Month guide · Doha · Qatar
Doha in May
What May is really like in Doha: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Spetsnaz 1991, CC BY 2.0
Quick answer
May is a quieter month with trade-offs. Expect average highs of 39°C (102°F), lows of 28°C (82°F), about 0 rainy days and roughly 13.4 hours of daylight. Very hot. Hotel prices fall and the city shifts to indoor attractions and evening activity.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 39°C (102°F) / 28°C (82°F)
- Rainy days
- About 0
- Daylight
- About 13.4 hours
- Sea temperature
- 28°C (82°F)
- Crowds
- Quiet
- Hotel prices
- Low
Weather in May
May is the 4th-warmest month in Doha: days average 39°C (102°F) against a yearly average high of 33°C (91°F), and nights fall to about 28°C (82°F). Rain falls on roughly 0 of its 31 days. Compared with April (33°C (91°F)), May is warmer; by June highs climb to around 42°C (108°F).
- Sunrise (15 May)
- About 04:49
- Sunset (15 May)
- About 18:11
- Daylight
- About 13.4 hours
- Sea
- 28°C (82°F)
Winter (December–February). Mild, sunny days in the low to mid-20s and cool evenings; National Day and the sports calendar make it the busiest season.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, May rates 2 for crowds (the peak is December at 5) and 2 for hotel prices (highest in December). That makes May one of the better-value months to book.
Events in May
May has no major recurring festival in Doha, which usually means easier bookings.
What to do in May
With intense heat, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Gallery · Education City
Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art
Check what exhibitions are on before you go; the museum changes its displays regularly.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Art
- Rainy day
- Off the beaten path
Museum · Aspire Zone
3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum
Next to Khalifa International Stadium, this museum opened in 2022 covers the history of sport from ancient times to the modern Olympics and Qatar's own athletes.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Rainy day
- History
Market · Souq Waqif and Old Doha
Souq Waqif
Come after sunset, when the souq is at its liveliest, and eat at one of the grill restaurants on the main lane.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Food
- Shopping
- After dark
Market · Souq Waqif and Old Doha
Falcon Souq
On the edge of Souq Waqif, shops sell hooded falcons, leather gloves, hoods and training gear to Qatari falconers, and birds perch on stands inside.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Off the beaten path
- Kids
- History
The sea averages 28°C (82°F) — warm enough to swim. Best beaches near Doha.
What to pack
For highs near 39°C, lows near 28°C and 0 wet days: light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; comfortable walking shoes.
Is May a good time to visit Doha?
A quieter month with trade-offs. If your dates are flexible, November–March are better overall. Compare every month.
Doha in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is May a good time to visit Doha?
It is a quieter month with trade-offs. Very hot. Hotel prices fall and the city shifts to indoor attractions and evening activity.
+How warm is Doha in May?
Average highs are around 39°C (102°F) and lows around 28°C (82°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Doha in May?
Expect rain on about 0 days of the month, so it is usually dry.