Top places to visit in Doha

• Stadium 974

  Activity · 4.7 rating · about 0.8 h

  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

  Market · 4.7 rating · about 2 h

  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

  Museum · 4.7 rating · about 2.5 h

  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

  Museum · 4.7 rating · about 2.5 h · entry QAR 50

  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

  Mosque · 4.9 rating · about 1 h

  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

  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

  Viewpoint · 4.8 rating · about 1 h

  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

  Museum · 4.6 rating · about 2 h · entry QAR 25

  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

  Heritage · 4.3 rating · about 0.8 h

  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

  Nature · 4.7 rating · about 1.5 h

  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

  Nature · 4.6 rating · about 1.3 h

  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 · 4.7 rating · about 2.5 h

  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 around

• Metro main way to get around

  Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.

• Ride Hail main way to get around

  Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.

• Taxi main way to get around

  Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.

• Walking main way to get around

  Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.

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.

More in Qatar

• Lusail
• Al Wakrah
• Al Khor