Qatar holidays: Doha, the desert and a perfect stopover
Museums by the world's great architects, a restored souk and desert dunes an hour from the centre. Doha works as a three-night stopover or a short winter sun break.
Doha
Photo: Kenny / Unsplash
Qatar at a glance
It is five in the afternoon, the heat has eased and people are starting their evening walk along the Corniche in Doha. Across the bay the towers of West Bay light up, and behind you the Museum of Islamic Art sits like a white cube in the water. Qatar is a small peninsula in the Persian Gulf, and almost everything you will want to see is in or around the capital.
Qatar Airways flies direct from London and many other European cities, which makes Doha an easy stop on the way to Asia, Africa or Australia. The currency is the Qatari riyal. For more of the region, see our Asia travel guide.
What to see in Doha
The museums
The Museum of Islamic Art was designed by I. M. Pei and holds one of the world's finest collections of Islamic art. The National Museum of Qatar, by Jean Nouvel, is shaped like a desert rose. Both deserve a full morning.
Souq Waqif and Msheireb
The old market has been rebuilt in traditional style, with spices, textiles and its own falcon souk. Next door is Msheireb, a new downtown of cafés and pedestrian streets.
The Pearl and Katara
The Pearl is a man-made island with a marina, shops and restaurants. Katara Cultural Village has an amphitheatre, galleries and a public beach.
The desert and Khor Al Adaid
About an hour south of Doha the dunes meet the sea at Khor Al Adaid, also called the Inland Sea. Go with a guide in a four-wheel drive and stay for sunset.
Lusail
Photo: Popup Agency / Unsplash
When to go
November to March: 20 to 28 degrees by day. The best time for both city and desert.
April and October: hot, but still fine in the morning and evening.
May to September: very hot and humid, often above 40 degrees. Life moves indoors and hotel rates drop.
Good to know
Cover shoulders and knees in public buildings, museums and the souk.
Alcohol is served only in licensed hotel bars and restaurants.
Taxis and the Doha Metro are cheap and easy. The metro serves the airport, West Bay and Msheireb.
Check stopover deals with your airline. Qatar Airways often sells hotel packages for a night or two.
Where to stay
West Bay has the tall hotels with sea views, Msheireb and Souq Waqif are the most central, and the Al Messila resort sits in parkland outside the city. We have picked nine of the best in our Doha hotel guide. Heading further around the Gulf? See our United Arab Emirates guide.
Frequently asked questions about Qatar
How many days do I need in Doha?
Two or three nights are enough for the museums, the souk and a desert trip.
When is the best time to visit Qatar?
November to March, when it is warm but not too hot to be outside.
Can you drink alcohol in Qatar?
Yes, but only in licensed hotels and restaurants. Drinking in public is not allowed.
How long is the flight from London to Doha?
Around six and a half to seven hours direct.