The old Doha Port is a must for locals and visitors alike with its quaint colourful architecture, large open tracts of green space, interesting shops and eating spots, and stunning vistas of the city centre’s skyline.

Oh, and let me not forget the fish market that resembles an art gallery, the stylish cruise terminal, the yacht marina, hotel apartments, Box Place, Halul, or the flag plaza.

Forgive me if I sound like a stuck record for Qatar Tourism, it’s just that the old Doha Port, with its Mina District, is new. Or at least, it’s new for us as we come out of prolonged AC (air-conditioned) hibernation. (Friends, it’s been a long hot summer. But now that temperatures are down to about 34C by day and 27C at night, it’s time to come out and play!)

The new old Doha Port was completed shortly before the 2022 FIFA World Cup, a year ago.

It’s been wooing visitors ever since.

Location, location, location

Doha Port is one of five ports in the city.

Since Qatar, as a peninsula, is surrounded by the Arabian Gulf, and is one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, this is hardly surprising. The growth is thanks to its oil and natural gas industries.  

Doha Port is a recreational space perfectly located within walking distance of so many other attractions, like Souq Waqif, the Museum of Islamic Art and the National Museum of Qatar.

Like Katara Cultural Village in the next bay, it’s one of our escape spaces.

The new old port also forms part of the city’s beautiful corniche – a seven-kilometre stretch of coastline that offers beautiful views of the mini Manhattan Doha skyline. The port itself actually becomes a lovely addition to this popular route for both motorists and pedestrians.

(Note to visitors: come good weather and weekends, consider using the Metro, alighting at the National Museum on the Gold line, since traffic becomes congested on the corniche or beachfront.)  

Recreational space for all

Built across almost a square kilometre, Doha Port is spacious. There is:

• Parking aplenty
• Substantive green spaces (remember, we’re in a desert so lounging about on the lawn is a treat for families)
• Dedicated walkways and cycle routes
• Over 50 cafes and restaurants
• About 100 shops
• A cruise terminal for the big shipping liners, and
• A yachting marina

Doha Port has a lovely holiday feel making it attractive to most folk, including cruise ship passengers.

Cruise ships at Doha Port

Some 81 cruise liners are expected to dock at the Doha Port during the 2023/24 cruise season that runs from late October to April next year. That’s an estimated 350 000 passengers, making it the country’s biggest cruise season yet.

These tourists come from throughout the world and are whisked off on full or half-day trips throughout Qatar.

As you will have already learnt, there are many things to see and do in Qatar.

However, even if visitors just to take the underground Metro to the shopping centres, they will discover so many weird and wonderful things about Qatar.

Transformation of Doha Port

Doha Port, like so many other places before the game-changing football festival in 2022, has been transformed. It originally managed cargo operations. This was moved and Doha Port is now a massive recreational magnet with a cruise terminal.

The transformation from a working port to its present status took just four years.  

Yet, you will still see the dhows (traditional wooden fishing vessels), men drinking coffee in cafes and experience Middle Eastern culture and heritage.

‘Mykonos’ in colour at Doha Port

While the Mina District reminded me of the Greek isles – Mykonos in colour, this area within the port is based on the country’s architectural heritage. It is especially reminiscent of the buildings from the original fishing and pearl villages.

In a city full of swish skyscrapers, smart villas, opulent shopping centres and other iconic and imposing edifices, the Mina District is a refreshing and relaxing change.

And, of course all the pink, teal, yellow and blue buildings make for “Instagramable” moments. This is true, in keeping with the rhythm of life in the Gulf, come day or night.

Fish market at Doha Port

As with so many things in Qatar, we discovered the fish market by chance when the doors we were walking past automatically opened. And we were automatically lured inside …

(Sidebar: automated doors are so common in Doha’s smarter parts, that it’s not unknown for folk to stand poised, awaiting the automatic opening of doors, when actually a human push or pull is required!)

Back to the fish market.

We forgive you for thinking it might be an art space exhibiting fish!

Al Mina is a fish market like no other. There’s a restaurant too – the Chabrat Al Mini seafood restaurant – at which you can choose your own freshly caught lunch or supper. There’s plenty of seating and a terrace for outdoor dining during the winter months (November to February).

The fish market serves as both a shopping and tourist destination.

Like much of Doha, it is impeccably clean and does not smell of fish. Yep, this fish market is just another weird and wonderful anomaly about Qatar.

Flag Plaza at access point to Doha Port

The Flag Plaza at the entrance to the Doha Port is another attraction for visitors.

It too opened just days ahead of the FIFA 2022 World Cup and is dedicated to celebrating unity and cultural exchange.

There are 119 flags representing the diplomatic mission in Qatar, as well as the European flag, the United Nations flag and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) flag.

And yes, the South African flag is there too. (It’s flying particularly brightly right now with the Springboks’ Rugby World Cup victory!)