Doha, Qatar: Summer has well and truly arrived in Qatar, bringing with it rising humidity levels — particularly during the early morning and dawn hours. But that doesn't mean the fun has to stop.
From indoor escapes to cool outdoor venues, there is plenty on offer for families and visitors looking to make the most of the season.
Here is your guide to some of the best experiences across the country this summer.
OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
Public Spaces with District Cooling
For those who enjoy being outdoors, locations such as Gewan Island, Mina District (Old Doha Port), and Lusail Boulevard offer a more comfortable alternative to traditional parks and walking routes, with shaded spaces and district cooling features designed for the summer months. These areas provide space for evening walks, dining, and social gatherings.
Gewan Island
Located in The Pearl area, Gewan Island features a climate-controlled Crystal Walkway, alongside restaurants and cafés, making it a space for strolling and dining in a more comfortable environment.
Mina District (Old Doha Port)
A waterfront destination that has been designed with cooling systems along its promenades, allowing visitors to walk, dine, and explore the harbour area with greater comfort during the summer months.
Lusail Boulevard
A 1.3-kilometre pedestrian destination in Downtown Lusail featuring restaurants, cafés, and retail spaces. It is known for its modern architecture and lively atmosphere, particularly in the evening.
Katara Cultural Village
Certain areas within Katara, including 21 High Street, feature an outdoor cooling system that helps regulate temperatures along pedestrian walkways. These cooled zones allow visitors to shop, dine, and walk more comfortably during the hotter months, alongside Katara’s wider cultural spaces and waterfront setting.
Public Parks
Doha’s public parks provide an escape into greenery for those looking to spend time outdoors, with cycling tracks and open landscaped spaces spread across the city. Some of the parks even have district cooling to ensure that visitors receive some respite from the humid weather. Some of the much popular ones are Gharaffa air conditioned park, Umm Al Seneem Park, Oxygen Park and Rawdat Al Hamama Park. These parks are a popular choice for relaxed gatherings with family and friends.
Beach Clubs
Beach clubs have grown in popularity during the summer, offering a relaxed way to spend the day by the water. Alongside food and drinks, many feature activities like volleyball, ping-pong, and shaded lounge areas for those looking to unwind or sunbathe. Popular options include Nami Beach Club in Diplomatic St, West Bay Beach, and 974 Beach located in Ras Abu Aboud.
Public Beach
Public beaches in Qatar offer free access to the coastline, alongside private beach clubs. Al Maroona Beach is one of the most popular public beaches, located around 1 hour and 10 minutes from Doha via the Al Shamal Road.
Fuwairit Beach, located about 1.5 to 2 hours from Doha in the northeast of the country, is known for sunbathing, kitesurfing, and turtle watching.
Closer to the city, Simaisma Beach is a family-friendly option with shallow waters and soft sand, around a 30-minute drive from Doha. The full list of public beaches can be viewed here.
Aquasports
Aquasports offers kayaking experiences through the mangroves at Purple Island in Al Khor, along with stand-up paddleboarding tours. The sunrise and sunset kayaking sessions are among the most popular, with prices starting from QR60 per person. VIP packages range from QR100 to QR400 include added perks such as lounge access and extended experiences on the water.
Bookings can be made through their official website
Meryal Waterpark
Meryal Waterpark, located on Qetaifan Island, is Qatar’s largest water park, featuring 69 attractions and the world’s tallest slide tower. It offers a mix of high-adrenaline slides and more relaxed water experiences, making it suitable for different age groups and preferences.
Dhow
A dhow is a traditional wooden sailing boat with tall lateen sails that once played an important role in Qatar’s pearl diving and trading journeys across the Gulf. Today, dhows offer a quieter way to experience the city, taking passengers on sunset cruises along the Corniche with views of Doha’s skyline from the water.
Prices start from around QR65, with bookings available in advance through GetYourGuide.
INDOOR ACTIVITIES
Indoor rock climbing
Indoor rock climbing offers a way to stay active while escaping the summer heat. Several climbing facilities across Doha feature climbing walls for different skill levels, dedicated training areas, and coaching sessions for beginners looking to learn the sport.
At Boulder, located in the iconic 2022 Building, day passes start at QR129. The facility also offers women-only climbing sessions on Wednesdays from 1pm to 9pm and Saturdays from 9am to 2pm.
Virtuocity (arcades, VR, escape rooms) in DFC
For those looking to escape the summer heat, Virtuocity in Doha Festival City combines classic arcade games with immersive virtual reality experiences and escape rooms, offering visitors a mix of technology-driven entertainment and interactive challenges.
Doha Quest indoor theme park
Doha Quest is an indoor theme park located in Msheireb Downtown at Doha Oasis, making it a fun option for a summer day out away from the heat. The park features more than 30 rides and attractions, including roller coasters, drop towers, virtual reality experiences, and family-friendly games, offering something for both thrill-seekers and more relaxed visitors.
Tickets can be purchased through their official website starting at QR235.
The theme park is open from Sunday to Tuesday between 2pm and 10pm, and from Wednesday to Saturday between 12pm and 10pm.
Padel In (indoor)
Padel has become one of the most popular sports in Doha, with several indoor courts available across the city for those looking to stay active during the summer. Padel In operates courts in multiple locations, including Aspire and City Center, with a dedicated ladies-only section available at City Center.
Prices start from around QR200 for a 90-minute session, and bookings can be made through the Playtomic app.
