How to spend 24 hours in Doha
Make the most of your visit with our ultimate guide
Booked a short stopover in Qatar, or just want to make the most of your visit during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022?
While 24 hours in Doha definitely isn’t enough to see all the sights, you can still give some of the top things to do a go.
Here, the team at Time Out Doha have prepared the perfect itinerary for 24 hours in Doha. What are you waiting for? There’s no time to waste.
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The ultimate 24 hours in Doha
Grab a coffee in Msheireb Downtown Doha
To cram in all the essential sights while spending just 24 hours in Doha, you’re going to need to fuel up, and we can’t think of a better place to grab your morning coffee than Msheireb Downtown Doha.
The sustainable downtown regeneration project showcases the best of modern Doha, and there are tonnes of brilliant places to grab a cup of morning joe like % Arabica, Savant Cafe and The Ministry of Coffee.
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Take the underpass over to Souq Waqif
Once you’ve grabbed your coffee and wandered around Baharat Msheireb, take the underpass to Souq Waqif (which you will find next to the Alwadi Hotel).
Watch as you go from one of the most modern areas of the city to one of the most traditional.
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Dig into breakfast at Shay Al Shomoos
No 24 hours in Doha would be complete without trying some Qatari food, and Shay Al Shomoos is as traditional as it comes.
Run by Shams Al Qassabi, who was the first woman to establish a business in Souq Waqif, the breakfast spot serves up traditional dishes like regag as well as plenty of egg-based plates.
Open Sat-Thu 7.30am-1pm, 6.30pm-10pm; Fri 7.30am-1pm. Souq Waqif, @shay_alshomous (5551 5561).
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Explore Souq Waqif
Honestly, you could spend your 24 hours in Doha just wandering around Souq Waqif and you still wouldn’t have discovered everything it has to offer.
Haggle for a bargain, take a snap with the gigantic thumb or next to the well with a view of the iconic spiral mosque, or indulge in a spot of people watching at one of Souq Waqif’s restaurants.
Don’t miss the Souq Waqif Art Center, where, if you’re lucky, you’ll spot one of the artists in residence working on their latest piece (and, even if you’re not lucky, you’ll be able to enjoy works from Doha-based artists on display).
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Enjoy the best view of the West Bay skyline in the city from MIA Park
Take another underpass, this time over to the corniche, where you’ll be able to walk over to MIA Park. Along the way, you’ll see traditional dhows and public art including the pearl monument.
While we would usually tell you to stop off at the Museum of Islamic Art, it is currently undergoing renovations and won’t reopen until October.
No matter, though, as the park is (in our opinion) the best spot to admire the West Bay skyline from, and well worth taking time out of your 24 hours in Doha for a visit.
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Learn about the country’s fascinating history at National Museum of Qatar
You’ve already seen Doha both new and old, but it’s time to stop off at the National Museum of Qatar to learn more about the country’s fascinating history.
If you only have time to visit one museum during your 24 hours in Doha, make it this one, as you’ll get a complete overview from the native plants and animals to bedouin culture and pearl diving.
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Order lunch at JIWAN or Thalatheen
Banish all thoughts of the overpriced and underwhelming food you might expect from museum cafés around the globe, because JIWAN is one of the hottest restaurants in Doha.
The menu, created by Alain Ducasse, features local dishes with a contemporary twist. Our favourite part, however, has to be the view over the National Museum of Qatar and of the city beyond from the outdoor terrace. Veggie or vegan?
Then check out Thalatheen instead, which is just outside the entrance to the museum.
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Head over to Katara Cultural Village
Qatar is filled with culture, and so it’s little wonder that your 24 hours in Doha will be filled with it, too. Head up to Katara Cultural Village, where you’ll find a hub of galleries and restaurants.
Start your visit by getting snap happy at the Katara Amphitheatre, before admiring the architecture of the Golden Mosque and the Masjid of Katara.
Outside building 40, you’ll find the incredible Oryx Going Ahead mural, and there are several art galleries dotted around, too. If you have an interest in astrology, you can nip inside the Al Thuraya Planetarium to learn more about the cosmos.
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Wander around the Qanat Quartier
Perhaps the most photographed area of Doha, the Qanat Quartier is Doha’s own version of Venice, complete with canals and a replica Rialto Bridge.
Don’t miss the piano steps, and make sure you wander over to the bridge near the Gondola Palazzo apartment buildings for a sensational view of Katara Towers.
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Grab dinner on The Pearl-Qatar
Your 24 hours in Doha are nearly coming to an end, and after a jam-packed day, we imagine you will be pretty hungry. There are lots of places to eat in the Qanat Quartier, like Viva Mexico, budget eatery Ginger Club or Korean barbecue restaurant MARU, but don’t just limit yourself to the Qanat Quartier.
Over at Porto Arabia, you can pay a visit to Junko for top-notch Japanese dishes, or the newly-opend gastropub Hamilton’s, and the Marsa Malaz Kempinski has plenty of amazing options like Latin American restaurant Toro Toro, Lebanese joint Antika or Spanish spot El Faro.
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Head out for drinks at one of the city’s best bars
Not one for an early night? Make the most of your 24 hours in Doha by heading to one of the city’s best bars. If you’re staying on The Pearl-Qatar, retro diner slash sports bar Public House is a top choice, as is The Secret Garden (during the winter months).
Over in West Bay, grab a casual pint at Brewskis and Grub or Champions, or enjoy a drink with a view from Zengo on the 61st floor of the Kempinski Residences & Suites or from La Vista 55 on, you guessed it, the 55th floor of the InterContinental Doha The City.
Other top choices include Sky View at La Cigale Hotel, and Vertigo at the Banyan Tree Doha.
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