances the concept of classical Greek theater and traditional Islamic features. Its construction was completed in 2009 and has a capacity for 5,000 people. Within the village you can also discover the Opera House which offers a luxurious cultural experience with an architectural mix of Oriental and Victorian styles, and the open-air shopping mall located in Katara Square.
Paddling with a kayak on Al Thakira beach
Located about 35 km. of Doha, Al Thakira beach is the ideal place to swim, sunbathe or spend a relaxed day, according to Jetcost.pt. The beach offers peaceful views of the largest and oldest reserves of dense mangroves in Qatar. It is a spectacle when the low tide reveals the delicate roots that penetrate the sand of the marsh. It's worth renting a boat and exploring the Al Thakhira canals that flow among the vibrant marshes.
It's a perfect opportunity to teach the little ones a little about ecology: the growth of wetlands in salt water, extreme temperatures, tidal changes and the high water level. They also offer benefits to the environment: they remove carbon dioxide from the air, filter metals from the water, delimit fish farms and protect coastlines from erosion. It is very likely that you will see herons, terns, as well as colorful flamingos perched on one foot among the wetlands.
Camel and 4X4 desert dune tour
In times past, Bedouin tribes moved through the desert and set up camps, grazed their animals and traded. Today, that tradition remains ingrained in Qatari culture with Al Enna, the annual winter camping season, during which locals head out into the desert in camps designed to engage with nature. The desert is an important part of the local culture and is home to an incredible number of activities.
The impressive Khor Al Adaid (the Inland Sea), a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is located south of Doha and is one of the few places in the world where the sea enters the desert. There's nothing better than a camel ride through the soft dunes before venturing out on an exhilarating desert safari to Khor Al Adaid, accessible only by 4×4 vehicle. Surfing lovers can live a unique sandboarding experience on the dunes or explore them on a quad, jeep or buggy tour. They can also enjoy Qatar's favorite pastime, camping, during the day, afternoon or night with one of the many companies offering Bedouin-style camps in comfort in the desert.
Time to relax in Pearl-Qatar
It is one of the most fascinating places in the world known as “the Arab Riviera”, a magnificent island where luxury, leisure and a thriving community coexist. It is an artificial island on the edge of Doha's famous West Bay district, situated on four million square meters of reclaimed land. Known for its hotels, variety of charming cafes and restaurants, an iconic marina and luxury shops, it is a popular residential area with an upscale community lifestyle, with Mediterranean-style marinas dotted with yachts, residential buildings, villas and hotels, in addition to to offer a shopping experience in its luxury stores and haute couture designer showrooms.
There are also trendy restaurants on the island, from ice cream parlors to five-star dining experiences. Also noteworthy are its squares and pedestrian areas and a wide variety of landscaped areas. At Pearl there are dozens of charming cafes and elegant restaurants, such as Yasmine Palace, which offers four dining experiences, making it the only multi-themed restaurant complex in Doha. It serves an excellent mix of Andalusian, Levantine and Qatari-inspired dishes, all centered around the passion for jasmine.
Treat yourself to dates and coffee in a majlis
Qataris are friendly and very welcoming, faithful to the Arab tradition. It is not uncommon for them to invite them to meet at their house majlis. And you have to accept it, of course. Majlis are a fundamental element of Qatari life. Located next to the house, this is where people gather to discuss pressing issues and it functions similarly to a salon in Western Europe. The majlis are one of the most important spaces in Qatari life. It is usually a space for men only, while women gather indoors. Located near the entrance, the majlis is an independent room that allows visitors to avoid the most private spaces in the house.
Guests at majlis are welcomed with dates and Arabic coffee and served in a characteristically shaped coffee pot (called dallah) in small cups without handles. The most decorated space in the house, the majlis was traditionally the only room with windows facing the street. Less ornate houses were more simply decorated with recessed alcoves (roshaneh), while wealthier residences had majlis windows with stained glass, window panes or plasterwork with symmetrical designs.