By air
Hamad International (DOH), ~15 km
Middle East · Qatar
Doha, Qatar
A museum city on the Gulf
Getting there
Best time to visit
November to March — mild
Don't miss
The Museum of Islamic Art
The National Museum of Qatar
Souq Waqif
The Pearl
Things to do
The Museum of Islamic Art
Souq Waqif at night
The Corniche walk
Where to eat
Sources: Photo: Francisco Anzola · CC BY 2.0
What to pack
Modest clothing, light layers
A quieter corner
The Katara cultural village's amphitheatre
Questions travellers ask
When should I go to Doha?
November to March, when it's mild. Pack modest clothing and light layers.
What are Doha's highlights?
The Museum of Islamic Art, the National Museum of Qatar, the Pearl and the Corniche walk. Save Souq Waqif for the evening.
What should I eat in Doha?
Machboos, with a cup of karak tea. For a quieter moment, find the Katara cultural village's amphitheatre.
How far is Doha's airport from the city?
Hamad International (DOH) is about 15 km away.
About Doha
- Coastal
Where it is
Doha is the capital and largest city of Qatar, on the east coast of the Qatar peninsula, curving around a bay of the Gulf with a long corniche and a skyline of modern towers.
History
Doha grew in the 19th century as a pearling and fishing town near the older settlement of Al Bidda, and it was the main town of Qatar during the British protectorate. Oil and later vast offshore gas reserves transformed it from the mid-20th century, and after independence in 1971 it grew into a modern capital that hosted the 2006 Asian Games and the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
People
Most of Doha's residents come from abroad, above all from South Asia, alongside Qatari families and communities from the Arab world and the Philippines. Arabic is the official language and English is widely used, and Qatari traditions include falconry, the sadu weaving of the Bedouin and dishes such as machboos.
Known for
- The Museum of Islamic Art
- The National Museum of Qatar
- Souq Waqif
- The Corniche
- The Pearl-Qatar island
Did you know?
The Museum of Islamic Art in Doha, designed by the architect I. M. Pei and opened in 2008, stands on its own artificial island off the Corniche.
We haven't written a guide for this place yet — you can still plan a trip here.