Doha holidays

Holidays to Doha provide the perfect introduction to the Persian Gulf. See the modern side of Arabia at the city’s luxury hotels, malls and impressive theme parks. Experience Qatari art and theatre at Rumeila Park (also known as Al Bidda Park), take dune buggy safaris in the desert, window-shop in traditional markets and finish your day with a bowl of spicy ‘machboos’ (meat stew).

Doha holiday highlights

Doha
Doha

Souq shopping

Make traditional ‘souqs’ (marketplaces) a part of your holiday 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

A day at the Corniche seafront promenade is a great way to spend part of a holiday 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.

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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

Doha
Doha
AFLAH P HUSSAIN

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.

Plan your holiday to Doha

Budget

With so many free things to see and do, like beaches, street art and parks, a cheap trip to Doha 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.

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.

FAQs about Doha holidays

If your trip to Doha is all about touring the main attractions, three to five days is enough. Go for a week or so if you prefer an unhurried adventure. Extended visits provide the chance to relax and explore without any time pressure, especially after a long-distance trip.
Crime is rare in Doha, though keep an eye on your belongings in crowded places. Cover your shoulders and knees in public places, avoid public displays of affection and don’t comment on or review Qatari culture, policies or businesses while on holiday in Qatar.
The majority of locals here speak Arabic. Every city has its own unique lingo, so it's worth picking up a few common expressions to use during your city break in Doha.
You'll be using the Qatari riyal (QAR) for purchases while on your trip to Doha. Pay with a debit or credit card when it's convenient, but keep some cash with you for businesses that don't accept cards.
With around 0.5 inch of rainfall, November is the rainiest month. If you're taking your Doha holiday then, it's a good idea to have a few indoor activities in mind. Grab a bite at one of the city's best restaurants, check out an art gallery, or indulge in some retail therapy.
Your city break in Doha can vary in price based on anything from your travel dates to trip length. To land a great deal on Doha flights and hotels, avoid locking yourself into fixed dates and look out for sales and discounts.
January brings the coolest conditions. Plan your Doha holiday then and you can expect lows of 14ºC (57ºF).
Doha is a user-friendly city with diverse and accessible attractions. Each district has parks, restaurants, shopping and nightlife options. You can find deals for cheap holidays to Doha, with trips here often more affordable than to other regional destinations like Dubai.
Visit Doha in winter (December – February) for pleasant daily high temperatures between 21 and 27°C. Temperatures can top 40°C from March through November. Find cheap holidays to Doha in June and July, but be aware that these are the hottest months, with daily highs sometimes topping 42°C.
July is the hottest month in Doha, with temperatures reaching highs of 42ºC (108ºF).