Travelisto destinations
Qatar holidays
Doha’s museums and skyline, Souq Waqif’s lanes and desert dunes to the Inland Sea — a stylish stopover or winter-sun break.
Overview
Welcome to Qatar
Qatar is a small peninsula on the Arabian Gulf, and its capital, Doha, has become one of the Gulf’s most stylish city breaks and a favourite stopover on the way to Asia, the Indian Ocean and Australia. The Corniche waterfront curves around Doha Bay below a skyline of striking towers, and the city’s museums are world-class: the I. M. Pei-designed Museum of Islamic Art, the rose-shaped National Museum of Qatar by Jean Nouvel, and the 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum.
Souq Waqif is the atmospheric heart of old Doha, with spice and textile stalls, falcon shops and restaurants in its lanes, while The Pearl, Katara Cultural Village, the colourful Msheireb and Mina districts and Lusail show the modern city. Beyond Doha, the desert stretches south to Khor Al Adaid, the Inland Sea, where the dunes meet the water — a classic half-day 4x4 trip. Beach resorts north and south of the city make it easy to add some sun.
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Best for: stopovers of two to four nights, culture and museum lovers, winter-sun city breaks from November to March, families, and combinations with the Maldives, Seychelles, Sri Lanka or Asia.
From the team
Why we love Qatar
Doha is the stopover I recommend most: two nights for the Museum of Islamic Art, Souq Waqif and a desert afternoon, and you arrive at your beach refreshed.
Rossella Rossella, Luxury & Destination Specialist Meet our Travel DesignersFind your trip
Holiday types in Qatar
Pick a holiday style — or combine two. Each section links straight to the next step.
Where to stay
Beach destinations grouped by resort area — pick the cluster that matches your pace.
City breaks
Qatar's cities reward 2-4 nights each — pair two for a tailor-made multi-centre trip.
Cruises
Doha is a regular call on Arabian Gulf cruises from Dubai and Abu Dhabi between November and March.
Tailor-made
Everything you see above is a starting point — we'll shape any of these around how you actually want to travel.
Doha stopover
Two to four nights on the way to Asia, the Indian Ocean or Australia.
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Museums and souqs
A guided culture break with the best of Doha.
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Desert and beach
A city hotel, a desert camp night and beach days.
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Qatar and the Maldives
A city stopover, then an island resort.
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Knowing before you go
When to go
Jan
22°
Feb
23°
Mar
27°
Apr
32°
May
38°
Jun
41°
Jul
42°
Aug
41°
Sep
39°
Oct
35°
Nov
29°
Dec
24°
November to March is the best time, with warm, sunny days of 22–29°C and cool evenings. April and October are hot but still pleasant early and late in the day. From May to September temperatures pass 40°C, and life moves indoors. Ramadan dates change each year.
Flights & how to get there
Direct flights from London and several regional UK airports take about 6 hours 30 minutes. Hamad International Airport is about 20 minutes from central Doha.
Visa & passport
UK passport holders can currently enter visa-free on arrival for a short stay. Your passport should be valid for at least six months. Qatar’s laws and customs differ from the UK’s, including on alcohol, dress and behaviour in public. For up-to-date entry requirements and safety advice, check the UK FCDO travel advice for Qatar.
Currency & money
The Qatari riyal (QAR), pegged to the US dollar. Cards are accepted almost everywhere.
Language & tipping
Arabic. English is widely spoken.
Health & safety
No vaccinations are usually needed for UK travellers. Take the heat seriously in summer and buy comprehensive travel insurance.
FAQs
Qatar — your questions
When is the best time to visit Qatar?
November to March, when days are warm and sunny at 22–29°C. From May to September it is very hot, often above 40°C.
How long is the flight to Doha?
About 6 hours 30 minutes direct from London and several regional UK airports. Doha is 3 hours ahead of the UK in winter.
How long should a Doha stopover be?
Two to three nights is ideal: one day for the Museum of Islamic Art, the National Museum and Souq Waqif, and an afternoon in the desert at the Inland Sea.
Do I need a visa for Qatar?
UK passport holders can currently enter visa-free on arrival for a short stay. Always check the latest FCDO travel advice before you go.
Make this trip yours
Plan your Qatar holiday with a Travel Designer
Pick from any of the options on this page or tell us what you have in mind — we'll build it around how you actually like to travel. ATOL protected, flights included, real humans available 9am–7pm.
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