Things to see and do - Qatar in 2024

Practical information : Sightseeing Qatar

Timetable

Museums are generally open every day except Friday mornings, the time of prayer that corresponds to Sunday mornings for Catholics. In any case, opening times are clearly announced on museum websites. Doha's amusement parks tend to open in the afternoon until late evening. The Al Riwaq Museum is only open when a major international exhibition is on (Jeff Koons in 2022, for example). The Souq Waqif is busiest in the morning, then from 4pm in the afternoon. Don't go there before then, as everything will be closed and sleepy. Beaches and swimming pools are open from early morning until early evening.

To be booked

You don't need to book a visit, as museums in Qatar are not crowded. In the calm, silence and near-polar cold (bring a sweater!), you'll enjoy the works of the main museums and current exhibitions in the galleries.

Budget & Tips

Many exhibitions are free of charge, so all you need to do is book your ticket in advance on the website. The main museums are reasonably priced, and amusement parks convert entry fees into "consumer credit", so it's worthwhile.
Women have the privilege of being able to enjoy hotel beaches and swimming pools at low prices on certain days of the week (100 QAR versus 200 or 300 QAR).

Main events

The camel races at the Ash Shahaniya camelodrome are a highlight of any visit to Qatar. They are free and authentic, but only take place from October to March. The same goes for Arabian thoroughbred horse racing. A falconry festival is held every December, around Qatar's national holiday on December 18.

Guided tours

Don't miss out on a guide when visiting museums, which are spectacularly designed but often lacking in in-depth explanations, without an audioguide for passionate scholars. Local visitors aren't necessarily as passionate about old stones and the stories of past centuries as the French, who could find themselves a little frustrated. Especially if you're visiting the Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani Museum on the outskirts of Doha. A collection of almost 30,000 pieces with almost no explanation in the display cases - a little frustrating!
Let us guide you around the Souq Waqif or Msheireb, or organize water sports activities with agencies who can arrange your transfers and guides.

Smokers

Smoking is not allowed inside museums, of course, but smoking - particularly chicha - is permitted on beaches or by the pool, for example, and in public spaces in general.

Tourist traps

Be careful on the Doha corniche, it's the only tourist attraction in town: some Indians offer popular dhow trips to see the West Bay skyline in the evening, in short (30 minutes) or long (2 hours, or even the one-way crossing to West Bay) mode. They also offer guided tours during the day. The only problem is that the price is often 2 to 3 times higher than the local price, or you pay the price of the 2-hour excursion and end up on a boat that leaves in just 30 minutes. If you're in a group, you can book a private boat; otherwise, you can complete the trip by bargaining hard.

What's very local

Don't confuse bikini and burkini. Here, two-piece or tight-fitting swimsuits are forbidden on public beaches. You'll have to go to a swimming pool or a private hotel beach to dress as you like and sunbathe. This is not a problem, as all the luxury hotels open their facilities to outside guests on a daily basis at a modest price (between 100 and 350 QAR for admission, often as a "credit" to be spent in the hotel restaurants).

Things to see and do Qatar

MUSEUM OF ISLAMIC ART

SHEIKH FAISAL BIN QASSIM AL THANI MUSEUM

DHOW TOUR (BOAT)

EXPLORATION OF THE DUNES

SOUQ WAQIF

ZUBARAH FORT

ANGRY BIRDS WORLD

SNOW DUNES

AL THAKHIRA BEACH

MIA PARK

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF QATAR

FRENCH BEACH KM42

AL SHAHANIYA CAMEL RACETRACK

FUWAIRIT BEACH

FIRE STATION

AMINA FRENCH SPEAKING GUIDE

KATARA VILLAGE

DUKHAN BEACH

MESAIEED BEACH

PURPLE ISLAND

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