Cool and Cultured: Museums in Qatar

Mathaf

Located in Education City, Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art is worth a visit if you like contemporary and abstract art. The exhibitions showcase art created in Qatar and the Middle East, and by Arab artists. Often, challenging political and cultural themes are explored through the artwork on display, which will be more of interest to older children and teens.

• Location: Education City, Qatar Foundation
• Contact: 4402-8855, 4402-8830, mathaf.org.qa
• Hours: Saturday to Thursday 09:00–19:00, Friday 13:30–19:00
• Cost: Free for Qataris and residents, QR 50 adults, QR 25 students, children 16 and under are free

If you are looking for somewhere to visit for a quick hit of culture, check out the Fire Station. The exhibits change throughout the year, but past exhibitions have included Russian Avant-Garde, Ai Weiwei and Picasso and Giacometti. Little ones will also love looking at the fire helmets, hoses and tools in the foyer. There is also a fun water fountain in the main courtyard for children to run through, perfect for cooling off on a hot day. The gallery hosts regular workshops and activities for children and adults. Visit their website for details.

• Location: Mohammed Bin Thani Street, Civil Defence Roundabout
• Contact: 4422-4222, firestation.org.qa
• Hours: Saturday to Thursday 09:00–19:00, Friday 13:30–19:00
• Cost: Free

Galleries and exhibition halls

Qatar also has a number of galleries that have permanent exhibitions and organise periodic shows. Keep an eye on their websites and social media pages for upcoming events and workshops.

• Al Riwaq: facebook.com/alriwaq
• Katara Art Center: dohakac.com
• Qatar Art Center: instagram.com/qatarartcenter
• Souq Waqif Art Center: facebook.com/souqwaqifartcenter​

Culture

Al Fanar Islamic Cultural Centre

The distinctive and striking spiral tower of the Al Fanar Islamic Cultural Centre, or the Sheikh Abdulla bin Zaid Al Mahmoud Islamic Cultural Centre as it is also known, is probably one of the most photographed of Doha’s many landmarks. Inside, the centre offers a range of initiatives designed to help people better understand Qatari culture, the Arabic language and the religion of Islam. Visitors can see inside a mosque, listen to an Islamic sermon in English on Fridays, enjoy traditional Arabic coffee in a majlis, and, most importantly, ask questions about Qatari lifestyle, culture, heritage and faith.

The Centre houses a mosque, with prayer rooms for men and women, a library (with free Islamic literature), and an exhibition space showcasing Islamic art, architecture, history, the environment and more.

• Location: Abdullah bin Jassim Street (adjacent to Souq Waqif)
• Contact: 4444-7444, binzaid.gov.qa
• Hours: 07:30–22:00, tours run on Thursday to Saturday from 08:00–13:00 and 17:00–20:00, Friday sermons start at 11:30, women-only coffee mornings are held on Wednesdays
• Cost: Free. Tours, workshops, courses and visits can be booked online

The Grand State Mosque

Imam Muhammad Ibn Abdul Wahab Mosque, or The Grand State Mosque, is a huge sandstone edifice overlooking West Bay from the north-west. Indeed, it is the largest mosque in Qatar with the capacity to accommodate more than 30,000 worshippers within its grounds during prayers. The mosque houses numerous, and separate, praying areas for men and women, three libraries (one with text in a multitude of languages), a large outdoor courtyard in the centre of the building, a Quran reading area and a lone minaret towering above.

Non-Muslim visitors are welcomed at the mosque outside of prayer times. For its grandeur alone, this mosque is worth a visit, regardless of faith. However, there is more to see than just a gargantuan-sized building. The tours are an excellent way to learn more about Islam, and understand its role in Qatari society.

• Location: Al Mohandiseen Street, Al Jebailat, adjacent to Qatar Sports Club
• Contact: 4425-0250
• Hours: Tours last one hour and can be organised via the Al Fanar Facebook page (facebook.com/abdullabinzaidalmahmoud) or by calling Al Fanar on 4444-7444/4470-1098
• Cost: Free. Women are provided with abayas and head scarfs to wear during the tours

History

National Museum of Qatar

A breathtakingly immersive museum experience, the new National Museum is a can’t miss for all ages. Check out our full review here.

• Location: Museum Park Street, adjacent to Salata Park and directly overlooking the Corniche; between the old airport and the Museum of Islamic Art
• Contact: 4452-5555, nmoq.org.qa
• Hours: Saturday to Thursday 09:00–19:00, Friday 13:30–19:00. Last admission to the museum is 30 minutes before closing
• Cost: Tickets are free of charge for Qatari nationals and residents presenting valid Qatar ID. General admission for non-Qataris and non-residents is QR 50 for adults, QR 25 for students, free for children under 16. Tickets are valid for three days from the date of the first admission

Msheireb Enrichment Centre

Docked alongside the Corniche near the Sheraton Hotel, the Msheireb Enrichment Centre is an education centre innovatively housed on a decommissioned barge. The centre showcases Qatar’s history and its way of life, depicting cultural and industrial changes over the last 60 years since the discovery of oil. There is also an overview of the ambitious development plans the country has to secure its future. The exhibitions house a variety of historic artefacts, photographs of Qatar then and now, and scale models of future downtown projects and developments.