10 Best Things to Do at Night in Doha

Take a glance at Doha’s skyline and you’ll see a modern city full of looming skyscrapers. But walk around the lanes of Souq Waqif and you’ll feel like you’ve been transported back in time. These charming streets are home to historical Arab architectural masterpieces, traditional street stalls and upscale restaurants.

Souq Waqif awakens at night when the hot day gives way to the cool evening. Here, you can stock up on local handicrafts, watch street performances, check out the falconry market and visit art galleries. If you want to enrich your cultural awareness, we recommend exploring the alleyways around Souq Waqif for several hours.

If you're a fan of sunset views, you should take to the waters while you're in Doha. You might have to put up with the blazing heat when you first set sail, but once the day gives way to night, you'll be glad you're aboard a traditional dhow boat. Most river cruises last around 2 hours and depart in time for sunset.

For a traditional cruise experience, head to the Corniche where lines of wooden dhows illuminate the waters with multi-coloured lights. For a more upscale experience with fine-dining included, head over to the Pearl Qatar, which is home to plenty of yachts with glass windows, air-conditioning and open decks with majlis-style seating.

Doha has its fair share of sports bars, meaning you won’t have to fall behind on the latest news from the world’s sporting events. As public drinking is illegal, you’ll find most sports bars inside hotels, such as the Radisson Blu Hotel, The Sheraton and the Vacation Inn.

Champions, which is located inside the Marriot Marquis City Center Doha Hotel, is an award-winning sports bar that’s filled with flat-screen TVs showcasing all the top sporting events from around the world. If you want to catch up with the latest news in sports such as Formula 1, cricket and NFL, Champions is a popular spot connected to DECC subway station.

To escape the crowds and get your blood pumping in the evening, head out on a sand dune adventure in the Qatari desert. Rather than trek through the barren wilderness on a camel’s back, bounce over the dunes in a 4x4. This rollercoaster drive takes you by breath-taking scenery and pearly white beaches. Some tours will take you for a dip in the waters of the Khor Al Udaid, around 80 km south of Doha.

Don’t be afraid to tell your driver if you want a bumpy ride, they’ll be delighted to show you just how exciting the desert can be under a twinkling, starlit sky. Most evening tours last around 5 hours and leave between 2 pm and 3 pm.

The Pearl Qatar is an artificial island in Doha that covers an area of 4 sq km. The island is famous for being home to the more affluent of Doha’s residents. Its restaurants are admittedly on the pricey side, but this is fine dining at its best. In addition to the dozens of waterfront eateries that serve cuisines from all corners of the globe, you’ll find boutique stores, supercar showrooms and beach clubs at the 'Arabian Riviera'.

Even if you don’t intend to dine or stock up on designer goods at the Pearl Qatar, you should take a tour of the villas, upmarket residential towers and Mediterranean-style marinas that make this island unique.

Doha’s skyline looks impressive from any angle, but you’ll find the most photo-worthy shots of the cityscape from Doha Corniche, the city’s waterfront promenade. The Corniche, which is home to late-opening landmarks such as the Museum of Islamic Art, is a popular gathering spot for locals looking to enjoy the cool evenings.

The Corniche is also one of the most popular tourist attractions in Doha thanks to its family-friendly green spaces, fine-dining establishments, cruise tours and more. After sunset, set up your camera to catch the golden lights of the city’s looming skyscrapers reflecting off the water.