Four days in Doha in January 2026 (page 3 of 4)

In less than three weeks, I have to leave Dubai and I’m not calm at all. When I say "not calm at all," I mean I’m really not calm at all. I’m crossing my fingers, but I’m dreading the worst.

Hey Alfred, I thought of you when I heard the news this morning—just three more weeks for things to change or for you to have time to figure things out. I’m crossing my fingers for you too.

Hey Jérôme, If it's just a layover for Australia, the airline should find an alternate flight plan. They’ve got three weeks to sort it out. And in that case, Doha can wait for another time—maybe that’s even better. It’s true this crisis might remind people of Covid, but this time, the folks stranded there are healthy with no health risks. That’s already an improvement. 😉 As long as they’re not getting bombs dropped on them, of course.

My plan to explore Doha—probably combined with Bahrain—is for late November, and I haven’t booked the tickets yet. For now, it’s just a layover, and when the time comes, Qatar Airways will likely offer rerouting or, at worst, a refund if the situation requires it. Maybe I’m wrong, but I doubt this will last very long.

The main thing is to be able to get to Australia. 😉 And by November, we can hope things will be better.

Monday, January 19, temperatures are on the rise!

The forecast for the day is 24°C—much more pleasant than 21°C. With our experience from the day before, we didn’t head out too early toward Old Doha Port.



Along the way, we were approached no fewer than five times—always politely and without insistence—by drivers of unlicensed taxis offering city tours. But we love walking and discovering everything within a reasonable distance on foot. Especially this morning, when the temperature had risen slightly, and it was so pleasant to stroll along the port.



A large number of restrooms had been installed—from what I recall, around 50 or 60—all lined up side by side. Not only were they perfectly clean, but they were also beautiful and luxurious, with everything you could need: toilet paper, soap, mirrors, hand towels, etc. On a port... Unimaginable in many other countries, including ours. It’s details like this that make me appreciate Gulf countries.



A whole section of the port is set up with colorful containers housing various nautical and tourist activities—the effect is cheerful and very appealing.



Here again, people were busy cleaning the urban furniture.



As we continued, we arrived in the Mina District. It was a total surprise—I wasn’t expecting to find such a charming and picturesque neighborhood.

Monday, January 19, Old Doha Port / Chabrat Al Mina / Mina District (continued)

The street paving is stunning, the shade structures provide soft light, and the colors chosen for the walls are really beautiful. Some facades are adorned with magnificent, gigantic murals that add to the charm of this neighborhood.







Chabrat Al Mina is at the end of these pedestrian streets.



This is where the fish market is held in a very simple-looking building.



But stepping inside through a huge and beautiful door, you’re amazed by the beauty of this indoor market. I’ve never seen such a stunning fish market in my life—even though I’ve visited all kinds of them all over the world, I just love fish markets.





It’s a marvel made of mosaics and stained glass that bring in beautiful light. Needless to say, it’s perfectly clean—there’s only the pleasant, light scent of very fresh fish.



Looking at the prices, they’re very reasonable—5 € per kilo for bonito, for example, and small fish starting at 2 € per kilo. Many are around 8 to 10 € per kilo. What a wonderful place!

Monday, January 19, Old Doha Port / Chabrat Al Mina / Mina District (continued)

The surprises keep coming in this neighborhood with its sometimes surprising decorations.





For the way back, we take the seaside promenade—it’s really pleasant. The long building in the distance is the cruise terminal.







Our flight tonight is at 2:50 AM—it’s not ideal, but it’s definitely one of the reasons I got a good price (1760 € for two round-trip tickets CDG-SEZ). The afternoon is spent resting by the pool on the fifteenth floor of the hotel, but with the wind, it’s really not warm. We end up going back inside to warm up and pack our suitcases.

We asked to keep our room until 7 PM (for the price of a half-night), which is much more comfortable for this long day and for getting ready to leave.

We’ll be back in Doha in about two weeks, after our cruise in the Seychelles, on our way home. I’ll come back then to share our last day in this beautiful city that I’ve really grown to love.

Until then, I’ll see you (tomorrow) in Mahé for the next part of our trip to the Seychelles.

Hi Catherine!

Thanks for this lovely account of Doha.

We definitely won’t find toilets that clean back home—whether at the airport, ports, or public places. It’s actually the opposite here!

At the port, those colorful containers hosting different activities are just stunning in the evening. It’s lively, with entertainment, restaurants, and bars. Absolutely gorgeous—we had such a great time there.

Wow, the fish market! I hadn’t visited it, but it’s definitely on my list for next time. It sounds amazing.

You actually found a great deal on the flight. Sure, it’s at 2:50 AM, but at 1,760 € for two *and* with multi-destination flights (Paris-Doha-Mahé, including a 4-day stop in Doha), that’s a really good price.

Good call on booking the hotel until 7 PM—it’s so much more comfortable that way.

Now, I’ll switch to the other travel log for the rest of the trip.

Alfred

Hi Alfred, I never miss a fish market wherever I go, and this one also has a restaurant we’ve promised ourselves we’ll try on our next visit.

Hi Catherine,

Doha is so nice, clean, and charming. A fish market and "deluxe" restrooms 😄

Thanks, and see you soon for the rest!

Tuesday, February 3, return to Doha Mia Park, Museum of Islamic Art, Mina district, Souq Waqif

We wake up in the fog, but it's already 20°C at 8 AM. That's much better than two weeks ago when the temperature was quite chilly.

By 9 AM, the sun is shining, and only a light mist remains on the horizon.

After sorting out a few organizational issues, we head out on foot toward the Museum of Islamic Art, which we didn’t have time to see last time. Our hotel on the Corniche isn’t far away.

Quickly along the way, we’re kindly approached by an unlicensed taxi driver who first points us in the direction of the museum. A few minutes later, he comes back and tells us we’re out of luck—today is the museum’s weekly closing day. But he can offer us a city tour instead.

I’ve never read that the museum closes on Tuesdays. We keep walking, and the guy doesn’t insist.

Mia Park is coming to life, and as expected, its dimensions are impressive. The vast lawns are a vibrant green—so surprising here given how hot it gets in the summer.





A long, beautiful walk along the Arabian Sea lets us admire the traditional boats resting on the water, with the backdrop of the city’s towering contemporary buildings.

Anyway, you were lucky to get back before....

Luck had us arriving at just the right time. 😏

Tuesday, February 3, Mia Park, Museum of Islamic Art, Mina district, Souq Waqif (continued)

The understated yet elegant architecture of the Museum of Islamic Art rises above the sea and reflects on the water’s surface.



Its stunning beauty doesn’t fade as you get closer.





Lovely view of the bay from the terrace.



While entry used to be free, it’s no longer the case and now costs 50 QAR (about 12 €) per person. And it’s not closed! 🙂 The museum entrance is grand, beautiful, and magnificent.





The museum’s design strongly reminds us of the Shanghai Museum, with circular floors where you move from room to room. On the ground floor, there’s a temporary exhibition on Afghanistan—absolutely stunning!



This museum houses artifacts and works of art from the Islamic world since time immemorial. There are so many wonders to admire. I’ll remember this beautiful little Iranian pencil box, thinking of the terrible events this unfortunate people are currently enduring.

Tuesday, February 3, Mia Park, Museum of Islamic Art, Mina district, Souq Waqif (continued)

The café located in the entrance, seen from the upper floors.



At the very top of the museum, on the fifth floor, we discover a superb restaurant, the gourmet restaurant IDAM by the famous chef Alain Ducasse.



After the visit, we stroll along the beautiful outdoor terraces of the museum. The reflecting pools enhance the architecture.







It’s not uncommon to come across tourists dressed in Doha’s fashionable style.



We continue our walk through Mia Park toward Old Port Doha.

Hi Catherine,

It’s all so beautiful, everything’s so clean—it’s nothing like Mahé. When I think I was supposed to be there next week, oh my goodness, it breaks my heart.

But oh well, it’s only postponed. I’ll see about going in 2027 or 2028, if God grants me more time and if the situation improves.

Thanks again for letting me relive my vacation from last year

Hi Catherine, Thanks for sharing this discovery of DOHA—we were supposed to stop there during a layover on a Celestyal cruise from 02/27/27 to 03/05/27, but the cruise was canceled by Celestyal just as we were about to book our round-trip flights to Dubai on 03/12/26. Have a great weekend! Guylène

When I think that I was supposed to be there next week, oh my goodness, it just breaks my heart.

Hi Alfred,

It did us good to dive back into that clean, crisp atmosphere. I totally get your disappointment—your trip was shaping up to be amazing, and having it canceled at the last minute is really tough. With everything going on, I don’t have anything booked for the future right now. It’s the first time in 20 years this has happened to me—I’m just waiting to see how things play out.

Thanks for this discovery of DOHA, which we were supposed to visit during a layover on a cruise with Celestyal from 02/27/27 to 03/05/27, but the cruise was canceled by Celestyal just as we were about to book our round-trip flights to Dubai on 03/12/26.

Hi Guylène,

Like Alfred, it’s really disappointing to have to cancel a cruise you’d been dreaming of. The silver lining is that it happened before you bought your flight tickets. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that it’s just postponed. Have a great Sunday.

Tuesday, February 3, Mia Park, Museum of Islamic Art, Mina district, Souq Waqif (continued)

The walk through the Containers Yard to Chabrat Al Mina (Old Doha Port) in this mild sunshine and only 25°C is really pleasant, especially after the humid heat of the Seychelles.







We loved this neighborhood and enjoyed retracing our steps along the seaside.





The ship docked in front of the maritime station is a Celestyal.

Our destination for lunch is the fish restaurant at the stunning fish market we admired two weeks ago.





At this restaurant, mezze are offered as a starter.

Then, we get to choose the fish and shellfish laid out on ice, which will be cooked for us. The sides and drinks are listed on a menu accessible via QR code. A salad and a rice dish will be more than enough—portions are huge and delicious. The bill (under 50 €) is paid through the same app using the QR code.