The Middle East is a part of the world I haven't travelled to much, therefore I didn't really know what to expect of Qatar. Or rather, I had a vague idea of what I thought it might be like. Towering buildings hosting skyscraper hotels and glossy shopping malls boasting all the biggest designer brands, a lot of overt flash, glitz, and unabashed luxury. And it certainly did have those things, but after a week spent discovering the city of Doha, I also unearthed so much more. It's a destination that truly caters to every type of explorer, with vibrant experiences for foodies, culture enthusiasts, and of course, luxury lovers.
Doha may have a reputation as a stopover destination but that sells it short. There's so much to do, from awe-inspiring architecture and world-class museums to serene beaches and vibrant souks. Wander through the historic alleyways of Souq Waqif, marvel at the architectural masterpiece that is the Museum of Islamic Art, or take a leisurely stroll along the scenic Corniche. For thrill-seekers, dune bashing in the surrounding desert is an unforgettable experience, while those looking to unwind can indulge in Doha's luxury spas and resorts. I've put together this Doha travel guide to help you uncover all the top things to do in Doha, from local culture to lavish luxury - and everything in between.
ad This trip was taken as part of a press trip with Visit Qatar
Doha 101
Money in Doha: Qatar uses the Qatari Riyal. Whilst it's always worth having a bit of cash on you for emergencies, we found card was widely accepted.
Best time to visit Doha: Peak season in Doha is November to February, when temperatures are cooler. I'd avoid the peak summer months, when temperatures are known to soar above 40 degrees. Also it's worth keeping in mind the holy month of Ramadan, the dates of which vary yearly, during which business hours may be affected and religious customs should be observed.
Weather in Doha: In the height of Summer Doha is hot and humid. Even in the Winter months, it's going to be pleasantly sunny and warm. We visited in late October / early November and temperatures sat in the mid 30s for the duration of our stay. It rarely rains, but can be windy, particularly in the desert.
Getting around Doha: We used Uber to get around the city - most journeys cost between around £3-£6. It's not really walkable due to the heat, however you can walk between some sights, such as Souq Waqif and Msheireb Downtown.
Safety in Doha: Qatar is one of the safest cities in the world, and we felt very comfortable the whole time we were in Doha. That said, obviously crime happens everywhere, so it's best to be alert nonetheless.
What to wear in Doha: As Qatar is a Muslim country, it's respectful to cover up. For women, shoulders and legs should be covered, and I'd recommend avoiding anything too form fitting. Wherever you're travelling to, I always recommend packing a light shawl. Women don't need to cover their hair unless visiting a religious building.
Where to Stay in Doha
Mondrian Doha
Whilst in Doha, we stayed in one of the most unique hotels I've ever had the pleasure of experiencing. From the outside, the Mondrian Doha looks like just another tall, glossy skyscraper. But step inside and you're greeted by an Alice in Wonderland-esque fever dream of opulent, fantastical design. A swirling, intricate spiral staircase in the vast lobby leads to nowhere, a relaxation room in the spa drips in crystals, and the rooftop pool sits under a kaleidoscope of vibrant stained glass. It's an assault on the senses, but for maximalist design lovers, a truly memorable experience. And its not all style, no substance. Service is slick and friendly, and there's a bevvy of dining and entertainment options. Celebrity Japanese chef Masaharu Morimoto has a sleek, sexy restaurant on site, or on the opposite end of the spectrum there's the casual Hudson's Tavern for sports and burgers.
Other Doha Hotels
BUDGET DOHA HOTELS
- Souq Waqif Boutique Hotels: A striking property with Arab architecture in the ancient souks
- Central Inn Souq Waqif: A warm hotel with ornate traditional interiors under £100 a night at time of writing
- K108 Hotel: A simple but well equipped stay in the centre of Doha
MID-RANGE DOHA HOTELS
- The Plaza Doha: This grand hotel looks like it would be more at home in Paris than your usual Doha high-rise
- W Doha: A design forward, vibrant hotel with waterfront views
- InterContinental Doha The City: A modern, well equipped hotel by IHG with great city views
- The Ned Doha: Chic, elevated yet unobtrusive luxury with nostalgic heritage details
LUXURY DOHA HOTELS
- Raffles Doha: Situated in the iconic Katara towers with one of the most beautiful hotel lobbies I think I've ever seen...
- The St Regis: A sprawling complex on the beautiful Pearl Island
- Al Samriya, Autograph Collection: Escape the city to Al Samriya farm at this beautiful property by Marriott
- Waldorf Astoria Doha West Bay: Opulent luxury from the storied hotel brand
Things to do in Doha
National Museum of Qatar
I'm not usually one to get all that excited by museums. In fact, I rarely actively choose to visit a museum when travelling. That probably makes me sounds horribly uncultured, but I much prefer to be out and about on the streets, exploring the city or destination. However, The National Museum of Qatar is so much more than just another museum. The architecture alone makes it worthy of a visit. Designed by the renowned architect Jean Nouvel, the striking structure echoes the natural forms of a desert rose, rendering it larger than life in an evocative abstract design.
Inside, the museum tells Qatar’s story through a mix of innovative installations, engaging narratives, and rare artefacts. There's a number of permanent and temporary exhibitions to explore. On our visit we delved into the sculptural fashion work of designer Mohamed Benchellal, and a fascinating look at Pakistani art and architecture.
Katara Cultural Village
Katara Cultural Village is one of Doha's most picturesque spots, hosting a mosque, art galleries, shops, and even a dramatic amphitheatre. Though there's plenty to do and experience, it's well worth exploring within itself, with some beautiful architecture to discover. The mosque is a real highlight, with intricate mosaics adorning the exterior. And if you're lucky, there might be an event or festival on when you're there. We visited soon after sunrise, and really enjoyed having the complex largely to ourselves.
Qanat Quartier
Venice... but make it multicoloured? Normally the whole faux destination thing doesn't really do it for me, but I have to admit, Doha does it rather well. Qanat Quartier is a shopping, entertainment, and residential district in Doha that bears a rather striking resemblance to the Italian city. Canals are lined with sunshine-hued buildings, hosting houses, businesses, and cafes. The hero is a replica of the Rialto bridge - though rather less crammed with tourists than the original. As this is largely a residential district it doesn't offer masses in terms of tourist attractions, but the unique architecture and overall kitsch makes it a unique experience in itself.
Museum of Islamic Art
Doha truly is an architecture enthusiasts dream destination. If you weren't sufficiently wowed by The National Museum of Qatar, The Museum of Islamic Art is another truly awe-inspiring spot. For a start, there's the location, standing proud along Doha's Corniche with traditional dhow boats gently bobbing in the foreground.
Then there's the building itself, designed by the architect behind the Louvre pyramid, I.M. Pei. Blocks of sharp rectangles just out from the water, the appearance of which constantly shifts as the light changes.
Inside the building boasts one of the world's most comprehensive collections of Islamic Art, with artefacts from across the Middle East, Asia, and beyond. There's a fascinating array of ancient scrolls and tapestries, ceramics and jewellery, that tell the tale of the region. And once you've soaked up all the culture, head out to the terrace to see the Doha skyline perfectly framed in a row of arches. The quintessential Doha photo opp!
Souq Waqif
A lot of Doha feels very modern and futuristic, thanks to the number of glass high rises. However if you want to experience more traditional Arabic architecture, head to Souq Waqif. This bustling maze of alleyways and cafe lined squares hosts the cities souks, where you can buy all sorts of souvenirs such as spices, perfumes, textiles and handicrafts. It also hosts a large number of restaurants, such as dazzlingly ornate Parisa (book in advance or you'll likely be turned away) and Berenjak (review below). There's also a somewhat inexplicable giant gold statue of a thumb, that tourists seem to like to take pictures with. I don't get it, but hey, maybe you do. It's fairly quiet during the day, but as the temperatures cool the streets of Souq Waqif come to life with tourists and locals alike exploring, shopping, and dining.
Msheireb Downtown
I'll be totally honest, Msheireb Downtown was not something that was on my list of things to do in Doha prior to the trip. It just sounded like another shopping and business space, with little appeal for travellers. However on the Qatar Airways flight over I ended up watching a series on Doha's sights, an episode of which was dedicated to the area. And it totally sold it to me. Msheireb Downtown is a major project to revitalise the downtown area, employing cutting edge architecture blending traditional and modern design with sustainability at it's core. As a visitor, it's a pedestrian friendly area with clean, cool, streets, hosting a number of the city's restaurants, cafes, and shopping. We took a wander round after visiting Souq Waqif, with breaks at Toby's Estate for coffee, and chic Middle Eastern dining spot Nisrine for lunch (reviews below). Msheireb Downtown may not sound like an obvious must-visit sight, but it's well worth adding to your Doha itinerary.
Desert Safari
If you're looking to get out of the city for the day, a desert day trip is just the thing. We were picked up by a car from our hotel by 365 Adventures, and driven away from the densely packed skyscrapers into the wide open desert dunes. Our trip included an exhilarating dune bashing, where they deflate the tyres to drive at speed up and down the dunes in a four wheel drive. I've done this before in Abu Dhabi and found it a lot of fun, if a bit nauseating, however it was much more gentle in Qatar - not something I'm complaining about! We also visited the inland desert on the border of Saudi Arabia. This is one of the most unusual spots in the world, as one of the few places where the desert meets the sea. Our excursion was rounded up with lunch at The Outpost Al Barari, a luxury desert resort out in the wilderness. It's definitely on my bucket list to stay at next time, and really immerse ourselves in the experience. But in the meantime, the lunch was delicious!
Mina District
Of all the things to do in Doha, the one I was most excited for was seeing the Mina District. This shopping and retail area in the Old Port of Doha is one of most Instagrammable spots in the city, with unique block buildings painted in bold pastel hues. It feels a world away from the skyscrapers of the city. I'd recommend visiting at sunrise or sunset as the waterfront location makes it a great place to watch the colours change. Oh, and make sure you stop into the beautiful fish market - trust me, the elaborate stained glass ceilings are worth the smells!
Dhow Cruise
So much of the Doha experience is wrapped up in its iconic skyline, and one of the best ways to view it is on a traditional dhow cruise. These Arab sailing vessels were traditionally used for trading along the coast of Eastern Arabia, but now they're largely employed to ferry visitors around the Doha coast. The main places to pick them up are along the corniche, or Mina District. You can book in advance, which I would recommend doing for peak times such as sunset. However just walking along the corniche we were approached by multiple boatmen offering us a trip, so it can be easily arranged on a whim. Trips range from short 30 minute out and backs, and longer half day excursions.
More Middle East: The Abu Dhabi Travel Guide
Restaurants in Doha
Nisrine
Long-term readers will know my fondness for an aesthetic restaurant, and in Doha, that's Nisrine. The interiors of this modern Lebanese restaurant, all chinoiserie, jewel tones, and arched mouldings, had me endlessly snapping every picturesque corner. Until the food arrived, that is, when I was instead preoccupied by devouring delicious morsels of mezze and grilled meats. The staff are lovely, the food is gorgeous, and the interiors are seriously photogenic - tick, tick, tick. Add this one to your Doha bucket list.
Jiwan
Doha loves a celebrity chef restaurant. In fact, you'll find large numbers of the best restaurants in Doha will have a major name attached to it. Jiwan, sat atop the striking National Museum of Qatar, is one of Doha's two Alain Ducasse restaurants, the other being IDAM at the Museum of Islamic Art. The setting in itself makes it worthy of a visit, with the outdoor terrace boasting some of the best Doha views out over the city. Then there is the food, focussing on Qatari and Middle Eastern dishes with a modern twist. Layers of spice and rich flavour meld together in completely unique dishes. For our first course, I find myself raving about something as simple as a soup. Unsurprisingly, it's not the cheapest meal you'll have in Doha, however if you visit for the set lunch menu it's makes it substantially more affordable - and it's a great way to try a range of dishes.
Toby's Estate
Even in the Winter season, Doha is pretty hot. Therefore you're going to want to take regular cafe breaks, as a respite from the sun - and an excuse for a tasty iced drink. I'm a total sucker for an icy beverage in an aesthetic cafe, so obviously I sought out the very coolest (pun intended) Doha has to offer.
If you're taking a wander around Msheireb Downtown, that would be Toby's Estate. The interiors are sleek and stylish, with dark wood furnishings contrasting marble countertops, all framed by swooping green foliage. As well as a range of hot and cold drinks, they also serve up pastries and sweet treats. It's a much needed break from the heat of the streets, in style.
Provok Asian Project
Add this to your Doha must list, start. Chic bar and restaurant Provok Asian Project sits atop the Fairmont Doha in the Katara Towers, overlooking one of the most dramatic panoramic city views. The restaurant is inspired by a concept of fire and ice, from the decor to the food and drink. Speaking of food, the menu is, unsurprisingly, Asian, with a focus on sushi and sashimi, korean barbecue, and teppanyaki grill. Or choose to take in the sunset from the terrace with a drink and bar snacks.
Berenjak
Berenjak is a bit of a name on the London restaurant scene, yet somehow, I'd never quite made it. One evening in Doha we ended up in Souq Waqif, turned away from Parisa without a reservation, tummies rumbling and no idea where to go next. Berenjak is a hard table to get in London, but in Doha, it was our saviour. We were ushered straight in and on to an airy terrace overlooking the souqs, where we tucked into their range of Middle Eastern mezze and grill dishes - crispy fried potatoes, tender lamb shoulder, and delicately spiced hummus. It ended up being one of our favourite meals of the whole trip.
Doha was truly somewhere I didn't expect to fall for as much as I did, but I left vowing to return. Yes it's glossy, but it's also rich in culture, architecture, and unique experiences that make it so much more than simply a stopover destination. The cleanliness, safety, warm hospitality and melting pot of people that call the city home make it a really enjoyable city break experience.
I hope this Doha travel guide has been helpful, and inspired you to explore the city. If you have any questions, please feel free to leave a comment or drop me a DM on Instagram. And if you have any more suggestions for things to do in Doha, please do comment below to share with your fellow travellers!
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