If you can only do one thing in Doha, visit the Souq Waqif!
When I travel internationally, I try to find the cheapest way to arrive at my destination. While planning for my trip from the US to Tanzania, I decided to save $1,500 USD by flying to Qatar, taking a connecting flight to Kenya, and then taking a bus across the border to Tanzania, rather than just flying directly to Tanzania. Even after taking into account any costs associated with visas, transportation, and extra meals, this was the most affordable way to get to my destination.
While everything was planned perfectly in my head, it rarely ends up going so smoothly. The flight to Qatar was delayed due to weather, and since I only was set to spend one hour in the Qatari airport before my connecting flight took off, I knew that I would miss it. My hopes of our flight somehow speeding up to make its scheduled arrival time were quickly dashed too. We arrived at the Hamad International Airport at around 8 pm, and there wouldn’t be another flight to Kenya for 9 more hours.
Taking Advantage of An Opportunity
I saw a lot of passengers from my flight start to set up makeshift beds out of their carry-on luggage and jackets. Luckily, the airport was open 24/7 and had good WiFi, so some people inevitably spent their layover browsing the internet or watching movies. I had never been to Qatar before, and I wanted to explore Doha, its capital city. However, I ran into an unexpected problem: I wanted to walk around the city on my own, but the Qatari Immigration Authority were only letting people leave the airport during a layover if they signed up for a Doha City Tour. I’m sure the tour was great, but I prefer to wander around on my own when I travel to a new city.
Getting Creative
I lucked out because Qatar Airways offers transit accommodation for layovers longer than 8 hours. In addition to getting the entry visa required to leave the airport, I’ll even be able to relax in a 5-star hotel at no extra cost!
After checking into the Golden Tulip Hotel and having a quick dinner, I decided to walk around the city. The best part about the hotel was its proximity to some must-see attractions in Doha.
Souq Waqif
If you can only do one thing in Doha, I highly recommend you go to the Souq Waqif. Literally meaning the “standing market”, this market was originally built a century ago. It has since been renovated with traditional Qatari architecture, providing a nice contrast to the high-rise buildings nearby. This market sells clothes, spices, and souvenirs. There are also several restaurants that stay open until midnight or later.
I visited the Souq Waqif at around 10 PM and there were crowds of people everywhere. I grabbed a couple of souvenirs from the small shops located within the small alleyways of the market. These alleyways reminded me of similar markets that I had been to in other Middle Eastern countries. Overall, the market was a great place to interact with people, learn about Qatari culture, and try some great food. And the fact that it is open all night makes it the perfect thing to do during an overnight layover in Doha.
The Pearl Monument
Once you are ready to leave the Souq Waqif, you can walk for about 5 minutes toward the harbor to reach the Pearl Monument. This large fountain of an open clam revealing a large pearl is a homage to Qatar’s past. In the early 1900’s, pearls were Qatar’s main export. In fact, the Gulf countries once made up about 80% of the pearl market! After the demand for pearls dropped and oil was found in the Gulf, Qatar shifted its focus from pearls to petroleum. However, Qatar still remembers its pearling legacy, and constructed this monument in honor of the Qataris who would risk their lives to collect those pearls.
The Pearl Monument is especially impressive at night, as the fountain is lit up. The buildings that make up the Doha skyline shine with blue, orange, purple, and white lights just behind the monument. It’s a photo opportunity that you shouldn’t miss!
Back to the Airport
After visiting the Souq Waqif and Pearl Monument, I went back to my hotel to sleep for about an hour. Once my short nap was over, I returned to the Hamad International Airport to get ready for my next flight. I passed by other passengers on my flight who were still sleeping on the airport floor. Unfortunately, they had the same opportunity to explore the city, but either didn’t know about it or didn’t want to experience it. There are always opportunities to travel, you just need to take advantage of them.
There are even more activities to do in Doha during the day. If you are planning on having a layover in Doha, I recommend you check out the list of available experiences and activities here.
