Doha’s eclectic skyline rises behind the promenade lining the Persian Gulf in the city neighborhood known as West Bay. This is the business district of Doha, with different headquarters, and ministries. View the area while cruising the harbor on a traditional dhow boat or stay in an elegant hotel. Visit West Bay to experience exquisite shopping, dining and cultural activities.
Stroll along the Doha Corniche in West Bay and gaze up at some of Doha’s most interesting high-rises. Doha Tower or Burj Doha is a bullet-shaped Pritzker Architecture Prize winner whose close-up views reveal a covering resembling mashrabiya, Islamic latticework. Inside, rays of sunshine through the screens create ever-changing geometric patterns of light. The aptly named Tornado Tower appears to twist in the wind. Another architectural highlight in West Bay is the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center (DECC), recognizable for its floating blade roof.
Shopping in West Bay is a luxurious experience. Find French delights in the elegant Galeries Lafayette in the northern Katara area. Nearby, the Pearl-Qatar offers a lovely blend of residences, shops and restaurants. Shop at the Gate Mall and City Center for fashion items and anything you might need during your visit.
West Bay’s cultural attractions are impressive. Katara Cultural Village has the national orchestra, a planetarium and music with traditional Arab instruments. Get to know 22 Arab countries through the tiny, intriguing artifacts at the Arab Postal Stamp Museum. Look for large public art installations including the Smoke by Tony Smith and Gandhi’s Three Monkeys by Subodh Gupta.
Travel from Hamad International Airport to West Bay by car in about 20 minutes or Katara Cultural Village in about 25 minutes. The metro from the airport serves many spots throughout the West Bay neighborhood.
