Things to Do in Doha Layover 2025: Free Art, Tropical Garden & Day Rooms

First, assess your available time! ── Enter the city, or stay at the airport?

3–6 h

• おすすめ行動
  • 空港内探検（The Orchard／アート巡り）
  • デイユースで仮眠
• 必要な準備
  • 手荷物は機内持ち込みに絞る

6–12 h

• おすすめ行動
  • Discover Qatar市内ツアー
  • Souq Waqifで買い物
• 必要な準備
  • 6 h以上の余裕があること
  • 街歩き用の服装

12–24 h

• おすすめ行動
  • 砂漠サファリまたは自由行動
  • ナショナルミュージアム＆MIA訪問
• 必要な準備
  • ビザ条件を確認する
  • 荷物を空港に預ける

Qatar visa-free entry is available for citizens of over 95 countries. If your passport is on the list, you can clear immigration via the e-gate in as little as 10 minutes! Otherwise, a 96-hour transit visa is available. For the latest details, check the official Qatar government website.

A Jungle Inside the Airport!? Hamad’s Signature “The Orchard” Tropical Garden Walk

With glass ceilings reaching up to 23 m and over 300 palm trees, wisps of mist create such a soothing atmosphere that you’ll do a double take asking, “Is this really an airport?”
Even if you only have a 3 h layover, rest assured that The Orchard ↔ departure gates are within a 5 min walk.

Mission: Snap two selfies—one “with the waterfall as your background” and another “panoramic shot from the roof bridge”—and you’re guaranteed to light up your social feed.

▶ Info

• Hours: Open 24 h (inside the restricted area)
• Location: Concourse C North Node, Hamad International Airport (HIA)
• Access: After security, follow signage for “Garden / The Orchard” and take the escalator to Level 2

Photo-Worthy Art Galore ★ “Treasure Hunt” Through Free Installations Including the Giant Yellow Bear

From the 7 m-tall Lamp Bear to KAWS’s Small Lie and Damien Hirst’s The Miraculous Journey, there are over 40 pieces to discover.
Challenge your fellow travelers to tag #HIAart after finding 5 installations, and watch the time fly by!

▶ Info

• Hours: Open 24 h (inside the restricted area)
• Location: Duty Free Plaza South, Concourse A, HIA
• Access: After passing through layover security, you’ll see the grand atrium directly ahead

A Deep-Sleep Reset for USD 420! In-Depth Review of “Central Inn Souq Waqif / Suite Room” Day-Use

Blackout curtains + a queen-size bed will resurrect you from “cabin-crew zombie” status back to human form.
Pool & gym access are free for guests—sweat it off on the treadmill, refresh under the rain shower, and head straight to your next flight feeling brand-new!

▶ Info

• Hours: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM (Day-Use plan)
• Address: Building No. 29, Zone 6, Street 948, Doha, Qatar 19442
• Access: Taxi about 12 min / QAR 11–20 (≈ USD 3–5) (13.2 km)
• Details Page: Central Inn Souq Waqif / Suite Room

Conquer the 5 PM Opening! Dive into the Fragrance & Color at “Souq Waqif”

When the shutters roll up at 5 PM, the sweet steam of spices and the scent of camel leather flood the air—like a scene straight out of a movie.
Motto: “Nine out of ten times, smiling is the best bargaining tactic,” and then hunt for a pashmina souvenir!

▶ Info

• Hours: Shops 7 AM – 12:30 PM / 3 PM – 10 PM; cafés open late into the night
• Address: Al Souq St., Doha
• Access:
  • Metro Gold Line → Souq Waqif Station → 2 min walk
  • Taxi about 15 min / QAR 50

Eat Your Way Through Qatar! Top 3 Must-Try Local Cuisines & Debut “Karak Tea”—All Available Inside the Airport

1. Chapati & Karak — Rich spicy milk tea + chewy chapati
2. Baladna Express — Charcoal-grilled shawarma to refuel your protein
3. Evergreen Organics — 100 % vegan smoothie bowls

▶ Info

15 Min by Metro! Hunt Desert Roses & Modern Architecture at the National Museum & MIA

Snap the desert rose–inspired exterior of NMoQ (National Museum of Qatar) → hop over to the I.M. Pei–designed MIA.
Then grab a spiced ice cream at a seaside café, and you’ll hardly believe you’re “just in transit”!

▶ Info (NMoQ)

• Hours: Sun, Mon, Wed, Sat 9 AM – 7 PM / Thu 9 AM – 9 PM / Fri 1:30 PM – 7 PM / Tue Closed
• Address: Museum Park St., Doha
• Access: Gold Line Metro → “National Museum” Station → Exit A, right there

▶ Info (MIA)

• Hours: Sun, Mon, Tue, Sat 9 AM – 7 PM / Thu 9 AM – 9 PM / Fri 1:30 PM – 7 PM / Wed Closed
• Address: Off Al Corniche Street, Doha
• Access:
  • Gold Line Metro → Souq Waqif Station → 12 min walk
  • Uber → 5 min

Now you have everything at a glance: where to go → how to get there → when it’s open.
Readers can simply tap the links to finalize their schedule. Go ahead and turn your Doha layover into a “mini vacation”!

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