For a long time Doha played second fiddle to Dubai in the international tourist consciousness. Then the FIFA World Cup 2022 happened.
Three years on and Doha has emerged as a key destination for travellers to the Arabian Gulf, visited by over four million people in 2023, up 58% from a year earlier. As well as being a destination in itself, Doha does a roaring trade in the long-haul flight stopover market, with millions of travellers visiting the city on part of a layover package from Qatar Airways.
Doha is a vibrant Middle East capital where modernity meets tradition, and cutting edge architecture sits alongside heritage sights that showcase life before the advent of oil. Whether it is world-class museums, luxury malls or the beach that you are looking for, Doha has it all. But where to start? This is our pick of the top things to do in Doha.
1. Browse traditional wares, falcons and gold at Souq Waqif
A quintessential Doha experience, Souq Waqif is a feast for the senses, with fragrant spices, shimmering gold and cheap eats and drinks, as well as a very good art gallery. Don’t miss the falcon section of the souq, where you can see stalls selling Arabian hunting birds, and the adjacent falcon hospital. While adventurous shoppers will not be able to buy a falcon on a whim (rightly, paperwork is involved), you can get your photo snapped with a bird.
2. Stroll along the Doha Corniche at sunset
Do as the locals do and head down the Corniche at sunset for an atmospheric walk alongside the coast. On any given evening you will find the horizon studded with dhows, and various operators will try to persuade you to take a cruise. Be sure to shop around as some deals come with dinner and prices vary. You’ll also get an excellent view of the architecture of West Bay. There are numerous picnic areas and parks with playgrounds for kids.
3. Marvel at the architecture of the Museum of Islamic Art
I.M Pei’s Museum of Islamic Art is the OG of Gulf cultural sites, built back in 2008 but undergoing a transformation in 2022 in time for the World Cup crowds. Pei spent months touring the Middle East for inspiration for his iconic building, the white cubes of which are reflected in the waters of the Gulf by day and floodlit by night. Inside, seven galleries stretch across 1,400 years of Islamic history and art. Grab a coffee in the onsite cafe and after a tour, why not take a stroll in the landscaped gardens of the MIA Park, which adjoins the corniche.
4. Explore modern art and culture at the National Museum of Qatar
If you have the appetite for two world class museums during your trip, head next to the Jean Nouvel-designed National Museum of Qatar, the exterior of which is based on a ‘desert rose’ crystal, which can be found in the deserts outside Doha. This immersive museum tells the story of Qatar’s past, present and future through multimedia exhibits and includes a reconstruction of the Al Zubarah historical site north of Doha, as well as artefacts found nearby.
5. Take a day trip to Al Zubarah Fort and UNESCO Heritage Site
If you would prefer to see the real thing, take a day trip to the UNESCO site of Al Zubarah, 90 minutes drive north of Doha. The restored 18th-century fort now contains a museum, while raised wooden boardwalks guide visitors around the ruins of the city that was once a thriving pearl fishing hub, including date presses, houses and mosques.
6. Shop, dine and people-watch at The Pearl
A hub of luxury living, this man-made island features boutique shopping, yacht marinas, and international restaurants. It is great for a relaxed afternoon or upscale night out, and home to a number of five-star hotels. If you like gondola rides and Italian-chic, don’t miss the Qanat Quartier, styled like a mini Venice. If the weather is too hot and you still want to get your gondola fix, head to the newer Villagio Mall, where canals are built indoors under a vast artificial blue sky.
7. Relax at Katara Beach and explore Katara Cultural Village
This cultural hotspot offers galleries, performance venues and artisan workshops, alongside a public beach where you can rent kayaks or paddleboards. The Katara amphitheatre, which can seat 5,000 people, holds open-air concerts, while a number of venues on site have free art exhibitions. There are also two interesting mosques, the Blue Mosque (based on its much-older Istanbul namesake) and the Gold Mosque. Families will love the Katara planetarium, a refuge from the heat that is great for kids and has the added advantage of being totally free to visit.
8. Spend a beach day at one of Doha’s public or hotel beaches
You can hit the beach without leaving Doha’s city limits but you should be very clear in advance on what you are looking for. Doha’s public beaches are good and have excellent facilities but will be segregated (between solo men and families) and have dress codes both in and out of the water (shoulders and knees covered). Doha’s beach clubs, meanwhile, are usually cosseted behind the walls of its five-star hotels and have a more relaxed approach to swimwear. While beach clubs can be expensive, many deals include food and pool access and can be worthwhile if you are looking to spend the day, especially for families with young children.
9. Go on a desert safari to the Inland Sea (Khor Al Adaid)
If you’re going to visit one place outside of Doha, make it the Inland Sea, a vast lagoon in the desert on the southern border with Saudi Arabia. Myriad operators in Doha offer tours, either for the day or overnight, most of which include a similar roster of activities, including sandboarding and dune bashing (riding in a 4X4 at high speed up and down towering dunes), as well as camel riding and traditional Bedouin camp dinners. You can also camp overnight.
10. Discover the city’s best malls for shopping and entertainment
Doha goes big on malls which, like elsewhere in the Arabian Gulf, are far more than places to shop but rather massive entertainment hubs with cinemas, ice rinks, ski slopes and even entire theme parks. Highlights include Doha Festival City’s Angry Birds World and Snow Dunes, where you can really embrace the bizarre by learning to ski indoors while it is 45C outside. Although the sky is the limit when it comes to shopping, most malls have affordable food courts, play areas for children and live entertainment, and are buzzing well into the evening hours.
