Doha – Cities often draw strength from their past. Doha, however, draws inspiration from its past, present and future at once. From pearls and fishing nets to falcons, gift wraps and childhood memories, the Qatari capital expresses its identity through symbols that feel familiar yet forward-looking. Its skyline is striking not for height alone, but for the stories embedded in its architecture. Buildings here are not merely functional; they are expressive, shaped by culture and everyday life.
Watching the city from the 15th floor of Mondrian Doha, coffee in hand and camera by my side, Doha unfolded like a living exhibition. From above, landmarks appeared as carefully placed ideas: the Pearl Monument in Al Wakrah recalling the country’s maritime past; the arched bridge along Lusail Expressway echoing fishing nets; Katara’s gift-wrapped children’s mall; and West Bay’s angular towers rising like a modern geometric composition. Each structure carries intent, shaped by imagination as much as engineering.
National Museum of Qatar
This design philosophy reaches its clearest form at the National Museum of Qatar, opened in 2019 and designed by French architect Jean Nouvel. Inspired by the desert rose crystal, the museum appears to grow from the landscape itself, blurring the line between architecture and nature.
Inside, the galleries trace Qatar’s journey across time – from pearl diving and early trade to oil discovery, sport and statehood. Displays include handwritten receipts, early documents, yellowed newspapers, the official FIFA letter confirming Qatar as host of the 2022 World Cup, and the torch from the 2006 Doha Asian Games. A dedicated oil gallery features original rigs that reshaped the nation’s trajectory.
The pearl section stands out for its emotional weight. Before oil, pearls sustained Qatar’s economy. Exhibits such as Jivan Dana, Hassa and Gumasha are presented alongside accounts of divers who survived on rice, date syrup and fish while spending months at sea. The narratives are restrained but powerful, centred on endurance rather than romance.
Among the museum’s rarest artefacts is the 1.5 million pearl carpet from Baroda, India, a 19th-century masterpiece sponsored by the Maharaja of Baroda as a ‘chadaar’ for the Prophet’s grave in Medina. It eventually found a permanent home in Doha, symbolising craftsmanship, shared heritage and historical ties between regions.
Souq Waqif
A visit to Souq Waqif takes one deeper into Doha’s past. Preserved as a heritage precinct, its narrow alleys are lined with spice shops, textiles and traditional eateries. Despite its historic character, modern planning ensures easy access, including extensive underground parking. Football matches play on large screens as visitors sip Qatari kahwa, blending old rhythms with contemporary life. The Souq Waqif Falcon Hospital, where prized birds receive specialised medical care, reflects the cultural reverence attached to falconry.
Doha Tattoo Festival
The Doha Tattoo Festival unfolded as a display of rhythm, discipline and visual storytelling. Military bands from several countries performed synchronised routines, combining precision with spectacle. Rain added drama rather than disruption, as drums, bagpipes and orchestral pieces — from Bella Ciao to themes from Game of Thrones and Rocky — echoed across the venue. Fireworks lit up the skyline, reinforcing the festival’s sense of shared celebration and national pride.
Arab Cup moment
The Arab Cup match between Saudi Arabia and the UAE was my first experience of football inside a stadium, and it was unlike anything television could convey. The roar of the crowd was physical, almost overwhelming, sending a chill through the stands. For more than four decades, I had only heard such noise through speakers; being immersed in it revealed the raw intensity of live sport.
Saudi supporters waved flags and lifted scarves high, their chants rolling across the stands, while UAE fans responded with equal passion, creating a sea of colour and sound. The match was scheduled at the iconic Khalifa International Stadium, a venue steeped in recent history after hosting several FIFA World Cup matches in 2022.
Nature, however, intervened. Heavy rain delayed proceedings, and after a three-hour wait marked by anticipation and uncertainty, the match was postponed. Though play never began, the shared emotion of the crowd — hope, frustration and excitement — made the evening memorable. Sometimes, the atmosphere itself becomes the event.
Sidra Medicine
At Sidra Medicine, art and science intersect. British artist Damien Hirst’s installation The Miraculous Journey features 14 bronze sculptures tracing human development from conception to birth, ending with a 12-metre newborn baby boy. It is a striking reflection on life, medicine and possibility.
Food
Doha is not just a destination for art, architecture and sports – it is also a paradise for gastronomy. From Jiwan at the National Museum serving slow-cooked lamb, to Lebanese mezze at Vendôme Mall, Japanese cuisine at 21st floor Sora overlooking the city, and Michelin-starred Kai Mayfair at The Pearl Islands, the city’s dining landscape reflects its global outlook without losing regional identity.
This journey, curated by Visit Qatar and Qatar Tourism, offered a layered view of the country — through sport, festivals, museums, and everyday moments. In Doha, stories rise from the desert, echo in stadiums, rest in museums and return at the dining table. It is a city that does not explain itself — it lets you experience it.
