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Visiting Qatar during the FIFA World Cup? Here are eleven wonderful things to see

Qatar world cup 2022, qatar world cup 2022 things to do.

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Katara Cultural Village to Al Zubara Fort, check out the must visit places in Qatar

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qatar world cup places to visit

Visiting Qatar for the World Cup? Here Are 5 Places to Visit

The time has come. the 2022 fifa world cup is here. well, not here but rather in qatar this year this small but mighty country occupying the qatar peninsula boasts waterfront views, sandy beaches, expansive retail spaces, and enticing eateries, making it a perfect host for what is sure to be a thrilling set of games we’ve attempted to whittle your options of spots to visit down to a selection of highlights that will help you make the best of your time, whether you’re there to enjoy a couple of days or witnessing the full tournament being played out..

Inside the Qatar National Library

Qatar National Library

After a full-on day of thrilling games, what better day to kick back and relax than with a good book. Luckily, Qatar national library has you more than covered with access to millions of books, academic research, community programs, and extensive coverage of Qatar’s heritage and history. The building itself was designed and constructed in response to the question ‘ who needs libraries anymore in the digital age? ’. The answer they found was the creation of a single massive room with the edges of the building being raised above the ground, creating aisles lined with texts that are separated by spaces for reading, researching or relaxing, all surrounding a centralised triangular social area where people can settle down with their tome of choice.

Column-free bridges connect the main aisles, allowing people to move seamlessly around the establishment with corrupted-glass filtering out bright natural light. The atmosphere this creates is so uniquely tranquil and otherworldly, you would be hard-pressed to find a library that better justifies its own existence in the modern age.

Souq Waqif

While our last recommendation may have guided you through a slice of otherworldly wonder, the Souq Waqi f will bring you back to reality with a bustling hub of locals living perusing wares and making conversation throughout this staple marketplace of Qatar. Built on the site of the old Doha trading market, this newer collective of budding merchants fill the mud-daubed buildings with their goods and services making it a hotspot for frequenters and newcomers alike! If Souks are your thing, be sure to check out our guides to other locations like Fes , Dubai and Oman .

Like any solid market, you can find a delightful array of vintage valuable and handcrafted souvenirs lining the streets. As any regional market, it’s a fantastic way to get a better understanding of what the locals consider essential pick-ups or comforting staples of the handmade market. Browsing this bazaar will also treat you to a variety of local musicians providing entertainment deep into the evening, with some of them even offering their instruments on sale.

It wouldn’t be a traditional market if there wasn’t a delectable display of edibles and drinkables for you to lay your hands on. Some of the most common treats you can find in Souq Waqif’s food street are the classic samosa, stuffed vine leaves, meat stews, sweet dumplings and crepes. Whether you’re wanting to stuff your stomach with their Qatar staples, or simply wanting to drink in some karak tea and take in the lively atmosphere, you will leave with both your mind and soul fully satisfied.

Falcon Souq sign

Falcon Souq

If you venture deep enough into the Souq Waqif, you will find a delightful collection of animal features! You can get up close and personal with some gorgeous horses and sassy camels, but perhaps one of the biggest draws of this subsection of the market is the access to falcons. The Falcon Souq is easily one of the most unique and exciting places you can visit in Qatar, whether you are fully unfamiliar with these feathered hunters or you're a seasoned avian expert, this spot boasts some fantastic birds you won't want to miss out on. While you may have come for one of the world's biggest sports, it's just as easy to be impressed by a competition beloved by this nation, falconry! The expertise that diligent trainees in this practice is displayed beautifully here, with the shopkeepers boasting commanding influence over these majestic animals, and under their watchful eyes, you can get photographs with them posed on your arm, or simply see these trained predators up close. Either way, it will be a close encounter you won't soon forget!

Imam Abdul Wahhab Mosque at night

Imam Abdul Wahhab Mosque

Few places serve as a microcosm of Qatar’s cultural and artistic sensibilities quite like the grand Imam Abdul Wahhab Mosque. This magnificent structure is a perfect marriage of elegant, beautiful tradition and accommodating modernism all brought together within gorgeous sandstone domes and arches sitting atop the Doma skyline. The elaborate facade makes for a beautiful work of art to witness all by itself, but even more so at night, where strategically placed lights illuminate the structure in a way that will make you marvel at the mosque even more.

The eye-catching exterior isn’t all this particular  place of worship boasts, its interior also manages to be a must-see for any fan of religious structures and contemporary architecture. The mosque’s 93 domes house libraries, prayer halls, and ablution rooms that have been separated out for men and women, all connected by spacious courtyards and tranquil gardens. With a capacity of around 30,000 worshippers it’s no surprise that Muslim practitioners flock from all around the city to pray. The mosque is fully prepared to handle these large religious activities with fully air-conditioned hallways and well planned-out pathways, ensuring that anyone looking to visit stays comfy and doesn’t get confused when navigating the grand mosque. 

If you find yourself intrigued, you need only follow basic mosque etiquette when visiting. As long you aren’t disturbing others with noise and photography, wear modest clothing, and honour the sacredness of the establishment while being respectful to those around you, there won’t be much of a barrier to entry when it comes to exploring this tremendous ode to the Muslim faith and Qatar’s architecture.

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Every Steph

15 Best Places to Visit in Qatar

By: Author Stefania Guglielmi

Posted on Last updated: October 12, 2024

Categories Middle East , Qatar

Wondering what the best places to visit in Qatar are? From sandy beaches to mangroves, historical buildings, and the iconic desert, this comprehensive list covers the best places to go in Qatar. 

Qatar is a rather small country, but packed with natural wonders, plenty of activities and neverending possibilities of entertainment for tourists, so it may be hard to decide where’s the best place to visit!

In this post you’ll find a list of the ultimate Qatar tourist places and attractions so you can decide which destination offers what you’re looking for. From checking out the stadiums where the World Cup took place , relaxing by the beach, or dune bashing in the desert, you have quite a few options. 

Check out the best places to visit in Qatar this year!

Table of Contents

As Qatar’s capital city, Doha is where you’ll first set foot in the country , so you might as well spend some time here to explore it! Not that you would need an excuse, as there are plenty of things to do in Doha . It’s the perfect gateway to Qatar’s culture and traditions.

If you’re a World Cup fan , know that all matches were played on a ratio of around 30 miles (50 km) from Doha, so it’s also a great base for your trip – maybe you’d like to stay at a beach hotel in Doha to relax between one game and another?

From here you can get to every stadium, take amazing day trips around the country, and enjoy all that the city has to offer!

Some of the unmissable landmarks in Doha include Souq Waqif , a bustling and very traditional market where you’ll find everything from souvenirs to falcons and spice shops; the Museum of Islamic Art and the National Museum of Qatar ; the Doha Corniche , which is one of the very best places to visit in Qatar at night, and the State Grand Mosque .

And don’t forget to enjoy the diverse collection of restaurants in Doha , that feature cuisines from all around the world and are a paradise for foodies.

➥ Curious to know about traditional food? Check out this guide to all the Qatari food you must try!

qatar world cup places to visit

Lusail is known as Qatar’s Future City . This planned city, which is still in development, is indeed very futuristic, and it features impressive marinas, golf courses, and luxurious residences, as well as a large shopping venue, and astounding manmade islands.

This district, which will have over 200 thousand residents upon completion, is located 10 miles (15 km) north of Doha, and it played a very important role during the FIFA World Cup 2022 .

Lusail is home to the striking Lusail Stadium , one of the main venues for the event. Its sophisticated technologies, which include a very advanced sound and lighting system , shading mechanisms , and air-conditioning make it one of the best in the country. 

It is also very connected to Qatar’s culture and heritage, paying homage to the country’s past with its impressive design , inspired in the traditional fanar lanterns and using motifs that were engraved in vessels and bowls for centuries. 

Al Khor port - Al Khor is one of the best oplaces to visit in Qatar.

Al Khor is a coastal city around 31 miles (50 km) north of Doha, which used to be the center of the pearling industry back in the day . One of its main attractions, in fact, is the city’s museum, where you’ll find displays of the fishing, dhow building, and pearling traditions of Al Khor .  

Al Khor still features a very picturesque harbor with traditional dhows , and a lovely waterfront corniche for strolls with a view. There’s also a mall with a food court and entertainment options, and the Al Khor Park, which is a delight for families with small children.  

Nearby is the Al Khor Island , more popularly known as the Purple Island, where you can enjoy plenty of outdoor activities , from kayaking on the mangroves to hiking amidst the lush vegetation, and spotting the diverse fauna and flora.

It’s a very recommended visit if you’re in the city, and one the best tours from Doha .

Al Zubara Fort

qatar world cup places to visit

In the north of Qatar there’s the Al Zubara Fort , one of the best-preserved buildings from the 18th century . During its heyday, Al Zubara was a merchant town and had thriving fishing and pearling industries, as well as a popular trading port. 

Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site , it’s Qatar’s largest one, and a great representation of the former town. At Al Zubara you’ll get to explore the historical houses and residential palaces , the town’s markets and mosques , and marvel at the astounding city wall and towers, which are in perfect condition. 

It is one of the best places to gain insight into the economic and social history of the country before the oil boom, so it will be particularly interesting to history fans. 

qatar world cup places to visit

Also a fishing and pearling village before the oil industry, Al Wakrah is now one of the country’s largest cities , and among the top Qatar tourist spots. This widely developed city is very modernized, but you’ll get to see glimpses of its heritage in its architecture.

The impressive and very futuristic Al Janoub Stadium , where several matches during the World Cup have taken place, is located in Al Wakrah, and it’s one of the city’s most popular attractions.  

Other things to enjoy in Al Wakrah include a stroll along its beautiful coastline , browsing the traditional Al Wakrah Souk for souvenirs, having a picnic on the beach , and enjoying the colors and aroma of the Public Garden . 

Fuwairit Beach

Perfect to fight off the heat of the day, Fuwairit Beach is a favorite day trip destination among locals . This long beach boasts warm and crystal clear water, and it’s very shallow, which makes it ideal and safe for families with small children . It’s also a great beach to go for a swim if you walk past the first few meters of water!

The sand is white and powdery, and because of the spectacular view of the sunrise that you can get from the beach , it’s quite a popular spot for camping. Depending on your interests, it might be better to head for a swim and tanning session in the morning or in the afternoon, as the atmosphere is quite different. 

If you’re looking for a quiet, family-friendly beach with little people around, the morning is the best time of day to visit . In the afternoon though, you’ll find groups of young people, loud music and festive vibes .  

A little word of advice, though : there are no facilities around the beach , so you’ll need to pack your drinks and snacks, towels, and beach umbrellas with you.  

The Desert in Qatar

The desrt in Qatar should definitely be on your list of places to visit in Qatar!

Going on a desert safari is very likely the epitome of visiting Qatar , so it should be at the top of your list of things to do in Qatar ! Qatar’s biggest desert, one of the 8 that the country boasts, is located southwest of Doha, and it’s where you’ll be heading for your exciting desert adventures.

The vast sand dunes offer an incredible variety of enjoyment . Depending on your interests and the tour you choose you can go dune bashing or sandboarding , ride camels, watch traditional dances at a Bedouin camp, and learn about falconry. 

➤ You can go on a Full Day Desert Safari to make the most of your time amidst the sand dunes. You’ll get to ride a camel, go sandboarding and dune bashing, swim in the inland sea, and even enjoy a buffet dinner. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

➤ If you have little time, you can opt for the Private Half Day Desert Safari . It includes camel riding and sandboarding, as well as a visit to the Inland Sea and some thrilling dune bashing sessions. Roundtrip transportation and insurance are included. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

➥  For more options, check out this guide to the best desert safari tours from Doha .

Barzan Towers

qatar world cup places to visit

The Barzan Towers are among Qatar’s famous places to visit , especially for history buffs! This 19th-century building was originally used as a lookout to keep an eye on incoming ships, especially Ottoman invaders . Due to its height of 52.5 feet (16 meters) though – Barzan actually means high place in Arabic –  it was also employed to track the phases of the moon during Ramadan.  

The structure was restored in 2003, and nowadays the Barzan Towers’ main purpose is to showcase the rich culture and history of Qatar , having been turned into a very interesting museum. You can even climb to the top of the watchtowers to enjoy the spectacular landscape from above (and why not, keep an eye on incoming ships!) 

Ras Abrouq Rock Formations

One of the coolest tourist spots in Qatar is the Ras Abrouq Rock Formations , located in the village of Zekreet, 43 miles (70 km) west of Doha. 

This astounding location is home to mushroom-shaped rock formations , sculpted by the sand and the wind over thousands of years, and they’re not only very striking to the eye, but also a fantastic trekking destination . You can actually climb up the cape to be rewarded by the views over the peninsula! Camping is quite popular as well, as it’s a great spot for stargazing. 

Besides a very unique landscape, the area also boasts remnants of old sites and settlements , among which stands out the 18th-century Zekreet Fort . The fort underwent two phases of construction; the first one resulted in a square structure, and during the second stage the towers were added. The fort, though, was never completed, but still is one of the most amazing places to see in Qatar . 

qatar world cup places to visit

Also located in West Qatar, you can’t miss Film City . This very interesting destination depicts a traditional Arabic village , and was actually built as a film set (hence the name) for movies and TV shows. The set is perfectly well-preserved but is now deserted, what has gained it the name of ghost city . 

The good part, though, is that there are no shootings taking place in it and you can wander around the village , imagining what it looked like to live in Qatar back in the day. 

Besides walking around the compound, you can climb the turrets and enjoy the views of the desert , as well as snap fantastic photos in this very picturesque location. 

After your tour around Film City, I recommend checking out Richard Serra’s East/West West/East art installation , an impressive 49-feet (15-meter) tall landmark in the middle of the desert. You could also combine this visit with one to the Ras Abrouq Rock Formations and Zekreet Fort for the ultimate day trip from Doha. 

➤ The Qatar West Coast Tour takes you around the most impressive attractions in this part of the country. You’ll visit Film City and the East/West West/East sculpture, as well as spend some time in the Ras Abrouq Rock Formations and Zekreet Fort. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

qatar world cup places to visit

One of the most beautiful places in Qatar is the Inland Sea , which separates Qatar from Saudi Arabia. Its official name is Khor Al Adaid , and it’s been recognized by UNESCO as a natural reserve, one which boasts incredible beauty and provides a very special spectacle. 

The Inland Sea is not a sea but a tidal river, and it meets the dunes during the high tide , a phenomenon that occurs in very few places in the world and it’s worth seeing. Where else do you expect to find the calm, blue waters of a river engulfing the sand dunes of the desert?!

Your trip to this area of the desert will also enable you to meet the majestic oryx , as well as ospreys and terns. 

➤ In this Half-Day Desert Safari you’ll get to visit the impressive inland sea, as well as enjoy other desert adventures. Sandboarding, camel riding, and dune bashing are included, as is a visit to a traditional camp. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

Al Shahaniya race track

qatar world cup places to visit

One of the most iconic locations in Qatar, especially for its importance in the country’s culture, is the Al Shahaniya race track , where camel races take place every week during the high season . Camel racing has been practised professionally in Qatar for over 50 years, and it’s the most popular sport in the country. 

The jockeys are not people but remote-controlled robots , which are very colorfully adorned and have in-built speakers for the operators to be able to encourage and talk to their camels. 

The most thrilling event though is not the race itself, but the way the locals enjoy it, driving along the camels on the road that’s parallel to the race track , following them all the way to the end line.

While watching a race is the best way to enjoy this location, you could also visit the race track to see the camels training . 

➤ With the Private Camel Race Tour you’ll get to visit the Al Shahaniya racing track and go behind the scenes, meeting the camels before the big event and even getting photos with them! Once the race starts, you’ll enjoy it the way Qataris do, driving alongside the track. ➥ BOOK IT HERE  

The Pearl-Qatar

Pearl-Qatar is the ultimate destination for shopping . Known for its luxurious retail stores, high-end restaurants, and 5-star hotels, this man-made island is one of the most opulent places you’ll see in Qatar .

You’ll get to shop in some of the most renowned brands in the world, including Hugo Boss, Stella McCartney, Armani, Hermes, Versace, and Balenciaga, enjoy a substantial meal or a cup of coffee at the waterfront cafés, and stroll along the boardwalk for impressive views.

Don’t forget to explore the residential areas to be shocked at its lavishness! 

For insta-worthy photo stops, include the Qanat Quartier in your itinerary, especially the beautiful Venetian Bridge ! There are also nice public playgrounds to keep children entertained for a whole afternoon. 

Al Thakhira Mangroves Forest 

Contrasting starkly with the previous destination, Al Thakhira Mangroves Forest boasts astounding natural beauty and comes across as a great escape from the city’s bustle and hustle. It’s Qatar’s largest mangrove reserve, and a delight for bird-watching enthusiasts, which makes it one of the best places to visit in Qatar.

This thriving ecosystem is home to a wide variety of bird species that includes herons and flamingos, as well as fish and very lush vegetation. 

One of the locals’ favorite ways to explore the mangroves is by kayak! You can rent kayaks on-site and enjoy a day in nature, exercising and keeping an eye out on the wildlife you may encounter. If kayaking doesn’t sound adventurous enough, try stand up paddleboarding !

➤ You can visit the Al Thakhira Mangroves and enjoy some kayaking on this Full-Day Private Tour . It includes the equipment and kayak rental, all transfers, and also a visit to the historic Al Zubarra Fortress. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

Dahl Al Misfir Cave

qatar world cup places to visit

One of the most exciting places to visit in Qatar is the Dahl Al Misfir Cave . This cave is 130 feet (40 meters) deep, and due to the large amount of gypsum deposits it has it offers a very magical phosphorescent glow.

You can actually hike down the cave , which is the deepest one in Qatar and believed to have been formed naturally 500,000 years ago! While it’s pretty safe to explore it, it’s not recommended for young children because of the loose rocks that could cause them to fall. 

Extra tip : Remember to take a jacket with you, even if it’s hot: the bottom of the cave can be quite chilly !

Places to Visit in Qatar FAQ

Doha, Qatar’s capital city, is the most visited place in the country. Souq Waqif and the Museum of Islamic Art are some of the popular attractions in Doha. 

3 to 4 days are enough to visit Qatar’s main highlights.

Stefania Guglielmi

Stefania Guglielmi is the founder of Every Steph. Originally from Bologna, Italy, she's been traveling full-time since 2016 and has visited over 50 countries across 6 continents. She believes sustainable travel and luxury travel can go hand in hand and has been advocating for responsible tourism since 2014. Stefania's advice and travel experiences have been featured in important publications such as Business Insider, Refinery29, and Yahoo Money.

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Hilton Salwa - Spa experience with afternoon tea!

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Hilton Salwa - Spa experience with afternoon tea!

Enjoy a full day tour at Inland Sea

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qatar world cup places to visit

Stay 7, pay 5 at Zulal Wellness Resort

qatar world cup places to visit

Hilton Salwa - Pool & beach access

From Qatar's latest leisure destination provides an unforgettable and relaxing adventure.</p>\n","summary":"<p>Pool and Beach access is fully redeemable on Food and Beverage at North Bay and is open from 8am to sunset</p>\n<p>Qatar's latest leisure destination provides an unforgettable and relaxing adventure like nowhere else as you take a break from all the stress and noise of city life.</p>\n<p>You can relax in a private cabana at the pool, or let the kids enjoy the splash pad while you unwind. You don't have to worry because lifeguards are on duty from 8 am to sunset and towels are provided.</p>\n<p>The private beach sprawls 3.5 km and is an unspoiled paradise of crystal-clear waters. Imagine lounging on the beach, soaking in the early morning sun, and listening to the calming waves.</p>\n","offerType":"experienceOffer","offerCategory":"visitqatar:offer-category/main-category/experiences","offerCategories":["visitqatar:offer-category/family-fun","visitqatar:offer-category/sun,-sea-and-sand","visitqatar:offer-category/relax-&-rejuvenate","visitqatar:offer-category/food-&-drink"],"image":"/content/dam/visitqatar/campaigns/feel-more/hilton-salwa-beach-resort-3010.jpg","imageSrcset":"/adobe/dynamicmedia/deliver/dm-aid--022e8ccf-9302-422f-8f11-4cfe919bfb1a/hilton-salwa-beach-resort-3010.jpg?width=180&quality=75&preferwebp=true 180w, /adobe/dynamicmedia/deliver/dm-aid--022e8ccf-9302-422f-8f11-4cfe919bfb1a/hilton-salwa-beach-resort-3010.jpg?width=360&quality=75&preferwebp=true 360w, /adobe/dynamicmedia/deliver/dm-aid--022e8ccf-9302-422f-8f11-4cfe919bfb1a/hilton-salwa-beach-resort-3010.jpg?width=480&quality=75&preferwebp=true 480w, /adobe/dynamicmedia/deliver/dm-aid--022e8ccf-9302-422f-8f11-4cfe919bfb1a/hilton-salwa-beach-resort-3010.jpg?width=800&quality=75&preferwebp=true 800w, /adobe/dynamicmedia/deliver/dm-aid--022e8ccf-9302-422f-8f11-4cfe919bfb1a/hilton-salwa-beach-resort-3010.jpg?width=1280&quality=75&preferwebp=true 1280w, /adobe/dynamicmedia/deliver/dm-aid--022e8ccf-9302-422f-8f11-4cfe919bfb1a/hilton-salwa-beach-resort-3010.jpg?width=1920&quality=75&preferwebp=true 1920w, /adobe/dynamicmedia/deliver/dm-aid--022e8ccf-9302-422f-8f11-4cfe919bfb1a/hilton-salwa-beach-resort-3010.jpg?width=2560&quality=75&preferwebp=true 2560w","imagePlaceholder":"/adobe/dynamicmedia/deliver/dm-aid--022e8ccf-9302-422f-8f11-4cfe919bfb1a/hilton-salwa-beach-resort-3010.jpg?width=180&quality=75&preferwebp=true","images":["/content/dam/visitqatar/campaigns/feel-more/hilton-salwa-beach-resort-3010.jpg"],"pricePer":"person","offerPartner":{"metaData":{"path":"/content/dam/visitqatar/content-fragments/en/partners/hotel-partners-unpublish/hilton-salwa-beach-resort-summer-sale","name":"hilton-salwa-beach-resort-summer-sale","title":"Hilton Salwa Beach Resort Summer Sale","uuid":"f1c0a97d-a113-411d-a6ce-36a7aa831f04","description":"Hilton Salwa Beach Resort Summer Sale","lastModified":1667235388363},"associatedContent":[],"partnerType":"agent","id":"111112","companyName":"Hilton Salwa Beach Resort Summer Sale","contactName":"Hilton Salwa Beach Resort Summer Sale","country":["visitqatar:country/qa"],"city":"Doha","phone":"+974 4423 6666","email":"loremipsum","logo":"/content/dam/visitqatar/img/hotels/salwa-left.svg","image":"/content/dam/visitqatar/img/hotels/salwa-left.svg","positionx":"50","positiony":"50","imageSrcset":"","imagePlaceholder":"","logoSrcset":"","logoPlaceholder":"","tagKeys":["visitqatar:country/qa"],"linkToDirections":"","type":"PARTNER","locale":"en","title":"Hilton Salwa Beach Resort Summer Sale","uuid":"f1c0a97d-a113-411d-a6ce-36a7aa831f04","name":"hilton-salwa-beach-resort-summer-sale","path":"/content/dam/visitqatar/content-fragments/en/partners/hotel-partners-unpublish/hilton-salwa-beach-resort-summer-sale"},"premiumOffer":false,"showPartnerLogo":true,"startingPrice":150.0,"currencyCode":"QAR","offerBookingLink":"https://events.q-tickets.com/eventDetail/3879442326/RESORT-POOL-&-BEACH-ACCESS","promotionRanking":"5","prices":{"QAR":150,"KZT":19947,"SAR":155,"IRR":1736442,"ZAR":728,"INR":3467,"CNY":294,"AUD":62,"KRW":56926,"JPY":6264,"PLN":165,"GBP":32,"HUF":15360,"KWD":13,"TRY":1414,"RUB":3969,"AED":151,"HKD":320,"EUR":38,"DKK":284,"USD":41,"NOK":451,"MOP":329,"RON":189,"OMR":16,"CZK":960,"PKR":11433,"SEK":436,"BRL":234,"UAH":1698},"tagKeys":["visitqatar:offer-category/family-fun","visitqatar:offer-category/main-category/experiences","visitqatar:offer-category/sun,-sea-and-sand","visitqatar:offer-category/food-&-drink","visitqatar:offer-category/relax-&-rejuvenate"],"formattedOfferValidTo":"2024-12-31","formattedPromoCodePeriodFrom":"","formattedPromoCodePeriodTo":"","location":{"linkToDirections":""},"type":"OFFER","locale":"en","title":"Hilton Salwa - Pool & beach access","uuid":"bd6d9790-9698-41f3-aa3a-2c284bd2ab75","name":"hilton-salwa-pool-and-beach-access","path":"/content/dam/visitqatar/content-fragments/en/offers/travel-package/hilton-salwa-pool-and-beach-access"}">

Hilton Salwa - Pool & beach access

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Visit Qatar - Official Website

Sky News

By Philip Whiteside, international news reporter

The football World Cup in Qatar is shaping up to be an event unlike any other.

Organisers say it offers the chance to watch two matches on the same day - at brand new stadiums with inbuilt cooling technology - while still having time to take in some culture and spend a few hours at the beach.

It offers the spectator unbridled luxury, while watching the most popular sport on the planet, in one of the wealthiest countries in the world.

But has all this come at a price beyond the billions spent on its construction?

This article looks at just how much Qatar 2022 might have cost...

The World Cup in Qatar takes place at eight stadia in November and December next year. Seven are new and one underwent a huge redevelopment to bring it up to capacity.

Ever since Qatar was controversially awarded the event by world football governing body FIFA in December 2010, the country has been developing an infrastructure that will be able to accommodate an anticipated 1.5 million visitors.

The headline figure of exactly how much money was spent on this varies depending on exactly what is being included.

qatar world cup places to visit

Qatari officials have offered various figures, for the cost of the stadia and the cost of Qatar's infrastructure development in the years leading up to the event.

Previous estimates of the total cost - including all the hotels, roads, public spaces and transport, as well as the stadia, have put the figure at around $220bn, but the latest total to come from a Qatari official was around $200bn. That was according to the country's ambassador to Russia in October, as quoted by Russia's Tass newsagency.

In any event, that would put the amount many, many times higher than that spent on any similar sporting event, like a previous World Cup or Olympics.

Likewise, the reported cost of the stadia alone has also varied over the years, depending on who has been quoted and when.

The latest figure, from Fatma Al Nuaimi, the Communications Executive Director at the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy of the World Cup, was that the eight stadia cost $6.5bn. He was quoted in the same October Tass report.

But that figure is significantly down from the $8bn-$10bn the committee's secretary general Hassan Al Thawadi put forward when he was asked at the Chatham House Policy Institute in London in 2016.

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Whatever the stadia actually cost, the figure appears to be significantly more than the $4bn earmarked for what was initially going to be 12 grounds in the original bid.

Qatar maintains that, while much of the infrastructure included in the $200bn figure will be used during the tournament, its construction would have taken place regardless of whether the cup was being held there, so it should not be viewed as the total cost.

What is not clear is how much of that infrastructure would have been finished if Qatar had not been the host country by November 2022 - a timeframe that has placed developers, and potentially their workers, under a strict deadline.

The human toll

It is that pressure to build - and build quickly - that some NGOs say has led to the deaths of a number of migrant labourers and tradespeople working on the projects.

Again, an exact figure is hard to find. They range from a projected figure from the International Trade Union Confederation of 7,000 migrant worker deaths by the first kick off, to three work-related fatalities and 39 non-work-related fatalities in the past 10 years from the Qatari authorities.

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Again, what is not clear is what the Qatari figures include. Other figures have put the number of migrant worker deaths so far at 6,000, but this appears to include all deaths - from any cause - and not just those in the construction industry.

Figures registered with the World Health Organisation indicate that Qatar recorded a total of about 1,900-2,200 deaths a year from 2010-17, for a population that has risen in that time from 1.8-2.7 million, according to the World Bank, as hundreds of thousands of migrants moved there for work.

In 2010, the WHO crude death rate from injuries in Qatar was 23/100,000 people and in 2015, it was 15/100,000, with injuries accounting for about a fifth of deaths, and non-communicable disease (such as cancer and heart disease), accounting for about half.

qatar world cup places to visit

Thousands of migrant workers have been employed constructing stadium sites like the Khalifa International Stadium, pictured here in 2014

Sky News analysis found that in 2019, out of the 3,334 recorded deaths in Qatar in that year (which includes non-work related deaths), according to WHO figures published in The Lancet , the biggest cause of injury-related deaths was from road accidents (673 - some of which may be workplace related), with self-harm second (120). In that year, 97 died from falls and 76 died from exposure to mechanical forces - two causes of death also likely to occur on construction sites.

But on 18 November, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) published figures for work-related death in 2020, as collected by the Qatari authorities, and found 50 people had died from occupational injuries across the whole of Qatar (not just construction sites at stadia), 506 had suffered severe injuries in the course of their work and 37,601 had received minor injuries. It found about a quarter of those deaths were from falls and a quarter from road accidents.

NGOs have said that many other deaths have not been attributed to the construction industry when they are in fact linked. There were reports in The Sunday Times in early November of Nepali migrant workers suffering from long-term kidney disease, and sometimes death, from working long hours in high temperatures.

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Amnesty International, meanwhile, has claimed that Qatari authorities routinely issue death certificates for migrant workers without conducting adequate investigations - instead attributing deaths to "natural causes" or "vaguely-defined" cardiac failures. It is not normal practice to conduct post-mortems and there is no public inquest system to determine cause of death, as there is in the UK.

In 2021, after years of coverage of the conditions in which migrant workers were expected to toil in temperatures above 40C, Qatar brought in measures to protect workers from heat stress, but Amnesty was among organisations that said the measures did not go far enough.

Chief executive of the tournament Nasser al Khater says many of the numbers published "do not reflect the reality for construction workers on World Cup sites".

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Significant attention was paid worldwide to the situation of migrant workers in Qatar, like that by these members of the Swiss workers union UNIA

He told Sky News in November : "We have been unfairly treated... it is publicly available information," as he reiterated the figure of the three work-related fatalities in 10 years at World Cup sites.

Qatar's government rejected Amnesty's findings.

Mr Al Khater told Association Press: "There's work that needs to be done. There is, however, a lot of progress but unfortunately that has not been captured in reports such as Amnesty, Human Rights Watch."

Here are the eight stadiums that have been built or redeveloped for the tournament:

Outside Doha

Al bayt stadium.

Location: Al Khor, 40km from Doha centre Capacity: 60,000 Reported cost: $847m Work started: 2014 Opened: 2020

Lusail Stadium

Location: Lusail City, 15km from Doha centre Capacity: 80,000 Reported cost: $767m Work started: 2017 Opened: Expected 2022

Ahmed bin Ali Stadium

Location: Al Rayyan, 18km from Doha centre Aka: Al Rayyan Stadium Capacity: 40,000 Reported cost: $360m Work started: 2016 Opened: 2020

Al Janoub Stadium

Location: Al Wakrah, 14km from Doha centre Capacity: 40,000 Reported cost: €587m Work started: 2014 Opened: 2019

The architectural showpiece of the tournament will be the Lusail Stadium , in the new city of Lusail, about a 30-minute drive north of Downtown Doha. It will host the final.

Designed by British architects Foster + Partners, the concave exterior of the stadium was inspired by the sails of a traditional dhow boat and the roof is designed in the shape of a saddle.

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Addressing concerns of temperatures rising above 30C - which occurs even in December - the east-west orientation of the stadium is aimed at making sure the entire pitch is shaded, helping the air conditioning keep spectators and players cool.

Construction started in 2017, using a joint venture of Qatari firm HBK Contracting Company and China Railway Construction Corporation. Organisers say it is finished, but will not officially open until next year. No work related deaths at the stadium have been officially reported, but photos from inside the stadium of workers' progress regularly feature in the media.

How much do Qatar's migrant workers get paid? The Doha News, reporting on the experience of migrant workers in 2015, found one Indian worker at the Khalifa International Stadium was paid $467 a month, for a six day week. The ITUC, in its 2015 report Qatar: Profit and Loss, citing the Doha News report, said workers usually work 13 hours a day - an hourly rate of $1.50. Other reports have found that workers were being paid as little as 750 riyals a month (at the time £190). In 2020, Qatar said all workers would be paid a monthly minimum wage of 1,000 riyals (at the time US$275). The move was hailed by the ILO as the first time a country "in the region" had introduced "a non-discriminatory minimum wage".

The Al Bayt Stadium , another of the flagship grounds and where one of the semi-finals will be held, is possibly as striking as the Lusail - appearing from the outside as a vast desert tent, but with a retractable roof.

The Ahmed bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan, which has since been colloquially dubbed Al Rayyan Stadium, is on the edge of the Qatari desert and has been recycled partly from a stadium that occupied the site previously.

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Its undulating facade and curved surrounding structures are designed to reflect the dunes nearby.

Finally, the Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah to the south of Doha, was developed by the practice of Zaha Hadid, the late Iraqi-British architect.

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The exterior was designed to reflect Al Wakrah's origin as a pearling village and its connection to the sea.

Below are the stadia in Doha:

Education City Stadium

Location: Al Rayyan district of Doha, 10km from the centre Capacity: 40,000 Cost: $700m Work started: 2016 Opened: 2020

Stadium 974

Location: Doha waterfront, about 4km from the centre Aka: Ras Abu Aboud Stadium Capacity: 40,000 Cost: Unknown Work started: 2017 Opened: 2021

Khalifa International Stadium

Location: Baaya district of Doha, about 8km from the centre Capacity: 45,416 Reported cost: varies from £70m to £280m+ Originally opened: 1976 Redevelopment started: 2014 Reopened: 2017

Al Thumama Stadium

Location: Al Thumama district of Doha, about 5.5km from the centre Capacity: 40,000 Reported cost: $342.5m Work started: 2017 Opened: 2021

The geometric Education City Stadium , in the Doha suburb of Al Rayyan, is designed to reflect the facets of a cut diamond and sits in the middle of several universities where it is destined to serve the student body after it is reshaped at the end of the tournament.

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According to architects BDP, it is the first stadium to be awarded five stars under the Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS), with at least 55% of the materials coming from sustainable sources and 28% of materials recycled. BDP says it is destined also to become a centre for women's football after 2022.

Can't workers just go home if they are unhappy? The ITUC claimed that many workers were indentured to work in Qatar, often unable to leave poor pay and conditions because of something called the kafala system, which the Council on Foreign Relations says gives private citizens and companies in most Arab Gulf countries almost total control over migrant workers' employment and immigration status. Often, workers get into debt in order to travel to Qatar to work - a debt they have to repay before they can return. The ITUC said it found recruitment agencies in the workers' home countries often charge fees on top of the airfare, insurance and welfare fund contributions, of between $335 and $670.

Stadium 974 is another designed and built with sustainability in mind, made partially out of used and refashioned shipping containers, also reflecting Qatar's maritime history.

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It was renamed from the Ras Abu Aboud Stadium ahead of it being unveiled in November, with 974 being Qatar's international dialling code and the number of shipping containers used in it.

The waterfront stadium also includes removable seats and other modular elements that will allow it to be dismantled at the end of the tournament and repurposed.

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The Khalifa International Stadium started life as a smaller athletics and football arena where it hosted a number of major events and matches featuring the national side.

It was extensively redeveloped ahead of being reopened in 2017, after which it held the 2019 World Athletics Championships and a number of FIFA-associated tournaments.

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The Al Thumama Stadium was designed by Qatari architect Ibrahim Jaidah to look like a traditional Arabic hat, the gahfiya, worn by men and boys across the Middle East.

It was also named after a native tree found growing in the area.

As well as the stadia, these are some of the other major infrastructure projects Qatar has been working on. Some may be home to accommodation for fans. The others will transport them from venue to venue:

Lusail City

Location: About 16km north of central Doha What's there: Currently, a huge construction site. Being built are hotel complexes, golf courses, a theme park and marinas Cost: $45bn

Location: Doha, approx 10km from the centre What's there: Wide range of accommodation, including private 'islands', villas, apartments and hotels Cost: $15bn+

Downtown Doha

Location: 0km from central Doha What's there: Closely packed skyscrapers and the country's central business district Cost: Unknown

Location: Doha, stretching along 76km of track What it is: A surface-based metropolitan rail project with three lines and 37 stations Cost: $36bn

Lusail City - the emerging home of the Lusail Stadium - must vie to be one of the biggest construction projects in the world.

When built, the new city will reportedly contain 19 districts, 22 hotels, two golf courses, a theme park, a lagoon, and two marinas, across 38 sq km, with enough housing for 200,000 residents - just less than the population of Wolverhampton - and room for 170,000 workers and 50,000 visitors.

The project has even created - out of the desert - several islands, on which non-Qataris will be able to own property. Many of the districts of Lusail will be linked by a new tram network.

Among the futuristic constructions already taking shape is the Katara Towers - two curved tower blocks sweeping up from Lusail's corniche waterfront. They are designed to resemble traditional Qatari swords.

The seahorse-shaped artificial island called The Pearl has been emerging off the coast of north Doha for at least 17 years, having been designed to be the first place where non-Qataris can own land freehold.

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The Pearl's Qanat Quarter is modelled partly on Venice. Pic: Google Streetview/Nizam Hindi

While it is intended to be home for about 45,000 people when complete, the two huge luxury marinas and array of beachside hotels already built on the island, together with accommodation being rented out privately, will make it a major draw for visiting football fans next year.

The other area packed with major hotels likely to be heavily used by visitors to Qatar 2022 is the Downtown area, with its pincushion of skyscrapers soaring into the sky.

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The skyline of Downtown Doha is packed with skyscrapers

Although high-rise hotels have been sprouting continuously since the FIFA announcement in 2010, analysts say there is still a risk of an accommodation shortfall come next November.

Organisers have said they expect to be able to offer up to 130,000 rooms in total, but, according to estimates by Qatar Tourism, the hotel stock will provide fewer than 50,000 of them.

Accor, Europe's largest hotel operator, has been taken on to manage accommodation and is expected to make up some of the difference with two cruise ships - one still under construction in France - and shared villas and apartments. This, together with private rentals is anticipated to add another 64,000 or so rooms.

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The Medinatna complex of apartments is being built in a patch of desert several kilometres inland. Pic: Google Streetview/Abdulrahman Al-Mohammad

Less glamorous than The Pearl or Lusail will be Madinatna (Our City), where another two dozen hotels are springing up, which has a completion target of spring. The complex is capable of housing up to 27,000 fans in shared apartments, but is surrounded by a series of multi-lane motorways and a large expanse of desert 25km (15 miles) from Doha's centre.

Theoretically, most of the main world cup sites are linked by the Doha Metro , a 76km-long, 38 station above-ground local rail project, which was opened in 2019 after being built in just six years. Qatar 2022 organisers hail the construction of the Metro as part of a sustainable public transport network that will "help fans travel seamlessly between hotels, stadiums and tourist attractions".

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The Doha Metro operates three interconnecting lines, with another planned in coming years

Not all the grounds are covered, however, with Al Bayt still only accessible by road. Al Janoub is a 5km walk/drive from Al Wakrah station and Al Thumama is also some distance away from the nearest station.

And it depends on where you are staying. If you are in Madinatna, the nearest station is 3km.

Other controversies

Immediately after Qatar was awarded the World Cup in 2010, there was alarm among many in the football world.

Some asked how was it that a nation three-times smaller than the previous smallest country to host the cup - Switzerland in 1954 - and one with a questionable human rights record and one where summer temperatures are regularly well into the 40s (Celsius), could be given the largest sporting event in the world?

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Then FIFA president Sepp Blatter announces in 2010 that Qatar has won the right to host the 2022 World Cup

That vote - in Qatar's favour by 14 to 8 over the US - was rapidly mired in corruption allegations.

A FIFA-commissioned investigation into Qatar's methods to win the vote raised concerns at what had happened but concluded there was no "evidence of any improper activity by the bid team".

However, US lawyer Michael Garcia, whose name was on the report, did find that some of Qatar's conduct "may not have met the standards" required by FIFA.

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Former US Attorney Michael Garcia, pictured here in 2007, led a FIFA probe into corruption allegations

It came after Qatar's representative on FIFA's 24-man executive committee between 1996 to 2011, Mohamed bin Hammam, was banned for life from all football related activities by the FIFA Ethics Committee. The ban was subsequently annulled due to lack of evidence but in December 2012, he was given a second life ban due to "conflicts of interest". Then, in 2014, The Sunday Times published leaked email documents which appeared to show bin Hammam paid members of other nations' Football Associations in the run up to his FIFA presidential election campaign and ahead of the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cup decision in December 2010.

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Qatari Mohamed bin Hammam was accused of corrupt payments to officials

Mr Garcia, in his report, which was handed to FIFA in 2014 but not made public until 2017, accepted the repeatedly stated position of the official Qatar 2022 bid that any payments Hammam made were not in any way connected to the Qatari bid itself - but were connected to his own bid to be FIFA president.

With the FBI and US prosecutors involved, as well as Swiss officials, numerous arrests were made and there was a period when several commentators were saying Qatar should lose to cup and a revote should take place. But no allegations were ever proved.

The matter went quiet until fresh allegations of wrongdoing surfaced last year when American prosecutors in Brooklyn revealed new details of alleged bribes paid by Qatar for votes.

qatar world cup places to visit

Nasser Al Khater, CEO of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022

On 21 November, Mr Al Khater told AP: "All of these investigations have shown us that Qatar has been vindicated of all the allegations made against it."

When asked about the claims that emerged in the US District Court in Brooklyn, he added: "Whatever you’re referring to, I deny categorically."

Yet, on 23 November, AP claimed in an article published on its newsfeed that a former CIA officer has spied on top soccer officials for years while working for Qatar.

It said an investigation had found Qatar sought to maintain an edge over rivals like the United States and Australia by, among other activities, having someone pose as a photojournalist to keep tabs on a rival nation's bid; deploying a Facebook honeypot, in which someone posed online as an attractive woman to get close to a target; and seeking mobile phone call logs of at least one top FIFA official ahead of the 2010 vote.

One document from the company employed said the proposed budget for the "spy" operation was $387m over nine years. It was unclear how much the Qataris ultimately paid the company.

The ex-CIA agent said in a statement he and his companies would not "ever engage in illegal surveillance".

Qatari government officials did not respond to AP's requests for comment. FIFA also declined to comment.

As well as investigating allegations of corruption, FIFA examined whether the heat of a Qatari summer might affect the tournament. In 2015, it confirmed the tournament would start on 21 November, with the final on Sunday 18 December. In doing so, it would be a shortened tournament over 28 days instead of the usual 32.

The proposal to move the tournament to the winter, thereby avoiding the intense heat of June and July, has also proved particularly controversial because of the potential impact on European leagues, with then chief executive of the Premier League Richard Scudamore threating to sue FIFA - a move that is yet to happen.

However, after nearly a decade of controversy, the world's gaze will remain on Qatar and, with less than a year to go, spectators will be readying themselves for a spectacle set to go down in the sporting annuls for generations.

Words and digital production: Philip Whiteside, international news reporter

Graphics: Vivek Mehta, designer

Pictures: AP; Reuters; Google Streetview; Wikicommons; Asianchamp2

COMMENTS

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    Watch a Camel Race. Camel Racing is a very popular sport in Qatar, practiced professionally since the early 1970's. During the high season, which takes place between October and February, there are camel racing tournaments every Fridayat Al Shahaniya race track, the most famous one in the country.

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