Doha on a Budget

Whether you’re broke as a joke or trying to save up this month, when you find out there’s no cover charge or discover your favourite cocktail is half-price, your whole day improves! FACT will help you have a good time with little or no cash at all with our guide to the cheapest drinks, food, music and more. Who says Qatar can’t be done on a budget?

Arts & Museums

Museum of Islamic Art (MIA)
Considered a Doha Landmark, the beautifully constructed building with its prime location on the Corniche showcases an internationally recognised collection of Islamic artefacts in its permanent gallery, and also plays host to short exhibitions every few months. Admission is QR50 for visitors and free for residents of Qatar and Culture Pass Members. Open Sat-Thu from 9am to 7pm, Fri from 1.30pm to 7pm. Call 4422 4444 or visit www.mia.org.qa for more information. EXHIBITION TO VISIT: Set in Stone: Gems and Jewels from Royal Indian Courts

MATHAF: Arab Museum of Modern Art
Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art, founded in 2010, is situated in Education City in Qatar Foundation (QF), in a renovated former school building. Mathaf celebrates the modern and contemporary, showcasing art created in Qatar, the Middle East and the international Arab diaspora. Hosting exhibitions, both historical and experimental, and large-scale education programmes – Mathaf fosters and promotes creativity. Admission is QR50 for visitors and free for residents of Qatar and Culture Pass Members. Open Sat-Thu from 9am to 7pm, Fri from 1.30pm to 7pm. Call 4402 8855 or visit www.mathaf.org.qa for more information. EXHIBITION TO VISIT: Permanent Collections.

Katara Art Centre
Katara is the epicentre for everything art, the place is more than just a hub for exhibitions and creative displays. Although the centre always has an on-going slew of exhibits for people to go and check out, they also offer free innovative workshops in different disciplines to help foster and spur creativity amongst the Doha community. Visit www.dohakac.com for more information. EXHIBITION TO VISIT: Pedro Pena Collections.

Al Markhiya Gallery
Al Markhiya Gallery was established with a mission to promote and represent a distinctive group of emerging and established Arab artists in Qatar, the region and throughout the world. Al Markhiya Gallery is located at Katara Art Centre. In September 2017 the gallery opened its second location at The Fire Station in a two-story modern loft space. In both locations, the gallery’s season runs from September through the end of May with exhibitions changing every six to eight weeks. During the summer months the gallery exhibits art from our permanent collection and from previous seasons. Call 6609 9687 or visit www.almarkhiyagallery.com for more information. EXHIBITION TO VISIT: Permanent Collections.

Msheireb Museum
Msheireb Museums celebrate the history of four historic heritage houses in the heart of Msheireb Downtown Doha. Located within the oldest part of the capital, they form an important part of Qatar’s national history. They reveal unique aspects of Qatar’s cultural and social development in inspiring to create trusted environments in which the people of Qatar will engage, converse and exchange thoughts about both their past and their future.
Msheireb Museums are an integral aspect of the inner city’s regeneration of the old commercial centre with its traditional community-based lifestyle. The restoration of the four heritage houses, Bin Jelmood House, Company House, Mohammed Bin Jassim House and Radwani House, into world-class museums is every culture vulture’s dream. Opening times vary, call 4006 5555 or visit www.msheireb.com for more information.

Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani Museums
Thus the Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani Museum was founded in 1998 as a non-profit museum foundation of public interest, in a grand fort at Al Samriya Farm with a breath-taking exterior. Built of local stone with traditional turrets, the building is in itself a collector’s piece in contrast with Qatar’s developing landscape. Envisaged by Sheikh Faisal and purpose-built to preserve and display the extraordinary collection, the museum design is particularly dedicated to upholding and promoting Islamic heritage. Opening times vary, call 4486 1444 or visit www.fbqmuseum.com for more information.

National Museum of Qatar
The immersive and experiential NMoQ tells the story of Qatar and its people from more than 700 million years ago through to today, giving voice to Qatar’s rich heritage and culture and expressing a vibrant community’s aspirations for the future. The new museum embraces, as its centerpiece, the restored historic Palace of Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim Al Thani (1880-1957), son of the founder of modern Qatar: a building that in former times was both the home of the Royal Family and the seat of government, and was subsequently the site of the original National Museum. Jean Nouvel’s new 40,000-square-meter (430,000-square-foot) building incorporates the Palace while seamlessly integrating innovative artworks commissioned from Qatari and international artists, rare and precious objects, documentary materials, and interactive learning opportunities.

OPENING TIMES
Sun-Weds: 9am to 7pm
Thurs & Sat: 9am to 9pm
Fri: 1.30pm to 9pm

Admissions Price: QR50
Adult: Full price QR50 (Standard ticket type)
Child: Free (0-16 years of age). No ticket required for 0-3 year-olds
Student: 50% Discount QR25 – upon presentation of a valid university student card
Groups (25+ people): 50% Discount QR25 – pre-registration required
Resident of Qatar: Free (upon presentation of valid QID card or Qatari driver’s license)
Culture Pass Plus Member: Free
Culture Pass Family Member: Free
Upon presentation of valid Culture Pass Plus or Family membership