Discover Qatar's architectural masterpieces, public art and beautiful parks
Things To Do
Qatar is welcoming 102 countries visa-free, check your visa status here.
Visit Qatar App
Explore things to do in Qatar!
Overall view of the itinerary
-
7 hours
-
6 iconic buildings
-
2 public art installations
-
1 park
-
1 mosque
-
1 heritage site
1
Free
Day 1
Qatar National Library
Designed by Rem Koolhaas, the diamond shaped exterior of the library belies its spacious interior, which prioritizes light and visibility. The bookshelves themselves are an integral part of the building, rising out of the floor and blending into the architecture; Innovative technologies are seamlessly integrated throughout the building, enhancing accessibility and efficiency.
Useful information
Saturday to Thursday: 8am-8pm
Friday: 4pm-8pm
2
Free
Day 1
Humanitarium (Georgetown University in Qatar building)
Opened in 2005, Legorreta + Legorreta (L+L) created a stimulating design concept which reflects the city-like feel of the main Georgetown University campus in Washington DC. L+L realized the architectural concept by creating a number of intersecting masses that overlap in some areas and stand apart in others in response to different programmatic needs. The facility consists of five main blocks each serving a primary function, including the students’ common area, which is the main space and conduit to other areas of the building and the rest of the campus. As the buildings’ volumes intersect, they make a series of outdoor spaces, each representing a strong identity and atmosphere that create different socializing platforms for the users. As with other L+L buildings in Education City, there is plenty of emphasis on bringing in daylight to the building while creating sheltered walkways to connect indoor and outdoor spaces. Special attention is given to interior furniture and finishes, in addition to the outdoor surroundings and courtyards which are enriched by water features, shade, and vegetation.
Useful information
3
Free
Day 1
Pressdock (Northwestern University in Qatar building)
Located within a challenging site between two buildings expressed in two different architectural languages, the building becomes a mediator of the surrounding environment and an intertwined movement of interior and exterior spaces. The building form is carved out to create three main sections: a crescent in the west, a curved arc in the east, and a horizontal strip in the north enclosing interlinked inner courtyards. The western crescent is articulated at its end, resembling the tip of a sword. This tip is made of criss-crossing structural members, cantilevered to create a spacious and intriguing gateway to the building. It is also designed to be used as a media surface where projections of different types and content can be exhibited. The Forum is the signature interior space of the building; it houses a large-scale media wall at the northern end and a grand staircase supported by steel cables from a copper ceiling, creating viewing promenades against the media wall. The two other sides of the space are glazed overlooking the landscape beyond.
Useful information
4
Free
Day 1
Education City Mosque
Located in the Minaretein building as a part of Hamad Bin Khalifa University’s College of Islamic Studies (CIS), the mosque’s architecture offers a reflection on knowledge and faith.
Useful information
5
Free
Day 1
Arabic calligraphy – Quranic verses (2015)
The calligraphy design for the Education City Mosque, Minaretein, was influenced by the architectural language of the building: Qatar’s contemporary Islamic identity.
The calligraphy was designed using classic Arabic calligraphy types in the Abbasi/ Ottoman school of calligraphy. “Ijaza” and “Thuluth” styles were used predominantly with some exaggerated stretches to give a modern feel to some letters. This is done very carefully in order to ensure that the verses remain readable in the correct sequence and that they are easy to follow. This direction not only emphasizes the shift towards the modern while still respecting tradition, but it is also allowing for more meaningful interactions between people and the building.
Five different zones within the Education City Mosque, Minaretein, were allocated for calligraphy works:
· The minarets
· The five pillars of Islam
· The Mosque zone: Mihrab & Central Peel
· The courtyard
Useful information
Education City
6
Free
Day 1
Al Khater House
The buildings constituting the Al Khater House represent a traditional Qatari family courtyard house. They grew from a smaller nucleus surrounded by a plantation that, together with al-Shaqab and a third plantation, established the initial rural occupation of old Al-Rayyan at the beginning of the 20th century. From its initial nucleus in 1923, the house grew into a larger family household with new structures erected inside the courtyard space at different stages, expanding gradually in reflection of the family needs. By 1963, it developed into a large courtyard complex incorporating several building units surrounded by a large plantation from the north and west sides. The complex was accessed via two main entry ways: a large south-side gate probably used to service the agricultural activities of the adjacent plantation, and an east-side entrance used by the household and giving access to the Majlis and an outdoor seating area (Dacha) situated outside of the complex boundaries facing the Majlis and to the small Masjid built between 1963 and 1966.
Useful information
Education City
7
Free
Day 1
Oxygen Park
The idea of the 130,000-square-meter Oxygen Park is to introduce a green lung in Education City, inviting students and visitors alike to refresh their mind, body, and spirit through active exercise and to explore the symbiotic relationships between oxygen, plants, and healthy purified living. Equipped with jogging trails, volleyball pitches, and several multi-purpose fields, it’s the ideal place to gather with family and friends and work up a sweat.
Useful information
Wednesday 6AM–11:30PM
Thursday 6AM–12AM
Friday 6AM–11PM
Saturday 5AM–11PM
Sunday 6AM–9PM
Monday 5AM–10PM
Tuesday 6AM–11PM
8
Free
Day 1
Multaqa (Student Center)
Multaqa is the place where young minds connect to share and discuss what they are learning, both formally and informally during their study programs. It serves to connect, engage, and create community in the heart of Education City. As the primary student space, Multaqa offers diverse services in areas such as entertainment, health care, cafeteria, banqueting and conferencing facilities, shopping, sports facilities, and other student services in a multi-functional building. The designers integrated the traditional architecture of the region with their trademark Mexican touch to the cladding and screens. The interior has an inter-connected corridor system that mirrors souk walkways, which is formed by a composite configuration of 10 meter high ‘umbrella’ columns. The building also features a stunning central sculpture garden.
Useful information
Education City
9
Free
Day 1
Manufactory (Texas A&M University in Qatar building)
The building was the first of four Education City campus designs by Mexican architecture firm Legorreta and Legorreta (L+L). Legoretta’s design is a modern interpretation of Mexican architecture influenced by Islamic/Arab buildings in Andalusia. TAMUQ’s features, such as towers, porticos, courtyards, water elements, sunscreens, and an emphasis on outdoor/indoor connections make it fully compatible with the architecture of the Middle East. L+L is also known for the use of vibrant colors and sculptural elements. For this design, they chose to break the façade into layers resembling a mashrabiya clad in stone to help protect the building from direct sun while also generating an interesting interplay between light and shadow. The main entrance to the building is marked with a symbolic tower and a large bronze door that leads to a three-story lobby and reception atrium located in the academic section of the building.
Useful information
Education City
10
Free
Day 1
Malwiya (2018)
Created by Sheikh Hassan bin Mohammed Al Thani to represent a form of an old currency that was once used in the Gulf countries. The artwork was created specifically to be installed in front of Carnegie Mellon university in Qatar, a school that earned global recognition for its undergraduate business administration program.
Two sentences are engraved on the artwork: the first is "عمل حسن" which translates to “good work” and is inspired by a sentence that you can find in old Islamic artifacts “ما عمل صلح “.
The second is “ضرب في قطر” which means “made in Qatar.” both engravings shown on the artwork are the handwriting of the artist himself.
Useful information
Education City
11
Free
Day 1
Medbay (Weill Cornell Medicine – Qatar building)
This 32,900 square meter building officially opened in 2003 as one of the first buildings in Education City and it was designed to house Weill Cornell Medicine – Qatar (WCM-Q). The building was conceived with two 200-meter-long halls linked by bridges that create enclosures for both faculty and student lounges. Although contemporary in its concept and building materials, it features many references to traditional Arab and Islamic architecture. Geometric patterns and openings mark exterior and interior surfaces, while elements like wind towers in the courtyard emphasize Islamic design. The main feature of the building are the four lecture halls and special auditoria described by the architect as pure geometric forms inspired by Islamic design language.
Useful information
Education City
Things to know before travelling
-
Visas
Want to travel visa-free? Check if you qualify here.
-
Getting here
Planning your trip to Qatar? Check how to get here.
-
Travel tips
Make the most of your visit with our handy travel guide.
-
Getting around
From a dhow boat to our world-class metro, here’s how to easily explore Qatar.
Download our app
Qatar Now guide
Contact
