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.
Msheireb Museums
Four restored heritage houses in Msheireb Downtown Doha form a free museum group covering family life, the oil industry, the district's history and the slave trade.
At a glance
- Type
- Heritage house museums
- Area
- Msheireb Downtown Doha, Doha, Qatar
- Opening
- Open 6 days a week (closed Sunday)
- Official site
- msheirebmuseums.com
Good to know
- Free entry
- Guided tours
- Wheelchairs available
- Baby changing
Why we recommend it
Msheireb Museums is a group of four historic houses in the heart of old Doha, restored as part of the regeneration of Msheireb Downtown Doha and opened in October 2015. The renovation and new additions were led by the architect John McAslan, and in 2018 the project was named by the Royal Institute of British Architects among the world's best new buildings. The houses stand on Mohammed Bin Jassim Street, next to the Amiri Diwan and the Qatar National Archive, close to Souq Waqif.
Each house has its own subject. Bin Jelmood House deals with slavery, particularly the Indian Ocean slave trade and its abolition, and includes recorded interviews with Qataris of enslaved ancestry and material on enslaved divers brought from Zanzibar for pearl diving. Company House tells the story of the first Qatari workers in the petroleum industry and their families. Mohammed Bin Jassim House, built by Sheikh Mohammed bin Jassim Al Thani, looks at the past, present and future of the Msheireb district and holds the Echo Memory art project, made with objects found during demolition. Radwani House, from the 1920s, shows how a traditional Qatari family lived.
Entry is free. The museums open 9am to 5pm from Monday to Thursday and on Saturday, and 3pm to 9pm on Friday; they are closed on Sunday and on official holidays, and hours may change around national holidays. Last admission is 30 minutes before closing. Guided tours can be arranged for individuals and groups. You can see all four houses in about two hours, or pick one or two if you are short of time.
The museums suit history lovers, students and anyone who wants to understand Doha beyond its skyline. Bin Jelmood House handles difficult material, so think about whether it suits younger children. Most of the houses are wheelchair accessible, wheelchairs are available in every house, and all of them have baby changing facilities.
Parking is available at the Jumaa Mosque car park. Msheireb station on the Doha Metro is close by, and the Msheireb Tram serves the district. Afterwards, walk through the modern streets of Msheireb Downtown Doha, then cross to Souq Waqif for dinner or a shisha in the evening.
Msheireb Museums FAQs
Are Msheireb Museums free?
Yes, entry to the museums is free.
What are the opening hours?
Monday to Thursday and Saturday 9am to 5pm, Friday 3pm to 9pm; closed on Sunday and on official holidays.
When is last admission?
Thirty minutes before closing time.
What are the four houses?
Bin Jelmood House, Company House, Mohammed Bin Jassim House and Radwani House.
Where can I park?
Parking is available at the Jumaa Mosque car park.
Are the museums accessible?
Most of the houses are wheelchair accessible and wheelchairs are available in every house.
Can I book a guided tour?
Yes, guided tours are available for individuals, groups and institutions.
How long should I allow?
About two hours to see all four houses.