The FIFA World Cup 2022: A Checklist For Your Trip To Qatar

With this stunning Arab nation serving as the host of the FIFA World Cup in 2022, the stadium grounds in Qatar are prepared to reverberate with raucous cheers from soccer enthusiasts all over the world. Qatar is doing everything in its power to make this event, which is quite unprecedented for the nation, as memorable as possible. Here is a comprehensive guide to Qatar that you may use if you’re travelling there as a football fan or just for fun.

Qatar will host the 2022 FIFA World Cup from November 20 to December 18, 2022. Before the matches begin, eight top-notch stadiums are being prepared: Lusail, Al Bayt, Al Rayyan, Al Thumama, Al Wakrah, Khalifa International, Education City, and Ras Abu Aboud.

FIFA World Cup

Speaking of opulent pleasure, Qatar is one of the world’s most fashionable and dynamic nations, with a wide variety of places to stay and eat. You might be completely overrun with options wherever you go, from opulent five-star hotels and resorts to fantastic restaurants.

Here are some well-liked activities to partake in while visiting Qatar for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Visit the Islamic Arts Museum

This location, which is regarded as Qatar’s crowning achievement, ought to be on the bucket list of every visitor to the nation. It is situated on an island that was created with that purpose in mind and that borders Doha’s Corniche.

I.M. Pei, a winner of the Pritzker Prize, designed it. The Pei-designed Museum is a four-story architectural wonder. It is a heritage library with a 21,000-book collection, including 2,000 rare Arabic and English editions. The Museum of Islamic Art also features a gift store, a café, and both ongoing and one-time exhibitions. On the fifth story is also the stylish IDAM restaurant, owned by renowned chef Alain Ducasse.

Visit the Cultural Village of Katara

Qatar is renowned for being the centre of a variety of cultures and customs from all over the world. It is situated at the point where the Middle East and Asia converge. The self-described community of Katara, which takes its name from the previous spelling of the nation, embodies such a spirit.

Visit the Katara Mosque while you’re here to see its blue and gold enamel work and Persian and Turkish tile design. It was created by Zeynep Fadilloglu of Turkey, who is thought to be the first female architect with a focus on mosques. The Gold Mosque, which follows the Katara Mosque closely and is a bright vision in the sun, lives true to its name.

The amphitheatre is another place you must go. It covers an area of 3,275 square metres and has room for about 5,000 spectators. Islamic elements can be evident throughout this Greek-style amphitheatre, including in the arched entrances.

Explore the Al Thuraya Planetarium and the several art galleries tucked away in Katara Village. In addition, there are many restaurants here where you can satiate your hunger. Along with a number of restaurants providing cuisines from around the world, including Egyptian and Mediterranean fare, Tasty Street is also lined with food carts where you can grab a quick bite.

Visit the Fort Al Zubarah

The most recent and significant location in the Al Zubarah Archaeological Site, which was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2013, is this 20th-century fort, which is located adjacent to the walled beachfront village of Al Zubarah.

This fort, which is around 105 km northwest of Doha, has 1 m-thick walls that, when it was first constructed, helped keep out invaders and kept the interiors cool during the sweltering summers. The fort complex, which looks out over the ruins of a once-thriving community, is made up of residential palaces, mosques, courtyard homes, fishermen’s cottages, streets, twin defensive walls, a harbour, a canal, cemeteries, and a museum.

Look into Dahl Al Misfir

At The Pearl, relax

The Pearl is one of the many magnificent man-made wonders that can be found in Doha. Visit this amazing location to experience a serene Mediterranean atmosphere. It is located in the West Bay neighbourhood, adjacent to the Katara Cultural Village. It is the finest location for an incredible view and wealthy enjoyment because yacht-lined marinas, exquisite villas, towering buildings, luxury hotels, exotic restaurants, and shopping malls are all over the place.

The distance to the Hamad International Airport is about 40 minutes, and it is easily reachable by taxicab.

Look into Dahl Al Misfir

The Dahl Al Misfir is a must-visit location in Qatar and is home to beautiful natural relief formations. This 40 m deep cave, which located west of Doha, is regarded as the biggest, deepest, and most accessible cave in all of Qatar.

In the middle of the Pleistocene Era, between 3,25,000 and 5,00,000 years ago, it is thought to have developed. Due to the fact that temperatures tend to drop as you travel deeper inside the cave, visitors must wear hiking boots and be well clothed to access the cave. The cave’s midday brightness, which resembles the moon, is this place’s main draw. It is a sanctuary for bird enthusiasts as nightjars and wagtails are frequently seen there.

From Salwa Road and Rawdat Rashed Road, one must travel off-road to reach the site.

Walk around Souq Waqif

One of Doha’s most well-known, energetic, and lively trading markets is Souq Waqif, which is situated on the outskirts of the Wadi Musheireb neighbourhood. There are many things to do in Souq Waqif, such as sampling regional specialties, buying extravagantly, or simply taking in the local commotion.

Take a stroll through the Gold Souq to see the amazing selection of gold jewellery and other products, which are an integral part of Middle Eastern culture. The exotic fauna in Qatar is also well-known, and falconry is a popular activity there. You may try holding a falcon, take pictures with one, and even visit falcon hospitals to witness how these majestic birds are cared for. From here, proceed to the camel lane to have a close-up look at these amazing animals.

While you’re here, you can also purchase some local goods including glass ornaments, woven fabrics, rugs, and antiques. There are also indigenous beauty goods available, like kohl, henna designs, and handcrafted perfumes. Additionally, the region offers marketplaces for spices, pearls, food, dining establishments, and more.