At just 100 miles long and 50 miles wide, but the peninsula of Qatar has – and still does – play an outsized role in regional and global affairs, from its earliest history as a pearl fishing hub to the present day as the first Middle East nation to host the FIFA World Cup.
For such a small place, there is an awful lot to do in Qatar. Indeed, the sheer amount to unpick and uncover can be intimidating for first-time visitors. But never fear, we’ve rounded up the top things to do to ensure your trip to Qatar takes in all that the pint-sized peninsula has to offer.
1. Start your journey at Msheireb Downtown Doha
Begin your journey exploring one of the world’s most ambitious sustainable urban regeneration projects at Msheireb Downtown Doha, where every building boasts a LEED Gold or Platinum rating, the gold (and platinum) standard for sustainable architecture. Bizarrely, the district also proudly holds a Guinness World Record for the largest underground car park.
If nothing else, the architecture at Msheireb is impressive, and is pitched as a direct reaction to global warming in a country which regularly sees temperatures of 50°C in summer. It is home to a slew of restaurants, cafes and entertainment venues, as well as three hotels: the Mandarin Oriental, Park Hyatt, and Al Wadi Hotel. Be sure to check out the Msheireb Museums, which celebrate the history of Qatar across four heritage houses.
2. Go back in time at Al Zubarah Fort and ruins
Qatar’s only UNESCO World Heritage Site is a well-preserved pearl-trading town from the 18th and 19th centuries, the centre of which is Al Zubarah Fort, around which local and international archaeologists are still digging up remarkable finds that shine a light on the nation’s past. The fort itself dates from 1938 and originally housed the Qatari coastguard before it was converted into a museum, which displays artefacts discovered at the ancient ruins next door.
The town is believed to have been founded in the middle of the 18th century and to have been an important regional trading hub before it was destroyed in an attack in 1811 and later abandoned. You can still see the remains of houses, mosques and date presses at the site via an excellent network of raised walkways. The fort museum is only open from 3pm to 6pm.
3. Channel your Bedouin energy at a Khor Al Adaid desert camp
Around 70km south of Doha is Khor Al Adaid, Qatar’s inland sea, which separates the nation from Saudi Arabia. The lagoon is surrounded by pristine beaches and dunes that rise some 40 metres, making it a popular spot for the age-old Gulf activity of star gazing and dune bashing, the latter involving strapping into a 4WD and tackling the dunes at high-speed.
As night falls, camp fires are lit and Qataris and foreigners alike enjoy barbecues and picnics under the stars, as well as a night under the canvas for those that want to stay over. The ideal time to visit is between November and March (it is too hot in the summer), and if you don’t have your own wheels then many companies offer overnight stays and day trips from Doha.
4. Browse luxury brands at Place Vendôme Mall
Called after its Parisian namesake, Place Vendôme Mall brings canals and luxury brands to Lusail, as well as a popular evening ‘dancing’ fountain (7pm to 11pm) that is paired with a 3D laser show that lights up the night sky and is extremely popular with kids of all ages. .
As well as high-end eating options and at least one five-star hotel (Le Royal Meridien), the 1.15 million square metre, four-storey mall has plenty for families to do, including a vast cinema multiplex with six screens and 1,200 seats. To get to the mall, take the Doha Metro Red Line to Legtaifiya and transfer to the Lusail Metro (Orange line) which will drop you right outside.
5. Catch a performance at the Qatar National Convention Centre
Take in a concert or play – or even a TED talk – at Qatar’s LEED Gold–certified venue at Education City, which in April 2025 brought the music of Coldplay and Ed Sheeran to the Gulf state for a candlelight concert by a string quartet at the centre’s Al Mayassa Theatre. The 200,000 metre-squared venue also includes a massive conference centre and exhibition halls that make it the go-to destination for trade shows and industry events.
6. Enjoy the sunset from a traditional dhow
Several dhow operators ply their trade in the waters off Qatar’s popular horseshoe-shaped corniche, offering dinner, live music, and superlative views of Doha as the sun recedes on the horizon. Cruises range from two to four hours and the size of the boats vary – some offer barbeque dinners and traditional Qatari delicacies – so be sure to shop around. Boats tend to moor off the corniche, Al Khor and Al Wakra and there is no need to book ahead.
7. Sample Qatari cuisine with a local food tour
Lots of companies offer food tours that centre on Souq Waqif or Old Al Rayyan in Doha, but if you’d rather head out on your own, the souq and the surrounding streets are full of small local restaurants where owners will happily explain what you’re eating and how it fits in to the wider national cuisine. Be sure to sample local delicacies like machboos (the national dish of Bahrain but also popular in Qatar), harees (a porridge that is often eaten during Ramadan) and karak, the spiced tea that is popular throughout the Arabian Gulf.
If you’re looking for a sit down meal, Al Jasra in Souq Waqif is known for its home-style cooking, while Jiwan Restaurant at the National Museum is a modern take on Qatari flavors. Shay Al Shoomos in Souq Waqif is a popular choice for breakfast, known for its homely atmosphere and traditional dishes.
8. Relax at Doha Beach Club or visit Fuwairit mangroves
Your beach time in Qatar can be a lux as you want it. If it is about sun loungers and kid-friendly pools, check out Doha Beach Club on West Bay, which is home to the largest floating waterpark in Doha. It has a Ladies Day on Tuesdays and a Ladies-Only Area at all other times, which has dedicated showers and all-female staff. Kids under 8 are allowed to come in with their guardians, but older boys will have to remain in the general section. The club is QAR 85 for adults and kids under the age of 16 are free. Tickets must be booked ahead, at least a day before.
If you prefer your beach time a little more active, head to Fuwairit Kite Beach on the northern tip of Qatar for a spot for kite-surfing, an increasingly popular pastime in Qatar. Kitesurfing packages start at QAR 120 for a half day with your own equipment, to QAR 445 without.
9. Discover emerging art at Fire Station Gallery
Built inside a converted fire station that operated between 1982 and 2012, the Fire Station Gallery is next to Doha’s central Al Bidda Park and is now a contemporary gallery focused on local artists. Corniche station, on the Doha Metro Red line, is the closest. It has also hosted international exhibitions by artists from Pablo Picasso to Brian Donnelly, and from Russian avant garde art to Giacometti. The gallery also has an artist-in-residence programme for Qatar-based artists. There is a nice cafe on site.
