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.
National Museum of Qatar
Jean Nouvel's National Museum of Qatar, shaped like a desert rose crystal, tells the story of the country around a restored early twentieth-century royal palace.
At a glance
- Type
- National history museum
- Area
- Corniche / Museum Park, Doha, Qatar
- Opening
- Open 6 days a week (closed Tuesday)
- Official site
- nmoq.org.qa
Good to know
- Rooftop restaurant
- Cafés
- Library
- Park and playgrounds
- Audio guides
- On-site parking
Why we recommend it
The National Museum of Qatar is one of the most striking modern buildings in the Gulf. Jean Nouvel based his design on the desert rose, a crystal formation found in Qatar's sands, and the result is a cluster of huge interlocking discs that shade the walkways and courtyards below. The current building opened in March 2019, replacing a museum first opened in 1975, and at its heart is the restored palace of Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim Al Thani from the early twentieth century, restored by the Berlin firm ZRS.
Inside, the galleries form a long loop arranged broadly in chronological order around three interrelated themes, tracing the story of the peninsula and its people from early times to the modern state. Around 8,000 objects make up the collections, among them archaeological finds, textiles, jewellery and historical documents. It is a good place to start a trip, as it gives useful background for everything else you will see in Doha.
Opening hours are 9am to 7pm on Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Wednesday, 9am to 9pm on Thursday and 1.30pm to 7pm on Friday; the museum is closed on Tuesday, and last entry is 45 minutes before closing. Book tickets through the museum website. The museum notes that some galleries may close at times for enhancement. Allow at least two and a half hours, since the loop is long, and wear comfortable shoes. Audio guides are offered in several languages, and tactile information panels are part of the museum's accessibility work.
Families do well here: the Park at NMoQ has playgrounds, artworks and a garden, and the building's scale impresses children as much as adults. Jiwan, on the upper level, serves a menu inspired by Doha and local produce with a terrace looking over the site, the Desert Rose Café is good for a quick break, and Thalatheen Café is an outdoor vegan café facing the museum. There is also a library on the third floor and a gift shop with locally inspired products.
The museum sits at the southern end of the Corniche, with on-site parking. The vehicle and pedestrian entrance is at the roundabout of Mathaf Street and Museum Park Street. The Museum of Islamic Art and Souq Waqif are both close by, making it easy to combine two of Doha's main sights in one day.
National Museum of Qatar FAQs
When is the National Museum of Qatar open?
Saturday to Monday and Wednesday 9am to 7pm, Thursday 9am to 9pm and Friday 1.30pm to 7pm; it is closed on Tuesday.
When is last entry?
Last entry is 45 minutes before closing time.
How long does a visit take?
Allow at least two and a half hours to walk the full gallery loop.
Who designed the building?
The French architect Jean Nouvel, who based the design on the desert rose crystal.
Is there somewhere to eat?
Yes, Jiwan restaurant has a terrace on the upper level, and there are the Desert Rose Café and the outdoor vegan Thalatheen Café.
Is it good for children?
Yes, the large-scale displays appeal to children and the Park at NMoQ has playgrounds.
Is there parking?
Yes, there is parking on site, with the entrance at the roundabout of Mathaf Street and Museum Park Street.
Are audio guides available?
Yes, audio guides are available in several languages.