Explore Doha with a Qatar Stopover
Whether you’re stopping for a few hours or a few days, a Qatar Stopover lets you delve a little deeper into Qatari culture. From a brief snapshot and a chance to taste some delicious local food, to a deeper dive into the lifestyle of one of the region’s most affluent and exciting locations, a stopover in Doha is the perfect opportunity to add an exciting excursion to your travel plans.
Qatar is one of the most dynamic and culturally diverse destinations in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, where ultra-modern ambitions blend seamlessly with age-old traditions. You’ll arrive in style with Qatar Airways, and as part of your package you can include a stopover itinerary that introduces you to the beautiful capital – and beyond. Let’s take a more in-depth look at the available stopover choices on offer, from a quick 12-hour stay to a longer two, three, or even four-day stay.
12-hour culture snapshot
If you only have a short amount of time, there’s still plenty you can see and do to get a glimpse of the Qatari culture. A 12-hour stopover lets you tour some of Doha’s key attractions, including museums showcasing the nation’s history.
For a taste of everyday Qatari life, head to the souqs of Doha to browse stalls and shops selling handmade crafts, jewellery, and exotic perfumes. You’ll return to the airport with plenty of time to relax before your onward flight.
Culture
The easiest way to immerse yourself in the culture of Qatar is with a visit to Katara Cultural Village. Here, theatres, restaurants, and venues offering traditional entertainment provide a unique insight into Qatari life.
The central amphitheatre is surrounded by classical-modelled architecture including elegant arches that perfectly frame the skyline of the city – connecting the past with the present and future of this vibrant destination.
Doha’s key attractions
Doha blends cutting‑edge architecture with deep cultural heritage, offering standout attractions like Souq Waqif, The Torch Doha (Aspire Tower), and the Corniche. Souq Waqif is the quintessential Arabian marketplace, bursting with stalls and energy, and the ideal place to browse for unique treasures and handcrafted souvenirs.
See panoramic views of the city from the top of The Torch Doha, or stroll along the Corniche to experience Doha’s waterfront and traditional dhows bobbing on the water.
Museums
A must-see during a short Qatar Stopover is the magnificent Museum of Islamic Art, home to one of the finest collections of Islamic art from across three continents. You’ll find the museum on its own island off the Corniche.
The National Museum of Qatar is an immersive experience telling the story of Qatar’s natural history, heritage, and modern development, while the Museum of Illusions Doha is a mind-bending experience of optical illusions and interactive exhibits.
24-hour dining & cruises
With a Qatar Stopover, you can book a hotel and stay for a full 24 hours in the city. This gives you greater freedom to discover Doha, including some luxury shopping in its malls and stores, and some exquisite fine dining in the restaurants overlooking the Corniche.
Step onto a traditional dhow and take an evening cruise along Doha Bay, complete with an excellent meal and a relaxed ambience. Or enjoy a cool night-time promenade along the beach before heading back to your hotel for a massage or spa treatment.
Architecture
Doha’s architecture blends striking contemporary landmarks with culturally rooted design, making it one of the world’s most visually distinctive skylines. Its finest examples include the National Museum of Qatar, designed by Jean Nouvel and inspired by ‘desert rose’ crystal formations, and the Al Bayt Stadium which takes its inspiration from traditional Bedouin tents.
There are human-scale developments of note too, including the Msheireb district, filled with restored heritage houses.
Food and dining
Doha has one of the Gulf’s most diverse dining scenes, ranging from high‑end celebrity‑chef restaurants to local specialities, atmospheric souqs, and world‑class hotel dining. Souq Waqif is the best place to go for popular Qatari street food, including grilled shawarma, falafels, and majboos. For upscale dining, head to The Pearl with waterfront restaurants and fine cuisine.
The Msheireb district is packed with trendy cafés and gourmet restaurants and is the ideal spot for brunch.
Night views
Doha transforms when the sun goes down, with a glittering skyline filled with some of the world’s most elegant skyscrapers. The best way to see Doha at night is from the deck of a traditional dhow. Cruises take you along the bay, offering an unrivalled view.
The city’s rooftop terraces let you dine in comfort while enjoying a birds-eye view of the city, or head for the Corniche, where the business district offers a vivid backdrop to a leisurely evening walk.
48-hour desert & city
Two days in Doha opens up a world of possibilities, allowing you to explore a little further and embrace the Qatari lifestyle. Spend a day browsing the souqs and luxury malls of the city, the National Museum, and Doha’s art galleries before an evening of entertainment and fine dining.
On day two, head out of the city and into the desert, where towering dunes and inspiring landscapes are waiting to be explored. Dune safaris take you out to some of the most dramatic locations, where you can experience the thrill of unbounded off-roading.
Desert adventures
Doha offers some of the Gulf’s most immersive desert adventures, especially around the Inland Sea (Khor Al Adaid), where magnificent dunes meet the water. This landlocked sea is the perfect place for dune bashing in 4x4s, combined with overnight camping beneath a star-filled sky.
Start your adventure in Mesaieed, for thrilling expeditions led by expert drivers. Slow the pace with camel rides across the sands or try sandboarding for a real adrenaline-fuelled thrill.
Sightseeing the city
A 48‑hour Qatar Stopover gives you time to experience Doha’s world‑class museums, spectacular landscapes, and waterfront skyline. Spend the first day exploring the heritage and culture of the city at the Museum of Islamic Art and an afternoon touring Katara Cultural Village, before an evening relaxing in a restaurant or a dhow cruise along the bay.
Day two is an exciting combination of desert adventures before returning to the city to explore The Pearl and Msheireb Downtown’s café culture.
72- to 96-hour Qatar Stopover
Book a three or four-day Qatar Stopover and you have plenty of time to immerse yourself in the best Qatar has to offer. Top-class hotels ensure your stay is supremely comfortable, with spa and massage options to relax and indulge in self-care.
Spend a day snorkelling or diving in the crystal-clear waters of the Arabian Gulf or try a new sport like kitesurfing. Shop and dine in Doha, then hire a car and tour Qatar’s wonders, including the Inland Sea (Khor Al Adaid) and the spectacular Al Zubarah, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Adventures
Three days in Doha gives you plenty of time for some exciting adventures. Explore the sands of Qatar, with impressive dunes to scale and wadis to explore. Take a guided tour with a night’s camping under the stars for the ultimate desert experience.
Qatar’s coastline is one of the region’s most exciting destinations for diving and kitesurfing, especially around Fuwairit on the northern coast. Conditions are best from November through to April for both beginners and advanced kitesurfers.
Spas and hotels
Your Qatar Stopover experience includes a stay in one of Doha’s finest hotels, with luxurious 4- and 5-star packages on offer.
Indulge yourself in the tranquillity of a desert retreat or pamper your mind, body, and soul at one of Doha’s exclusive spas, where lavish interiors and skilled therapists soothe your muscles and revive your spirit using the finest products. Each of the hotels also offer exquisite fine dining, creating the perfect self-care package for a longer stay in Doha.
Tours and excursions
A longer Qatar Stopover lets you see more of the country beyond Doha. Excursions and tours take you to the heart of the desert or along the northern coast. Kayak through Qatar’s oldest mangrove forest in Al-Thakira, or spend time exploring the Inland Sea – a picture-perfect lagoon surrounded by towering dunes.
Walk along the shores of Fuwairit Beach and watch the kitesurfers or take a tour of the UNESCO World Heritage Site at Al Zubarah. You can build your own adventure with a Qatar Stopover.
