Up until 2022, you may have never heard of the tiny country of Qatar on the Arabian Peninsula. It was the unlikely (and controversial) host of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. However, what really put Qatar on the map was its immense reserves of liquified natural gas — the third largest in the world — and the resulting riches. Make no mistake about it — Qatar is a wealthy nation with the fourth highest GDP per capita in the world. But it’s also a place rich in architecture, culture and innovation.
The country’s national airlines is Qatar Airways, recognized by Skytrax as the “World’s Best Airline” in 2024. The airline serves around 150 destinations on six continents, including Barcelona, London, Paris, Singapore, Sydney and Tokyo plus U.S. cities like Dallas, New York, Miami, Philadelphia and San Francisco. We recently flew Qatar Airways from Seattle through Doha to Kampala, Uganda before heading off on a safari.
Which brings me to the idea of a stopover in Doha. Qatar Airways makes the possibility so appealing that a stop in Doha is practically obligatory. Not only does it break up long transcontinental journeys, but it also offers a shockingly affordable addition to any trip.
Does the experience on Qatar Airways live up to the hype?
Much of Qatar Airways’ accolades have to do with its business class, called Q Suite. Enviously walking by this section, I can attest that the individual pods are roomy with privacy doors. The seats have built-in massage options and lie flat to create what appears to be a very comfortable sleeping area. Alas, I was seated in the economy section, but I did have the good sense to select one of the only 2-seat rows so that my husband and I did not have a neighbor for the 14-hour flight — reason enough to book early! Even economy class passengers receive comfort kits, blankets, pillows, complimentary alcoholic beverages and ample food offerings. All and all, I’d say the experience was among my best in economy class.
KidTripster Tip: Qatar Airways is part of the oneworld Alliance, so you can credit your miles to your Alaska or American Airlines reward accounts.
Can an airport itself be a destination?
I have flown through some beautifully designed airports, but Hamad International Airport (HIA) is now among my favorites. Yes, it has high-end shopping and cuisine, including two Gordon Ramsay restaurants, but more incredibly, it boasts a lush, stress-reducing, 6,000-square-meter park, called the Orchard, with more than 300 trees and 25,000 plants and shrubs — a perfect place for kids to run off some energy, in addition to the numerous play areas around the airport. Plus around every corner, you’ll find artwork and larger-than-life sculptures by some of the world’s best-known artists.
KidTripster Tip: On your way out of Doha, be sure to get to the airport early so that you can enjoy the Orchard.
KidTripster Tip: Passengers from more than 100 countries, including the United States, can enter Qatar without a visa. But fair warning, the passport control service here is extremely slow.
KidTripster Tip: You’re unable to take Uber or Lyft when departing the airport, so plan on the Metro or a taxi. For the rest of our stay, we relied on Uber, including the ride back to the airport. It was very affordable.
Are you sure that you did the math correctly?
With the Discover Qatar stopover program, passengers can pause for up to four nights in Qatar before moving on to their final destination, but we found 36 hours to be the perfect amount of time.
As a ticketed passenger on Qatar, you can book deeply discounted hotel stays, ranging from a standard hotel at $14/night to a 5-star luxury property for $81/night. Yes, those are U.S. dollars! I highly recommend skipping the beach properties and instead staying in the heart of Doha near the popular Souq Waqif. We chose one of the 4-star Souq Waqif Boutique Hotels and paid $42/night.
KidTripster Tip: Fair warning, the check-in process for the Souq hotels is a little odd. When you arrive, you go to Arumaila Hotel to check in, and then you’re assigned one of the group’s eight properties in the general vicinity. You won’t know which one in advance.
But there’s more!
As part of the Discover Qatar program, you also can book tours. However, with Uber and an efficient Metro subway system, Doha is an easy city to navigate, so we decided to go it on our own.
KidTripster Tip: Let’s take a moment and talk about the heat. Doha is hot, and if you happen to go in the summer like we did (which I don’t recommend if you can avoid it), it’s scorching with 100°F+ temperatures! That kind of heat will definitely influence what you choose to do and when you choose to do it.
KidTripster Tip: If you happen to visit on a Friday, expect points of interest to either be closed or open later. Make sure to check ahead.
What To Do in Doha
Here are my suggestions for what to do during your stopover:
1. Wander the Souq Waqif
The Souq Wahif is a maze-like collection of stalls, coffee shops, hookah cafes and restaurants which are frequented by locals and tourists alike. In the evening, this appears to be the place to be in Doha. We loved the energy and people-watching.
2. Admire the Katara Towers at Lusail Marina
Completed just before the 2022 World Cup, Katara is an iconic landmark in Doha. The towers are meant to resemble two crossed swords, the emblem of Qatar. On one side, you have the Raffles Doha; on the other side, you have the Fairmont Doha. Rooms are expensive, starting at $600/night. Instead of staying here, we had breakfast at Raffles’ L’Artisan Restaurant and spent some time gazing at the kaleidoscope ceiling in the hotel’s lobby.
KidTripster Tip: You may be inclined to visit nearby manmade Pearl Island and take a photo in the Venice-inspired Qanat Quartier. Don’t bother; it’s not that impressive.
3. Explore the National Museum of Qatar
This museum with its stunning façade traces Qatar’s history from a largely uninhabited desert to a world center for oil and natural gas production. The National Museum of Qatar is really well done with interactive and multimedia displays that appeal to families, in particular.
4. Visit the Museum of Islamic Art
The Museum of Islamic Art was designed by renowned architect I.M. Pei, who also designed the Louvre Pyramid. While families do visit, I don’t think the exhibits here are particularly interesting to kids; honestly, the air conditioning may be the bigger draw. For that alone, it’s worth it.
5. Stop by the East Mound Skyline Viewpoint
Just outside the Museum of Islamic Art, this spot is perfect for capturing photos of Doha’s impressive skyline in the evening. Afterwards, if it’s not too hot, walk along the Corniche Promenade.
6. Take a sunset dhow cruise
If you missed seeing Katara Towers earlier in the day, you can see them and the rest of Doha’s illuminated skyline on a short dhow cruise. Look for boats in Dhow Harbor along the Corniche.
KidTripster Tip: With limited time, I’d recommend skipping the beach. Yes, there are beach resorts, but this isn’t what I’d describe as a beach destination. I’ve also never been a fan of camel rides or dune bashing in the desert. It’s hot and not nearly as fun as it sounds.
