5 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

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

   2. Late morning

      National Museum of Qatar

      Allow time for the restored Old Palace in the central courtyard, which many visitors miss. (2–3 hours, mid-priced).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Machboos

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

   4. Afternoon

      Doha Corniche

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

   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. (30 minutes, free).

   2. Late morning

      Katara Cultural Village

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

   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. (2 hours, free).

   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

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

   2. Late morning

      Msheireb Downtown walk

      Use the free tram to get your bearings, then explore on foot from Barahat Msheireb. (1 hour, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Harees

      Qatari restaurants and hotel iftar buffets, especially in Ramadan.

   4. Afternoon

      Qatar National Library

      Combine it with a ride on the Education City tram and a visit to Mathaf nearby. (1 hour, free).

   5. Evening

      Lusail Boulevard

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

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. Best for first-timers, families and couples.

   3. Evening

      Back in Doha

      Dinner: try Thareed.

5. Day 5: Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art and 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum

   Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art, 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum and Aspire Park, then West Bay hotels in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art

      Check what exhibitions are on before you go; the museum changes its displays regularly. (1–1.5 hours, low cost).

   2. Late morning

      3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum

      Leave time for the interactive Sports Zone at the end, where children can try different sports. (2 hours, mid-priced).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Thareed

      Traditional restaurants in Souq Waqif and iftar buffets.

   4. Afternoon

      Aspire Park

      Visit from late afternoon in the cooler months, when local families gather around the lake. (1–2 hours, free).

   5. Evening

      West Bay hotels

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

Before you go

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 5 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 23–31 hours of visiting over 5 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
• 4 days in Doha

Questions travellers ask