Note: This post contains affiliate links. If you click an affiliate link or book through an affiliate program, I receive a small commission at no cost to you! See my Privacy Policy for more information.
On my way to Japan, I had the opportunity to do a stopover in Doha, and it was an experience I’d recommend to any traveler. Many airlines, including Qatar Airways, KLM and Turkish Airlines, offer free extended stops, allowing you to explore cities like Doha without extra flight costs. My 20-hour layover in Doha was packed with a city tour, beach time, and delicious meals in the Souq. I loved Doha for its rich culture, stunning architecture, and welcoming vibes. Big perk is how easy Discover Qatar and Qatar Airways make it possible to plan your stay if flying with them. Check out my “Ultimate Doha Stopover Guide” for everything you need to know to make your layover in Doha enjoyable and stress-free.
Ultimate Doha Stopover Guide Table Of Contents
Plan Your Ultimate Doha Stopover Visit
 Flight |  Stay |  Do |  Drive |
| Skyscanner | Agoda | Viator | Rentalcars.com |
How Much Time Do I Need To Visit
Anything over 7 hours provides ample time to explore Doha with proper planning. I recommend 1-2 days. During my 20-hour stopover, I enjoyed a tour, meals, and beach time, thanks to Discover Qatar’s services.
Qatar Airways also allows extended stays by booking directly or flying with them. Just contact their customer support team to see what options you have.
See my ultimate Doha Stopover Guide below with everything you need to know to plan your visit to Doha during a Stopover.
Have Less Time In Doha
If your layover is under 7 hours, especially if it’s early morning, stay in Hamad International Airport. Enjoy activities like an airport art tour or premium lounges, which offer showers, meals, fast Wi-Fi, and relaxation areas. I recommend the Al Maha Lounge for 4 or 8-hour passes for added comfort.
Book your access to Al Maha Lounge for guaranteed access on the day of your layover.
20-Hour Doha Qatar Itinerary
| Activity | Approx Time | Notes |
| Airport Arrival | 1 -1.5 hours | This all depends on customs and locating the proper exit. |
| Grab metro to city | 40 min – 1 hour | The journey to the airport is 40 min but I’d consider getting to the station, etc. |
| Doha Tour | 4 hours | I opted to get picked up from the city opposed to the airport as I feared I would have to return to the airport with the group. In hindsight, I could have easily stayed in the city after the tour ended. |
| Beach Club | 2 hours | I had lunch here but would skip the meal here as I didn’t enjoy the food. |
| Relax in Hotel | 5 hours | I booked a 5 star stay at the Intercontinental Doha The City for $60 USD using Discover Qatar. |
| Uber to Souq Waqif | 20 min | |
| Dinner + stroll in Souq Waqif | 2 hours | Enjoy a meal on Main Street. Restaurants with only outdoor seating areas usually serve traditional dishes at affordable prices. |
| Train to hotel | 30 min | |
| Relax in hotel before flight | 2 hours | I decided to leave my day bag in the hotel and return after dinner to grab and do a proper check-out. |
| Return to the airport for flight | 40 min – 1 hour | The journey to the airport is 40 min but I’d consider getting to the station, etc. |
Maximize Doha: 12 Stopover Essentials
Before stepping off the plane in Doha, I wish I had known these 12 essential tips, which I’m sharing in my the full 12 Doha essentials article to help you explore the city seamlessly and enjoyably.
Top tips summary:
- Exiting Hamad International Airport can be tricky, so look for baggage claim or immigration and ask for directions if needed.
- Use an esim for affordable data and take advantage of the Metro for easy and cheap transportation.
- No cash is needed as most places accept cards, including Karwa Taxis.
- Enjoy activities like visiting Souq Waqif at night, and avoid tours on Fridays when many attractions are closed until 4pm.
Dive deeper into these tips and read the full 12 Tips For A Doha Layover article.
Doha Sights To See In One Day
All of the sights below were super easy to cover when doing the Discover Qatar tour. The tour leaves from the airport or city center based on how many days you decide to have your stopover over.
| Souq Waqif Traditional Market. This is also where you will see the Souq Waqif Falcon hospital with multiple floors dedicated to the health of falcons who are considered family members here. |
| Katara Cultural Village This is where you will see their amphitheatre, Katara Mosque and high end shops. |
| The Golden Masjid This gold-covered mosque is also conveniently located in Katara Cultural Village. |
| Doha Sands Beach Relax on the beach and enjoy drinks while cooling off in the water from the Arabian sun. |
| The Pearl Island This modern luxurious man made island is where expats are allowed to live in and includes nice shops and restaurants. |
| Grand Corniche 7 kilometres of promenade looking at the waterfront. |
| Museum of Islamic Art Holds a collection of global and Islamic art that while I did not have time to visit inside was able to take in its grand architecture during my time in Doha. |
Qatari Food I Ate
| Machboos | An aromatic rice dish that can be topped with lamb, chicken, prawns |
| Margoog | A lamb and vegetable stew |
| Madaouba | Think a combo of Margoog and lasagna sheets |
Doha Tourist Google Map
Navigate the city easily by saving my Doha Tourist Google map. I’ve included the top sights, hotel and airport to make your short visit even that much easier to do.
More Stopover-Related Articles
Need even more stopover-related articles that offer even more tips on how to add mini trips to your vacation, then use these resources below.
Want to discover more?
Explore my Travel Guides Section for more city guides to other cities that can easily be seen during a stopover such as Bilbao in Spain and Malaysia.
Discover more from Girl Takes Mundo
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
One thought on “Ultimate Doha Stopover Guide”
Comments are closed.