Qatar’s story begins with the sea—pearls, trade, and dhow boats—and unfolds into a modern nation where star-architect museums, world-class stadiums, and sleek new cities rise from the desert. Doha is the cultural heart, anchored by the Museum of Islamic Art and the National Museum of Qatar. To its north, Lusail showcases the country’s future—boulevards, marinas, and a new waterpark perched on Qetaifan Island.

Expect vibrant souqs, incense-laced alleys, and plates of saffron-scented machboos alongside Japanese rooftops and French-Mediterranean bistros. A desert safari to Khor Al Adaid (the Inland Sea) is a must—sand dunes plunging into turquoise water at the edge of the world. Evenings are for dhow cruises on the Corniche and fountain shows in Lusail.

Practical notes: Qatar is very safe, rideshares and taxis are plentiful, and the Doha Metro is clean and efficient. Dress modestly in traditional areas; many places pause around Friday midday prayers. If you visit during Ramadan, restaurants open after sunset and the city takes on a wonderfully festive, late-night rhythm.

Doha

Doha pairs a glittering skyline with deep-rooted tradition. Wander Souq Waqif for spices, perfumes, and falcons; step into world-class galleries designed by I. M. Pei and Jean Nouvel; then dine on the Corniche as dhows bob in the bay. Neighborhoods like Msheireb Downtown and Katara Cultural Village make it easy to slip between past and present in a single afternoon.

• Top sights: Museum of Islamic Art (MIA), National Museum of Qatar (NMoQ), Msheireb Museums, Souq Waqif, Katara Cultural Village, The Pearl-Qatar, the Corniche promenade.
• Food highlights: Qatari machboos and harees, Yemeni mandi, Persian kebabs, Levantine grills, and standout Japanese and French kitchens.
• Fun fact: Doha hosted the FIFA World Cup 2022; you’ll spot stadiums and public art created for the tournament across the city.

Where to stay: For easy access to museums and souqs, consider Msheireb Downtown or the Corniche/West Bay. Browse apartments and hotels here: VRBO – Doha | Hotels.com – Doha. Notable stays: Mandarin Oriental, Park Hyatt, The Ned, Four Seasons, W Doha, and St. Regis.

How to get here: Fly into Hamad International Airport (DOH). Search fares on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. From the airport: taxi to central Doha (15–20 minutes, ~35–60 QAR) or the Red Line Metro from Terminal 1 to Msheireb (~18 minutes, ~4 QAR).

Day 1 – Arrival, Corniche + Souq Waqif

Morning: Travel day. If you arrive early, drop bags and reset with a gentle stroll through Msheireb Downtown—sleek, shaded streets and pocket galleries.

Afternoon: Walk the palm-lined Corniche for skyline views, then head into MIA Park for coffee at MIA Park Café and a photo stop at Richard Serra’s “7” sculpture. Snack on a crispy regag (paper-thin crepe) at Shay Al Shamoos in Souq Waqif—locals pair it with karak tea.

Evening: Explore Souq Waqif: the Falcon Souq, spice lanes, and handicrafts. Dinner options: Parisa – Souq Waqif (Persian; mirrored interiors and saffron-kissed kebabs) or Bandar Aden (Yemeni mandi; tender lamb over fragrant rice). Cap the night with a dhow cruise from the Corniche (group boats ~70–120 QAR; private ~500–700 QAR/hour). Dessert: hot kunafa at Al Aker Sweets.

Day 2 – Msheireb Museums, NMoQ, Katara Cultural Village

Morning: Breakfast in Msheireb: Karak Mqanes for chapati and spiced tea, or specialty coffee at % Arabica. Tour the Msheireb Museums (Company House, Bin Jelmood House, Radwani House) for a deep dive into migration, labor, and daily life in old Doha.

Afternoon: Taxi or Metro to the National Museum of Qatar (desert-rose design by Jean Nouvel). Lunch at Jiwan (contemporary Qatari—try the machboos with seasonal seafood). Spend time in the immersive galleries tracing Qatar’s natural history and modern nationhood.

Evening: Head to Katara Cultural Village: stroll the amphitheatre, Pigeon Towers, and galleries. Dinner picks: Ard Canaan (Levantine classics—mezze, mixed grills) or Khan Farouk (Egyptian; molokhia, stuffed pigeon when available). Beach walk if weather allows; check for concerts or film screenings.

Day 3 – The Pearl-Qatar, MIA, Skyline Dining

Morning: Uber to The Pearl-Qatar, starting in Qanat Quartier (pastel canals and footbridges). Breakfast at Evergreen Organics (plant-forward bowls and good coffee) or % Arabica by the marina.

Afternoon: Return to the Museum of Islamic Art for the galleries—masterpieces from Al-Andalus to Mughal India. Late lunch on the Corniche at Al Mourjan (Lebanese—mezze with sea views) or head back to Msheireb for modern Qatari at SMAT.

Evening: Book a table at Nobu Doha (set on a circular pier; black cod and toro tartare are standouts). For a nightcap with views, try Sora rooftop at Park Hyatt or a tea service at the Mandarin Oriental’s lounge.

Day 4 – Desert Safari to the Inland Sea

Morning: Easy start—pool time or a hammam. Grab a light brunch at Café 42 or Flat White in West Bay.

Afternoon: Desert safari (typical pickup 2–3 pm; 4–6 hours). Licensed operators drive south to Sealine, deflate tires, then carve across dunes to Khor Al Adaid where sand meets sea. Optional camel rides (20–30 QAR), sandboarding, and sunset photo stops.

Evening: Many tours include a BBQ dinner at a desert camp; otherwise, back in Doha try Turkey Central (a beloved local institution—charcoal-grilled meats, hummus, salads) or late-night mandi near Souq Waqif. Note: wear a seatbelt; the ride can be bumpy.

Lusail

Lusail is Qatar’s forward-looking showpiece: a planned waterfront city with marinas, the swooping Katara Towers (home to Raffles and Fairmont), and a glamorous dining cluster on Al Maha Island. Come for the boulevard energy, the fountain shows at Place Vendôme, and a day of splashy fun at Meryal Waterpark on Qetaifan Island North.

• Top sights: Place Vendôme Mall and fountains, Lusail Marina Promenade, Lusail Boulevard, Al Maha Island, Qetaifan Island North’s Meryal Waterpark.
• Dining scene: From fine dining like LPM Restaurant & Bar and Zuma to café culture and family-friendly spots in the malls and along the marina.
• Good to know: The Red Line Metro reaches Lusail; a modern tram connects key districts. Many outdoor attractions feel best October–April.

Where to stay: Waterfront resorts and skyline hotels put you steps from the action. Explore options: VRBO – Lusail | Hotels.com – Lusail. Notables include Fairmont Doha, Raffles Doha (Katara Towers), and Waldorf Astoria Lusail.

How to move from Doha to Lusail: It’s a short hop—taxi/ride-hail 20–30 minutes (~30–60 QAR) depending on start point. Or take the Red Line Metro to Lusail stations (~30–40 minutes) and switch to the Lusail Tram. No flight needed; if you’re combining regional legs, compare fares on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com.

Day 5 – Transfer to Lusail, Place Vendôme, Marina Night

Morning: Check out in Doha and transfer to Lusail. Drop bags and grab coffee at Place Vendôme—try Angelina (Mont-Blanc dessert and rich hot chocolate) or a quick espresso at Paul.

Afternoon: Explore Place Vendôme: luxury shopping and an outdoor canal with music-and-fountain shows (late afternoon and evening). Stroll Lusail Boulevard for street art and family-friendly playgrounds.

Evening: Dinner on Al Maha Island: book LPM Restaurant & Bar (buttery escargots, airy lemon tart) or Zuma (robata-grilled corn, miso-marinated black cod). Post-dinner, walk the Lusail Marina Promenade for skyline views; hotel lounges in Katara Towers are refined spots for a nightcap.

Day 6 – Qetaifan Island North or Mangrove Kayaking

Morning: Head to Meryal Waterpark on Qetaifan Island North (aim for opening time). It’s home to towering slides and family pools; lockers and cabanas available. Tickets generally ~250–350 QAR for adults depending on date and inclusions.

Afternoon: Late lunch inside Meryal’s eateries, or—if you prefer nature—opt for a guided kayak in the Al Thakira mangroves near Al Khor (about 50–60 minutes by car). Tours run 2–3 hours around high tide and often include equipment and basic instruction (budget ~200–250 QAR per person). Look for flamingos in cooler months.

Evening: Back in Lusail, catch the fountain show at Place Vendôme. Dinner picks: Nammos Doha (Greek seafood and lively music) or Tatel Doha (Spanish classics—tortilla, croquetas, paella). For something casual, grab karak and chapati at a kiosk along the marina.

Day 7 – Slow Morning & Departure

Morning: Easy brunch—return to Angelina for eggs and pastries or try a specialty brew at Flat White. Souvenir run for dates, spices, or local design pieces at Place Vendôme’s gourmet and craft shops.

Afternoon: Transfer to Hamad International Airport (35–50 minutes by taxi; ~70–100 QAR). The Red Line Metro also connects Lusail to the Airport T1 station (~45–55 minutes with a change at Msheireb). Check in 3 hours before long-haul flights. Compare fares on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com.

Additional dining you’ll love (Doha): Hakkasan (modern Cantonese at The St. Regis), Damasca One (Damascene fare in Souq Waqif), and Al Aker Sweets (cheese or cream kunafa). For Qatari comfort food, try SMAT or the humble rotis and karak stands—cheap, delicious, and very local.

Practical tips: Friday midday prayers affect opening hours. Alcohol is served only in licensed hotel venues; public intoxication is illegal. Taxis and rideshares take cards, but small cash helps at souqs and kiosks. October–April is the most pleasant season; summer sightseeing is best in the evenings.

In a week you’ve traced Qatar’s arc from dhow harbors and desert caravans to galleries, boulevards, and marine promenades. Between museum masterpieces, souq aromas, skyline dinners, and dune sunsets, Doha and Lusail reveal a country that balances heritage with bold, contemporary flair.