Places to visit in Doha for an amazing layover

Doha is an amazing city to visit, and with Qatar Airways offering a stopover programme, it is easier than ever before to visit. While Qatar might not have been on your travel radar, if you’re heading to Australia or Southeast Asia, it’s the perfect way to take advantage of the stopover deals. With the option to add a layover of up to four days, you’ll have just the right amount of time to discover some of the very best places to visit in Doha.

Why visit Doha?

Qatar’s capital might not be the first place that comes to mind when planning your next trip, but it really does have so much to offer. From beautiful museums and bustling souqs to gleaming skyscrapers and peaceful waterfronts, Doha is a city of contrasts and well worth a visit. There is something to entertain everyone, and with easy day trips out to the rest of the country, it is a great base to explore Qatar. Perfect for a three-day city getaway.

Where to stay in Doha

If you decide to book your trip through the Qatar Airways stopover package, you will have a choice of hotels to choose from. From 4* to 5* plus, and a choice of 4 hotels in each category. If you choose to book independently, there is a wealth of hotels to choose from in Doha. You are spoilt for choice!

WHERE TO STAY IN DOHA:
Budget: Green Garden Hotel – A clean, comfortable, and affordable option in central Doha. Green Garden Hotel is ideal for short stays and is within easy reach of major attractions like Souq Waqif and the Corniche.

Mid-range: Alwadi Hotel Doha – MGallery – Stylish and perfectly located near Souq Waqif and the Museum of Islamic Art, Alwadi offers modern rooms, excellent service, and a rooftop bar with views over the city.

Luxury: Mondrian Doha – Bold, artistic, and unapologetically unique, it is a luxury hotel that blends high design with comfort. Expect statement interiors, indulgent dining, and a truly memorable stay.

Places to visit in Doha

Looking for the best places to visit in Doha? There are quite a few, so get ready to be spoilt for choice!

Souq Waqif – one of the most traditional places to visit in Doha

The perfect place to start your time in Doha. Souks are very traditional Middle Eastern, but they can often be overwhelming and intimidating. Souq Waqif is nothing like that! As a solo female traveller, I felt very safe and relaxed walking around.

Souq Waqif dates back to the 19th century, and, although it was refurbished in 2019, it retains a lot of its traditional charm and architecture. The warren of streets is home to lots of stalls and markets, as well as delicious places to eat. The perfect place to pick up a souvenir and grab some lunch!

Top Tip: If you are looking for a tour of the souk, why not try this half-day tour, which adds a layer of local knowledge!

Falcon Souq

When visiting Souq Waqif, make sure not to miss the Falcon Souq. Tucked away on the western side, it’s just a short walk from the main alleys and can be found in a peaceful courtyard slightly away from the bustle. Here you can find all things Falcon related, including purchasing a Falcon and all your accessory needs! There is even a Falcon Hospital. Falcons are a status symbol in Qatar, so this industry is taken very seriously.

Camel Pen

Just next to the Falcon Souq, you will find the camel pen. This is a small open area where the camels belonging to the Royal Guard are tethered. You have a chance to get up close with the camels. While they are well cared for, they are tethered throughout the day.

Corniche

The Corniche stretches a full 7 KM long, so you might not have time to see it all. However, there is a section just across the road from Souq Waqif, which is a nice section to take a stroll along. The Corniche is a lovely waterfront walk, with stunning views of the Doha skyline.

Pearl Monument

Located on the Corniche, just opposite Souq Waqif, is the Pearl Monument. This is a fun photo stop place. The monument was erected to celebrate Doha’s pearl diving heritage.

Dhow Boat Ride

One of the best things to do in Doha is take a traditional Dhow boat ride at sunset. The tours all depart from the Corniche and typically take around an hour and a half. Dhow boats are the traditional Qatari sailing vessel, and are all lined up along the shore front. Taking a Dhow boat ride will give you wonderful views of the skyline and the Museum of Islamic Art, particularly at sunset.

Top Tip: You can book your Dhow boat ride in advance, and this will include transport from your hotel. Alternatively, head down the Corniche to negotiate – but make sure you have cash on you.

Flag Plaza

A little further along the Corniche, and you will find the Flag Plaza. It was built in 2022 as part of Qatar’s initiatives for the World Cup. The plaza features over 100 flags representing countries with diplomatic missions in Qatar, as well as international organisations. It’s a colourful, open area and makes for a great photo spot.

Museum of Islamic Art – one of the most interesting places to visit in Doha

The Museum of Islamic Art (the MIA) is one of the best places to visit in Doha. This museum is not only beautiful to look at, but also incredibly interesting (and important) inside. The museum houses centuries of Islamic art from across the globe, including textiles, ceramics, calligraphy, and metalwork. A really interesting place to learn about the history of the religion.

Outside, the architecture is stunning. There is a ‘not to be missed’ square with a wall of arches that overlooks the skyline.

National Museum of Qatar – one of the top places to visit in Doha

If you only visit one museum in Doha, make sure it is the National Museum of Qatar. I would go as far as to say one of the best museums I have ever been in. You could spend hours wandering through the exhibits. Even before you go in, be prepared to marvel at the impressive architecture. It tells the history of the country and its people right from prehistoric ages in exhibits that are captivating and engaging.

Box Park

An area of Doha that you just might not expect. This is the site of the former port that has been converted into an entertainment hub. Old shipping containers have been painted to create an incredibly colourful and vibrant part of the city. There are a few cafes, but really, if you are after something a little more adventurous, this is the place. There are a lot of people offering activities such as jet skiing from here.

Mina District – one of the most colourful places to visit in Doha

Mina District turned out to be a real surprise, and my favourite part of the city. Not what I expected Doha to look like! It is a pastel lover’s dream made up of pretty streets, cute cafés, and relaxed vibes. The perfect place to wander, take in the beautiful street art and enjoy some lunch with a view. Don’t miss the fish market, which is a beautiful building with the most stunning stained glass ceiling.

Katara Cultural Village

The Pigeon Towers located in Katara Cultural Village have been made famous thanks to Instagram, and this spot certainly makes it one of the best places to visit in Doha. There is so much to do here that you could easily spend an entire day exploring. It is a cultural and recreational hub with shopping centres, restaurants, mosques, and even an amphitheatre and a beach!

Some of the best things to do are visit the Blue Mosque, grab a karak and chapati from Chapati & Karak, and visit the 3 pigeon towers.

Qanat Quarter

When visiting the Qanat Quarter, you would be forgiven for thinking you were no longer in the Middle East! It is the most well-known residential area in Doha, and has been built to look like the canals of Venice. It is located on the artificial island of the Pearl, and lovely to take a stroll through. Packed full of shops, cafes and restaurants as well as lots of residential homes.

Take your time to wander through the streets alongside the canal. Look out for the replica Rialto Bridge and make sure not to miss the musical stairs, which are formed like a piano and make music as you walk up them.

Katara Towers

Probably the most iconic image of Doha – the Katara Towers. How can it not be included in a post about the best places to visit in Doha? This crescent moon-shaped building is known as the Katara Towers and the Lusail Katara Hotel. You can get up close and personal to it, but the best views are across the water at theLusail Marina Promenade.

Place Vendôme Mall

One of the fanciest shopping malls! The entrance alone is incredibly grand. When you are walking through expect high ceilings, intricate details and lots of luxury brands. There is even an Armani cafe in the middle!

In the centre of the Mall, you will find the outdoor courtyard, which is home to a dancing fountain which moves in time to music. The shows are every hour on the hour from 5:00 PM to 11:00 PM Sunday through Wednesday, and from 3:00 PM to 11:00 PM Thursday through Sunday, so make sure to time your visit accordingly.

Villaggio Mall

To round off the top places to visit in Doha, another mall. This one is Villaggio Mall, which is located at the west end of the city. Another place that takes its inspiration from Venice! It’s a fun place to wander around, offering everything from luxury shops to a theme park and even an ice rink, all under one roof.

Places to visit in Doha – take a day trip

Qatar is so much more than a capital city, and Doha is ideally placed to explore the surrounding country, such as one to West and North Qatar.

Some of the most popular day trips are:

Day tour to North and West Qatar – Experience the colourful life, art and culture Qatar has to offer. From old forts to art installations and camels. A really interesting way to see more of this wonderful country.

Desert Adventure Tour – Qatar is known for its desert, and offers thrilling ways to explore it. This tour gives you dune buggies, horse riding and even a camel ride.

Dhow cruise with dinner – For a more relaxed day, take a full-day Dhow cruise. You can snorkel and then finish the day with a BBQ.

Final thoughts on the best places to visit in Doha

This city and country have so much more to offer than first meets the eye. It is perfect for a 2-3 day layover. There is more than enough to see, and if you wanted to go at a slow pace, you could easily entertain yourself for up to 5 days. It proves what good value stopover packages are!

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