Top places to visit in Doha

• Stadium 974

  sports landmark · 4.7 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate

  The world's first fully demountable World Cup stadium, built from 974 shipping containers on the waterfront at Ras Abu Aboud - a striking modular landmark by the sea.

• Souq Waqif

  traditional souq · 4.7 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate

  Doha's beating heart: a restored labyrinth of mud-rendered lanes packed with spice, textile and handicraft stalls, the Falcon Souq, shisha cafes and live Qatari music at night.

• Museum of Islamic Art

  art museum · 4.7 rating · about 2.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  I.M. Pei's masterpiece on its own island, holding one of the world's great collections of Islamic art spanning 1,400 years, with a soaring atrium and Gulf views.

• National Museum of Qatar

  national museum · 4.7 rating · about 2.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  Jean Nouvel's interlocking-disc "desert rose" building tells Qatar's story across 11 galleries, from geology and Bedouin life to the pearling era and modern nation.

• Imam Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab Mosque

  grand mosque · 4.9 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  Qatar's State Grand Mosque, an immense sandstone complex with 93 domes that can hold 30,000 worshippers; open to respectful non-Muslim visitors outside prayer times.

• Villaggio Mall

  Activity · 4.6 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate

  Venetian-themed shopping mall near Aspire Zone with an indoor canal and gondola rides, Gondolania theme park, an Olympic-size ice rink, and a wide mix of dining from casual eateries to international chains.

• Doha Corniche

  waterfront promenade · 4.8 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  A 7 km crescent promenade curving around Doha Bay, framing the West Bay skyline, dhow harbour and MIA Park - the city's favourite spot for a stroll or jog at dusk.

• Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani Museum

  private collection · 4.6 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate

  One man's vast private collection in the desert at Al Samriya: Islamic art, vintage cars, Qatari heritage, coins and curiosities across a fort-like complex.

• Barzan Towers

  watchtowers · 4.3 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate

  A pair of restored early-1900s watchtowers at Umm Salal Mohammed, built to observe the moon and guard rainwater channels - a short excursion north of Doha.

• Aspire Park

  urban park · 4.7 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  Qatar's largest green park below the landmark Torch tower and Khalifa Stadium, with a lake, shaded lawns, jogging tracks and playgrounds - a cool-season family favourite.

• Al Bidda Park

  urban park · 4.6 rating · about 1.3 h · check the fee at the gate

  A large landscaped park along the Corniche with rolling lawns, dancing fountains, cycling tracks and skyline views across the bay to West Bay.

• Katara Cultural Village

  cultural village · 4.7 rating · about 2.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  A purpose-built cultural district with a Greek-style amphitheatre, the gilded and blue mosques, art galleries, a pigeon tower and a beach, plus dozens of restaurants.

Things to do

• Khor Al Adaid Inland Sea Desert Safari Desert Safari · 9 h · from QAR 350 per person
• Doha Bay Dhow Cruise Cruise · 1.5 h · from QAR 70 per person
• Souq Waqif & Falcon Souq Walking Tour Walking Tour · 2 h · from QAR 90 per person
• Doha City Highlights Tour City Tour · 4 h · from QAR 180 per person
• Museum of Islamic Art Guided Tour Cultural · 1.5 h · from QAR 60 per person
• Katara & The Pearl Evening Tour Tour · 3 h · from QAR 150 per person
• Sealine Sandboarding & Dune Bashing Adventure · 5 h · from QAR 250 per person

Day trips and tours

• Doha in a Day 8 h · from QAR 320
• Desert & Inland Sea Safari 9 h · from QAR 350

Where to stay in Doha

• West Bay (Al Dafna) about QAR 750 per night

  Doha's glittering high-rise district on the bay, packed with five-star towers, malls and Corniche access - the default base for first-time visitors.

• Msheireb & Souq Waqif about QAR 500 per night

  The atmospheric old heart around Souq Waqif and the smart Msheireb Downtown regeneration - best for heritage, dining and boutique stays.

• The Pearl-Qatar about QAR 850 per night

  An upscale artificial-island district of marinas, canals and waterfront dining - relaxed, family-friendly and photogenic, though away from the centre.

Hotels

• Mandarin Oriental Doha 5-star · QAR 900 to QAR 2,600 per night
• Four Seasons Hotel Doha 5-star · QAR 850 to QAR 2,400 per night
• Marsa Malaz Kempinski 5-star · QAR 950 to QAR 2,800 per night
• The Ritz-Carlton Doha 5-star · QAR 800 to QAR 2,200 per night
• La Cigale Hotel 5-star · QAR 550 to QAR 1,100 per night
• Al Najada Doha Hotel by Tivoli 4-star · QAR 450 to QAR 900 per night

Where to eat

• Parisa Souq Waqif Persian, Iranian, Middle Eastern · about QAR 180 per person
• IDAM by Alain Ducasse French, Mediterranean, Contemporary · about QAR 550 per person
• Nobu Doha Japanese, Peruvian, Sushi · about QAR 450 per person
• Mamig Armenian, Lebanese, Levantine · about QAR 150 per person
• L'wzaar Seafood Market Seafood, Mediterranean · about QAR 200 per person
• Turkey Central Turkish, Arabic, Grill · about QAR 60 per person
• Shay Al Shoomos Qatari, Emirati, Breakfast · about QAR 55 per person
• Saasna Qatari, Arabic · about QAR 120 per person

Getting to Doha

Airport: Doha (DOH)

How visitors arrive in Doha

• Flight to Hamad International By air from Worldwide via Qatar Airways · most visitors

  Hamad is the hub for Qatar Airways and the entry point for most travellers. Source: thepeninsulaqatar.com

• Overland from Saudi Arabia By road from Saudi Arabia · possible

  The only land border is with Saudi Arabia and is rarely used. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

From the airport to the centre

• Doha Metro Red Line to the airport station

  The Red Line serves Hamad International Airport T1 station, reached from the arrivals hall via a long walk. Some trains go to Al Wakra instead, so check the destination sign. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Taxi from the east side of the terminal

  Taxis are hailed on the east side of the terminal. Karwa and Al Million are run by Mowasalat, and Uber is a common alternative. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Mowasalat (Karwa) public buses

  Public buses stop at the bus pavilion on the west side of the terminal and serve Doha, West Bay and The Pearl. They need a Karwa Smartcard, sold at the Mowasalat desk near Baggage Claim. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Metro options are limited around midnight and early Friday morning; check how you will get into town if you land then. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

Getting around

• Metro

  The Doha Metro runs the Red, Gold and Green lines, with Msheireb as the interchange; the Red Line serves the airport on some trains.

• Ride Hail

  Uber is a popular ride-hailing alternative to the Karwa and other taxis in Doha.

• Taxi

  Doha's regular taxis include the Karwa and Al Million brands, operated by Mowasalat, and should run on the meter.

• Walking

Paying

• Tap a metro card on entry and exit; buy it at any station. Buses need exact change or a Karwa Smartcard. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

Safety and scams to avoid

• Taxi refusing the meter

  Airport ranks and tourist areas

  Some private (non-Karwa) drivers quote a high flat fare instead of using the meter, especially at night.

  How to avoid it: Use official metered Karwa taxis or the Uber/Careem app so the fare is fixed in advance.

• Souvenir over-pricing at the souq

  Souq Waqif

  First-quoted prices for pashminas, lamps and trinkets are often marked well above the going rate for tourists.

  How to avoid it: Compare a few stalls and negotiate politely - a 30-40% discount off the opening price is normal.

• Unlicensed desert-safari touts

  Hotel lobbies and online ads

  Cheap "safari" offers from unlicensed operators can mean unsafe driving or no insurance.

  How to avoid it: Book desert safaris through a licensed tour company or your hotel concierge.

Best time to visit Doha

• Jan 23°C
• Feb 24°C
• Mar 28°C
• Apr 33°C
• May 39°C
• Jun 42°C
• Jul 42°C
• Aug 41°C
• Sep 39°C
• Oct 36°C
• Nov 30°C
• Dec 25°C

More in Qatar

• Lusail
• Al Wakrah
• Al Khor

Frequently asked questions about Doha

How many days do you need in Doha?

A typical trip to Doha is 2-3 days.

What are the top-rated places to visit in Doha?

The highest-rated places in our Doha guide are Imam Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab Mosque, Doha Corniche, Stadium 974, Souq Waqif, Museum of Islamic Art.

Where should I stay in Doha?

Our guide covers these areas to stay in Doha: West Bay (Al Dafna), Msheireb & Souq Waqif, The Pearl-Qatar.

How do I get around Doha?

Ways to get around Doha covered in our guide: Metro, Ride-hailing app, Taxi, Walking.

What scams should I watch out for in Doha?

Scams reported to us for Doha include Taxi refusing the meter; Souvenir over-pricing at the souq; Unlicensed desert-safari touts. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.

What is the weather like in Doha?

Average daytime highs in Doha run from 23°C in Jan to 42°C in Jul.

Which airport is nearest to Doha?

The nearest airport to Doha has the code DOH.