QATAR - Katara, Doha

15:01 Travel Bunny 0 Comments

Katara is a cultural village in Doha, Qatar. It is located between the Pearl and West Bay. The buildings were deliberately designed to look like a traditional Qatari Al Fereej. Many Qataris, residents and tourists like to spend their weekends here with their families. It has plenty of restaurants, a private beach and art & exhibition facilities including an amphitheatre, opera house and drama theatre.

My son striking a pose at Katara.

Catara was the first and most ancient name designated for Qatar Peninsular which was used since the year 150 AD in geographic and historical maps. Katara was chosen as the name for this place to revive Qatar’s ancient name to uphold their heritage and to honour Qatar’s distinguish position.

Katara is a newly built cultural village which encompasses an area of more than 1 million square meters. Construction is still undergoing to expand Katara.

Qatari traditional architecture is apparent in the buildings here.

Straight on to the beach.

Stretching nearly 2km long, the private beach of Katara is one of the most beautiful natural beaches in Qatar.

Katara private beach also offers a wide selection of water sport activities which includes water skiing, wakeboarding, knee boarding, parasailing, sailing, boat rides, banana rides, sea pedal boats, canoe/kayak, hobbie cats and fishing trips. Seen here in the above picture is a sail boat, banana ride and a parasail.

While entrance to Katara is free, there is a fee to use the beach. I think its about QR 100 (USD 27) per person to enter the beach area. That’s why its empty. Haha! Moreover, there are dress codes for man and especially for the ladies. So no bikinis.

Gondola ride is available for a fee. 300 QR for 30 minutes and 500 QR for 1 hour per Gondola (4 persons).

Seemed like not many people were taking a Gondola ride at that time. Riding a Gondola at the sea? First time I heard of it.

There is also a children play area at the beach but the fee to use the beach is absurd! We just strolled along the walkway, adjacent to the beach while enjoying the breeze..

Oh you cute little boy!

As we were walking, a group of Qatari women spotted my son and wanted to have photo with him. My son is almost like a mini celebrity, haha.

Its like they met someone famous.

Okay, now photo time with mommy. I’m guessing that this sculpture means “Speak no evil”.

While this one depicts “See no evil” and the one at the background depicts “Hear no evil”.

The view of St Regis Hotel from Katara.

We have now arrived at the Katara Amphitheatre.

It resembles a classical Greek theatre while some Islamic features are incorporated into it.

A statue in front of the Amphitheatre.

Walking up to the top of the amphitheatre. It was officially opened in 2011 with a seating capacity of 5,000 person.

The amphitheatre overlooking the blue sea.

It was time to explore other parts of Katara, with my son leading the way.

Tired of walking? Well, you can ride in one of these carts. This facility is offered free of charge.

A huge door at the Amphitheatre.

The exterior of the amphitheatre.

Map of Katara.

Its not drinking water. Only to wash your hands.

Katara sure is a nice place to take pictures.

The architecture is beautiful.

Qatar Museum Gallery.

The Golden Mosque..

People praying inside the Golden Mosque.

My son met a new friend who offered him some flower petals.

My son really enjoyed his time here in Katara.

My son posing with a miniature pigeon tower.

And this is the real deal.

Pigeons really do fly in and out of these pigeon holes.

A mosque in Katara near the pigeon tower.

Street food at Katara.

It’s time for dinner and we were spoilt with choices.

L’wzaar seafood restaurant is famous with its wide selection of fresh seafood.

It even has a sushi night. It opens at 12p.m. – 2.30p.m. for lunch and 7p.m. – 10.30 p.m. for dinner. Since we wanted an early dinner, we decided to go another restaurant instead.

We chose to dine at the Mamig, which offers Armenian and Lebanese cuisines and opens from 1p.m. – 12a.m.

This is the second floor seating area.

I ordered chicken kebab with fries.

While my beau ordered a beef dish with sauce.

And this was our desert – homemade ice cream with dates sauce. It tasted more like a yogurt with a sweet and sour taste, quite different from the conventional ice cream but still delicious.