by Sanjiban ghosh / [CC BY-SA 4.0
Discover Doha: Ultramodern Architecture, Museums, Beaches, and More
Table of Contents
A. About Doha
Nickname: City of SportsLike other destinations in the Middle East, cosmopolitan Doha has metamorphosed in a few decades from a small Gulf trading center into a glamorous and futuristic urban destination.
With the Football World Cup in the Winter of 2022, Doha is more in the focus of the world than it has ever been before.
The capital of Qatar delights visitors with ultramodern architecture, interesting museums, beautiful beaches, and extravagantly themed shopping malls. Doha offers an intriguing mix of modern wonders and ancient traditions to explore.
➕ The Good
Located on the Persian Gulf coast towering over the Arabian Desert Doha enjoys a fantastic location.
Furthermore, the city is very safe, clean, and offers great shopping.
➖ Negative Aspects
Apart from the corniche and the Souq Waqif, there are hardly any pedestrian zones in Doha.
Though Doha scores well for its climate over the entire year, you should avoid the extreme heat in summer with hot months over 40°C (104°F).
Many inhabitants in Doha are conservative Muslims, so you need to act and dress respectively. The ease of travel is, therefore, lower than in most other cities.
B. Best Things to Do in Doha in 2025 (Detailed List with Photos and Information)
In total, we count almost twenty sights in Doha. The following sights contribute to a decent score of 5.75/10 in this highly important category:
# National Museum of Qatar 6
Completed in 2019, this spectacular sprawling complex of interlocking disks by the famous French architect Jean Nouvel is inspired by the desert rose crystal.
The museum site houses the National Museum of Qatar and includes the remarkable Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim Al Thani's Palace.
National Museum Completed: 2019 | Constructions Cost: US$434 million
by Davide Mauro / CC BY-SA 4.0
# Museum of Islamic Art 6
Set on the Doha waterfront with a spectacular glass wall over the Arabic Sea, this elegant museum by the world-renowned architect I.M Pei displays masterpieces of Islamic art.
Museum Established: 2008
by Mohamod Fasil / CC BY-SA 2.0
# Souq Waqif 5
This beautiful old traditional market sells traditional garments, spices, handicrafts, and souvenirs.
by Haakon S. Krohn / CC BY-SA 3.0
# The Corniche 4
Stretching 7 km, Dohas trendy waterfront is a boulevard and the main artery in one. Many of Doha's most iconic landmarks are found along the Corniche, beginning from around the Museum of Islamic Art and ending at the Sheraton Park near the distinctive pyramid-shaped Sheraton Doha Resort & Convention Hotel.
Seafront Promenade Length: 7 km / 4 miles
by Flashpacker TravelGuide / CC BY-SA 2.0
# Villaggio Shopping Mall 4
This Italianate-themed shopping center features a 150-meter-long indoor canal with gondolas.
Shopping Mall Opened: 2006 | Shops: 220 | Retail Floor Area: 125,000 m2 / 1,350,000 sq ft
by Jaseem Hamza / CC BY-SA 3.0
# The Pearl-Qatar 4
This man-made island spans nearly four square kilometers and features yacht-lined marinas, residential towers and a luxurious shopping experience with premium designer boutiques.
by Steven Byles / CC BY-SA 2.0
# State Grand Mosque (Imam Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab Mosque) 4
Opened in 2011, this sandstone mosque in traditional Arab style with modern features commands impressive views of the Doha skyline.
Mosque Completed: 2011
by Alex Sergeev / CC BY-SA 3.0
# Islamic Cultural Center (Abdulla Bin Zaid Al Mahmoud Islamic Cultural Center) 4
Located close to Doha Corniche, this wedding-cake-shaped building is the basic cultural hub of the city.
by Razimantv / CC BY-SA 4.0
# Mathaf – Arab Museum of Modern Art 4
Established in 2010, this modern art museum features more than 9,000 works by notable artists from the Arab world from the 1840s to the present day.
Modern Art Museum Opened: 2010
by Steve Sabella / CC BY-SA 3.0
#10 | Sheikh Faisal Museum 4
Sheikh Faisal's private museum in Al Samriya displays a fascinating collection of over 15,000 works of art, artifacts, and historical equipment, as well as numerous traditional household items that provide insights into life in Qatar before the discovery of oil. A distinctive feature of the museum is the extensive collection of vintage vehicles.
by Lawrence Wang / CC BY-SA 2.0
D. Best Day Trips and Excursions from Doha
AL ZUBARAH FORT 5
Al Zubarah Fort, built in 1938, is a historical fort in northwest Qatar, now a museum highlighting the nation's past.
The fort features a square shape with circular towers at three corners and a rectangular tower at the fourth.
Fort Distance from Doha: 105 km
by Rafeek Qatar / CC BY-SA 2.0
E. Top 10 List of The Highlights in Doha (including close-by excursions)
To sum things up, these are the ten best sights we recommend to you when visiting Doha for at least two entire days.