What is the best area to stay in Doha?
By Carles Barcelo. Updated October 27, 2023
The best place to stay in Doha is the West Bay area, ideally within the city´s financial and commercial district, just 30 minutes by car from the new Hamad International Airport. It is the perfect place for both business and pleasure visits.
In this area you will find the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre, some great shopping options in the City Centre Mall or The Gate Mall Doha, or you can also talk a walk along the seafront and enjoy a delicious meal at The Corniche, which also boasts beautiful gardens and small historical monuments to be explored. For nightlife we recommend visiting the Noir Lounge & Club.
For the more active among you, there are also many great options, such as the Poseidon Dive Centre, a diving centre that offers many open air activities, water sports and boat trips. You also have the Qatar Sports Club football stadium and the Khalifa Tennis and Squash Complex nearby, which has multiple courts with big screens for enjoying a great game.
Don´t miss out on The Museum of Islamic Art and its neighbouring MIA Park where you can go for a nice walk, have lunch, do some activates, or simply sit back and admire the Doha skyline. For getting around the city, you can take the bus or rent a car.
The recently developed area of West Bay is the best place to stay for luxury accomodation and sea views. West Bay is one of the most important districts in Doha with incredibly modern buildings and the tallest skyscrapers in Qatar. Where Al Corniche St. meets Diplomatic Street, hugging the coast of Doha, resorts in this district often include rooftop pools and private beaches.
Visually stunning, Corniche is the best area to stay if you crave seaside landscapes. The Corniche Promenade wrapping Doha Bay, south of West Bay, offers lovely views of skyscrapers and the Palm Tree Island. Strolling and jogging along the promenade are common past times for locals.
For a more traditional and historical stay in Doha, the best area to stay is Al Souq. This area is named for the Souq Waqif, a traditional Middle Eastern Market. Souq Waqif is a treat for the senses. Here you can purchase textiles, spices, local delicacies, trinkets, and souvenirs. Also admire the falcon companions for sale, common to this region. This area is also accessible to the Museum of Islamic Art, which holds the most extensive collection of Islamic artifacts sourced from three continents. Housed in a modern building, the museum is heralded as an architectural masterpiece and is a lovely sight from the adjacent bay. Other cultural attractions in the area include the Al Koot Fort, Al Markhiya Gallery, Al Riwaq Modern Art Museum, the Abdul Aziz Nasser Theater, and the National Museum.
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