The 15 best things to do and see in Doha, Qatar

Doha is more than just a stop-over city – it has so much to offer visitors and all within easy reach. I’ve compiled my list of the best things to do in Doha, including places to explore and insider tips on how to make the most of your stay at Marsa Malaz Kempinski The Pearl or Kempinski Residences & Suites Doha.

1. GET LOST IN THE ALLEYWAYS OF SOUQ WAQIF

Souq Waqif is the beating heart of Doha. Rebuilt on the location of the city’s original “standing souq”, it’s now a labyrinthine maze of stalls selling spices, homewares, souvenirs and more. You are never really lost, there is always someone to point you in the right direction. 

Go early in the day to catch Qatari families stocking up on home essentials. Or later (the Souq powers down between 13:00 and sunset) for dinner and people watching. Haggling is encouraged and it’s worth seeking out the spice vendors (follow your nose) who will package up their goodies for you to take home. 

In the artisan area you will find stalls where Qatari men come to have their bishts made – this is a cloak worn for ceremonial and celebratory events made from camel hair and goat wool. When the sun sets, take a seat on the benches at one of the outdoor cafés on the main thoroughfare and soak up the atmosphere. 

 2. SIP A KARAK AND MUNCH ON A CHAPATI

Karak powers much of life in Doha and sampling it on your visit is a must-try activity when visiting! A soothing fragrant, sweet and milky tea flavoured with cardamom, boiled together and then simmered over a low flame to intensify the flavour. It’s believed workers from Pakistan and India brought it with them to Qatar and it’s now embedded in the culture. You can find cafeterias and tea shops scattered all over Doha, but the legendary Chapati & Karak in Katara Cultural Village and Karaki at The Pearl Qatar are great places to dip your toe into the karak life.

Inspired to visit Doha? Book your stay on The Pearl, or choose the comfort of one of our luxurious residences.

3. LEARN ABOUT QATAR’S RICH HERITAGE AT THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF QATAR

In a city full of striking buildings, the National Museum of Qatar more than holds its own. Designed by French architect Jean Nouvel, the stacked and interlocking discs are evocative of the famed “desert rose”, actually a quartz shaped by the desert winds. Qataris are justly proud of their history. Inside you can trace the story of Qatar from pre-history through to the triumphant hosting of World Cup Qatar 2022. Stop by the museum’s award-winning shop to buy your own desert rose. Entry is QR50 for non-residents of Qatar and free for children.

4. GET UP CLOSE WITH A BIRD OF PREY AT THE FALCON SOUQ

Entering the Souq Waqif Falcon Hospital can be a bit eerie – you will find dozens of the majestic birds, sitting silently on their perches, their heads covered with tiny hoods. The hoods are used to keep the falcons calm and relaxed. Falcons are highly prized in Qatar. Not only is it the national bird, but the sport of falconry is integral to the country’s Bedouin tribes. One of the quirkiest attractions in Doha, it’s located next to Souq Waqif, you can even pose with a falcon perched on the arm. While falcons can fetch big money at auction, you can buy one of the hoods as a souvenir. 

5. GAZE AT DOHA’S ICONIC SKYLINE FROM A TRADITIONAL DHOW BOAT CRUISE

Doha’s futuristic skyline is best viewed from the water and this is easily done by renting one of the traditional wooden dhow boats that ply the Corniche area. You can rent one by the hour (try to haggle – usually around QR150 to QR200) for a personal cruise around the bay or pay extra for a sunset one complete with a barbeque dinner and music!  

6. RIDE THE FREE TRAM AND EXPLORE MSHEIREB, QATAR’S “SMART CITY”

While Msheireb Downtown stands on the site of one of Doha’s first settlements, it has been re-designed and renovated to become Qatar’s  “Smart City” and the world’s first sustainable downtown regeneration. Its heart is the Baharat Msheireb, a town square that is air conditioned. The free Msheireb tram will zoom you around the main attractions of the area, which host some of the hottest eateries, galleries and independent shops. Otherwise,  it’s very walkable. A must-visit is the M7 gallery which hosts regular exhibitions and is home to emerging designers and artists. Just across the road is the Harrods Tea Room, where you can cool down and fuel up on their famed afternoon tea.

7. EXPLORE A DIFFERENT SIDE OF QATAR’S PAST AT MSHEIREB MUSEUMS

This quartet of museums inside Msheireb pull back the curtain on Qatar’s past in a very surprising way. Four nearby houses each explore a different theme. Radwani House, with a central communal space, is a restored Qatari home and gives a glimpse into family life and traditions. Company House was the headquarters of Qatar’s first oil company and traces the story of how the discovery of petroleum transformed the tiny nation. The third is the former home of a slaver, Bin Jelmood House, and examines slavery in all forms across history to modern day. It’s sobering and offers visitors an opportunity to make their own pledge to eradicate slavery. Finally, Mohammed Bin Jassim House was the house of the son of the founder of modern Qatar, Sheikh Jassim Al Thani.

8. CRUISE AROUND THE PEARL QATAR IN A WATER TAXI

A series of man-made islands, The Pearl Qatar, home to Marsa Malaz Kempinski, is dubbed the Arabian Riviera – with restaurants, cafes, galleries and high-end stores amid a thriving residential community. Explore by water taxi, which you can find at Porto Arabia, the main promenade of the island. For just QR25 per person you can take a 25-minute trip around the marina, and you can also rent the entire boat for one hour for QR200 to take you on a longer, more expansive water tour.

9. IMMERSE YOURSELF IN A MILLENNIA OF ART AND DESIGN AT THE MUSEUM OF ISLAMIC ART

An architectural marvel designed by I.M.Pei, the Museum of Islamic Art houses masterpieces of Islamic art from three continents including textiles and carpets, glasswork, manuscripts and other objects dating back to the 7^th century. Entry is QR50 for adult non-residents of Qatar. The café inside the museum has impressive views of the city and is a great pitstop after exploring the exhibitions. The MIA also houses IDAM by Alain Ducasse, one of Doha’s most lauded fine dining spots which is open for lunch and dinner. You are asked to dress modestly with shoulders and knees covered. If you have time, take the free shuttle to Mathaf Arab Museum of Modern Art, located a 20 minute drive away at Education City, the world's largest collection of modern and contemporary Arab art.

10. DEVELOP A TASTE FOR QATARI FOOD 

Thanks to its prime position and deep history of trade, Qatar’s cuisine has influences from India, Africa and Asia. The best place to start a deep dive into Qatari cuisine is Souq Waqif. Here you will find the famed Shay Al Shamous café serving homely dishes like balaleet (vermicelli, egg and honey) and Qatari shakshouka (egg and chopped tomato are mixed together with spices).  A few steps away every evening you will find Qatari ladies selling wafer-thin freshly-made ragag bread smeared with honey or cheese. Meanwhile Jiwan Restaurant at the National Museum of Qatar offers a high-end take on Qatari food, with elegant interpretations of machboos (rice and meat) and harees (porridge-like beaten wheat and meat). Downstairs is Desert Rose Café by Qatari celebrity chef Noof Al Marri – her sago pudding with cardamom is a must try. And the selection of restaurants at Kempinski Residences & Suites is popular with locals and guests alike. 

11. LEVEL UP YOUR INSTAGRAM GAME AT THE MINA DISTRICT/OLD DOHA PORT

The Old Doha Port is a dreamy landscape of pastel-hued low level buildings located on Doha’s old port site. Easily reached by taxi or a 20-minute walk from the National Museum Metro Station, this attraction is home to more than 50 shops and cafés; a fish market and the beautifully designed Chabrat Al Mina restaurant where you choose your catch of the day and they will cook it for you. Take a wander around the vibrant area as well as the nearby Instagram-magnet Box Park, home to brightly painted shipping containers stacked to create and house offices and shops.

12. GLIDE ON A GONDOLA INSIDE VILLAGIO MALL

Yes, you read that right! Villaggio Mall is Doha’s most popular mall, with many of the biggest high street and luxury brand names in one spot as well as a cinema and a range of eateries for all tastes. It’s also home to a 150-metre indoor canal, where you can hire a gondola with your own singing gondolier to take you on a mini-cruise for just QR10 per person. The Italian/Venetian theme extends to the frescos on the ceilings. Be sure to check out the indoor kating rink where you can take a spin or catch the occasional ice hockey game.

13. TAKE A BREATHER IN MIA PARK

Encircling the Museum of Islamic Art on the waterfront, the verdant MIA Park is a haven for Doha’s population and visitors. Hire a bike to get around or just stroll along the footpaths, all roads lead to the striking vertical Richard Serra sculpture 7. There are year-round activities and attractions including film screenings, a bazaar in Winter;  kids playgrounds and performances. Hire a picnic basket for QR50 from the kiosk inside and fill with sandwiches and other goodies – head to any of the spaces for a view of the iconic Doha skyline. As this is a family space, modest dress is encouraged with shoulders and knees covered.

14. EXPLORE THE UNIQUE AND ECLECTIC KATARA CULTURAL VILLAGE

On way to The Pearl Qatar, Katara houses Doha’s only planetarium, a luxurious cinema, opera house, art galleries, cafes and restaurants. Two must visit spots are the two mosques – the Golden Masjid and the turquoise Katara Masjid – and the Roman-inspired amphitheatre with views across the bay. At the family beach (free but water activities are an extra cost) you can relax with a coffee and gelato from the kiosks that line the shore. Or head to one of the restaurants including Ard Canaan, which serves dishes from the Levant; or Bayt El Telleh, located in the lush man-made hills surrounding Katara.

15. STEP BACK IN TIME AT THE SHEIKH FAISAL BIN QASSIM MUSEUM

Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani is one of Qatar’s most prominent businessmen, and he is also a collector. He has turned his 15,000 item private collection of artefacts into a fascinating museum. The collection encompasses artefacts from the Jurassic age, up to the present day. Also on site is a kiswah, the cloth which covers the Ka’aba, Islam’s holiest site. Also in the complex is an exhibition of 700 carpets from around the world and the car museum houses 600 antique vehicles.  The museum is located at Al Samiya Farm, 22 kilometres north of Doha and is only reachable by car – entry is QR50 for adults and QR30 for children. 

Easily accessible by taxi or the efficient Doha Metro, you will be surprised how many of Doha’s top attractions you can visit on even a short trip.

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