All you need to know about the Pearl Island in Qatar

In one line, the Pearl Island is best described as Qatar’s Riviera-style island offering unique lifestyle & retail experiences. The Pearl, Qatar is a fascinating, vibrant, and luxurious man made island, located on the outskirts of West Bay Lagoon (Legtaifiya) and connected to the mainland via The Pearl Boulevard main road and service road. 

The Pearl Island is a mixed use destination comprising residential areas, hotels, dining & cafes, fitness centers, beauty & fashion, retail stores, entertainment places and so much more. 

Here are some brief reasons, why the Pearl Island is a must-visit place in Qatar:
  • The Pearl island is divided into ten distinct and architecturally themed areas so that each area has its own character and provides a different experience. 
  • Most popular areas of the Pearl island are Medina Centrale, Porto Arabia, Qanat Quartier and Viva Bahriya.
  • The Pearl Island has a free limousine service for islanders and visitors which is available to move throughout Medina Centrale, Porto Arabia, Qanat Quartier and Viva Bahriya.
  • For a great shopping experience, the island has over 370 retail stores from high-end brands, fashion, clothing, to jewelry, footwear, and so much more.
  • You will find Qatar’s only cafe that is made of ice and temperature drops below -5 degrees celsius. It is the Subzero Cafe in Porto Arabia.
  • There is a Venice-inspired Qanat Quartier on the Island which is a visual feast with its vibrant buildings, bridges, and canals. From this point you can also enjoy boat rides which is a popular activity.
  • The island is home to over a 100 eateries featuring cuisines from around the world. 

It is best to introduce and have a clear understanding of the huge and comprehensive island by going through major and popular areas one by one.

Medina Centrale

The entertainment , dining and leisure hub of the island, Medina Centrale is quite popular for its exceptional offerings and experiences. It is located between the residential and retail district of Porto Arabia and the beachfront residential community of Viva Bahriya

Medina Centrale is characterized by Spanish-style low-rise buildings. It is beautifully decorated with colorful lights and the area is known to have a feel-good vibe especially during the cooler months. The presence of many international and local restaurants with outdoor and indoor seating makes it a public favorite location. The place is also supported by the popular grocery chain, Monoprix. 

For leisure and entertainment, Medina Centrale is home to Megapolis, a state-of-the-art indoor entertainment center. It offers an array of games, attractions, and activities for guests of all ages; Scavenger Escape Rooms, Virtual Reality, Bowling, Darts, Billiards, Karaoke Rooms, CXC racing simulator and much more. To enjoy a good time at the movies, Novo Cinemas have a branch in Medina Centrale offering unparalleled experiences. 

While walking in the area you will find a number of car & motorbike showrooms, luxury watch showrooms, luxury furniture showrooms and so many more. The area is dotted with numerous restaurants, cafes, fast food chains, with a centrale fountain creating a beautiful ambiance for all enjoying their food or coffee outdoors. 

Porto Arabia

With an open-air retail concept that looks out into Qatar’s largest and most prestigious marina, Porto Arabia represents a modern Mediterranean residential area that reflects the lifestyle of the French Riviera. La Croisette (Boardwalk) is a vibrant waterfront containing a lively 3.5-kilometer pedestrianized promenade with a wide variety of luxury retail boutiques and restaurants. A number of yachts and speed boats are docked here, and many of them can be booked for trips, special occasions to enjoy and eat while cruising on the sea waters. 

At Porto Arabia visitors will be welcomed by a number of restaurants offering cuisines from around the world and cozy cafes with distinct interiors to suit all. It is also home to SubZero cafe, Qatar’s only cafe that is made of ice and temperature drops below -5 degrees celsius. 

Four Seasons Resort and Residences is situated in Porto Arabia. It is a seaside resort with spacious apartments and residences. Enjoy top dining options – including a restaurant by chef Joël Robuchon, private beach, fitness centre and pools.

Corinthia Yacht Club

At the Corinthia Yacht Club, cutting-edge architecture meets breathtaking scenery. The yacht club, the first of its kind in Qatar, is located in a great location in Porto Arabia. Membership is by invitation only, and members have reciprocal access to a variety of other private members’ yacht clubs across the world.

Public can also indulge in a delightful afternoon tea by Cornthia Yacht Club that is crafted by world-class executive chefs, and rare premium teas; designed to cater to every taste.

Timing: Daily from 2 PM – 6 PM

Call 4424 1111 to book your afternoon tea or find out morel

Insatgram: @corinthiayachtclubqatar

Nanyang Chinese cuisine and premium dining of ‘Kai’s’ outside of London, the sister restaurant, Kai’s Songbird is located on the ground floor of Corinthia Yacht Club.

Instagram: @kaisongbird

The Cigar Lounge at Corinthia Yacht Club is an aficionado’s den of indulgences hosting one of the most sought after cigars collection in the peninsula of Qatar. 

Porto Arabia is also home to the St. Regis Marsa Arabia Island, Sedra Arjaan by Rotana and Four Seasons Resort And Residences.

Qanat Quartier

This area is straight out of a photograph! Qanat Quartier is the popular colorful buildings area that is mostly seen in pictures of Qatar. It has a vibrant Venetian feel, is close to the seaside and is meticulously designed around numerous canals and pedestrian-friendly courtyards. The charming neighborhood atmosphere of Qanat Quartier is enhanced by its boutique-style stores.

At Qanat Quartier, visitors can enjoy a number of restaurants and cafes and most of them boast the view of the canal in between the colorful buildings. Qanat Quartier also features a hidden surprise; Piano Stairs that are musical steps on which you can step on and create a melody. 

Ronautica Leisure Boat Rides (Porto Arabia – Qanat Quartier)

Visitors have the opportunity to enjoy cruising through beautiful canals of Qanat Quartier and the vast Porto Arabia waters. 

Round trip around Porto Arabia or Qanat Quartier 

Price: QAR 200 for the boat

Passengers: Minimum 2 people and Maximum 10 people

Private tour around Porto Arabia and Qanat Quartier on speed boat

Price: QAR 300 for the boat

Passengers: Minimum 2 people and Maximum 8 people

It is an on Call service. To book and other inquiries call 66741577 or 44095279

Timings: 9 AM – 11 PM

Viva Bahriya

Viva Bahriya is a quiet beachfront residential area with a Moroccan-inspired design that offers studios, apartments, luxury penthouses, and low-rise townhouses. 

Activities at Viva Bahriya

Viva Bahriya has a Beach Centrale which is an artificial beach, waterpark and pool for families with slides and exciting games.

Amenities: Changing rooms and lifeguards

Location: In Front of Viva Bahriya Tower 15

Timings: 9 AM – 9 PM

Entry: QAR 50 for Island residents

QAR 100 for Visitors

Viva Bahriya also has a Duck Lake Park where visitors can play, ride, and roam freely in the lush greenery.

Amenities: Sport lanes for biking and running. Cozy bench nestled on a hill under a canopy.

Location: In Front of Viva Bahriya Tower 13

Timings: 9 AM – 6 PM

Free entry to the park.

Paddle boat rides on the lake: QAR 50 for island residents and QAR 100 for visitors.

Viva Bahriya also offers a Pet Park occupying the area in front of Viva Bahriya Tower 10 and Tower 11. It is a great place for pet owners to enjoy and walk around.

Gewan Island – Coming soon

Gewan Island will be the new luxury island development in Qatar, designed as an extension of The Pearl Island. With its diverse urban landscape and distinct real-estate mix, Gewan Island perfectly merges comprehensive living spaces, entertainment, and retail outlets. 

Corinthia Gewan Golf Club (Open now)
  • Gewan Island’s public areas include a beautifully designed nine-hole golf course, set in six hectares of parkland. 
  • Features a boutique golf shop, changing room facilities and a family-friendly café with a Majlis.
  • Open for public and memberships
  • For inquiries and reservations: WhatsApp +974 51099699
  • Instagram: @gewangolfclub

Key information about the Pearl Island

The Pearl Island has a free limousine service for islanders and visitors. The limousines are available from 10 AM to 11 PM (All days of the week) to move throughout Medina Centrale, Porto Arabia, Qanat Quartier and Viva Bahriya. It is an on- call service and to book your limousine, call 8006222 or 8008883. The limousines are spacious, environmentally friendly and wheelchair accessible hybrid cars.

In the residential area ”Giardino Village” of the Pearl Island, you will find Giardino Mall which has the island’s first Lulu hypermarket (grocery store) along with retail stores. 

Water Taxis: The Pearl Island operates Doha’s first and only water taxi service. Not only is it fun, it’s an excellent way to get around Pearl Island and hop from one side to the other. It is an on-call paid service and to order a water shuttle/taxi please call, 66741577. It is available from 9 AM – 11 PM.

Reaching The Pearl Island via Doha Metro: Doha Metro’s free Metrolink service connects to The Pearl from Legtaifiya metro station on the Red Line. The metrolink M110 has a route that has stops in major hotspots of the island. 

Porto Arabia, Medina Centrale and Qanat Quartier also have free public parking spaces for visitors to the island. 

Instagram: @thepearlqatar

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