West Bay

Wherever you are in the city, the vertiginous architecture of West Bay is rarely out of sight. This is actually a small (but certainly mighty) district of Doha, on the northern tip of the Corniche – where every tower strives to out-shine its neighbours with taller, flashier or more unusual designs.

While the skyline is breathtaking from afar, it’s even more impressive when viewed up-close, as the intricacies of each concept come into focus. The giant “disco ball” of Al Dana Tower, the sleek curves of Doha Tower, the concave flanks of Tornado Tower – all sparkling in the sunshine, or twinkling after-dark.

Most of the towers are either office HQs or luxurious hotels – so for that “only in Doha” sky-high stay, this is the ’hood to book. The area’s other highlights include the mind-bending Museum of Illusions Doha and the golden sands of West Bay Beach - WBB.

Al Jasra

This is where you’ll find Doha’s heritage architecture, such as Souq Waqif and Al Koot Fort – an enchanting vision of its humble roots, but just a 15-minutes drive from the airport. With its lofty wind towers and winding streets, Souq Waqif is the city’s heart, where you can haggle for heady incense and cardamom-spiced qahwa (Arabic coffee) – just as the locals do.

The marketplace has been rebuilt over the years, but always in a traditional style: it’s liveliest at sunset, when local women bring syrup-drenched luqaimat dumplings and other Qatari delicacies to sell as street food (near the taxi rank), and the call to prayer spills out from the nearby spiral-shaped mosque – another of Doha’s icons.

It’s a scene best enjoyed over mint-lemonade at a pavement café, amid spices and shisha dancing on the breeze. If you fancy staying here, Souq Waqif Boutique Hotels by Tivoli has eight mini properties dotted throughout the souq.

The Pearl Island

Entering this neighbourhood is like strolling onto a film set, its architecture ranging from pastel-pink Venetian townhouses to lavish Arabian palaces and modern glass-clad villas – all with the Arabian Gulf as their backdrop. Located to the north of West Bay, The Pearl Island spans a mighty four million square metres, and is entirely reclaimed from the sea.

While it’s predominantly a residential area, this is a district you’ll want to explore – whether you’re strolling beside the Venetian “canals” (complete with ornate decorative bridges) or paddleboarding beside millionaires' yachts in the Porto Arabia marina.

At the gateway to The Pearl Island lies Katara Cultural Village, an arty quarter of galleries, craft workshops and an open-air theatre – a joy to wander around, especially in the evening. It’s all designed in traditional Middle Eastern style, complete with “mud-built” pigeon towers and swirling intricate tilework on Katara Mosque. In winter, look out for its festivals and events, such as the Traditional Dhow Festival (September-October), which includes a traditional pearl-diving contest.

Corniche

Wooden dhow boats have bobbed in the bright turquoise waters off Doha Corniche for as long as anybody can remember – a striking contrast against the new skyscrapers of West Bay, which now glitter at the “top” of this crescent-shaped coastline. For the best view, head to the terrace of the Museum of Islamic Art, whose panoramic archways frame the old-meets-new spectacle perfectly.

The Corniche runs for 7km, between the award-winning art gallery in the south and the pyramid-shaped architecture of Sheraton Grand Doha Resort in the north. With its pedestrianised walkway and abundant free parks, this is a popular spot for picnics, jogging and sunset strolls.

For a fresh perspective on the Corniche, hop on a dhow sightseeing cruise from Al Dafna Park – or get up-close with the Insta-worthy landmarks dotted along the Corniche, such as the giant Pearl Monument, the fluttering global flags of Flag Plaza, and the steel towers of 7 by Richard Serra.

At the southern edge of the Corniche's curve, Old Doha Port has been extensively reimagined and split into two, firstly as a world-class marina and cruise port but also as the Mediterranean-inspired Mina District. Affectionately known as 'Little Santorini', the Mina District's pastel-hued buildings are a joy to stroll, while it's also worth stopping at Chabrat Al Mina for a fresh-from-the-ocean seafood lunch.

Education City

Stretching up like two ships’ sails, the towering minarets of Education City Mosque – or Minaretein – are like no others you’ve ever set eyes on. Nor is its decoration, all super-sized curvaceous calligraphy and geometric patterns, covering almost every surface. This mosque embodies both Qatar’s strength of faith and its love of art, and is open to visitors of all faiths and none.

Education City is Doha’s cradle of knowledge, a hub for learning in all its guises: from Arabic lessons and live music concerts at Qatar National Convention Centre, to art exhibitions and drawing masterclasses at Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art.

Meanwhile, Qatar National Library (free) raises the bar for libraries all over the world, its books basking in natural light and awe-inspiring architecture – modelled on origami – with a vast collection of ancient maps, Arabic manuscripts and historical photographs at its centre.

Msheireb Downtown

Though it encompasses one of the oldest streets in the city, Msheireb Downtown Doha is a vision of the future – where sustainably-minded architecture strives to conserve energy, a state-of-the-art tramway provides free transportation, and traffic-free streets buzz with community-focused cafés, restaurants and shops.

When translated from Arabic, “Msheireb” means “a place to drink water” – though this hip international quarter’s refreshments now range from black-sugar boba tea at Tiger Sugar to matcha affogato at gelateria Cloud & Co.

Ride your sugar rush through the local artists’ studios and galleries at Doha Design District, and the four heritage-focused Msheireb Museums that form the heart of this quarter. Each one brings a different aspect of Qatar’s story to life, whether traditional family values at Radwani House or the perilous search for “black gold” at Company House – which occupies the HQ of the nation’s first oil company.

Lusail

The new district of Lusail is already home to one of Qatar’s most jaw-dropping landmarks: Katara Towers, which soars over the city north of West Bay. The skyscraper’s unique crescent shape is inspired by two crossed scimitar swords – Qatar’s emblem – each one rising 36 storeys. But don’t just admire it: in the “peaks” of the crescent you’ll find two epic spots for a rooftop dinner – Acoustic Music Penthouse and Provok Asian Project, both with extraordinary Blade Runner-style views.

Lusail will eventually become a city in its own right, but it still feels part of Doha, just a 15-minute drive from the Corniche. And while visually impressive, it’s also a blueprint for sustainable cities of the future, its design including everything from traffic-free cycle paths to efficient “smart grid” electricity. Definitely a district to watch.