Attraction
Museum of Islamic Art
I. M. Pei's limestone Museum of Islamic Art stands on its own peninsula off the Doha Corniche, with 1,400 years of art from three continents.
Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art
Mathaf in Education City holds more than 9,000 works of modern and contemporary Arab art, with free entry to its permanent collection and special exhibitions.
At a glance
- Type
- Modern art museum
- Area
- Education City, Doha, Qatar
- Opening
- Open 6 days a week (closed Monday)
- Official site
- mathaf.org.qa
Good to know
- Free entry with ticket
- Café
- Shop
- Free campus tram
Why we recommend it
Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art opened at the end of 2010 on the Qatar Foundation's Education City campus, on the western side of Doha. The museum occupies a former school building that the French architect Jean-François Bodin converted into bright, simple galleries. Its collection began in the early 1990s with Sheikh Hassan bin Mohamed bin Ali Al Thani, who later donated it to Qatar Foundation, and it now numbers more than 9,000 works.
The focus is modern and contemporary art from the Arab world and its diaspora. Names in the collection include Etel Adnan, Farid Belkahia, Saloua Raouda Choucair, Chaibia Talal, Ibrahim el-Salahi, Shirin Neshat and Wael Shawky. Exhibitions change through the year, so check what is on before you go. It is a useful counterpoint to the Museum of Islamic Art, picking up the story of art in the region where the older collection ends.
Entry to Mathaf and its special exhibitions is free, but you still need a ticket, which you can reserve through the Qatar Museums ticketing page. The museum opens 9am to 7pm on Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday, 9am to 9pm on Thursday and 1.30pm to 7pm on Friday, and it is closed on Monday. An hour and a half to two hours is enough for most exhibitions. There is a Joe and The Juice café for coffee, juices and light food, and a museum shop.
Mathaf suits art lovers, students and anyone curious about contemporary culture in the Middle East and North Africa. Families can visit too, though the content suits older children best. Because the museum is out of the centre, it combines well with other sights in Education City and the nearby Al Rayyan area rather than with the Corniche museums.
To get there by public transport, take the Doha Metro Green Line to Education City station, then walk for about 15 minutes following the signs, or use the free tram that loops around the campus. If you drive, all Education City gates give access, but the car park in front of the museum is closed for renovation, so check the museum's alternative parking map before you set off. Taxis and ride-hailing apps are the most straightforward option from central Doha.
Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art FAQs
Is Mathaf free to visit?
Yes, entry to Mathaf and its special exhibitions is free, but you need to book a ticket.
What are Mathaf's opening hours?
Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday 9am to 7pm, Thursday 9am to 9pm, Friday 1.30pm to 7pm; closed on Monday.
How do I get to Mathaf by metro?
Take the Green Line to Education City station, then walk about 15 minutes or use the free Education City tram.
Is there parking?
The car park in front of the museum is closed for renovation; the museum publishes a map of alternative parking.
What kind of art does Mathaf show?
Modern and contemporary art from the Arab world and its diaspora, with a permanent collection of more than 9,000 works.
Is there a café?
Yes, a Joe and The Juice café serves coffee, juices and food.
How long should I allow?
Around an hour and a half to two hours for most exhibitions.
Where is Mathaf?
In Education City, the Qatar Foundation campus on the western side of Doha.