Wandering into this vast area, one quickly realizes there is much more to discover than initially thought. What was once the city’s largest commercial port, has been transformed into an area for tourists and locals to flock to and enjoy. Here is a run down of what to see at Mina District & Old Doha Port.
Brief History
The Old Doha port was historically an entry point for goods arriving into the country from India and Persia and headed straight for the largest souk. In 1970 a Japanese company was hired to dredge out the coral so that large commercial ships, which needed depth, could arrive.
The port remained in use until 2016 when a newer one at Al Wakrah was constructed. The vast amount of now unused land and valuable seaside real estate was transformed into a brand new cruise ship terminal, the Mina District, and much more.
Cruise Ships
When you arrive by sea into Doha, this is where you will get off the ship. Some visitors choose to take an excursion into the city or desert; however, you can simply walk from the vessel and enjoy so many places.
Within close proximity is the famous Souq Waqif and the National Museum. Both of these have a metro stop where a day pass can be purchased for a very reasonable price. This will give visitors access to the entire city now at a fraction of the cost of hiring a driver and car.
Mina District
What consumes most of the land at the old port is the Mina District. A pastel-coloured neighbourhood with cobblestone streets and colourful murals. At the centre is the beautiful fish market. If you find that open, which I did not, go inside for the glass ceiling is stunning.
The Mina District is predominately a series of shops, restaurants and cafes that line the seaside. There are art installations such as sculpture and murals to delight even the most creative visitor. I was vising during Ramadan so everything was closed (except Tim Horton’s), however in the evenings, the district comes alive and is a must see. Wander along the boardwalk next to the sea and also into the little village. Its astonishing the amount of creativity and beautiful places that will surprise you around every corner.
Old Doha Port Model
This intrigued me the most of all, and I have never seen a model quite so magnificent and large. Free to enter, wander through the historical landscape of Doha before it became a city full of skyscrapers and luxury accommodations. From the original palace to the souks, homes, farms, cemeteries and of course the sea. Doha was initially a producer of pearls; the seafaring business was their largest and almost sole source of income before petroleum.
There are small gazebos with benches and shade should you need a rest. The site is really quite vast and on the scale of a large outdoor museum. Surrounded by cut turquoise glass and white marble stones, one feels like they are indeed walking along the old seaside and viewing an historical city.
The Box Park
Explore this colourful area across from the Doha Model, that includes a small marina full of luxury yachts and tour boats. Constructed entirely of shipping containers, I hope it reaches its full potential one day. Each time I visited it was deserted but would be the cutest spot for street food and cafés. Seeing the boats in the marina and the sunshine glistening off the gulf water is a lovely and calming sight.
Flag Plaza
Walk now up to the main street. You cannot miss the large square full of 119 flags. These represent unity, and include countries with diplomatic missions in Qatar. On a breezy day it’s a wonderful place to be near, all of the flag’s fluttering in the warm desert wind.
Just behind is a large green space, a beautifully manicured park filled with shade trees and benches. Take off your shoes and let your toes mingle with the cool soft grass. It’s a wonder to find this type of environment in such an arid climate.
Outside of Ramadan the Old Doha Port and Mina District could entertain visitors for an entire day. There is that much to see. With shops and restaurants open, this is such a gorgeous part of the city. Its peaceful and calm, one doesn’t hear the traffic nor are you surrounded by tall and domineering buildings. Its simply a lovely place to experience.
