Doha, the host city of the 2006 Asian Games, is the heart of Qatar, with most of the population living in the city. The beautiful city is filled with plenty of things to do, whether its shopping, clubbing, relaxing, dining, or whatever other activities come to mind. With its beautiful corniche which stretches out for several kilometers, you can talk lovely walks by the sea and enjoy the sights of Doha's developing skyline and other sights the city has to offer. The city has a very laid back atmosphere, and any visitor is sure to love it.

　　Do

　　Doha has a reputation for not being the most exciting place on earth, but there are still a few things to do if you are in the city for a business trip and have some time to spare.

　　A popular excursion is to take the small boat ride from the Corniche (near the Sheraton) to Palm Tree Island in Doha Bay, although as of July, 2006, the island is closed for complete renovation.

　　The Ras-Naswa sheesha cafe on the CornicheA typical Middle Eastern activity in the afternoons is to find a sheesha cafe and smoke some fruit-flavoured tobacco. One of the best places in Doha is Ras-Naswa at the non-Sheraton end of the Corniche. Located in a picturesque old-style building reminiscent, in colour and texture if not grandeur, of the red Mughal structures in India, Ras-Naswa has a nice outdoor garden and serves decent Middle Eastern food.

　　Shopping is a main attraction in Doha, as there are several large malls with all sorts of worldwide brands being sold; as an added advantage, it is all tax-free. Shopping malls in Doha include the City Center, Landmark, Hyatt Plaza, The Mall, and the Royal Plaza.

　　The Qatar National Museum reopened in late March 2006 after a long period of closure for renovation.

　　Dining

　　There are many great restaurants and cafes in Doha, with all sorts of local and worldwide resturants available to dine in. Also, there are many cafes to choose from, including famous world-wide cafes such as Starbucks and the Coffee Beanary.

　　Things of interest

　　Doha has many museums and an old fort for sightseeing, and there are many beautiful mosques to see. An Islamic Musem is under construction, which is going to be a huge project with plenty to see. Furthermore, a Cultural Village will soon open in Doha, which also will have plenty to do and see. The Corniche is a must see, with its many buildings and its famous "curly" mosque (a mosque with a beautiful spinning minaret). The Education City is also of interest, as it contains several world-famous universities such as Weil Cornell Medical School and Georgetown School of Foreign Services, to name a few.

　　Other Activities

　　There are several clubs in Doha which allow guests over the age of 21 to enter, and are great to go to for a nice night out. Large organized parties are also monthly events in Doha, with several worldwide DJs coming to Doha for all sorts of parties, which tickets can be purchased for.

　　Accommodation

　　There are plenty of choices to choose from, with all sorts of prices. Currently, hotels in Qatar include the Ritz Carlton, Intercontinental, Four Seasons, Sheraton, Movenpick, Rydges, Grand Regency, and the Marriot. There are many hotels under construction in preperation for the 2006 Asian Games.

　　Things to Do

　　Shopping 　　

　　Swimming/Sea-related activities

　　The many hotels of Doha all offer many sea-based activities, including fishing, paragliding, water-skiing, wakeboarding, jet skiing, and other such activities. 　　

　　Transportation

　　There is an excellent public transport service in Doha known as Mowasalat, with "Karwa" taxis available in all parts of Doha. The taxis are all new, air-conditioned cars and are equipped with a GPS in order to be able to properly find your destination. These have a starting fare of 5 QR. There are also older orange-coloured taxis which are usually cars of much older models, and are not always air-conditioned. These have a starting fare of 2 QR. Bus transportation is also available from Mowasalat, and bus stops can be found in several of Doha's main sections.