Exploring Qatar's must-see locations, linking its past, present, and future

It’s been called the world’s best-kept secret, but now the secret is out. The first World Cup ever to be hosted in the Middle East kicks off on Sunday, November 20th, and Qatar will be front and centre on the global stage.

Football fans travelling to the country to support their national teams will be able to spend their free time discovering that Qatar has much more to offer visitors from around the globe than a major international football tournament. 

But one item uniting all international fans and tourists throughout the FIFA World Cup is the digital Hayya Card. ‘Hayya’ means ‘come along', the card acts as an entry permit to the country, and an entry pass to the stadiums, as well as providing free travel on public transport.

Ahmed Al-Binali is the Mobility Operations Director, for the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy.

"Free transportation is a very important aspect of the card, with it you can access the metro, buses, and all public transport for free. A second important aspect is the journey planner. We would encourage everyone to use the Hayya Card Journey Planner to plan their journey. The card will provide you with the latest notifications in terms of public transportation, as well as pre-booking and booking your taxi."

No visit to Doha is complete without a walk through the iconic Souq Waqif. The busy trading market is where tourists and locals alike come together to get anything from spices to souvenirs.

Take a stroll down any winding passageways and you’ll surely see something that catches your eye. And once you’ve had your fill of the Souq, which transports you to the past, let’s fast forward into the future – to the lesser-known, but equally impressive, Msheireb – right across the street.

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