1 Day in Doha: Top Things to See and Do 🐪🇶🇦 [2024]

Are you traveling to your dream destination and have a layover in Doha? Not sure if it’s worth leaving Qatar’s airport to explore the city? We’ve created a guide to help you discover the best places to visit in Doha in just one day. But beware—you might find yourself wanting more! That’s exactly what happened to me. During a layover on our way to the Philippines, I fell in love with Doha. On our return trip, we decided to stay for two weeks to fully explore this fascinating city.

How to Reach Qatar and Get Around Doha Easily

Qatar is incredibly easy to reach, with Hamad International Airport in Doha being a major hub for international flights. For us, traveling with Qatar Airways was the perfect choice—it’s hands down the best airline we’ve flown with, offering exceptional comfort and service. Most visitors, often have just 1 day in Doha due to layovers, but trust me, it’s worth stepping out of the airport.

Once you’re in Doha, getting around is super convenient. The Doha Metro, which is not only modern but also spotless (probably the cleanest I’ve ever seen!), was our go-to. Tickets are affordable, and for a bit of added luxury, you can upgrade to the VIP wagon, which feels quite special.You can find all the info about metro in Doha here. If you’re not a fan of public transport, taxis and apps like Uber and Careem are everywhere, so exploring the city is a breeze. Whether you’re here for a day or longer, getting around Doha is simple and stress-free!

Doha in One Day: A Perfect Itinerary

One day in Qatar might not seem like much, but it’s enough to visit some key spots. Below, we share our list of must-see places if you have just one day in Doha. We recommend following this itinerary because the distances in Doha can be quite long, and it’s important to plan your time well, especially if you’re on a tight schedule.

La Perla

To get to The Pearl from the airport, we recommend taking an Uber; the journey should take around 30 minutes. The Pearl is a luxurious man-made island, just like most things in Qatar 😅, and it’s divided into three main areas: Qanat Quartier, a Venice-inspired neighborhood; Porto Arabia, a Mediterranean-style area; and Medina Centrale, the central shopping district. If you’re short on time or looking for what to see in Doha in one day, we highly recommend visiting the Venice-inspired district—it’s truly stunning.

Katara Cultural Village

From The Pearl, you’ll be very close to Katara Cultural Village, a hub for cultural events. It features a stunning amphitheater, several art galleries, museums, and a variety of restaurants and cafes. What impressed us most was the architecture, with luxurious Arabian-style buildings—some even golden! Be sure to take a stroll along the water; the color of the sea in Qatar truly amazed me. Don’t miss trying something at the NOOK cafe. Ignacio took me to Katara just to visit this spot he had been to before, and it was absolutely worth it! Katara Cultural Village is the perfect place to experience the luxury of Qatar—definitely a must-see if you have only 1 day in Doha.

Souq Waqif: A Must-See Place for Your 1 Day in Doha

From Katara Cultural Village to Souq Waqif, you can easily get there by Uber or metro. I highly recommend taking the metro at least once during your stay in Qatar—it’s an unforgettable experience. Qatar’s metro system is arguably the cleanest and most luxurious you’ll ever encounter. If you’re feeling extra fancy, you can even buy a VIP metro ticket (yes, that’s an option).

Souq Waqif is Doha’s traditional market, and it was one of the first places I visited. I was blown away by how much I loved it. Before coming to Qatar, I thought it would be a city full of modern skyscrapers, and I didn’t expect to find such a traditional gem. Souq Waqif offers everything: want to buy souvenirs? Grab some traditional, budget-friendly food? Try on an Arabic robe to feel like a sheikh? Or take a picture with the stunning backdrop of Doha’s modern skyline? You can do all that and more here. After exploring this vibrant market, I definitely left wanting to spend more time in Qatar. If I had to pick just one place to visit in Doha in 1 day, it would definitely be Souq Waqif.

Enjoy Your 1 Day in Doha!

We hope this guide has been helpful and that you now know what to see in Doha during a layover. You’ll likely need internet access to leave the airport, and it’s not worth buying a SIM card just for one day. That’s why we recommend checking out our article about Airalo eSIM, the perfect solution for this situation. Also, if you want to withdraw money without extra fees, we suggest using the Revolut card, which we always carry during our trips. Most places in Qatar accept cards, but for purchasing items or food at Souq Waqif, you might need cash. If you want to help us complete the list of must-see places in Doha in one day, feel free to add your suggestions in the comments!