As a city break for a carefree (read: kid-free) couple, Doha has a lot to offer. From romantic sunset dhow cruises and picnics to cultural and musical events and fantastic restaurants, this is a city where you will not be left searching for date-night options.
For longer stays, the city is chock full of splendid hotels with beach clubs, brunches and spas, and for those who want to get further afield, the deserts of western Qatar or the Inland Sea beckon, with star-gazing and Bedouin style meals on the dunes with only camels for company.
Here’s our curated list of the best things to do in Doha for couples.
1. Watch the sunset from the Doha Corniche
Keep it simple (and affordable) and take your beau for a romantic sunset walk along Doha Corniche, with the backdrop of wooden dhows and supertall towers. Why not take to the water in one of the dhows, some of which offer private tours with dinner. If you want to stay on land, there are outlets to grab an ice cream and some tea.
Perched on a narrow finger of land jutting into the bay, Nobu Doha – part of the Four Seasons Hotel Doha – offers panoramic views and excellent food at one of the country’s most famous restaurants. People come for the Japanese-Peruvian fusion food of Chef Nobuyuki Mateuhisa, but they stay for David Rockwell’s architecture and its spectacular setting in the Arabian Gulf.
One of the standout moments of a meal at Nobu Doha is the ride to the restaurant by chauffeured car across the narrow causeway, over a moat, and into the Japanese-garden inspired entrance court. Certainly a way to make an entrance.
3. Explore the desert on a private safari for two
Shake off the hoi polloi and book a private desert safari for two, because what is more thrilling than careering up and down sand dunes in a 4X4? Dune-bashing is just one of the activities on offer on a desert safari, alongside the more sedate camel petting and riding, sand-boarding, and tea and snacks on a blanket in the desert. This is well-travelled ground, and tour operators compete for couples with candlelit picnics, stargazing and camping under the stars. Be sure to shop around.
4. Wander through the Museum of Islamic Art
One of Doha’s most iconic landmarks, the Museum of Islamic Art combines stunning architecture with intimate galleries and quiet waterfront gardens. It is a beautiful and inspiring space, and after your visit why not have a coffee at the on-site café with harbor views.
The MIA building is arguably at its most romantic at night, when the exterior of I.M Pei’s remarkable creation is reflected in the calm waters of the Arabian Gulf.
5. Indulge in a couples spa day
When it comes to Doha and spa days, couples are spoiled for choice, and the city’s five-star hotels compete with each other on luxury, facilities and price for the business of visitors and locals alike.
Anantara Spa at Banana Island is a favourite, not least because it involves a boat ride into the bay, as is Zulal Wellness Resort, just outside Doha at Al Ruwais. Other excellent options include ESPA at Mondrian Doha and the InterContinental Doha Beach & Spa.
Take a walk through Msheireb Downtown Doha, a sleek and modern neighbourhood full of public art, shaded walkways, and quirky cafés. It’s the perfect place to sip coffee, take photos, and browse boutique stores and the free Msheireb Museums. Souq Waqif is also nearby, as are the museums and the corniche, weather permitting.
7. Book a table at a restaurant with a view at The Pearl
The Pearl is the place to go in Doha for waterfront dining, with romantic gondola rides also thrown into the mix at the Qanat Quarter (the other venue to get your gondola fix is the newer Villagio Mall, albeit indoors).
Arabesque and Yasmine Palace get great reviews for Arabic food, while Harry’s Dolce Vita Doha at the Marsa Malaz Kempinski – located on an island in the middle of the Pearl – offers classic design and Italian food.
8. Take a cooking class or mixology workshop together
Banyan Tree Doha’s Saffron Cooking Class allows couples to learn the ins and outs of cooking Thai food for QAR 350 per person, while over at the Mandarin Oriental Doha, Chef Mervan Tekin guides aspiring chefs in the rudiments of putting together high end international fare. Dusit Hotel and Suites also offer Indian and Thai cooking courses to couples and groups.
If you want to bring the kids, Eataly Italian Restaurant and Market in Place Vendome and Doha Festival City offer pizza-making classes for kids three days a week. Then when you get home, maybe the kids can cook for you for a change.
9. Get the adrenaline pumping at Angry Birds World
For those couples old enough to remember when Angry Birds first appeared on smartphone screens, Angry Birds World may provide an at once nostalgic and exciting day out, with karts, zip lines, boat rides and a 60-metre slingshot. Afterwards, take a short taxi ride to The Pearl and enjoy a romantic dinner with Gulf views at Morimoto, Nassayem or Sabah w Masa.
