Qatar with Kids

What to Do in Qatar with Kids

Lost in the Amazon Waterpark – A Refreshing Play Paradise on The Pearl

A super fun, small-scale waterpark, well maintained and located on The Pearl. It’s a bit unclear whether it’s only for residents, but we were allowed in without any issues and practically had the place to ourselves. That made it extra relaxing! We paid 200 QAR (around €50) for the four of us. The water is heated, so it’s perfectly enjoyable with kids even during the cooler months.

The park is especially great for children between 2 and 12 years old. There’s a shallow pool, small slides, and easy-to-navigate play structures, so you can relax as a parent while keeping an eye on them. There’s also a nice playground next to the waterpark for when they still have energy to burn. Our kids absolutely loved it. A pleasant, manageable place where you can easily spend a few hours without mass tourism.

Souq Waqif – 1001 Nights in the Heart of Doha

If you want to experience the “old,” less modern side of Qatar, this is the place to be. Souq Waqif is a traditional Arab market that has been beautifully restored in authentic style. Narrow alleyways, sand-colored buildings, wooden beams, and winding streets make you feel like you’ve stepped into an Arabian Nights fairytale — mysterious Arabia. Although it certainly attracts tourists nowadays, plenty of locals still come here. We were unlucky that a cruise ship had just docked, so it was busier than usual. Cruise ships usually arrive on Tuesdays and Sundays, so keep that in mind if you’d like to avoid the crowds.

You’ll see veiled women, sheikhs, and many workers purchasing and transporting goods (I assume for wealthy families). It’s a fascinating mix of tradition and modern luxury. Lizzy bought a beautiful local dress (with glitter and leopard print), and Quinn chose a Qatar football outfit.

From the souq, you can easily walk to the Pearl Monument. This monument refers to Qatar’s past as a pearl-diving nation, before the discovery of oil and gas. From here, you also have a beautiful view of the Doha skyline, with traditional wooden boats (dhows) floating in front of it. You can even take a boat tour on one of these traditional dhows — a fun way to see the city from the water.
The souq itself is stroller-friendly: the main streets are easy to navigate. The small shops within the souq are not — they’re often narrow and have steps at the entrance.

Bird Souq

Don’t forget to visit the Bird Souq (oh, a bit sad though!). What a noise. Everything is sold here: baby ducklings, turtles, and lots of parakeets. It’s impressive to see, but also a little heartbreaking. Around the Souq Waqif Falcon Hospital, you’ll find only falcon shops. In Qatar, falcons are extremely important; falconry is a centuries-old tradition and even UNESCO-recognized heritage. Locals come here to buy a falcon as a pet or for hunting. It’s special to see how seriously and proudly this tradition is upheld.

Horse Stables Souq Waqif

The Horse Stables at Souq Waqif are also nice to stroll through with the kids. A peaceful break from the busy market, and you’ll often see beautiful Arabian horses.

Pizza Maria

Not in the mood for Arabic food? Then Pizza Maria is a great alternative. Delicious pizzas on a charming little square — perfect if you’re craving something familiar.

Tour of North & West Qatar – Out of the City, Into the Desert

During our stay in Doha, we booked a full-day tour (8 hours) to the north and west of Qatar. A break from the skyline, the modern architecture, and the air-conditioned malls — into the “real” country. It was a long day, with many hours in the car, but absolutely worth it and truly recommended if you want to see more than just Doha. You’ll discover a completely different side of Qatar: empty, rugged, traditional, and culturally surprisingly rich.

👉 We booked this tour via GetYourGuide (great organization, clear communication, and an excellent guide):
Click here for more information about the tour. (If you book through my link, you’ll support my blog — thank you! ❤️)

Al Shahaniya Camel Racetrack

Our first stop was the camel racetrack. And yes: they actually race camels here — but without people on them. The jockeys are tiny robots! We first made a short stop at the “robot factory” where these mini robot jockeys are made and adjusted. The kids absolutely loved seeing this. It’s a funny mix of centuries-old tradition and ultra-modern technology.

There were no official races when we visited, only training sessions. The real races usually take place on weekends (especially during the winter months) and are said to be complete chaos — with cars driving alongside the track to cheer on their camels via speakers attached to the robots. Only in Qatar 😉

Zekreet Rock Formation

After that, we drove further into the desert toward Zekreet. Here you’ll find remarkable limestone rock formations shaped by wind and sand into dramatic, sculptural forms. We were completely alone — no tourists, no buildings, just us and the landscape. The kids could climb and scramble over the rocks and burn off some energy. This is truly the Qatar you don’t expect: rugged, empty, and almost otherworldly.

East-West/West-East – Art in the Middle of the Desert

And then suddenly, in the middle of nowhere, you see four gigantic steel plates. This artwork by artist Richard Serra consists of four plates about 14 meters high and weighing around 75 tons each. They are spread out over approximately one kilometer in the desert landscape. The four of us walked the entire stretch, while our guide and driver waited for us at the end. I found this incredibly impressive. The emptiness, the silence, the scale. The kids especially loved that they could “expedition-walk” from one plate to the next.

Al Zubarah Fort

So beautiful — and again: in the middle of nowhere. This fort was built in 1938 and was part of a larger defensive system in northern Qatar. The sand-colored fort against the bright blue sky was truly picture-perfect. Personally, I thought this was one of the most beautiful stops of the day. Nearby you’ll also find the archaeological site of Al Zubarah (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), once an important trading and pearling town in the 18th and 19th centuries. Here you really see how important pearl fishing was before the oil and gas industry transformed the country.

Arab Al Mandi Restaurant

Time for a traditional lunch! We could choose: regular tables downstairs or a private room where you eat on the floor, as is customary here. Of course, we went for the full experience. The kids especially found it funny. Edward chose a mixed grill, and I (vegetarian) was served all kinds of delicious mezze: hummus, baba ganoush, and other dips. We were given large round Lebanese bread (khubz, a pita-style flatbread) to scoop everything up. And of course, we finished with strong, sweet chai. The kids had fries, some rice, and bread — perfectly fine for them.

Al Khor Fish Market

The cleanest fish market you will ever see. Truly. Everything spotless, neat, and well organized. We saw fish that we had also spotted while snorkeling in the Maldives: small sharks, parrotfish, rays. Quinn spontaneously decided here that he never wants to eat fish again 😉 It’s fascinating to see how important fishing still is for Qatar’s coastal towns.

Al Thakira Mangroves

Our final short stop was at the beach overlooking the mangroves of Al Thakira. This is one of the few places in Qatar where mangrove forests grow — vital for the ecosystem and breeding grounds for birds and fish. To be honest, I expected or hoped for a bit more. But you can also kayak through the mangroves here, and that actually seems like a lot of fun to do (maybe next time!).

Why I Truly Recommend This Tour

Yes, it’s a long day. Yes, you spend quite a bit of time in the car. But without this tour, we never would have:

• Experience the vast emptiness of the desert
• See the camel racing culture up close
• Visit UNESCO World Heritage sites
• Admire modern art in the middle of nowhere
• Enjoy a traditional lunch just like the locals do

Our guide shared so much about the history, culture, and customs of Qatar. It gave so much more context to everything we later saw in Doha. So if you want to see more than just skyscrapers and malls, I would truly recommend this tour. 👉 You can book it here via GetYourGuide (and support my blog at the same time — thank you!).

Desert Safari – Into the Desert with Kids

We did a tour with Qatar International Tours (QIT) and it’s truly highly recommended. They offer so many options: half-day, full-day, or even an overnight stay in the desert.

Pick-up in a Private Land Cruiser

We were picked up at our accommodation in Doha in a private Toyota Land Cruiser with a professional desert safari driver. In Qatar, only specially trained drivers are allowed to drive into the dunes. And you can tell. They know exactly how to steer, accelerate, and correct in the loose sand.

Arabian Oryx Farm

Our first short stop was at an oryx farm. The Arabian oryx is the national animal of Qatar — a stunning white desert animal with long, straight horns. Another one to tick off the list 😉 It was nice to see and made for a short break for the kids.

Dune Bashing – Adrenaline in the Desert

Then the real adventure began: dune bashing. Racing at full speed over high sand dunes, driving at angles, steeply downhill, sliding through the sand. Absolutely insane fun. Such an adrenaline rush. For Quinn (5 years old), it was just a bit too much excitement, so we asked if it could be a little calmer — and that was no problem at all. That’s the advantage of a private tour: we could adjust the pace to suit the kids. I think this tour is most suitable for children from about 4 years old, but honestly, the older they are, the more they’ll probably love it.

Khor Al Adaid – The Famous Inland Sea

We continued driving to the famous Inland Sea, officially called Khor Al Adaid. This is one of the very few places in the world where the sea flows deep into the desert. It lies on the border with Saudi Arabia and is listed by UNESCO because of its unique landscape. Along the way, we stopped several times for photos and to run through the dunes. Guaranteed fun for kids. The vast emptiness here is truly impressive. Just sand, sea, and sky.

Al Rahal Camp

Our final stop was at an exclusive desert camp: Al Rahal Camp. And my first thought was: I actually want to stay here overnight. At the camp, we went sandboarding down the dunes, the kids did a short camel ride, and we took a quad bike ride. So much fun! You drive yourself, following a guide, through the dunes. You can also choose a four-person buggy here. We did that once before in Egypt when Quinn was only 2 years old — also an amazing experience.

Tip: leave Doha no later than 2:00 PM. We were picked up at 3:00 PM, but in hindsight, we should have planned it earlier. Around 6:00 PM it already gets dark in Qatar, and your photos simply won’t turn out as beautiful. Even better? Book a longer tour or stay overnight in the desert. Four hours is actually quite short, especially if traffic around Doha is busy. You quickly find yourself rushing from one highlight to the next, while this is a place you really want to take your time and enjoy.

If you truly want to experience the desert, this should be part of your Qatar trip. Doha is modern and impressive, but the desert… that’s the real Middle East feeling. Check out all QIT tours and choose what suits your family. Half day, full day, or sleeping under the stars — next time, I would absolutely stay longer.

Katara Cultural Village

So much fun again (I really love Qatar haha!). You can easily spend an entire afternoon and evening here. Katara is the cultural heart of Doha and was developed to bring together art, culture, and heritage. It’s spacious, incredibly clean (almost absurdly clean), and very pleasant to explore with children. Everything here is stroller-friendly.

Stroll Through the Streets

Be sure to take a short walk through the streets of Katara. They literally mop the floors here, the restrooms are spotless, and fabric shades hang above the streets for extra sun protection — which is no luxury in Qatar. We walked past Katara Opera House, Katara Mosque, Pigeon Towers, Katara Multi-Purpose Hall, Lightning Stairs, The Golden Masjid, Katara Square, and 21 High Street.

The architecture ranges from traditional Arabic to ultra-modern and luxurious. Especially 21 High Street is remarkable: an absurdly chic shopping street where wealthy Qataris stroll in the evening. Designer boutiques, marble floors, and even outdoor air conditioning (yes, really — cooled open-air shopping streets exist here). Truly a place you shouldn’t miss.

OliOli Doha – A Kids’ Paradise

Possibly the highlight for the kids. The museum is fully interactive, with different zones where children can explore, build, experiment, and make a mess. The water gallery was a massive hit here. Wet? Yes. Happy? Absolutely. Perfect for a hot day or if you want to escape the heat for a while. We paid 180 QAR for 2 children (2 adults free). We stayed for 3 hours, including the slime-making workshop. You can also choose a 2-hour visit without the slime workshop and pay a bit less. We went for the full 3 hours — totally worth it.

Silly Monsters

We ended the day at Silly Monsters. Don’t expect a fancy dinner or top-notch service, but the kids absolutely loved it. The restaurant is cheerfully decorated with large monster murals, and the kids’ meals are served in a monster theme as well. Just fun, casual, and ideal after a long day.

Katara Towers

Perhaps one of the most striking buildings in Qatar. The towers are designed in the shape of crossed curved swords (scimitars) — a reference to Qatar’s national emblem. Quinn saw a skateboard ramp, and Lizzy spotted a horseshoe. It’s a luxury hotel complex and especially impressive in the evening. At the back, there’s a Water Playground. Fun on a hot day. It’s not a traditional playground, but water shoots up from the ground in different colors and speeds — a kind of fountain show without music (the kids were a bit disappointed about that 😉). You can stroll along the water on the boulevard, among the illuminated palm trees. Afterwards, you can grab a bite at the outdoor food court by the water. It’s especially atmospheric in the evening.

Shopping Malls in Qatar

If you’re visiting Qatar, you should visit at least one shopping mall. There are so many — and they’re all next level.

Villaggio Mall

With gondolas. Yes, really. Just like Venice. A painted blue “sky” on the ceiling, water channels, and little boats — reminiscent of The Venetian in Las Vegas. Just walking through it for the experience is worth it. Tip: The Cheesecake Factory is highly recommended here.

City Center Doha Mall

Here you’ll find several indoor activities for children. We visited the Kids Driving School. You can choose between 25 or 50 minutes. We paid around €30 for 2 kids for 50 minutes. They drive small cars on a mini course with traffic signs — all very serious. Online, it also says Inflata Park is here, but we couldn’t find it. I think it’s located roughly at the same place as the driving school. There’s also Fun City. Plenty to do here besides shopping.

Place Vendôme Mall

A very upscale mall in Lusail. Think: marble, fountains, designer brands, and an almost palace-like atmosphere. Even if you don’t buy anything, it’s fun to walk around and explore.

Mina District

Such beautiful, colorful houses — almost Mediterranean in style, but with a 1001 Nights magic. Visit especially around sunset. The area slowly transforms into a fairytale. The light softens, the sky turns pink and orange, and the lights come on. Along the Mina District Corniche, you can walk to the northernmost point. Here you’ll have a stunning view of the Doha skyline — both at sunset and at night with all the lights. It’s just wonderful to wander through the streets here.

On the right side of the peninsula, you’ll find plenty of nice restaurants. Tip: Bianco Ristorante (Italian, great atmosphere). Also worth visiting nearby are the Mina Fish Market, Old Doha Miniature, and MIA Park Kids Playground.

Qanat Quartier

Qanat Quartier is located on The Pearl and built in Venetian style: pastel-colored buildings, small bridges, water, and cozy little squares. It’s especially nice in the evening. The lights reflect in the water, giving it an almost European feel — but with 25°C weather in winter. You can rent a small boat and take a short ride through the canals, which is a really fun way to end the day with kids. There are also plenty of charming cafés and restaurants along the water where you can relax while the kids run around.

Also Fun (But We Didn’t Do It Ourselves)

There’s so much to do in and around Doha that you simply can’t see it all in one trip. These spots were also on our list or recommended to us.

Al Khor Family Park & Zoo

A large park with a zoo, playgrounds, and picnic areas in Al Khor (about 40–50 minutes from Doha). Especially popular with families staying in the north. Great if you’re looking for a quieter, more local spot outside the city.

Doha Beach Club

For those wanting a luxurious beach day. Think: sun loungers, pool, good food, and sea views. Perfect if you want to combine a relaxing day with comfort and service. Usually, you pay for a day pass.

Museum of Illusions Doha

Always fun with kids (and honestly: adults too). Optical illusions, quirky perspectives, and plenty of photo opportunities. Perfect for a few hours of entertainment in the air conditioning.

National Museum of Qatar

This iconic museum building (inspired by a desert rose) is almost a work of art in itself. Here you learn all about Qatar’s history: from Bedouins and pearling to oil and the modern state. Definitely interesting for older kids, though with younger children it may be less interactive compared to, for example, OliOli.

KidzMondo Doha

An indoor mini-city where children can try out different professions (firefighter, doctor, pilot, etc.). Somewhat similar to KidZania. Especially fun for primary school-aged children.

Al Shaqab

For horse lovers! This is an impressive equestrian center where Arabian thoroughbreds are bred and trained. Guided tours are available. Qatar is extremely proud of its horses, making this a truly special experience.

Gondolania

An indoor amusement park in Villaggio Mall, with rides, an ice rink, and games. Great for when it’s too hot outside.

Meryal Waterpark

A large, modern waterpark in Lusail with spectacular slides. More suited for older children and teenagers than toddlers, but if you love waterparks, this is one to remember.

Trocadero

A sports and leisure complex offering padel, tennis, and other activities. Especially fun if you want some action or are traveling with teens who want a break from culture and malls.