The Doha Corniche is a waterfront promenade extending for several kilometers along Doha Bay in the capital city of Doha, the state of Qatar. Running parallel to the Corniche is Corniche St., a main thoroughfare which connects Doha's emerging West Bay business district with the south of the city and Doha International Airport. Formed following extensive dredging work carried out during the late 1970s and early 1980s which reshaped Doha's coastline, the Corniche is today a popular location among walkers, bikers and joggers.
The Corniche used to be an empty stretch of walkway in which the only visible edifice was the Sheraton Hotel, but development has increased in the last decade with dozens of skyscrapers being built towards the north of the Corniche. Much change has occurred in the last twenty years, due to the new fame of Doha (Qatar's capital), the economic boom the country has been experiencing, and the country's desire to open up and promote tourism, which was facilitated by the 2006 Asian Games. Many of Doha's landmarks are found along the Corniche which begins near the Museum of Islamic Art, and ends at the Sheraton Park near the distinctive pyramid-shaped Sheraton Hotel.
The Corniche attracts a diverse crowd. In the morning it is popular for jogging, but late at night it shows a different cultural view of the city. Youngsters often visit a coffee shop at the Corniche, a shabby place that makes up for appearance in its coffee, teas, and Karak (a traditional drink made with tea and milk). The Corniche has also become a meeting place for a new generation of Qataris. Qatari rebels also congregate in the area, with motorcyclists and other non-traditional looking youngsters meeting in the area to meet up or make noise.
Significant landmarks located along the Corniche include: