The Best Things to Do in Doha: Your Guide to Qatar's Rapidly Growing Capital City

Doha is a city that has, all of sudden, found itself firmly on the tourist map. Their investments in sports, culture, and more have turned this city and the surrounding area into a place to visit, and this article will walk you through the best things to do in Doha once you arrive.

I’ve long been waiting to explore the Middle East in greater depth, and lately, I’ve had some more opportunities to do just that. When I lived in Istanbul, I was close to many nations I wanted to get to know more intimately in this region, but the stars didn’t quite align.

The stars did align when the opportunity presented itself for me to attend the World Cup in Doha, an experience of a lifetime if I do say so myself. That being said, the visit was about more than the World Cup to me, it was also about getting to know Doha (and sharing what I found with you).

I’ve now visited and explored this capital city on two occasions, and feel I have enough of a grasp to help you build out a Doha itinerary of sorts, and to ensure your visit is a memorable one.

A Brief Introduction to Doha

Doha is the capital city of Qatar, a relatively small country that’s located on the northeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula, and is surrounded by Persian Gulf (also known as the Arabian Gulf).

The city has a population of around 1.7 million people, and that makes it the largest city in Qatar. It’s unequivocally known as Qatar’s economic, cultural, and political centre. That makes perfect sense when you consider that about 80% of Qatar’s population lives in Doha or its suburbs.

Doha is known for its stunning modern architecture, world-class museums, and lengthy waterfront promenades. There are also an array of top-tier hotels, and plenty of outdoor spaces to enjoy, at least when the sun isn’t too high in the sky.

In the 2000s, it’s clear that Doha wanted to become known on the global sports stage. Since 2006, they’ve hosted the Asian Games, the Pan Arab Games, the World Athletic Championships and, of course, as of 2022, the World Cup.

It’s a flashy city with plenty to be in awe of, but I think it’s also important to plan an itinerary that dives into the history a bit, and isn’t just focused on the glamour and the glitz. For every air conditioned mall, there’s a back alley restaurant filled with delicious home cooking.

*Please note that this article may contain affiliate links. Simply put, that just means that I may get a small commission from some of my recommendations at absolutely zero extra cost to you.

What Are Some of the Top Places to Visit in Doha?

Every person’s approach to exploring Doha is going to be different, but I’m going to focus on a Doha itinerary that includes the highlights, but also leaves some room for deeper exploration.

Souq Waqif

There’s a reason I’ve put this at the top of my list of things to do in Doha, and that’s because, to me, it’s a must visit for all travellers.

It’s located in the Al Souq district, and it was originally founded as place where bedouins and locals would trade goods. It fell into decline, but was fully restored by 2008 and open for business.

The market is known for its traditional Qatari architecture, with narrow alleyways, covered walkways, and remarkably ornate facades. You’ll see that The Souq is divided into different sections, each selling a different variety of goods (most commonly including textiles, spices, jewelry, souvenirs, and handicrafts).

There are also several art galleries and restaurants within the souq. We ended up eating a restaurant at the end of a narrow alleyway (called Kabab Eltayeb) that was one of the best meals of the trip, and very inexpensive compared to anything you’d pay at most hotels or more well known restaurants. There’s another restaurant there, The Village, which is also well known and has a touch more seating.

A major highlight for many visitors is the Falcon Souq, where people can see and buy trained falcons. Personally, I found it a little hard to see all the falcons cooped up in there, but I’m also cognizant of the fact that falcons are a symbol of a traditional Qatari culture.

After we got our kebap fill, Gord, Roy and I also got interviewed on Croatian TV ahead of the Canada vs. Crotia World Cup match that was taking place later that day.

The Corniche

The Corniche, also known as the Doha Corniche, is basically a seven kilometre waterfront promenade that extends along Doha Bay. It’s both a tourist destination, and a spot where locals enjoy some leisure time.

Along this lengthy stretch, you’ll see a lot of Doha’s well known buildings (the Museum of Islamic Art and the Sheraton come to mind), and it’s a great spot to set eyes on the Doha skyline, which by all accounts is getting more impressive by the day.

The promenade is lined with palm trees, landscaped gardens, and well-maintained walkways, making it an ideal place for walking, jogging, or cycling. You’ll also likely see some swimmers out and about, especially families taking a dip.

Generally speaking, the Corniche is thought of as three main areas - the Corniche Park and Promenade, Corniche Street, and the Government Zone.

ASpire PArk

You’ll find Aspire Park in the southern part of Doha. At a whopping 88 hectares in size, it’s Doha’s largest park. Many people like to come here to set eyes on the Aspire Tower (which looks even better at night, by the way), but it’s also just a nice place to walk around.

Apparently, it’s home to the “only lake in Qatar,” which was intriguing for me to think about as a Canadian considering Canada has a few million to its name.

There are some cafes and shops, places to sit and have picnics, as well as fountains, and playgrounds for kids. If you’re travelling as a family, this would be a nice place to come stretch your legs.

The PEarl

The Peal is a man-made island that’s hard to even recognize is an island since it’s about 4 million square metres in size. I actually stayed with very close friend in this area when I was visiting, and was astonished by how expansive this district really was.

The Pearl Island is divided into twelve districts, and each district is meant to have its own unique vibe. That’s part of what makes it enjoyable to walk around because one moment you feel like you’re in a traditional Qatari marketplace, the next you feel like you stumbled onto a beach in Miami, and the very next moment you’re transported to Venice (there’s a clear love for Venice in Doha.)

As with pretty much all of central Doha, there are ample restaurants, cafes, and shopping available.

Doha’s Mall Scene

Doha is really well known for its shopping malls, and that’s all been part of their growth strategy as a global shopping destination. There are two malls in particular that you should prioritize a visit to in my humble opinion.

Villaggio Mall - Villaggio is the most unique mall in Qatar because of its indoor canal replete with literal gondolas - and that makes it quite picturesque. The mall features over 200 stores, has a popular amusement park (especially amongst families), a cinema, and plenty of food on offer.
Mall of Qatar: This is one of the largest malls in the country (with over 500 stores) and has a lot of luxury brands on offer, a food court, a movie theatre, and also has an indoor theme park (because why not?). Keep an eye out for events as well, as there’s also a large amphitheatre.

Beyond that, Doha Festival City is where you’ll find some classic, popular international brands, The Gate Mall is where you’ll find the really high end stores, and City Center Doha is the spot to go if you want to see what one of the oldest malls in the city looks like after some heavy restoration.

Doha’s World Class Museums

There are a number of museums worth visiting in Doha that will offer you a deeper glimpse into Qatari culture, as well as the culture of the Middle East at large.

Here are a few to have on your list:

The National Museum of Qatar: This museum is dedicated to the history and culture of Qatar and showcases the country's past and present, as well as looking towards what the nation has in store for the future. The museum was designed by the famous French architect Jean Nouvel, and features a unique curved design that is inspired by the desert rose.
The Museum of Islamic Art: This is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Doha, and simply has to be mentioned in any article that’s claiming to showcase the best things to do in Doha, Qatar. As you might imagine, It houses an extensive collection of Islamic art and artifacts from around the world. The museum is designed by the remarkable I.M. Pei and is situated right on the water.
Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art: I like to add this museum into the mix because I find that many museums dealing with Arab art tend to be looking backwards into history, largely because there’s such a rich and lengthy history to draw from. This museum focuses on contemporary artists that are making a name for themselves now, and features some intriguing exhibitions to go along with educational programs and workshops.
The Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani Museum: This is a private museum owned by, you guessed it, Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani. His personal collection spans over 15,000 artifacts and is seriously impressive. Think vintage cars, priceless Islamic art, rare coins and more.

If you’re looking for something a little bit different, consider visiting The Museum of Illusions which features exhibits that “challenge the senses” and make for some fun photos. It’s more of a lighthearted, science and fun focused spot.

The Qatar National Library (QNL)

The Qatar National Library first came to fruition in the late 70s, but it moved and was upgraded in the early 2010s (not an uncommon trope in Doha).

Yes, it’s a library, but it’s also a big time cultural and community centre. One of the unique features of the QNL is its Heritage Collection, which includes rare books, manuscripts, and other materials related to Qatar and the Arab world. The enormous collection includes over 700,000 digital copies of manuscripts. There are even some original works here that date back to the 1400s!

The library is open to the public, and if you’re going to be in Doha for an extended period, you can also apply for a membership.

Al Koot Fort

Al Koot Fort is also known simply as “Doha Fort” and it’s a historical military fortress that’s located in the heart of the city. In 1927, Sheikh Abdulla bin Qassim Al Thani rebuilt these fort that was once used, but abandoned by, the Ottomans.

It’s now been converted into a museum which houses a collection of traditional Qatari handicrafts, including textiles, jewelry, pottery, and woodcarvings, as well as displays on traditional fishing and pearling industries.

If you’re a historian, you’ll want to note that there are also typically exhibits that concern the history of the fort itself, the Ottoman Empire’s time in Qatar, as well as Qatar's independence.

Katara Cultural Village

The Katara Cultural Village is massive. It’s a “cultural complex” in Doha that opened in 2010 and, as with many sites on this list, it’s purpose is to showcase, promote and preserve the nation’s heritage and culture.

The centre of it all has to be the amphitheatre with a 5000 person capacity. Walking in and standing in the middle of that amphitheatre is quite something, let me assure you. There’s an opera house, plenty of shops, restaurants and cafes, art galleries aplenty, and there always seems to be an event underway there.

I should also note that if you head down towards the water, you’ll get some impressive views of the Arabian (Persian) Gulf.

Some Great Hotels in Doha

If there’s one thing that Doha has not shortage of, it’s hotels. I’ve embedded a map so you can take a peek at what may work below in your desired neighbourhood.

In terms of the really top-tier hotels, you’re looking at properties like the JW Marriott Marquis City Center Doha, The Ritz-Carlton, Doha, Grand Hyatt Doha, St. Regis Doha, Four Seasons Hotel Doha, Mandarin Oriental, Doha and InterContinental Doha.

If you’re looking for something more mid-range, there are Holiday Inn and Best Western properties available, as well as places like the Millennium Central, Royal Qatar, Retaj Al Rayyan, and Centro Capital Doha (by Rotana).

the State Grand Mosque

The State Grand Mosque, also known as the Imam Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab Mosque or the Qatar State Mosque, was opened in 2011 and, at its capacity, this mosque can house tens of thousands of people. Unlike many of Doha’s other iconic buildings, this was built in a more traditional Arab style.

The mosque is open to visitors of all faiths, but you do need to make sure that you’re respecting the dress code. Generally speaking, this means that you’re focused on dressing modestly, and women are required to cover their heads.

You won’t miss this building, as it’s become a big part of the Doha skyline since its minarets stand almost 100 metres tall.

What Other Spots Should You Consider When Visiting Doha?

At Khalifa International Stadium to see Canada vs. Crotia

Here are a few more places to consider in Doha when you visit:

For one, look into whether there are any sporting events happening when you’re visiting. It’d be worth seeing if there’s a match playing at the Khalifa International Stadium, for example. Post World Cup, they’ve got a very solid infrastructure for soccer/football, as you might imagine, so expect to see the Qatari Stars League take some strides forward.
If you’re keen for a night out while in Doha, it’s worth knowing that almost all the alcohol consumption is done at the bars of the international hotels. There’s actually a decently vibrant nightlife here if you’re seeking it out, but it’s expensive.
I haven’t been personally, and don’t know too much about it, but I did have a friend mention the Al Shahaniya Camel Racetrack which posits itself as a “classic venue for a traditional sport.”
There are often free outdoor movie nights at Oxygen Park that, last I checked, happen on Thursdays. Movie or not, a lot tends to go on at Oxygen Park, so may be worth checking out one day, especially if there’s an event on.

What to Do Near or Outside Doha

Part of the fun of visiting Doha is that there’s quite a bit to explore of interest within a relatively short driving distance.

The Inland Sea, also known as Khor Al Adaid, is a unique natural wonder located south of Doha. It is a UNESCO recognized natural reserve with stunning sand dunes and clear blue waters. It’s a place where visitors can check dune bashing, sandboarding, and camel rides off the bucket-list!
If you’re in Doha already, then a desert excursion is very much on the table. This is a popular desert safari tour that features dune bashing, camel riding, and sandboarding.
If you want to explore something a little different, check out the Al Zubarah Fort. Located on the northwest coast of Qatar, Al Zubarah Fort is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the best-preserved examples of an 18th-century Arabian fort.
Looking for a charming coastal town? How about Al Wakra. It has a beautiful beach, a traditional souq, and several historical landmarks, including the Al Wakra Museum.
Finally, If you’re a fan of fishing, there are many local tour operators that try to help visitors catch everything from tuna to barracuda. We’ve heard good things about “Sharoah Fishing” as an operator.

However you choose to explore Doha, I can only hope this helps you on your way, and enables you to get to know Qatar’s largest city a little better.