10 Stunning Landmarks in Qatar

The iconic Doha Tower, known also as Burj Doha, rises 238 metres above the West Bay in Doha, Qatar. It rises 46 stories above the ground, with a further 3 floors stretching underground, and was designed by the French architect Jean Nouvel.

Though this high-rise office building is by no means the largest in the city, it is one of the most unique. Its outward lattice of diagrid columns echoes Islamic Mashrabiya architecture, with a design intended to protect the building from the scorching heat and sandy residue that coats many of the glass buildings in the region. A photo of this extremely distinctive skyscraper will be a fantastic memento of your visit, especially when illuminated at night.

Also known as The Torch Doha, Aspire Tower is a 300-meter high-rise hotel in the Aspire Zone complex in Doha, Qatar. The hotel is centrally located and near to several local attractions, including the Villaggio Mall shopping experience and the Khalifa International Stadium. The building’s proximity to this stadium saw it become a focal point when Qatar hosted the 15th Asian Games in December 2006 and the FIFA World Cup in 2022.

Aspire Tower is one of the tallest structures in Qatar. For a view over a spectacular cityscape and a little fine dining, check out the Panorama Restaurant at the top of the tower itself.

Tornado Tower’s distinctive hourglass shape is instantly recognisable. Also known as QIPCO Tower, this building’s 52 floors stretch almost 200 metres into the skyline. Though most of its space is rented office space, there are several restaurants open to the public inside, including a sushi restaurant and a steakhouse. On the 27th floor, you’ll find a gym, while fine dining with a view can be found on the 28th floor.

The tower is in Doha’s West Bay district. If you’re driving here, there’s ample parking available in the underground carpark. If you come in the evening, you’ll get a chance to see the building’s spectacular exterior lighting that secures its position as a highlight of the capital’s skyline.

Located right in front of Sidra Medical and Research Center, you’ll find a renowned art installation by the controversial British artist Damien Hirst. Known as The Miraculous Journey, this installation consists of 14 large bronze sculptures depicting the human journey from conception to birth.

With sculptures ranging from 5 to 11 metres tall, Hirst has charted the miracle of birth in vivid detail, including shocking scenes of a breech birth. There was some controversy surrounding the unveiling of the sculptures initially, but this divisive art piece is now widely praised. While the harsh realism of the scenes might be eye-opening, this fascinating public art installation is certainly worth a visit.

One of the region’s premier events venues, Qatar National Convention Centre offers several state-of-the-art theatres, conference halls, and meeting rooms within its distinctive building. Its facade is designed to resemble a desert tree, the Sidra. At the front of the foyer, you’ll find the world-famous spider sculpture, Maman.

The convention centre plays host to top regional and international acts and is an excellent spot to catch a show while in town. You’ll find everything here from stand-up comedy and public discussion forums to Hello Kitty Live and classical music, so be sure to check ahead to find something to suit your tastes.

Located near a now-deserted town of the same name, Al Zubara Fort is a large fort dominated by 3 huge circular towers and a single rectangular one. Built in 1938 by Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim Al Thani to serve as a coast guard station, it’s now used as a museum and hosts regular exhibitions on the area’s history.

Located about 105 km from Doha, the fort remains are a UNESCO World Heritage site that lies on the north-western coast of the Qatar peninsula and make for an interesting day trip. Bring snacks and water, and note there's little in the way of shade so avoid arriving around midday and early afternoon when the heat is at its most intense.

The Barzan Towers date to the late 19th century and were erected to stand guard over the precious rainwater that collected in the nearby valley. Barzan means 'high place', and with watchtowers that stand over 52 feet in height, the place is well named. The towers were also used for observing the moon to accurately pinpoint the start of Ramadan.

With enormous staircases and impressive buttresses, the architecture offers some great photo opportunities for visitors, with the best views available from the top. Additionally, admission is free of charge and the towers are just 9 miles north of Doha.

A flawless fusion of Islamic and Modernist architecture, the clean lines and precision of Msheireb Mosque will steal your breath away. Built with local stone and traditional techniques, this extraordinary building was designed to utilise sunlight in such a way that it requires no artificial lighting during the day. 

The courtyard is a perfect square, framed by a colonnade and adorned with a tranquil pond in its centre. From its ornate gates to its perforated ceilings and screens, you’ll find elegant Qatari-inspired geometric patterns around every corner. It’s equally stunning at night when strategically lit to highlight its design. If you visit, remember to be mindful of prayer times and local customs.

The Qatar National Library is not only a national library but a research and public library, too. It houses over 1 million books, as well as extensive digital collections. Membership is open to all Qatar residents and visitors are also made welcome.

Located in Doha’s Education City, the book collections aren’t the only draw to this library. Each month, the library hosts up to 80 free events that are open to the public. You’ll find everything from a knitting group to art exhibitions going on here. Once a month, the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra holds a free public performance. Details of each month’s events can be found on the library’s website.

Qatar’s Pigeon Towers are undoubtedly one of the country's most unique and intriguing attractions. A popular photo opportunity for tourists and locals alike, the towers also serve an extremely practical purpose. Home to thousands of pigeons, the distinctive towers have been designed to collect their droppings for use as fertiliser by local farmers.

Located right beside the Katara Mosque in the Katara Cultural Village, the Pigeon Towers are designed in a traditional Islamic architectural style. They are worth the trip to the cultural village alone but can easily be combined as part of an itinerary to take in several other nearby attractions such as the amphitheatre, the convention centre and even a beach.