Your guide to Doha
Doha highlights
Souq shopping
Make traditional ‘souqs’ (marketplaces) a part of your stay in Doha. Walk through Souq Waqif and bargain for clothes, shoes and souvenirs. Another historic marketplace, Souq Al Asiery, is a great place to shop for watches, perfume and treats like dried dates and sweets. Or window-shop at the jewellery shops in the Gold Souq.
Corniche sightseeing
The Corniche seafront promenade is a great way to spend a day in Doha. Stop at the gardens in Al Dafna Park and walk to Al Bidda Park for views of the Amiri Diwan. Artwork from the Muslim world is on display at the Museum of Islamic Art. Stop anytime to admire views of the modern skyline and ‘dhows’ (traditional boats).
Desert adventure
For an escape to the desert, take a day trip to the Singing Dunes, so named because of the eerie sound the sand makes when the wind blows. Try a camel ride or explore the unique system of dunes and lagoons known as Khor Al Adaid (the Inland Sea). For a bird’s-eye view of the desert, go up in a hot air balloon.
Doha: Know before you go
| Language | Arabic |
|---|---|
| Currency | Qatari riyal (ر.ق) |
| Time zone | UTC+3 (AST (Arabia)) |
| High season | June - August |
| Low season | January - February |
Find the best time to go to Doha
Weather in Doha
March – May: Daytime highs increase in spring, with thunderstorms possible in the early months and a chance of sandstorms towards the end of the season.
June – September: Summers are very hot, with humidity peaking in August and September. If you plan to be outside, do it early. Otherwise, air-conditioned attractions like museums and shopping centres are calling your name.
October – November: The summer heat carries into autumn. But as November approaches, temperatures cool down enough for sightseeing.
December – February: Mild days, cool evenings and lots of sunshine make winter the most popular season in Doha. It’s the time to head outside and enjoy the city’s parks, beaches and open-air souqs.
Events in Doha
Qatar Kite Festival (January): Look to the skies over Doha to see hundreds of colourful and creative kites. Concerts and children’s kite-making workshops round out the event.
Qatar International Food Festival (February): Feast on dishes by local and international chefs at this popular food festival full of fireworks, cooking classes and exclusive dining experiences.
Katara Traditional Dhow Festival (November or December): Qatar’s maritime heritage is celebrated with dhow boat races, boat building and pearl-diving demonstrations.
Qatar National Day (December): Thousands gather to commemorate the founding of modern Qatar in 1878 with lively events. Highlights include military parades, fireworks displays and boat shows.
The best neighbourhoods in Doha
West Bay
A business district with an ocean view, West Bay is one of the best neighbourhoods to stay in Doha. Spend your days lounging on a beach chair at Katara Beach or getting some first-class shopping done. At mealtime, stroll to the food trucks lining the promenade. Once the sun sets, choose between sophisticated lounges and funky bars for dinner and drinks.
Good for: Beach, shopping, nightlife
Al Sadd
Al Sadd is a busy central district near the Corniche and Doha’s museums. Visit the 350-store City Centre Doha Mall here, and see the historic exhibits at the National Museum of Qatar. This is where to stay in Doha for food lovers, as Al Kinana Street and Al Mirqab Al Jadeed Street both offer Qatari cuisine.
Good for: Shopping, culture, restaurants
The Pearl Island
This Mediterranean-themed artificial island is the best area to stay in Doha for luxury hotels and high-end restaurants. Here you can stroll along the boardwalk and waterways. Kids will be delighted by local features such as the carousel and piano steps. For shopping and dining, Floresta Galleria, Souq Al Madina and Lulu Mall, Giardino offer ample opportunities.
Good for: Luxury hotels, shopping, outdoors
Things to do in Doha
Family friendly things to do
You’ll find malls and parks are the best places to go for kid-friendly activities in Doha. Ride roller coasters or ice-skate indoors at the Gondolania Theme Park in Villaggio Mall. Play games in Megapolis at the Pearl. Or combine a trip to Katara Beach with a stop at nearby Al Thuraya Planetarium.
Shopping
For luxury shopping in Doha, go to the boutiques of the Pearl or the Mediterranean-themed Al Hazm shopping centre. Shop for souvenirs while the kids enjoy rides at the theme park at Villaggio Mall. Don’t forget to visit a traditional souq or two. Order tailored clothing and browse through local designer labels at Souq Al Dira.
Take in the culture
Explore art, history and even athletics at the Museums in Doha. See contemporary works at Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art. Visit the interactive exhibits at the 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum. Stop by the National Museum of Qatar to discover art and see the Old Palace where modern Qatar’s founder, Abdullah bin Jassim Al Thani, lived.
Nightlife
Most of the nightlife in Doha can be found in its international hotels. Find everything from Irish pubs to nightclubs to jazz bars and relaxed lounges hidden away in hotels. You’ll also find more than a few rooftop bars, so you can watch the sunset while you enjoy a cocktail. Don’t forget that drinking alcohol is illegal outside licensed venues.
Places to eat
Qatar’s cuisine combines the best of Arabic and West and South Asian flavours. You can buy ‘shawarma’ (rotisserie meat) and ‘falafel’ (fried chickpea balls) from vendors in Souq Waqif or food trucks near Katara Beach. Make sure to try Qatar’s national dish ‘machboos’, a rice dish served with meat and souq’s worth of spices. For dessert, try ‘umm ali’ (bread pudding with raisins and minced nuts).
Beaches
Head to the beaches in Doha for sunbathing, swimming and water sports. Relax on a beach chair, enjoy a swim, or try kiteboarding and parasailing at urban Katara Beach. Go north of the city for a stop with the kids at palm-lined Simaisma Beach. To avoid the crowds, drive to Al Thakira Beach, outside Doha.
Get ready for Doha
Budget
With so many free things to see and do, like beaches, street art and parks, visiting Doha on a budget is easy. Expect to pay around 25 Qatari riyals (QAR) for a meal in an inexpensive restaurant and QAR40 for a local beer. A short taxi ride costs about QAR40. But you can save on transport costs by riding the two free tram lines.
Day trips from Doha
Light on facilities but big on natural beauty, Al Safliya Island is a true desert island escape. Come for the beachcombing, water sports and sunsets. See the remains of ancient city walls, a fort and a pearl-trading village at Al Zubarah Archaeological Site on Qatar’s northwestern coast.Or marvel at the eerie abandoned fishing village of Al Jumail, accessible on a guided tour from Doha.
Getting around Doha
You can get around Doha using the Metro, which stops at major sights. For places the Metro doesn’t reach, take a bus. Use a MetroCard to pay — they’re available at station vending machines. You can also take a taxi from popular spots, but be sure to agree on a fare beforehand. Rideshare services like Uber are also available.
