VILLAGIO MALL

We were so tired of exploring Souq Waqif that we took a Golden Line metro to a Venetian-themed mall for our great dinner at The Cheesecake Factory. In the Villagio Mall, you can shop under a ‘sky’ of fluffy white clouds, eat pizza at Paul, ride a gondola (QR10 per person) along the indoor grand canal, and peruse items in shops with European-style facades. Entertainment includes an IMAX cinema and indoor theme park, Gondolania, with fairground-style rides, an ice arena, games, and amusements for kids.

The Villagio Mall is located in the 88-hectare Aspire Park, Doha’s largest park. It has something to keep every family member entertained: extensive lawns, walking and running tracks, children’s playgrounds, exercise equipment, and eateries. The park is also home to the distinctive Torch Doha hotel and to Doha’s only lake, where ducks, geese, and other birds flock to cool off from the desert heat. The park hosts various events and festivals throughout the year, particularly fun runs and other health- and fitness-related activities.