Things to Do in Doha This Weekend: A Resident's Rotation of Plans That Never Get Old

For residents and GCC neighbours: twelve weekend plans, sorted by season and who you're with.

Half our guests are people who live here — or in Riyadh, Dubai or Kuwait — looking for something to do this weekend. This is the rotation we recommend: twelve plans that work for couples, families and groups, sorted by season.

October to April

1. 1 Overnight desert camp at the Inland Sea — book Thursday, back Friday morning.
2. 2 Camel racing at Al Shahaniya, Friday or Saturday morning, then lunch at Souq Al Wakrah.
3. 3 Al Zubarah and the north beaches day trip.
4. 4 Sunset dhow cruise then dinner at The Pearl.
5. 5 Katara's festivals — check the calendar; Dhow Festival in November is the best.
6. 6 Sealine Saturday: beach, quad bikes, dune drive at sunset.

May to September

1. 1 Dawn desert safari, back for a long brunch.
2. 2 Night dhow or yacht cruise from 8 pm.
3. 3 Banana Island or a hotel day pass.
4. 4 Museum day: MIA, then the National Museum, lunch at Jiwan.
5. 5 Indoor theme parks at Festival City and Villaggio with the kids.
6. 6 Lusail Boulevard and Place Vendôme after dark.

Any weekend

• Friday brunch at a hotel — book by Wednesday.
• Souq Waqif after 6 pm; suhoor-style late dinner.
• Aspire Park at sunset with a picnic.
• A yacht from Porto Arabia for a birthday or an anniversary.

Weekend in Doha from Riyadh, Dubai or Kuwait

Flights are 60–90 minutes and GCC residents get a Hayya visa in minutes; Saudi residents can drive via Abu Samra (4–5 hours from Riyadh). A Thursday-night arrival, Friday desert camp or brunch, Saturday museums and souq, and a Saturday-night flight home is the classic. Ask us for a two-night package with hotel and airport transfers.

Three ready-made weekends

Booking timing

• Desert camps and Friday brunches: book by Tuesday in winter.
• Dhow and yacht charters: 3–5 days ahead, more in December.
• Camel racing: no booking; arrive by 7 am.
• Everything is quieter on Saturdays than Fridays.

Rainy or windy weekend?

It happens a few times each winter. Boats stay in harbour when the wind is up (we refund or move the date), but the desert is at its best after rain — firm sand, clear air — and the museums, Msheireb, the souq's covered lanes and Villaggio's canals fill the rest. A shamal wind day is the day for the National Museum and a long lunch.