Qatar is a peninsula of pearl-diving lore and Bedouin heritage that reinvented itself into a cultural capital of the Gulf. From the storied lanes of Souq Waqif to the angular poetry of the Museum of Islamic Art, Doha balances tradition and cutting-edge design. North along the coast, new city Lusail unfurls with grand boulevards, marinas, and a skyline shaped like sails.

In one week you can wander museum galleries, sip karak tea in age-old souqs, and ride over rose-gold dunes to the Inland Sea where desert meets the Gulf. A day in the country’s north and west reveals Zubarah’s UNESCO-listed fort, wind-sculpted limestone at Zekreet, and tiny harbors that once launched pearl boats at dawn.

Practical notes: November–March offers the most pleasant weather. Fridays are holy days, with some venues opening later. Dress modestly in souqs and mosques (shoulders and knees covered). The Doha Metro is clean and affordable, and taxis/rideshares are plentiful. Currency is QAR (riyals); cards are widely accepted.

Doha

Doha is Qatar’s cultural and culinary heartbeat, where palm-framed promenades open to a skyline of glass towers. Start along the Corniche, then dive into galleries by I.M. Pei’s protégé Jean Nouvel and Pritzker laureate I.M. Pei himself (National Museum of Qatar and the Museum of Islamic Art). Evenings hum at Souq Waqif: falcons on perches, spice mounds, oud fragrance, and café chatter.

• Top sights: Museum of Islamic Art (MIA), National Museum of Qatar (NMoQ), Msheireb Museums and M7 design hub, Souq Waqif and Falcon Souq, Katara Cultural Village, The Pearl-Qatar, Doha Corniche.
• Fun experiences: Night dhow cruise in Doha Bay, dune-bashing to the Inland Sea, contemporary art in public spaces, and sunset views from MIA Park.
• Where to eat: Shay Al Shamoos (Qatari breakfasts), Parisa Souq Waqif (Persian mosaics and grills), Jiwan at NMoQ (modern Qatari plates), Damasca One (Syrian mezze), Turkey Central (no-frills grills), Nobu Doha (bayfront Japanese-Peruvian), Bandar Aden (Yemeni mandi).
• Coffee stops: % Arabica (Katara), Flat White Specialty Coffee (The Pearl/various), MIA Park Café (killer skyline views), Evergreen Organics (The Pearl; vegan).

Where to stay (Doha): Browse apartments and villas on VRBO Doha or compare hotels on Hotels.com Doha. Aim for West Bay, the Corniche, Msheireb Downtown, or the Souq Waqif Boutique Hotels for walkability.

How to get to Doha (DOH): Search flights via Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. Hamad International Airport is ~20–25 minutes from central Doha by taxi; the Metro (Red Line) connects via Ooredoo Station.

Day 1: Arrival, Corniche Stroll, and Souq Waqif

Afternoon: Arrive in Doha and check in. Stretch your legs on the Doha Corniche, a 7-km waterfront path with sweeping skyline views and dhows bobbing in the bay.

Evening: Head to Souq Waqif. Peek into the Falcon Souq where birds of prey are fitted with tiny leather hoods, then browse spice lanes and textiles. For dinner, book Parisa for jewel-like Persian interiors and smoky kebabs, or try Damasca One for Syrian mezze and live music. Cap the night with cardamom-scented karak at Karak Mqanes.

Day 2: Museums, Msheireb, and a Half-Day City Tour by Dhow

Morning: Visit the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA). Its galleries span 1,400 years—celadon bowls, Fatimid glass, Timurid carpets. Admission for non-residents is typically QAR 100; MIA Park’s café is perfect for a mid-morning espresso with skyline views.

Afternoon: Cross to the National Museum of Qatar (NMoQ), an interlocking desert-rose by Jean Nouvel. Exhibits trace Bedouin life, pearling, and modern nationhood. Lunch at Jiwan for saffron rice, grilled hammour, and sensational Gulf views.

Evening: Join a guided city sampler with a dhow cruise to see Doha from the water.

Doha City Tour And Dhow Boat Cruise (Private/Sharing) — Expect Souq Waqif, Lusail Marina/West Bay viewpoints, Katara Cultural Village, and a scenic dhow ride; from around US$60–85 depending on group size.

Day 3: Desert Safari to the Inland Sea

Morning: Slow start with Qatari breakfast: regag (thin bread) and balaleet (sweet vermicelli with egg) at Shay Al Shamoos in the souq. Pick up dates and pistachios for the road.

Afternoon & Evening: Get picked up in a 4x4 for dune-bashing south of Doha near Sealine Beach, then continue to Khor Al Adaid (the Inland Sea), one of the few places on earth where dunes tumble into the ocean. Sandboard down golden slopes, ride a camel, and watch the sun melt into the Gulf. Private and small-group options typically run 4–5 hours.

Qatar Gold Dune Safari, Dune Bashing, Camel Ride, Sand Boarding, Inland Sea Desert — From roughly US$75–120 per person, depending on private vs. shared.

Back in town, refuel at Turkey Central (a Doha institution; try the mixed grill and fattoush) or Bandar Aden for slow-cooked lamb mandi and flaky malawach.

Day 4: North & West Qatar Heritage Day (Full-Day Tour)

Hit the road for a curated loop that strings together fishing harbors, UNESCO Al Zubarah Fort, and the surreal desert art and geology of the west coast. Expect 8–10 hours with hotel pickup.

Full Day Tour to Qatar North And West With Pickup From Doha — Stops commonly include Al Khor harbor, Al Zubarah Fort (UNESCO World Heritage), Ras Abrouq rock formations near Zekreet, and Richard Serra’s monumental “East-West/West-East.” From about US$120–160 per person.

Return to Doha for a late dinner at Parisa or Jiwan if you haven’t tried them yet, or opt for SMAT for contemporary takes on machboos and harees.

Day 5: Katara, The Pearl-Qatar, and a Dhow Dinner Cruise

Morning: Explore Katara Cultural Village: art galleries, amphitheater, and two jewel-toned mosques tiled with Persian and Turkish motifs. Coffee at % Arabica, then stroll Katara Beach or head up to Boho Social for brunch with a terrace view.

Afternoon: Continue to The Pearl-Qatar, a man-made island with marinas, boutiques, and cafés. Try Evergreen Organics for vegan bowls or a gelato along Porto Arabia. Shop for local design pieces at M7 in Msheireb if you’re into fashion and craft.

Evening: Sail into twilight on a traditional wooden dhow with dinner on board—Doha’s skyline glows like a mirage across the bay.

Doha: Traditional Dhow Cruise Tour with Dinner on board — Typically 2 hours, from about US$65–95 per person, including transfers with many operators.

Lusail

Just north of Doha, Lusail is Qatar’s vision of the future: a master-planned city of palm-lined boulevards, marinas, and the glittering crescent of the Iconic Towers. It’s home to Place Vendôme’s dancing fountains, Al Maha Island’s funfair and dining, and Qetaifan Island North with the record-breaking Meryal waterpark.

• Don’t miss: Lusail Boulevard at night, Place Vendôme fountain shows, Lusail Marina Promenade, Qetaifan Island North’s Meryal waterpark, Al Maha Island dining scene.
• Dining ideas: Carbone (New York Italian classics), Bianca (coastal Italian bakery-café), Nammos Qatar (Greek beach vibes on Al Maha Island), Antika (Levantine; nearby at The Pearl).
• Why stay: Quieter waterfront hotels, easy metro access back to Doha, and family-friendly attractions.

Where to stay (Lusail): See serviced apartments and villas on VRBO Lusail or hotels near Place Vendôme and the Marina on Hotels.com Lusail.

Getting from Doha to Lusail: Depart by Metro Red Line (to Lusail QNB; ~25–35 minutes; about QAR 2 standard fare) or taxi/rideshare (~20–30 minutes; ~QAR 35–60 depending on traffic). Leave in the morning to maximize the day.

Day 6: Transfer to Lusail, Place Vendôme, and Marina Sunsets

Morning: Check out in Doha and ride the Metro north to Lusail (or take a taxi). Drop bags and grab a coffee at Bianca for fresh-baked cornetti. Wander Lusail Boulevard’s palm-shaded arcades.

Afternoon: Head to Place Vendôme for shopping and its hourly fountain shows—great for families and people-watching. Quick lunch at Carbone’s bar for spicy rigatoni, or go light with salads at a café overlooking the canal.

Evening: Stroll the Lusail Marina Promenade as the yachts light up, then dine on Al Maha Island—Nammos Qatar for grilled seabream and mezes, or grab casual bites at the funfair if traveling with kids. Nightcaps along the marina with mocktails are common, as many venues offer inventive non-alcoholic lists.

Day 7: Qetaifan Island North, Beach Time, and Departure

Morning: Splash out at Meryal waterpark on Qetaifan Island North, which boasts the world’s tallest water slide tower—great for thrill-seekers and families. Alternatively, rent bikes and cruise the marina paths for a gentler morning.

Afternoon: Check out and transfer to Hamad International Airport (plan 40–60 minutes from Lusail). If time allows, enjoy a relaxed lunch before you go—Evergreen Organics (The Pearl) for healthy bowls or a shawarma fix back in Doha. Safe travels!

Optional Upgrades and Notes

• Prefer a guided deep-dive into Doha’s neighborhoods and museum highlights? Consider this private full-day tour: 6 Hours Private Full Day Tour in Doha.

Budget tips: The Doha Metro day pass is QAR 6; many museums offer combined or timed tickets (plan QAR 50–100 per adult per museum). Taxis are affordable for short hops (QAR 15–40 in town), and casual meals—like Turkey Central’s mixed grill—offer solid value.

Food deep-cuts to try across the week: Machboos (spiced rice with meat or fish), luqaimat (date syrup–drizzled doughnuts), regag with cheese and honey at Souq Waqif, Yemeni mandi at Bandar Aden, and karak tea from Chapati & Karak in Katara.

In seven days, you’ve traced Qatar’s story from pearl ports to the galleries and gleaming towers of today, balanced by the timeless rhythm of desert and sea. With Doha’s museums and souqs, Lusail’s waterfront energy, an Inland Sea safari, and a dhow dinner beneath the skyline, this itinerary delivers a well-rounded Gulf adventure.