Museums and galleries in Doha

Museums and galleries in Doha

1. See

   Al Bidda Park

   Rumeila Park

   Formerly known as Rumeila Park, this is opposite the Corniche with an outdoor theatre, art gallery, water features, children’s play area and skateboard/rollerblading half-pipe. There is a metro station, several shops, a third-wave coffee shop, and public toilets.

2. See

   Al Jazeera Studios

   One of Qatar's claims to fame is the Al Jazeera news network, which broadcasts to hundreds of millions around the world. The studios are not made to be a tourist attraction, although you may be able to contact the office and ask for a tour. A small on-site museum is dedicated to journalists who have died in the field, and has various timelines and displays about the network's history.

3. See

   Al Koot Fort

   Doha Fort

   Built in 1880 during the Ottoman period, this big white fort is in what is now the parking lot of Souq Waqif. At the time it was built, however, the fort was on the outskirts of the city. It was used as an ethnographic museum, the building is undergoing renovations and is closed, although it is still a popular place to take photos.

4. See

   Arab Postal Stamp Museum

   Established in 2010, this small museum exhibits stamps from 22 Arab countries.

   Daily 07:00-13:30, 16:00-21:00

5. See

   Calligraffiti Murals

   In 2013 the French-Tunisian graffiti artist eL Seed was commissioned by the Qatar Museum Authority and the Public Works Authority to paint a series of 52 large-scale murals inspired by Qatari culture. The project required four months to complete and showcases eL Seed's signature style fusing Arabic calligraphy with street art. The murals can be best seen by simply driving through the tunnels.

6. See

   Katara Cultural Village

   This building complex is designed to resemble a traditional Qatari village, and includes a large open-air amphitheater, opera house, drama theater, galleries, as well as a number of (expensive) restaurants featuring international cuisine. The galleries host changing art and photography exhibits, and various festivals are held here throughout the year. There is also a public beach here (entry fee QR 100) which offers watersport activities. Modest beach attire is required, i.e. for women a one-piece suit.

7. See

   Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art

   A specially designed building housing a collection of modern art from the Arab world, based on a personal collection amassed by Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. The museum also hosts occasional exhibits featuring internationally-recognized contemporary artists. An hourly shuttle service provides free transportation between MIA and Mathaf W Th Sa Su 11:00-17:00, F 15:00-20:00, no shuttle M Tu; driving time between the two museums is 25-45 minutes.

   Sat-Thu 11:00-18:00, Fri 15:00-21:00·QR 50, or QR 85 for a museum pass

8. See

   Msheireb Enrichment Centre

   A small museum with photographs and artifacts illustrating the historic development of Doha from small fishing town to modern city. The exhibit is sponsored by developer of the Msheireb project near Souq Waqif.

   Mon-Thu 09:00-20:30; Thu 12:00-20:00; Sat 15:30-18:00·Free

9. See

   Museum of Islamic Arts

   Doha's flagship museum. Housed in a building designed by I.M. Pei, the museum hosts artefacts from Muslim dynasties all over Asia, Africa and Europe. Also present are items from the Al-Thani dynasty, as well as art from all parts of the Middle East. Gloriously air conditioned, there is also a cafe and gift shop. The permanent exhibition is on the 2nd and 3rd floors, with temporary exhibitions on the ground floor. Free wi-fi in the museum building, dress appropriately. An hourly shuttle service provides free transportation between MIA and Mathaf W-Su 11:00-17:00; driving time between the two museums is 25-35 minutes.

   S Mon Wed 10:30-17:30; Thu Sat 12:00-20:00; Fri 14:00-20:00·Free

10. See

    National Museum of Qatar

    Opened in early 2019. The original museum was housed in an early 20th-century palace; its extension, now under construction, was designed by French architect Jean Nouvel and inspired by the desert sand rose. The extension and original palace can both still be viewed from the outside.

11. See

    Orientalist Museum

    The Orientalist Collection of the State of Qatar is one of the most significant collections ever assembled in the world. The approximate 700 paintings, water colours, drawings and prints trace Orientalism back to the early 18th century. The museum closes sporadically and it may be difficult to get an appointment.

    Sun-Thu 07:30-14:30 by appointment

12. See

    Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Museum: West Bay Branch

    An extension of the Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Museum in Al Shahaniyah, this branch displays carpets from various Middle Eastern countries, and furniture and domestic objects from Qatar and the Gulf region. It is eventually planned to make the collection accessible without appointment.

    09:00-17:00 by appt only (specify 'West Bay Branch')

13. See

    The Miraculous Journey

    A series of 14 monumental bronze sculptures depicting the stages of development of a fetus from gestation to newborn, by British artist Damien Hirst. The sculptures were commissioned by the Qatar Museum Authority, which reportedly paid US$20 million for them. The medical center is a women's hospital.

    Free

14. See

    VCUQatar Gallery

    VCUQatar have a small gallery, with exhibitions which change every few months, in their campus on Education City, which is open to everyone (sign in at reception). Because of the ongoing building works at Education City, it's a nightmare to get from Mathaf to here, but when the trams are running it should be an easy side-trip from there!

15. See

    Virginia Commonwealth University Gallery

    The gallery at the VCU-Q campus in Education City regularly hosts visiting exhibitions and the work of faculty members and students. On those occasions, the gallery is open to the general public. The collection includes Arab manuscripts, a foreign language section dating back to the 15th century, and 20th century books about art and politics.

    Mon Wed Sat Sun 10:00-17:00; Thu 10:00-17:30·Free

16. Do Not mapped

    Doha Film Institute

    Showcasing a wide range of international and art films, DFI also hosts two international film festivals, in November and in March. Films are screened at the Museum of Islamic Art and at Katara Cultural Village; tickets can be booked online.

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Doha (CC BY-SA 4.0).