Fantastic things to do in Doha in 2024

Doha, the capital city and most thriving city in Qatar, is a beautiful city that offers a blend of ancient heritage and modern wonders and with its enchanting allure, it landed on my radar, becoming the first on my 2024 travel bucket list. 

Are you ready to visit Doha and explore the magnificent sights it has to offer? Consider this post the perfect guide to fun things to do in Doha, Qatar. 

Every location mentioned covers top attractions, family-friendly places, and exploration of the city. I’ve got you covered so take a deep look at the top fantastic things I did in Doha, Qatar. 

1. Explore the Museum of Illusions

The Museum of Islamic Art and the Qatar National Museum are already on this list but it would be incomplete without adding the Museum of Illusions. The classic exhibits and unexplored illusions will dazzle you, thus bringing out your inner child as you become fascinated by the sensory and visual experience. You get to take amazing pictures of the installation and it is a perfect place to explore as a family-friendly destination. 

The Museum of Illusions is a one-of-a-kind destination that exposes you to the world of illusions, including stenographic optical illusions, holograms, and immersive rooms that trick your senses and tease the mind. You can also attempt to fix puzzles and take as many pictures as you’d like in the museum. 

2. Time travel at the National Museum of Qatar

Fascinated by Doha and want to have a bit of in-depth knowledge of the city and country? The National Museum of Qatar is just the place for you. Considered one of the best things to do in Qatar, you get to learn about the country’s past and culture in a few hours and have fun while doing it.

The museum has 11 galleries displaying permanent collections filled with the history of Qatar. The main attraction of the museum has to be the building with its immaculate architecture, which was designed to resemble a desert rose.

3. Tour Katara Cultural Village

Katara Cultural Village is a sought-after attraction in Doha, comprising unique attractions such as the Katara amphitheatre, art galleries, museums, Katara Beach, and many more. Katara Cultural Village is nestled between the financial West Bay district and the Pearl residential neighbourhood. 

There are plenty of things to do in the Katara cultural village so before you get overwhelmed about where to start your sightseeing, how about you consider the Katara Amphitheatre? Known to be the number one attraction in a self-styled cultural village, it is an outdoor arena built in classical Greek style with a capacity of hosting 5,000 people. The amphitheatre offers spectacular views of the Arabian Gulf Sea and the force of nature art illustrating Mother Nature. 

You can move on to visit the art galleries in the village that showcase contemporary art and trans-disciplinary creative art. Another beautiful sight in this location is the Katara mosque, designed by the first female architect to specialise in mosques. Intrigued by the cultural village, you can visit other places, like the restaurants, to grab a delicious meal and take a stroll down the beach. 

4. Get lost in Souq Waqif

If the souq waqif isn’t already on your list, this is the ultimate sign you need to add it. The souq waqif is a hub of activity that first-timers in Doha as well as returnees have fallen in love with and also considered a must-visit. 

This Doha trading market has a tirade of things for you to explore, from shopping items like gold headpieces, necklaces, antiques, and fabrics to rejuvenate your travelling spirit and as a souvenir of your vacation. You can also check out the many Arabic species on display, like saffron and dried flowers that unlock the inner chef in you. Located in the heart of this location is the Souq Waqif art centre, where you get to watch the artists perform their magic and, if enchanted by the penmanship, you can purchase it as a souvenir of your time in Qatar.

Explore to your heart's content by buying local beauty products like custom-made perfume and you can try out a henna tattoo for fun. The souq waqif is a place you can haggle for a bargain and depending on how good you are, it might be a fun activity. The restaurants and cafes around offer some delicious foods that will delight your taste buds and you can also enjoy some street performances. 

5. Enjoy the stunning view from the Corniche

Just a short distance from the Museum of Islamic Art, the Doha Corniche, a seven-kilometre stretch, overlooks the serene waterfront, making it a sought-after place to visit in Qatar. You can book a dhow ride, a traditional boat used by divers and explore Doha with the amazing view of the West Bay skyline or just take a stroll to admire the pleasing views.

6. Browse the books at the Qatar National Library

If you aren’t a big fan of books, this option would fascinate you just as much as the others. And if you love books, you just might have found a holy grail that would make you grin all day. 

The stunning national library building has a collection of book varieties, including recorded history, that have been preserved by the nation. Although you would need a library card to take books out, you can browse the collections while admiring the beautiful interior and embracing the amazing atmosphere. The museum is also known to host a few free events, like the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra so if lucky, you get to cross another amazing thing off your bucket list. 

7. Hamad Port’s visitor centre 

Inaugurated in November 2022, the uniquely designed recreation complex showcases the maritime history and achievements of Qatar. It features various facilities, such as the first oceanic aquarium in the country, a maritime museum, a 4D cinema, a children’s play area, and a multipurpose hall equipped with the latest technological devices and interactive simulators, making it a fun destination. The museum tells stories about shipping containers and container ships, the story of Hamad port and trade evolution, a gift shop for souvenirs, and a kids' play area with activities and recreational games. 

8. Education City Mosque

The national mosque of the education city of Al Rayyan in Qatar, located in the Minaretein building, is a stunning piece of architecture that takes your eyes up to the sky as you admire the building. Covered in Arabic calligraphy designed by Taha al-Hit, this attraction is worth seeing and if you are interested in visiting, I’d suggest you go at sunset for a better and more alluring view. Education City is home to some of the most beautiful buildings in Doha, from the Qatar Foundation Headquarters to the Education City Mosque. 

A favourite space of many has to be the Ceremonial Court, which was designed by Pritzker-prize-winning architect Arata Isozaki and plays host to events such as graduation ceremonies. It’s just begging to be photographed.

9. Explore the new-look Museum of Islamic Art

Your vacation in Doha, Qatar, would be incomplete without exploring the Museum of Islamic Art after its new look was finally showcased to the public in October. The Museum of Islamic Art contains impressive pieces from 3 continents from over 1,400 years ago. The stunning waterfront setting overlooking the Arabian Sea and the stunning view of the West Bay skyline from the museum’s courtyard is one you shouldn't miss out on. 

The museum is known to host a variety of events, such as the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra, film screenings, and temporary or permanent exhibitions. With a total of four floors, you get to explore the fun places in the museum, such as the gift shop to grab a souvenir for your family or friends or get a refreshing snack at the cafe. You could also visit the library to browse the books that are in stock or join an art and calligraphy class. 

The museum boasts of its organised collections of broad historical and cultural themes, geography, and amazing Islamic tradition of craftsmanship, which connects visitors to a range of historical works of Islamic art. It features masterpieces of Islamic art, including metalwork, ceramics, jewellery, woodwork, textiles, coins, and glass. Before visiting the museum, you will have to reserve a ticket if you’ll be seeing a featured exhibition and you have to dress moderately by making sure your shoulders and knees are covered in respect of the Qatari culture. 

10. Learn about the cosmos at Al Thuraya Planetarium

The Al Thuraya planetarium serves as a platform for events and activities as the terrace overlooks the sea. It showcases fascinating attractions about planets, and constellations, and screens movies twice a week for free. If you are interested in seeing these movies, you can book directly on their website. 

The planetarium will give you the dynamic experience of education mixed with entertainment with its fascinating showcases of planets, constellations, earth science, solar data, and a museum of notable astronomers and history. If you’ve always been fascinated by the numerous planets and the stars, this is a must-visit. You are guaranteed to have an amazing time, as the planetarium has a unique feature of processing 3D illustrations projected on the dome’s main screen. Entry into the planetarium is free

11. Learn about ancient history through the Al Jassasiya Rock Carvings 

The perfect place to experience a walk back in time, the Al Jassasiya rock carvings date far back to the Neolithic age, before the area became known as Qatar. The things left behind, such as cup-shaped indentations, boats, footprints, scorpions, and dozens of mysterious objects, are proof of the presence of human life 50,000 years ago. 

The remnants in the Al Jassasiya will give you an insight into the ancient culture of Qatar and some can be seen on display at the Museum of Qatar. Al Jassasiya rock carvings are accessible to the public but you need to be accompanied by a local tour guide who is authorised to take you around the historic site. 

12. Visit Qatar’s only UNESCO World Heritage Site at Al Zubarah

Al Zubarah was a coastal town in the late 19th century that played a significant role in the trading expansion of Qatar and you get to explore the fort area built in 1938. Similar to the Al Jassasiya rock carvings, the UNESCO World Heritage Site gives an insight into Qatar's history and, being the only one located in the country, makes it a worthy location worthy of being on your list. Entry into the UNESCO World Heritage Site is free, although there are specific times allowed for visitation. 

13. Al-Wakrah 

 With more than 500 stores and a space covering 430,000 square metres, Al Wakrah is a beautiful and small village open every day. Restaurants and cafes are open daily from 9 am to 11 pm to explore and shops and marketplaces are also open from 8 am to 11 pm. Explore the Al Wakrah Souq lively marketplace to shop for fishing admire fishing boats at the marina, and watch the seaside view whilst indulging in the beauty 

The multi-cultural city has become a bucket list favourite for wanderlust travellers such as myself and I say this with all sincerity. Doha is a destination you will not regret visiting. Speaking from experience, I had a wonderful time exploring the city and with a personal rating of (8 out of 10) I will be sure to visit again. 

Doha, Qatar, is quite cheap for a vacation, contrary to popular belief. You do not need to have a big budget to explore Doha and that’s one of the beautiful reasons why it’s a must-visit. Here are some things you should know before visiting Qatar

Will you be adding Doha, Qatar, to your travel bucket list? Let me know in the comments.