With desert adventures, interactive museums, beach days and exhilarating theme parks on offer, Qatar is a brilliant place to visit with family.
Whether you’re here for a holiday or just passing through on a stopover, Qatar is safe, fun, welcoming, and packed with kid-friendly activities. Local culture is very family-oriented and little tourists will be absolutely doted on.
The climate can feel intense in summer if your family isn’t used to high temperatures, but the country (and Doha in particular) is set up perfectly for the heat, so you’re never far from a blissfully air-conditioned taxi, café, mall or attraction. Parents often allow kids to stay up late to make the most of long cool evenings together, so expect a relaxed atmosphere with family-friendly venues open well into the night too.
Why is Qatar a great place for family travel?
Qatar is a wonderful place to visit with children. The amount of cultural activities on offer across the country means kids can have an authentic travel experience, while Doha is so international that home comforts are still always on hand. It’s a perfect balance for a relaxed and memorable family break.
Like many Middle Eastern cities, the heat and layout mean parts of Doha are not really walkable, especially with young kids in tow. So if you prefer to travel on foot, it’s best to stay near the Corniche, Souq Waqif and Msheireb Downtown areas, which have shady areas, wide walkways, and plenty of places to take a break.
Getting around other parts of the city and the rest of Qatar, however, is still a breeze. Local transportation company Karwa operates clean and efficient taxis and public buses (download the app when you arrive for easy payment), while Uber offers family car options. The three-line Metro is modern and speedy, with conveniently located stops including Katara Cultural Centre and Souq Waqif. Kids under five travel free, and the network is designed to be accessible for those with reduced mobility and strollers.
In all but the most formal of restaurants, the atmosphere is warm and accommodating towards children, with high chairs, kids’ menus, and plenty of tolerance for excited or wiggly diners. And even the top-end hotels are used to welcoming kids, often providing play spaces, child-minding services, and kids clubs.
Parents with babies will find well-equipped changing rooms in malls and museums, and nappies, baby food and other essentials widely available in supermarkets and pharmacies. Elevators, ramps, and accessible toilets are common across most public facilities in Doha (and other cities, although to a lesser extent).
Best things to do in Qatar with kids
Museum of Islamic Art Park
Located right on the waterfront in Doha, the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) isn’t just for grown-up culture buffs. While adults and older kids can admire the ancient artwork and jewelled treasures inside, the adjacent, free-to-enter MIA Park is one of the best outdoor spaces in the city for kids.There's a shaded playground with climbing equipment, open lawns perfect for running or scooting, and bike rentals for all ages. The weekend food stalls and open-air cafés serve snacks and drinks and the views of Doha’s skyline are unbeatable. Don’t forget to catch a ride on the mini train ride that circles the park.
Doha Quest
When the temperatures soar during the hot summer months, it’s a good idea to have a few fun indoor destinations planned. Futuristic theme park Doha Quest is one of the best bets, housed inside the Doha Oasis complex and ideal for kids aged 4 and up. There are gentle rides including a carousel for little ones, high-tech VR experiences for teens, and the Magma Blast, the world’s tallest indoor drop tower, for adrenaline chasers of all ages. Best of all, the entire park is indoors, gloriously air conditioned and there are plenty of quieter zones to rest and cafes to refuel in between rides.
Katara Cultural Village
Combining art, culture, and beach fun, Katara is one of Doha’s best all-rounder family spots. You can wander art galleries, explore an open-air amphitheatre, admire the Gold Mosque and visit the Al Thuraya Planetarium, all of which are within walking distance of each other. The surrounding alleyways are full of cafés and casual restaurants, ideal for a leisurely family lunch break. Katara also includes a calm and clean public beach, with water sports like kayaking and pedal boats available as well as shaded sun-loungers for hire. Check ahead for events, as Katara regularly hosts free family workshops, storytelling sessions, and cultural festivals.
Souq Waqif
Lively, colourful, and full of energy, Souq Waqif is the kind of place that will stick in kids’ minds long after the holiday is over. A place to discover uniquely Qatari traditions, there are live musicians, oud burners, snack stalls and handicraft shops along its winding alleys, and an upbeat atmosphere. Don’t miss the falcon souq, where kids can watch the national birds of Qatar being groomed and trained, the Royal Stable where Arabian horses are kept and stacks of glittering jewellery in the Gold Souq. Evenings are the best time to visit when the market is at its busiest, and temperatures are cooler.
Desert safaris
Older kids (and parents) will love a desert safari experience, as it’s a great way to see more of Qatar beyond Doha’s confines. On the eastern side of the country, tours from the capital include dune bashing, camel rides, sandboarding, and a stop at the inland sea of Khor Al Adaid. Over in the West, excursions can include visits to the tremendous Richard Serra sculpture in the Brouq Nature Reserve, Zekreet Beach and village and the fascinating limestone rock formations found deep in the desert. Families can opt for gentle rides with shaded breaks, refreshments, and photo stops. Some safaris also offer barbecue dinners served Bedouin-style out under the stars, and overnight camping.
Aspire Park
Head to Aspire Park if your kids need to spend time outside and burn off some energy. The largest park in Doha, it features lakeside paths, play zones, and plenty of shady picnic spots. Renting paddle boats for a splashabout on the lake is a fun, family-friendly activity. For more action, head next door to Villaggio Mall, a Venice-themed shopping center complete with an indoor canal and gondola rides. The mall is also home to Gondolania, an indoor amusement park with rides, arcade games, an ice rink, and bowling.
