11 Best Art Galleries and Museums in Qatar

The Msheireb Museums trace Doha’s history from its humble beginnings as a small fishing village. The museums pay homage to 4 historic heritage buildings in the oldest part of the capital: the Bin Jelmood House, Company House, Mohammed Bin Jassim House, and Radwani House.

Each building focuses on different aspects of Qatar’s history, including ancient slavery, the discovery of oil and gas, traditions and the development of Arabian Gulf countries. After your tour, you can extend your stay at the museums’ gift stores and restaurants to sample modern Qatari cuisine.

The National Museum of Qatar offers an immersive and informative experience of Qatar’s history. Just off the waters of Doha Corniche, this architectural marvel offers a vibrant space with an incredible view across the bay.

The museum tells Qatar’s unique story in 3 parts: Beginnings, Life in Qatar and The Modern History of Qatar. Most notably, it displays the Pearl Carpet of Baroda, which features 1.5 million hand-embroidered pearls, sapphires and diamonds. A fully landscaped park allows you to learn about Qatar’s indigenous plants. After your tour, head over to the museum’s cafe to experience a traditional food forum.

Tradition meets modernity at Qatar's Museum of Islamic Art, or MIA as it’s often known. An iconic building in the Doha waterfront, this limestone structure emphasises art’s connection to Islam without necessarily focussing on religious items.

The MIA’s collection accommodates Islamic craftsmanship across 3 continents over 1,400 years. Possessing traditional styles and techniques from across the Middle East and Asia, each piece’s origin story completes a visual narrative of Qatar throughout the centuries. The museum also holds a library that houses more than 15,000 rare manuscripts and texts from around the world, including a Quran from the 7th century.

Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art is a converted school building in Doha’s Education City. Housing the largest collection of Arab art in the region, Mathaf exhibits 9,000 pieces that were collected over the past 25 years and trace the changes in Qatari society.

The museum includes a notable exhibit on 'Horoufiyah', which is the use of Arabic letters and calligraphy in art. It comes with a free guided tour that tells the story behind every piece in its collection. For easier travel and access to the museum, ride their Mathaf Bus, which is a free shuttle bus service.

Katara Art Centre is recognised as a cultural hub that explores art beyond the traditional form. Located in a developing art space of Katara Cultural Village, it covers modern and unconventional artwork. While the medium used for each artwork varies, many of the pieces use a transdisciplinary approach to showcasing art.

The Katara Art Centre also develops art events and concepts, helping emerging artists in the Arab region build local and international networks. The centre holds regular talks, classes and workshops. Topics vary from basic brush calligraphy and recycled art to caricature clay sculpture.

Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani Museum, or simply FBQ Museum, contains the private art collection of one of Qatar’s most eminent businessmen. Located at Al Samriya Farm, this cultural estate has a unique exterior of local stone and traditional turrets.

Collated over more than 50 years from 4 continents, every gallery piece preserves Islamic and Qatari customs from the Jurassic age to the present day. With 15,000 artefacts in 15 halls, the museum is divided into 4 themes: Islamic Art, Vehicles, Coins & Currency and Qatar Heritage. Expect to see treasures, fossils, rare coins, manuscripts and textiles.

As you move around Doha, you’re bound to see some fantastic modern art created by a group of local and international artists. Curated by the Qatar Museums Public Art Department, among the many artists who have contributed sculptures to this endeavour include Damien Hirst with The Miraculous Journey and Louise Bourgeois with Maman.

Other prominent public art in Doha includes graffiti by El Seed and photography by Anne Geddes. There are a multitude of vibrant street murals by local artists all over Doha as part of the Jedariart collection, ranging from the abstract to traditional Arabic calligraphy.

Once a civil defence building occupied by Qatar’s fire brigade, Fire Station Artist in Residence is now one of Doha’s main artistic hubs. This reused adaptive space receives the patronage of the Emir of Qatar himself.

The museum’s brightly lit galleries have housed avant-garde pieces and socially relevant exhibitions. It also hosts a 9-month artist residency programme. Inside the museum is Cafe #999, which offers an assortment of organic and gluten-free food and drinks. Grab a bite of its famous camel burger while enjoying a tranquil view of the west bay.

Doha’s East Wing is known in the Qatar art scene as a platform for international contemporary photography and practice. The East Wing does not have a permanent physical space that accommodates all its artworks but that doesn’t stop art-lovers attending its events and exhibitions in droves at various venues across the city. Check their website to keep up to date with in-person events.

Mainly online, the gallery specifically covers photography, videography and other unique publications. Its main goal is to showcase socially relevant and thought-provoking images. East Wing supports emerging to mid-career artists both locally and internationally.

Anima Gallery holds 2 contemporary exhibits every year. Situated on a manmade island off the coast of Doha, the gallery showcases a broad range of styles and mediums of art, including painting, sculpture and print. Aside from local, regional and international artworks, the exhibitions also include gallery talks and lectures for professionals, students and visitors.

Anima has an online gallery that gives you a glimpse of the art pieces you’ll find within the actual venue. A popular hangout after tours is the museum’s Anima Lounge, a contemporary restaurant where you can enjoy both international artworks and gourmet meals.