Since Qatar won the right to host the 2022 World Cup, there has been increasing attention on this Arab nation, and people from all over the world have been finding out more about the country.
With the World Cup – and football fans all over the world watching the games and betting sites taking lots of sports bets – just browse Legalbet.UK to see different World Cup betting offers – the focus has been all on how Qatar relates to football. But there is still plenty to see and do in Qatar, while the World Cup itself may leave a legacy that tourists may want to explore over the coming years.Â
Souq Waqif
One of the highlights of any trip to Doha, the capital of Qatar, is a walk through the Souq Waqif, which instantly transports you to another era. This bustling market combines all the sights, sounds and scents of this part of the Middle East, with a labyrinth of shops offering tourists everything from spices to souvenirs. You can also enjoy music, fine dining, art and the fascinating falconry market. Whatever you want from a tourist destination, you can find it here.
The Pearl Qatar
One of the most spectacular sights in the Arab world is this man-made island that is located a little way north of West Bay and that is synonymous with luxury.
The area is full of luxurious homes and yachts. It has an array of restaurants, cafes and other dining outlets along its waterfront. You can also spend time on a boat cruise to get the full Pearl Island experience. Known as the Arabian Riviera, it is a highlight for tourists to Qatar and must be seen.Â
The Museum of Islamic Art
Arguably the most important cultural feature of Qatar, this museum offers tourists the chance to see Islamic art that covers three continents and dates back 1400 years. Here you will see some of the most famous and treasured pieces from across the Middle East, from locations including Iran, Egypt and Turkey. The museum includes fascinating ceramics, beautiful calligraphy and a huge variety of artifacts, as well as a program of art exhibitions showing the work of local and international artists.
World Cup Community Hubs
Qatar’s investment in building new facilities for the World Cup has been extensive. Part of the planning for the construction included the idea that many of the sites would have a function when the tournament is over, as community hubs.Â
Each stadium has been designed to serve the needs of a local community. Three in particular – Al Bayt, Ahman Bin Ali and Al Janoub – are already fulfilling that function. Al Bayt Stadium Park features huge green spaces, play areas for children, restaurants and leisure facilities for everything from cycling and running to horse and camel riding, all in the surroundings of the stadium. The Park is also home to the Quodorat Centre, which is a community space for the preservation of Qatar’s heritage.Â
In Al Wakrah, the area around the Al Janoub Stadium has been turned into a landscaped park, which includes tennis, basketball, cycling and jogging facilities, as well as play areas for children.
And at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, which is the base for the Al Rayyan Sports Club, there are more facilities, all themed around exercise and well-being. The facility includes running and cycling tracks, tennis courts, a gym, an aquatics centre and a skate park.
In the End
Qatar is a fascinating tourist destination, with much to see and do. And the legacy of the World Cup will hopefully be a positive and forward-looking one.







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