Family Travel Ideas in Doha

If you're looking for a place to spend your family vacation, Doha isn't a bad spot. While it does not have many attractions specifically designed for children’s entertainment (it's not Disneyworld), it is still set up fairly well for kids. For one thing, Doha is a fairly clean and modern city, so you don't have to worry as much about what you eat or drink even though some caution, particularly when it comes to little ones, is still advisable. Drivers in Doha are somewhat crazy, so be very aware when walking around the city. As long as you take basic precautions, the city has a lot of great things for families to do.

Family Attractions

One of the main attractions of Doha is the Corniche, a semi-circular walkway that curves around the bay on Doha's harbor. Many of the sights of Doha are on or can be seen from the Corniche, including the Heritage Village, the Pearl Statue, and the Statue of Orry the Oryx, the mascot of the 2006 Asian Games. The Corniche is well set up for children. There are several play areas and parks along the walkway and the Heritage Village, a mock-up of a traditional Qatari village, is a great place to combine fun and learning.

Art and Culture

You can't take your family on vacation without making at least 1 trip to a museum, and Doha has a great one. The Museum of Islamic Art was designed by famous architect I. M. Pei, making it a dazzling display both inside and out. With exhibits gathered from all around the area, its a great experience for the whole family. If you're still wanting more after visiting the Museum of Islamic Art, head down the coast to Al Wakra, a seaside community with a museum devoted to the area's rich history of fishing and pearl trading.

Highway to the Jungle Zone

For your shopping needs, Doha is filled with traditional Qatari marketplaces, called 'souqs, that are great places to shop and soak up some of the local culture. One of  the largest, the Souq Waqif, is famous for its spices. You can find live falcons for sale there, and on the outskirts of the market near the parking lot is the Al Koot fort, a remnant of the 19th century that was built by the Ottomans. If you're interested in jewelry and precious metals, the Gold Souq will fill all your needs. Feel free to haggle over prices while at these marketplaces. If you're looking for a more traditional shopping experience, Doha has a number of large western-style malls as well. The Hyatt Plaza, located on Al Waab Street, is a particularly good one. It features the Jungle Zone, a huge jungle themed kid's play area.