4 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 Dhow cruise on Doha Bay in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Museum of Islamic Art

      Allow 2–3 hours (low cost). Walk out along MIA Park in the late afternoon for the classic view of the West Bay skyline across the water.

   2. Late morning

      National Museum of Qatar

      Its immersive galleries move from Qatar's geology and Bedouin life to pearl diving and the oil era, with large-scale film projections.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Machboos

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

   4. Afternoon

      Doha Corniche

      Allow 1–2 hours (free). Walk the stretch from MIA Park to the Sheraton Park in the early evening, then take the Red Line back from West Bay.

   5. Evening

      Dhow cruise on Doha Bay

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

2. Day 2: Old Doha Port and Souq Waqif

   Old Doha Port, Souq Waqif and Falcon Souq, then Lusail Boulevard in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Old Doha Port

      It is a relaxed spot for a coffee and a walk by the water.

   2. Late morning

      Souq Waqif

      Allow 2–3 hours (free). Come after sunset, when the souq is at its liveliest, and eat at one of the grill restaurants on the main lane.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Madrouba

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

   4. Afternoon

      Falcon Souq

      A specialist falcon hospital is next door. It is one of the most authentic glimpses of a living Gulf tradition.

   5. Evening

      Lusail Boulevard

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

3. Day 3: Katara Cultural Village and The Pearl and Qanat Quartier

   Katara Cultural Village, The Pearl and Qanat Quartier and Msheireb Museums, then West Bay hotels in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Katara Cultural Village

      Allow 2–3 hours (free). Visit in the late afternoon to see the tiled mosque in daylight, then eat at the waterfront restaurants as the sun sets.

   2. Late morning

      The Pearl and Qanat Quartier

      It is a pleasant place for an evening walk and waterfront dinner.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Harees

      Qatari restaurants and hotel iftar buffets, especially in Ramadan.

   4. Afternoon

      Msheireb Museums

      Allow 2–3 hours (low cost). Start with Bin Jelmood House, the most moving of the four, and allow about 30–45 minutes for each house.

   5. Evening

      West Bay hotels

      Rooftop and lobby bars in the high-rise hotels, with skyline views and live music on some nights.

4. Day 4: Day trip to Khor Al Adaid (Inland Sea)

   About 1.5 hours each way by 4x4 each way. Getting there: Guided 4x4 desert tour from Doha.

   1. Morning

      Travel to Khor Al Adaid (Inland Sea)

      About 1.5 hours each way by 4x4 (Guided 4x4 desert tour from Doha); about 80 km.

   2. Day

      Khor Al Adaid (Inland Sea)

      In the far south-east of Qatar, tall sand dunes run straight down to a tidal inlet of the Gulf, with Saudi Arabia visible across the water. Tours stop at Sealine for camel rides and sandboarding, then drive over the dunes for a swim and lunch or an overnight desert camp.

   3. Evening

      Back in Doha

      Dinner: try Thareed.

Before you go

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 4 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 18–26 hours of visiting over 4 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
• 3 days in Doha
• 5 days in Doha

Questions travellers ask