Senior Travel

For seniors, Doha is not a bad place to go. Although you may want to steer clear of the attractions outside the city, such as tours of the sand dunes, the recent influx of oil money has left the capital city of Qatar with a great deal of comfortable amenities, quite suitable for older travelers.

Visit the Spa

If you want to really pamper yourself, check out the Sharq Village & Spa. Featuring a variety of massages and relaxation classes, it's a great way to get yourself ready for the hard work of being a tourist. Also featured at the Sharq are a number of excellent fine dining restaurants, featuring authentic Qatari and more contemporary food. There is also a cigar lounge for the cigar aficionado.

Stroll the Corniche

Many of the sights of Doha are along the Corniche, a 7 mile long walkway that wraps around Doha's distinctive semi-circular bay. You can explore its many attractions yourself on foot, or, if a 7 mile long walk seems a bit daunting, there are professional tours of the Corniche, so you can see its sights from the comfort of an air conditioned bus. Be sure to look for the statue of Orry the Oryx, the Pearl Statue, and the Emiri Diwan, Doha's presidential palace. Not too far east of the Emiri Diwan, you may notice a striking building. Designed by the famed architect I. M. Pei, the Museum of Islamic Art is a great place to spend a day. It features exhibits from all over the area.

Go Shopping

There is a great deal of shopping in Doha. Local marketplace's are called Souq's, and offer a traditional Middle Eastern shopping experience. The Souq Waqif is famous for it's spices, but it showcases much more, including textiles and more traditional souvenirs. Other Souq's include the Gold Souq, the Souq Al Nasr and the Souq Feleh. Don't worry about having to travel all over town; all of the Souqs are located in one area of Doha. If haggling over prices isn't your idea of a good time, Doha also contains more traditional western malls, such as the Hyatt Plaza.

Relax on the Beach

If the city is getting to be too much, head down to Al Wakra, a sleepy seaside community located not too far from the outskirts of Doha. A relaxing place to spend time after the hustle and bustle of the capital city, Al Wakra features a museum devoted to the local trade in fish and pearls. It's also a place to find some great examples of the Dhow, the traditional Qatari fishing boat.