Having lived in Australia, I’m no stranger to long-haul flights. If you’re going to be stuck on a plane for over 15 hours, why not break up the journey with a layover that feels like a mini-holiday? For travelers between Europe and Australia/New Zealand, a stop in the Middle East is often unavoidable. If you’re flying Qatar Airways, chances are you’ll be landing in Doha.
If you’re the airport-lounge-and-Netflix type, fair enough. But if you’re eligible for a visa waiver, I highly recommend turning a short layover into a brief holiday. Doha has plenty to offer, and you can explore quite a lot even in just a few days.
I recently hosted my brother here for four days en route to Germany. We didn’t plan much — just an unspoken agreement to wing it. Here’s how it unfolded, and what you might consider for your own spontaneous stopover.
My family had to leave Doha due to visa issues, so they were vacationing back home. I was on my own until my brother arrived the night before Eid. We headed straight home from Hamad International Airport since it was so late.
The next morning, after Eid prayers and breakfast, we decided to embark on some unplanned sightseeing. It was my first Eid in Doha and his first day here, so to avoid staying cooped up at home or getting baked by the sun, we opted to explore some of Doha’s malls.
Eid vibes, malls and architecture walks
When the topic of malls in Doha is discussed, Villaggio inevitably arises in the conversation. Think Venice-meets-Doha — indoor canal, gondolas, and even an ice rink.
Our next stop was West Bay. I decided to take him to the City Center Mall, then walk to The Gate Mall. That way, we check out the architecture in West Bay as well. We took a Careem from Villaggio. In the City Center Mall, we had a late lunch at Sushi Minto. Then walked to the Gate Mall. There were construction sites on the way, but easy to avoid them. The Gate Mall is a high-end mall, but not much to look at.
We planned to visit the Museum of Islamic Art, but it was closed for Eid, so we wrapped the day early.
Tip: Doha’s malls are destinations in themselves — a mix of retail, food, entertainment, and serious air conditioning.
Day 2: More malls, Katara and Souq Waqif
We kicked things off with a swim and a workout, then hit two of the city’s biggest malls. Later we set out to check Mall of Qatar and Festival City Mall.
Mall of Qatar, famous for its central Oasis stage, where during my last three visits, I enjoyed the Rainbow Circus, the Flying Georgians, and the Filipino Show. This time, though, the only performance was Dora—not quite our thing. So, we decided to move on to the Festival City. As luck would have it, there was a classic car expo happening, which was perfect since my brother is somewhat of a car enthusiast.
As the afternoon mellowed, we set off for Katara Cultural Village, aiming to catch their Eid fireworks. We figured we’d get there early, stroll around, soak in the atmosphere. While fireworks weren’t really our main goal, we thought, “Why not?”
Katara itself is simply amazing. The architecture is stunning, the food scene is fantastic, and the crowd always brings a lively energy. You can wander along the beautiful waterfront, or check out the various art installations and galleries. Seriously, everything about Katara—its design, the delicious eats, the vibrant vibe, the scenic views, and the artistic expressions—is just great. It’s a truly captivating spot.
Souq Waqif had to be our next stop—it’s my absolute favorite place in Qatar. Every time I visit, I’m completely charmed by it, and I always discover something new. Souq (Arabic for market) was historically where Bedouins traded livestock and wool, but by the early 2000s, it had gotten pretty run-down. Then, in 2004, they decided to restore it using traditional Qatari architecture, and now? It’s perfect. The restaurants are incredible, the vibe is lively, and there’s always something happening. There’s even a cool little art center where you can watch artists painting or doing calligraphy.
We wandered around for a while, then had dinner at Damasca One. The food was amazing. There was live entertainment, too: a seriously talented violinist played, and later they streamed the football match live. After stuffing ourselves, we took one more stroll through the souq before finally calling it a night.
Day 3: Museums, movies and the marina stroll
Finally, we made it to the Museum of Islamic Art the next day. Even if you’re not into museums, go for the architecture. It’s impressive, inside and out. The exhibits are top-notch — my brother loved it.
After visiting the Museum of Islamic Art, we hopped into an Uber headed for Pearl-Qatar. Our plan was to explore it by day, snap some photos, catch a movie at Novo Cinemas, and then return after dark for more pictures and a different perspective. We stuck to the plan.
Around 4:30 PM, we began our stroll, sticking to the shade as we walked along the port. We stopped at Forty Fruity for some refreshing cocktails.
Novo Cinemas was about a 13-minute walk along the port, just past the Maserati showroom on Porto Arabia drive. The cinema itself was great, and we easily purchased our tickets at the counter. The movie turned out to be decent.
After the film, we walked back to capture more photos, venturing all the way to the edge where the recently opened Yasamine Palace is located. It looked incredibly appealing, and we briefly considered having dinner there, but neither of us was particularly hungry. With that, we left Pearl-Qatar and headed to our next destination.
Tip: Visit the Pearl from late afternoon into evening. Great for sunset shots, a movie, and dinner. Try Yasamine Palace if you’re up for a sit-down meal.
Next, we Ubered to Sheraton Hotel Park, a lush green space in the heart of Doha’s Al Dafna district, right next to the iconic Sheraton Grand Doha Hotel. We explored the surroundings, the distinctive pyramid-shaped green hill, and enjoyed the water fountains and waterside promenade while snapping more photos of the city skyline.
It was getting late, and our hunger wasn’t pressing, so we headed home to figure out dinner. An elaborate meal was definitely out. Then it hit me: “Tea Time!” They serve fantastic Karak Chai and have a great selection of burgers and sandwiches, with a branch just a short distance from our place. So, almost immediately after getting home, we were out the door and off to Tea Time. The 15-minute walk back home, under the night sky, was a welcome cooldown. Completely exhausted, I fell asleep pretty much as soon as my head hit the pillow.
Day 4: Wind down & farewells
His last day! So first I thought to take him to Wakrah market and beach. It was pretty hot outside and it probably would not have been the best choice. We were wiped out, so dialled things back. We ordered brunch from Take Away—their morning tray has a fantastic selection of sandwiches. The food is delicious, reasonably priced, and the delivery is quick. A solid choice for a lazy morning.
For his last day, we decided to keep things low-key and local. Instead of more sightseeing, we headed to Mirqab Mall just to grab drinks and catch Deadpool 2. We tried a couple of mocktails at Future Vision Cafe, then settled in for the movie. Even with some censorship, we still really enjoyed it!
After the movie, I had a few errands to run, and then we headed home. Our dinner plan was at Zaitoon Restaurant & Grills, followed by a relaxing cup of tea and sheesha at Ashreg Cafe, while we watched the Tunisia vs England match.
No holiday feels complete without some good Indian food, and Zaitoon is one of my favourite spots for it. The food is excellent and reasonably priced, the ambiance is welcoming, and the place is clean with attentive staff. The menu is extensive—you’re bound to find something you like. Let’s just say we might have overindulged and leave it at that.
We then took a leisurely walk to Souq Waqif, which is just a short distance from Zaitoon. As planned, we took some more photos, enjoyed our tea and sheesha, and caught the football match. The mint tea was as good as ever, and the sheesha didn’t disappoint.
I’m pretty sure Souq Waqif became his favourite place in Doha. If he ever visits again, I have no doubt he’ll be spending more time there.
Tip: If you only visit one place in Doha, make it Souq Waqif. Traditional, vibrant, and endlessly photogenic. I never get tired of it.
Final thoughts
We didn’t tick every box — Wakrah and a desert safari remain on the list — but for a spontaneous four-day layover, it felt full and fulfilling.
When I dropped him off at Hamad International Airport, I felt we’d made the most of his time here. If you’re flying through Doha, it’s more than just a stopover — it’s a snapshot of culture, hospitality, and unexpected fun.
Tip: Head to the airport early — Hamad International is an experience in itself. Don’t miss the giant yellow teddy bear sculpture or the lush Orchard garden, a tranquil indoor oasis tucked into the heart of the terminal. Great for one last photo op before your flight.
Disclaimer: None of the businesses mentioned here sponsored this post. Just sharing a few good experiences in the hope they help others plan their own layover adventure.
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