Originally Posted by
Happy
Arriving from Dubai before 2pm on Day 1. Leaving for Asia past midnight on Day 3. Plan to stay at West Bay for 2 nights as the 3rd night would be literally in flight.
Essentially I have 1/2 day + evening on Day 1, a full day on Day 2, and a full day on Day 3. Head to the airport by 8 to 9pm? for a 1:30am flight (have lounge access thankfully).
Places to visit -
Souq Waqif (been there at night several years ago on a Qatar transit city tour and thoroughly enjoyed the place)
Corniche
The above can be done in the rest part of Day of Arrival.
Museum of Islamic Art (not sure if I can make it in the afternoon on the day of arrival which is most likely a Sunday)
National Museum of Qatar
If I cannot visit Museum of Islamic Art on Day of Arrival, then these 2 museums would be on Day 2.
If there is time, The Pearl, Mall of Qatar, Place Vendome Mall.
These can be part of Day 2, and the day time of Day 3.
Can someone critique the above plan - feasible or not? Thanks!
You're in WestBay with two malls on your doorstep - one large and very busy, the other distinctly upmarket. I can't see the point of going to yet another mall.
The souq is most fun at night
At this time of year you can walk the corniche during day or night - but maybe there's more magic to the view at night.
I found the National Museum totally dull and uninspiring, but i think kids enjoy the hands-on stuff. I can't praise the Islamic Art museum enough.
I think replies have covered the fact that the Pearl is both a kitsch statue on the corniche, and and upmarket residential/commercial/socialising area north of the city proper. The former is completely forgettable, the latter might be interesting if you like that sort of thing - though it really comes to life in the evening. You can get there by metro+metro-bus.
Don't underestimate the pleasure your hotel might offer - pool, gym and just relaxing before the next leg of your journey.
I think you get the picture. Doha, like most cities in the region, is there to be enjoyed after the sun goes down: there are only a few months of the year when outdoor activities are tolerable in the daytime. Mall-shopping can be done anytime, so can museum visits.