Doha sits where the desert meets the sea—a place where wooden dhows float beneath glassy skyscrapers and spice-scented lanes spill out from century-old souqs. A pearl-diving past funded the city’s earliest fortunes, but gas wealth powered its modern leap: museums by star architects, world-class dining, and an efficient metro tying it all together.

Expect contrasts. Wander the Museum of Islamic Art’s galleries by I.M. Pei and watch falconers at Souq Waqif in the same afternoon. Then chase the wind across golden dunes to the Inland Sea, one of few places where desert sands touch open water.

Practical notes: Fridays are holy; many spots open later after the midday prayer. Dress modestly in markets and religious spaces. The Doha Metro is fast and cheap (QR 2–4 per ride), taxis and ride-hailing are plentiful, and tap water is safe but usually you’ll buy bottled. Best weather runs November to April; summers are hot, so plan indoor midday breaks.

Doha

Doha’s heart beats along the Corniche, a sweeping bay framed by the West Bay skyline. Culture anchors the city: the Museum of Islamic Art and the National Museum of Qatar tell centuries of stories, while Msheireb Downtown revitalizes old Doha with cool galleries and cafés.

Top areas to stay: West Bay for skyline views and easy metro access; Msheireb Downtown for walkable museums and dining; The Pearl-Qatar for resort vibes and marinas; Lusail for brand-new promenades and Al Maha Island dining.

• Can’t-miss sights: Souq Waqif and the Falcon Souq, Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) and MIA Park, National Museum of Qatar (NMoQ), Katara Cultural Village, The Pearl-Qatar, the Corniche, and the West Bay towers at sunset.
• Insider moments: Sip karak tea at dawn, haggle gently for oud in the souq, time a dhow cruise for golden hour, and book a desert safari to crest knife-edge dunes before the Inland Sea glows pink.
• Getting in: Fly into Hamad International (DOH). Search competitive fares with Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Flights from Europe are often 6–7 hours; from the US East Coast 12–14 hours (fares commonly $450–$900, season-dependent).

Where to book stays: Compare apartments and villas on VRBO — Doha and hotels on Hotels.com — Doha near West Bay, Msheireb, or The Pearl for easy sightseeing.

Day 1: Arrival, Corniche Breeze, and Souq Waqif

Afternoon: Land at DOH and ride the Metro Red Line to West Bay or a taxi (15–25 minutes). Stretch your legs along the Corniche, then step into the Museum of Islamic Art’s atrium for that jaw-dropping Pearl Carpet view. Grab a pistachio milk cake and espresso at MIA Café and wander MIA Park for skyline photos.

Evening: Dive into Souq Waqif’s alleys as lanterns flicker on. For dinner, book Parisa (Souq Waqif) for fragrant Persian kebabs under mirror mosaics, or try Al Tawash for Qatari machboos and harees in a heritage house. Craving grills? Shujaa serves smoky skewers straight from the charcoal. End with warm kunafa at Al Aker Sweets and a mint tea under the stars.

Day 2: Katara Culture by Day, Dhow Cruise by Night

Morning: Start at Katara Cultural Village. Breakfast at Chapati & Karak (buttery chapati, strong spiced tea), then photograph the amphitheatre, pavilions, and the sea-facing mosque’s turquoise tiles. Pop into Chac’Late for a thick hot chocolate or gelato if it’s warm.

Afternoon & Evening (Tour): Join a curated city loop culminating in a dhow ride: Doha City Tour and Dhow Cruise Ride (Private Tour / Sharing Tour). Expect highlights like Souq Waqif, Katara, The Pearl-Qatar, West Bay photo stops, and a traditional wooden dhow cruise along the Corniche at golden hour. Hotel pickup simplifies logistics; the cruise offers skyline panoramas perfect for sunset shots.

Dinner: After docking, head to Al Mourjan on the Corniche for Levantine mezze with sea views, or ride to Nobu Doha (Four Seasons) for black cod and sushi in an overwater pavilion; book ahead and request the terrace if the breeze is kind.

Day 3: Desert Safari to the Inland Sea

Morning: Relax with coffee at Flat White Specialty Coffee (try the iced Spanish latte) and browse Msheireb’s boutiques. If you’re eager for green, circle Aspire Park’s lake before the heat peaks.

Afternoon–Evening (Safari): Buckle up for a classic: Doha: Desert Safari, Sand Boarding, Camel Ride & Inland Sea Tour. Your 4x4 driver deflates tires for dune bashing, pauses for sandboarding, and continues to Khor Al Adaid, the UNESCO-recognized Inland Sea where dunes kiss the Gulf. Time it for sunset; the peach light over the water is unforgettable.

Dinner: Back in town, try Saasna in Msheireb for updated Qatari staples (don’t miss the diyay rubyan—shrimp and rice) or Basta for street-style regag and machboos in a retro setting. For a refined take, Hakkasan Doha (The St. Regis) plates polished Cantonese—order the dim sum and jasmine tea.

Day 4: Museums, Msheireb, and Skyline Bites

Morning: Explore the National Museum of Qatar, Jean Nouvel’s desert-rose masterpiece. Brunch upstairs at Jiwan (modern Qatari cuisine; balaleet pancakes and date pudding are standouts) with sweeping bay views.

Afternoon: Tram to Msheireb Museums for stories of migration, pearling, and domestic life in restored courtyard houses. Re-caffeinate at Bateel (excellent dates and flat whites) and browse M7 design center if there’s an exhibit on.

Evening: Choose your skyline supper: CUT by Wolfgang Puck (Mondrian) for steaks and truffle fries, or Spice Market (W Doha) for Southeast Asian plates and a buzzing lounge. Nightcap on a stroll beneath West Bay’s illuminated towers.

Day 5: North & West Qatar—UNESCO Forts and Wild Coasts

Full-day guided excursion beyond the city with Full Day Qatar's North And West tour || History & Heritage. Travel time is 1–1.5 hours between sites, with air-conditioned transport and hotel pickup. You’ll visit Al Khor Harbor (a nod to the pearl trade), the UNESCO-listed Al Zubarah Fort and archaeological site, the abandoned fishing village at Al Jumail, and Zekreet’s wind-sculpted desert near Film City. Bring sunscreen, a hat, and water; facilities can be sparse outside Doha.

Dinner back in Doha: L’wzaar Seafood Market at Katara lets you pick the catch and cooking style—grilled hamour with lemon butter is a local favorite. For a laid-back alternative, Boho Social at Katara’s hilltop pairs sliders and shawarma bowls with terrace views.

Day 6: Lusail, The Pearl, and a Progressive Island Food Tour

Morning: Ride the Metro Red Line to Lusail. Start at Place Vendôme’s dancing fountains and cafés; grab a saffron karak and croissant. Stroll the Lusail Marina Promenade for yacht spotting and photos of the crescent bridges.

Afternoon: Continue to The Pearl-Qatar. Wander Qanat Quartier’s pastel canals, then head to Medina Centrale. For a light, healthy lunch, Evergreen Organics serves colorful plant-based bowls and smoothies; otherwise, try La Mar (InterContinental Doha, nearby) for Peruvian ceviche overlooking the water.

Evening (Tour): Taste your way through the islands with Qatar Island Experience: Boat & Food Tour– 7 Tastings. The guided experience weaves a short boat ride with curated bites across The Pearl and Gewan Island—think Levantine mezze, seafood nibbles, and a sweet finish—while your host shares stories of how these modern islands took shape.

Day 7: Last Souq Strolls and Departure

Morning: Return to Souq Waqif for a hearty Qatari breakfast at Shay Al Shoomos (try the egg-and-cheese regag and rose milk). Peek into the Falcon Souq to see majestic birds on their perches and browse handicrafts for last-minute gifts (spices, dates, or oud).

Afternoon: Transfer to Hamad International. If shopping tempts, arrive early—Hamad’s art installations (including Lamp Bear) and boutiques make time fly. Check flight options or manage changes with Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Evening: Departure day—safe travels! If you have a long layover, consider a quick Metro hop into the city for a final Corniche walk before you board.

Practical Getting Around

• Metro: Red, Gold, and Green lines cover most sights. Example: Airport T1 to West Bay QIC—about 18 minutes; to Souq Waqif (Gold Line)—about 12 minutes with one transfer. Rides cost roughly QR 2–4; a day pass is about QR 6.
• Taxis/Ride-hailing: Airport to West Bay is usually 15–25 minutes depending on traffic; fares often QR 35–70. Most hotels can arrange cars for the tours above; pickup is usually included.

Booked Experiences in This Itinerary

• Doha City Tour and Dhow Cruise Ride (Private Tour / Sharing Tour)
• Doha: Desert Safari, Sand Boarding, Camel Ride & Inland Sea Tour
• Full Day Qatar's North And West tour || History & Heritage
• Qatar Island Experience: Boat & Food Tour– 7 Tastings

For lodging across the week, compare locations and deals on VRBO and Hotels.com. For flights in and out, browse Trip.com or Kiwi.com for options and schedules.

Seven days in Doha balance museums and markets with sea breezes and desert silence. Come for the skyline and stay for the hospitality, cardamom coffee, and horizons that glow every shade of gold.