A football fan’s guide to Qatar Museums

As football fans enjoy one of the most inspirational FIFA World Cup tournaments, those looking for an arts and culture break between matches have an amazing array of options to choose from, ranging from world-famous museums, cutting-edge exhibitions and heritage sites to outdoor spaces and unexpected public art.
All Qatar Museums (QM) venues are open daily from 10am-8pm, unless otherwise noted.
The FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 information page gives the latest updates and review Visitor Guidelines for essential information about dress code, photography policies, and other useful tips.
Whether for an hour or a full morning, visitors will find something to do and see across the network of museums, public parks, heritage sites and public art, a QM statement said.
The QM sites and gallery spaces are at the centre of Doha’s thriving cultural landscape.
The recently opened 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum is a family-friendly, interactive venue.
Alongside gallery highlights such as a treasured football connected to the legend Pele, visitors will find the special exhibition “The World of Football”.
Visitors will need to show a valid admission ticket as well as a Hayya card.
There is much more to offer all across Doha, from a celebration of haute couture at the “Forever Valentino” exhibition on view at M7, to an in-depth look at the storied city of Baghdad at the “Baghdad: Eyes Delight” exhibition on view at the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA).
At the National Museum of Qatar (NMoQ), “On the Move” showcases an international array of objects, archival footage and historical images that offer a glimpse into the lives of nomadic and semi-nomadic peoples.
At the MIA Park, “Safar” features stories of Afghan refugees, beginning with a look at Afghanistan's rich history through to 2021’s evacuation process.
At the MIA, Raku Jikinyu’s ode to Qatar exhibition comprise 14 ceremonial tea bowls.

Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art is home to four contemporary exhibitions.
Qatari-American artist Sophia al-Maria’s is showcasing her first large-scale museum exhibition in the Middle East.
A variety of media, including installations, video and commissioned soundscapes, highlight the importance of storytelling as a strategy of survival, imagination and reclaiming narratives.
Presented within a global context of social uncertainty and fragility of historical narratives, “No Condition is Permanent” looks at artist Taysir Batniji’s diverse practice and meditations on Palestine.
“Majaz: Contemporary Art Qatar” showcases five years of the Fire Station: Artist in Residence programme celebrating young local and regional talent.
“One Tiger or Another”, presented by Rubaiyat Qatar, explores the creative potential of art and media as a means of storytelling through the iconography of the tiger in South and Southeast Asian history.
At the QM Gallery Katara, “Labour of Love” delves into the symbolism of traditional Palestinian tatreez (embroidery).
At the Fire Station, the “Experience Al Jazeera” exhibition how the network grew from a single pioneering television channel to a global media phenomenon.
The QM has impressive plans for the future, opening several new museums in the coming years including the Art Mill Museum and Lusail Museum.
There are preview exhibitions of both museums.
The “Lusail Museum: Tales of a Connected World” exhibition is on at QM Gallery Al Riwaq near the MIA.
Visitors can experience architectural transformation at the “Art Mill Museum 2030” exhibition and learn about the future vision of the establishment dedicated to international modern and contemporary art.
The MIA has expansive gardens that offer amazing views of Doha’s skyline, perfect for an evening picnic.
DADU gardens, part of Qatar’s upcoming Children’s Museum, are designed to be “living classrooms” for visitors aged up to 11 years.
The park also includes a community garden and an amphitheatre.
Qatar is home to a range of heritage sites, including forts, towers, historic settlements and rock carvings.
Most of the heritage sites are free to visit, except for Al Zubarah, where an entry ticket is required.
Contemporary art lovers will find art to love on the beach, in the desert, on the corner of every street.
Qatar has an impressive collection of public art, some site specific, commissioned especially in celebration of the World Cup, and some adorning the city temporarily.
The works of widely celebrated contemporary artists, such as Damien Hirst, Richard Serra and Jeff Koons are on display across the city, free and open to the public.