Doha, the capital city of Qatar, is bustling during weekends. Malls and souks are packed with shoppers and people who want to eat out or enjoy a drink or two at their favorite cafes.
Parks, corniches, and beaches are also full of locals and tourists who want to relax in the midst of nature and engage in various outdoor activities.
But aside from these usual happenings, there are other weekend activities in Doha you can consider if you want to spice things up.
If you want to do something fun and memorable in Doha, try these activities below, which are best done on the weekend:
1. Hang out at Angry Birds World.
Get up close and personal with Red, Chuck, Bomb, and the rest of the Angry Birds at Angry Birds World, the first theme park in the world based on the popular mobile game and movie franchise.
Angry Birds World is one of the biggest family-friendly theme parks in Qatar. Its numerous rides and features ensure visitors of all ages have something fun to do during their visit here.
The theme park has an indoor and outdoor area. Some of the must-try fun indoor rides and attractions include Angry Birds Go, Blast Bomb, Epic Battle, Fierce Flight Tree, Own the Sky, Pirate Coast, and Trampoline Universe.
When you go outdoors, prepare to board a variety of exhilarating rides, including the Angry Coaster, Raft Battle, and Super Slingshot. The Bird Batch, City Studio, and Red’s Beach House also have plenty of fun activities that you shouldn’t miss.
There are also plenty of cafes and restaurants inside and outside the park where you can get a snack and a cool drink when you need to take a break or quench your thirst.
Angry Birds World is located in Doha Festival City.
2. Cool down at the Snow Dunes.
The hot weather in Doha might make you feel too lazy to spend time outdoors. If you want to have fun somewhere cool and enjoy a not-so-ordinary experience in a place with warm temperatures nearly all year round, visit the Snow Dunes in Doha Festival City.
Snow Dunes is the first indoor winter theme park in Qatar. It is the best place to go if you want to escape the high temperatures of Doha and feel cool as you engage in various activities.
The theme park has rides and attractions designed to give everyone fun and authentic winter experiences. If you have always dreamt of going on a Mt. Everest expedition, you can settle for something less tedious and costly (and also just close by) by climbing the Snowy Mount, one of Snow Dunes most popular attractions.
If you want to try sledding, the White Dunes and Snow Storm won’t disappoint you. You’ll love sliding down the Dune Dash as well, a 50-meter-long slide in the park.
The Snow Slide and Snow Motion are two of the most enjoyable kids’ activities in Doha for the little ones. They will love going back to these rides over and over again.
Since it is a winter-themed park, everyone is free to do other fun stuff here, such as making and playing with snowballs and building a snowman.
When you’ve spent some time here and are feeling thoroughly chilled, you can enjoy a hot beverage or snack at one of the in-house restaurants.
3. Have fun while working out at the Outdoor Leisure Trail.
If you want to work out this weekend and try a few activities to make your fitness routine more exciting, head to the Outdoor Leisure Trail in Doha Festival City.
The Outdoor Leisure Trail around Doha Festival City is an area designed for running and cycling infused with several fun features.
The running and cycling areas have different routes with various surfaces featuring inbuilt gradients and obstacles that suit mountain bikers of all ability levels.
If you want to go cycling, you can choose among 13 different Technical Trail Features or TTFs.
On the other hand, the running track has exercise stations along the route, allowing runners to engage in different types of workouts to spice up their routine.
Other must-see features here include the eco-plastic boardwalk, mist tunnel, rock and water causeways, pump track, and rock gardens.
The Outdoor Leisure Trail is free for all visitors, which means you can make running or cycling here a regular weekend activity.
4. Visit the Katara Cultural Village.
Also known as the Valley of Cultures, the Katara Cultural Village is located on the eastern coast between The Pearl and West Bay. It is the best place to visit if you want to see and learn more about Qatari art, architecture, culture, and traditions.
The village features a museum, open amphitheater, opera house, multipurpose cinema, art galleries, heritage centers, cafes, and green areas.
When you visit these facilities, you will be immersed in Qatari art, culture, and heritage, enabling you to understand more about the country and its people.
After a day of exploring and learning, head to the Katara public beach to have more fun or simply relax. Here, you can swim, try kneeboarding, parasailing, water skiing, and other water activities. You can also simply sit or lie down on the lounge chairs and enjoy the gorgeous scenery.
The Katara Cultural Village is also near the spiral mosque, Souq Waqif, Grand Mosque, and Fanar, places that are worth visiting on weekends as well.
5. Explore the Museum of Islamic Art.
Learning about other religions is always something worth doing in your spare time.
If you want to learn more about Islam, one of the oldest and most prevalent religions in the world, visit the Museum of Islamic Art.
The Museum of Islamic Art is considered by many as the premier cultural landmark in Qatar since it houses numerous Islamic art pieces spanning over 1,400 years from three continents.
The collection includes some of the oldest and most treasured artifacts from various countries in the Middle East, including Egypt, Iran, and Turkey.
The various types of artifacts, calligraphy, ceramics, and paintings inside the museum won’t fail to amaze you. Additionally, you will be awestruck by the variety of art exhibitions from international and local artists on display.
With the variety of activities you can do in Doha, staying at home is the last thing you want to do during the weekends.
If you’re not sure where to go and what to do this weekend, choose an activity from this list and you’ll have a great time on your day off.
