Msheireb Downtown Doha

Msheireb Downtown Doha is a regenerated district in the centre of the city, next to Souq Waqif and the Amiri Diwan. It has more than 100 buildings, mixing offices, homes, shops, hotels, cultural venues and a series of public courtyards known as barahat. Its stated aim was to move Doha away from energy-hungry development, and its architecture is designed to respond to the local climate.

Walking around Msheireb is the best way to see it. Start at Barahat Msheireb, one of the district's courtyards, then wander the surrounding lanes, where outdoor cafés and restaurants spill onto the pavements in the cooler months. Look for Al Kahraba Street, whose name means electricity: it was the first street in Qatar to receive an electricity supply. The four Msheireb Museums, housed in restored heritage houses, are free and tell the stories of family life, the early oil industry, the district itself and the history of slavery, so build in time for at least one of them.

The district also has several hotels, including Mandarin Oriental Doha, Alwadi Hotel Doha MGallery and Park Hyatt Doha, which makes it a convenient base for exploring the old city on foot. A Doha Design District is also planned for the area.

It suits architecture fans, couples and anyone staying centrally who wants an easy walk with plenty of places to stop for coffee. Families can treat it as a calmer walk than the busy lanes of the souq next door. Come in the late afternoon or evening, when the courtyards are pleasant and the lights come on; in summer, the shaded streets help but the heat is still strong in the middle of the day.

Msheireb station, on Wadi Msheireb Street, is served by the Doha Metro's Red, Green and Gold lines, making the district one of the easiest places in the city to reach without a car. From here it is a short walk to Souq Waqif, the Falcon Souq and the Abdulla Bin Zaid Al Mahmoud Islamic Cultural Center. Allow two hours for a walk and a museum visit, or plan an evening around dinner in the district.