With its towering modern skyscrapers, leafy parks and waterfront promenade, Doha is one of the Middle East’s most important transport hubs. It’s become a popular destination for long-haul flight stopovers, with excellent museums, traditional souqs and cutting-edge architecture.

Things to do

Doha’s Museum of Islamic Art is an undisputed highlight, with an impressive collection of artwork spanning more than 1,400 years. The Al-Corniche Promenade stretches to the west, hugging the coast around Doha Bay and offers sweeping views across the city. It’s dotted with shady parks where you can take a breather and is a popular spot for locals to stroll in the evenings.

Al-Corniche connects with the affluent expat district of West Bay where the iconic Burj Qatar is located, together with the Msheireb Enrichment Centre that showcases the country’s history and future ambitions.

Witness Qatar’s architectural legacy in the theatres, restaurants and galleries of the Katara Cultural Village, featuring its own beachfront to relax on. Those looking to take home souvenirs can delve into the shops of Souq Wasif, famed for its traditional handicrafts, clothing and spices.

Want to experience Doha at its most exclusive? Then be sure to visit the Pearl-Qatar, a luxurious neighbourhood built on a series of man-made islands to the north of the city centre. Wander its Venetian-inspired Qanat Quartier, with meandering canals and pedestrian-only streets and plazas.

Getting around

Hamad International Airport is one of the Persian Gulf’s major transport hubs, and the entry point for most visitors to Qatar, situated 15 minutes’drive from Doha’s city centre. Although there are a couple of public bus routes in the city, taxis are the main means of getting around.