Qatar has become a centre of cultural excellence. Home to myriad museums, the nation touts state-of-the-art venues that examine Qatari heritage, offering dedicated spaces to explore thought-provoking themes and support home-grown artists. While there are many things to do in Doha and wider Qatar, exploring the country’s museums is a must.
Despite being a compact country, Qatar offers a wealth of impressive attractions. While there are many things to do in Doha and wider Qatar, exploring the country’s museums is a must. Though whittling the list to a mere five must-see museums is a near-impossible task, here are my recommendations from my 2018 trip to Qatar, when I flew Business Class with Qatar Airways from Cardiff to Doha.
The best museums in Qatar
Museum of Islamic Art
An imposing post-modern fortress, the Museum of Islamic Art undeniably catches the gaze of each passerby.
Perched majestically on the Corniche, the waterfront views create the illusion of floating. The cream-hued limestone offsets a sleek appearance, with the block houses capturing the changes of light and shade on its walls during the day.
This iconic Islamic Museum in Doha is inspired by ancient architecture, patterned with typical geometric designs yet exuding a modern Western perspective. Notably, it was designed by I.M. Pei, the celebrated mind behind the glass pyramid in the Louvre, Paris. The MIA collection spans over 1,400 years, with 800 manuscripts to inspect. This expansive collection comprises 21,000 heritage books, artefacts, and ceramics. The collection is not bound by creed or royalty with works derived from secular and religious spheres, princes, and common folk.
Amongst these priceless Islamic artefacts is the rare Abbasid Blue Qur’an. The deep-blue folio is decorated with resplendent golden Kufic calligraphy. The MIA touts invaluable items from all around the world including Iran, Egypt, Iraq, Spain, Turkey, India, and Central Asia.
Fire Station Museum
This eponymous museum was once in fact a fully functional fire station. It served as Qatar’s first civil defence authority, until it was repurposed as art in 2014. Architect Ibriham Al Jaidha was commissioned to renovate the interior, while the recognisable honeycomb facade and original key features were left wholly intact.
The garage was converted into an exhibition space to foster creative development and has become the beating heart of contemporary art. The mission of the Fire Station is to spotlight local burgeoning talent through the Artists in Residence Programme.
The building has become a work of art by its own merit. Digital artworks and projected images are proudly beamed, while the walls are adorned with murals by local Qatari artists. Meanwhile, the creative centre has played host to works of Pablo Picasso, Kazimir Malevich and Virgil Abloh.
Msheireb Museums
Msheireb Museums are located in the historic heart of Doha, offering a glimpse into the evolution of Qatar from a primordial fishing village to the bustling metropolis of today. Four heritage houses – Bin Jelmood, Company, Mohammed Bin Jassim and Radwani – reveal different angles of Qatari heritage.
Bin Jelmood House tackles the often-shrouded topic of Arabian Gulf slavery, memorialising previously enslaved people, while Company House casts light on the role of petroleum in shaping Qatar, showcasing first-hand accounts of industry workers.
Meanwhile, Mohammed Bin Jassim House guides visitors through the transformation that the Msherib district underwent, detailing how it was the catalyst for many first instances in the region including the first hotel, bank, café and pharmacy. Finally, the Radwani House welcomes visitors to traditional Qatari life by offering honest insights into the socio-cultural upheaval spurred by the arrival of oil and electricity.
Mathaf, Arab Museum of Modern Art
Since its inception in 2010, the Arab Museum of Modern Art (Mathaf) has swiftly become one of the most eminent purveyors of modern and contemporary art from the Arab world. It boasts a collection of 9,000 artworks from Arab artists and from the Middle East, Africa, and Europe with a connection to the Arab peninsula.
The exhibitions displayed at Mathaf depict the socio-political issues that have and continue to sway the Arab world. The art broaches topics like the oil industry, urbanisation and nation-building, promoting a space for dialogue and introspection.
The museum has hosted iconic exhibitions including “Lived Forward: Art and Culture in Doha from 1960-2020” and “Wael Shawky: Crusades and Other Stories”. Its current installation, Khalid Albaih’s “Shahid” is a haunting emotive audio-visual display of the ongoing destruction of Gaza, prompting visitors to embody the role of a witness.
National Museum of Qatar
The avant-garde appearance of the National Museum of Qatar is only part of its charm. Its distinguishable shape was modelled after a desert rose and created by French architect Jean Nouvel. Overlapping discs depict the image of a blooming flower, providing visitors with a futuristic, spatial experience.
The elaborate design is a testament to Qatar’s past, present, and future. Housing 11 galleries, this beautiful museum narrates the history of a nation unfolding. This fascinating history is chronicled in three chapters: Beginnings, Life in Qatar, and the Modern History of Qatar. The exhibits highlight striking geology, archaeology, indigenous plants, and wildlife species, further exploring the country’s roots. One of its centrepieces is the Baroda Pearl Carpet. Embellished with over 1.5 million Gulf pearls, diamonds, and other precious stones, this is often hailed as the most ornate carpet ever made.
Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum 3-2-1
Eight new structures were constructed in Qatar ahead of the FIFA World Cup, along with a plethora of visitor attractions. Among them is the Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum 3-2-1. Part of the Olympic Museum Network, is it also one of the largest sports museums internationally. The building is encircled by the five interlocking Olympic rings, illuminating red, blue, green, white and yellow at night.
The exhibitions detail the origins of sport from circa 8000 BC and trace various historical periods, spanning multiple geographic locations. The seven sections comprise sophisticated audio-visual displays and interactive simulations. If you’ve ever wanted to see how archery looked in Ancient Greece, you can test the virtual bow and arrow set-up. And don’t miss the Hall of Athletes, showcasing elite sporting heroes from throughout the decades.
More museums in Qatar to explore
With so many fascinating museums in Qatar, choosing just five to recommend is no easy feat. So, if you have some more time to spare during your visit, here are some more Qatari museums worth exploring:
- Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani Museum: Located just outside Doha, this museum unveils 30,00 artefacts from the personal collection of Sheikh Faisal.
- OliOli Children’s Museum – A place where kids can explore, discover and create without worry, this gamified play-based museum offers six interactive galleries.
- Katara Art Centre – This iconic art centre embraces contemporary art, design, fashion and music.
- Museum of Illusions -While not as culture-centric as Qatar’s other museums, this wondrous attraction centres upon captivating illusions and curious puzzles.
From marvelling at Islamic Art and unearthing Qatari traditions, to basking in the glory of decorated sportsmen and women, Qatar offers a variety of museums to explore during your stay. Which will you visit first?
Find more inspiration for things to do in Doha, Qatar in my previous blog post. Don’t miss out on my guide to what to wear in Qatar too!
Can you think of any other museums in Qatar worth adding to this list? Leave a comment to let me know.