3 days in Doha

Day by day

1. Day 1: Museum of Islamic Art and National Museum of Qatar

   Museum of Islamic Art, National Museum of Qatar and Doha Corniche, then Souq Waqif in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Museum of Islamic Art

      I.

   2. Late morning

      National Museum of Qatar

      Allow time for the restored Old Palace in the central courtyard, which many visitors miss.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Machboos

      Qatari restaurants in Souq Waqif and Katara, and home-style kitchens that serve traditional platters.

   4. Afternoon

      Doha Corniche

      A 7-kilometre crescent promenade around Doha Bay links the Museum of Islamic Art with West Bay, with palm-lined paths, lawns, playgrounds and views of moored dhows.

   5. Evening

      Souq Waqif

      Come after sunset, when the souq is at its liveliest, and eat at one of the grill restaurants on the main lane.

2. Day 2: Falcon Souq and Katara Cultural Village

   Falcon Souq, Katara Cultural Village and The Pearl and Qanat Quartier, then Dhow cruise on Doha Bay in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Falcon Souq

      Ask politely before photographing the birds or their owners; most shopkeepers are happy to talk about falconry.

   2. Late morning

      Katara Cultural Village

      A seafront cultural district between West Bay and The Pearl with a Greek-style amphitheatre, galleries, a mosque covered in blue and turquoise tiles, a gold-tiled mosque, traditional pigeon towers and restaurants.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Madrouba

      Qatari restaurants and Ramadan menus; Souq Waqif's traditional restaurants are a good place to try it.

   4. Afternoon

      The Pearl and Qanat Quartier

      Head to Qanat Quartier around golden hour, when the pastel façades photograph best.

   5. Evening

      Dhow cruise on Doha Bay

      Agree the length of the trip and the price before boarding shared dhows on the Corniche.

3. Day 3: Msheireb Museums and Msheireb Downtown walk

   Msheireb Museums, Msheireb Downtown walk and Qatar National Library, then Lusail Boulevard in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Msheireb Museums

      Four restored heritage houses in Msheireb tell Qatar's modern story: Bin Jelmood House on the history of slavery in the Indian Ocean world, Company House on the first oil workers, Mohammed Bin Jassim House on the district's rebuilding and Radwani House on family life before oil.

   2. Late morning

      Msheireb Downtown walk

      Use the free tram to get your bearings, then explore on foot from Barahat Msheireb.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Harees

      Qatari restaurants and hotel iftar buffets, especially in Ramadan.

   4. Afternoon

      Qatar National Library

      Rem Koolhaas's OMA designed this library as a single vast hall with terraced white shelving folding up from the floor.

   5. Evening

      Lusail Boulevard

      Ride the Lusail Tram between the boulevard, the marina and the mall instead of walking in the heat.

Before you go

If it rains

• Swap in Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art (Education City): Check what exhibitions are on before you go; the museum changes its displays regularly.
• Swap in 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum (Aspire Zone): Leave time for the interactive Sports Zone at the end, where children can try different sports.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 3 nights, Souq Waqif and Old Doha keeps most of this route within easy reach. For a calmer or cheaper base, West Bay ($$$) suits families, luxury and beach. Compare every area.

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 19–26 hours of visiting over 3 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 10.6 hours in December to 13.7 hours in June.

More or fewer days

• One day in Doha
• 2 days in Doha
• 4 days in Doha
• 5 days in Doha

Questions travellers ask