The trip started by purchasing a QR6 day-pass of the Doha Metro and Lusail Tram, taking her to different metro-accessible locations and cultural centres.
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Enjoying the gondola ride
First stop is the Al Thuraya Planetarium at the Katara – the Cultural Village via the Katara or Al Qassar metro stations. It has become a major attraction at Katara, providing visitors with a unique ‘edutainment’ experience.
Katara noted that the 2,240sqm and full-dome digital system facility features a 22m screen – equipped with state-of-the-art digital projectors showing 2D and 3D tutorial shows.
“The Planetarium features information on Earth Science which contains more than 200 unique data sets in five categories: astronomy, atmosphere, geology, and the oceans. This includes more than 25 terrestrial weather data, solar data sets, and a number of awareness presentations by professional trainers,” Katara said on its website. “The planetarium takes visitors on a journey around the galaxies of the universe in a simplified manner that fits children and adults in two languages, English and Arabic.”
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A QR6 day-pass of the Doha Metro and Lusail Tram can lead passengers to many destinations in the city.
Katara, dubbed as “the largest and the most multidimensional cultural project of Qatar”, is also home to an array of exhibition galleries, concert halls, theatres, mosques, and state-of-the-art facilities, in addition to eateries and restaurants, including Chapati and Karak café – where anyone can have a meal for QR10.
From Katara, the trip moves to the Villaggio mall via the Doha Metro’s Red and Gold Line. Visitors can enjoy a gondola boat ride for QR20 and lunch at its food court, which offers an array of tasty but affordable dishes such as a QR5 meal at Tea Time.
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A wide range of spices on offer at Souq Waqif.
With a day-pass ticket, metro passengers can visit other malls such as Mall of Qatar (Green Line), Place Vendome (Red Line), and City Center Doha (Red Line) while Doha Festival City can be accessed via Metrolink No 145 at the Lusail metro station.
The journey continued to Souq Waqif for other activities such as feeding the birds and buying some spices and souvenirs. Visitors can also buy a box of fresh dates for QR5 at the Local Dates Festival, which concludes on August 10.
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The planetarium takes visitors on a journey around the galaxies of the universe in a simplified manner.
She had dinner at some eateries and outlets, spending less than QR10 for a kebab sandwich before buying some spices for QR14 and concluding her experience at the Doha Corniche to see the city’s scenic skyline and the dhows.
For visitors who plan to take a similar tour to the traditional market, many residents suggest going to the Souq Waqif Art Centre, which has become a popular hangout for artists and enthusiasts. It also displays the work of local and visiting artists, in addition to hosting art workshops and classes or simply watching artists create their pieces.
Visitors get to see cultural performances, parades, and exhibitions during festivals and other celebrations at Souq Waqif, held mostly in the cold months.
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Souq Waqif Art Centre has become a popular hangout for artists and enthusiasts. PICTURES: Visit Qatar