Corniche Waterfront

Until the 1950s, Doha was a town by the sea, with houses sitting on the shoreline and many citizens earning their living as pearl divers and fishermen. Since the discovery of oil and gas, Doha has undergone rapid growth and transformation. The coastline has been filled in and expanded, with new ports and piers built out into the sea – significantly lengthening the coastline and pushing the sea even further away from the old town.

Today, the reshaped Corniche defines the centre of Doha and provides spectacular views across the bay, yet most citizens only see the Corniche from Corniche Road – one of the city’s major arteries which is often clogged with traffic. Exploring the Corniche on foot and getting close to the sea is possible but difficult, as parking, shade and facilities that would enable visitors to spend much time here are in short supply.