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If you wish to learn about a country in interactive or engaging ways, visiting the museums of a new country should be on your list. Not only do museums serve as a learning portal for new visitors to the country but also provide entertaining time pass. Museums in Qatar have been doing it all pretty successfully and in this article you will learn about the most comprehensive and engaging museum of Qatar known as the National Museum of Qatar.
History of the National Museum of Qatar
The National Museum of Qatar is one of the popular tourist hotspots of Qatar. It is located in the capital city of Doha, accessible by the Doha Metro Station network and is an unmissable architectural masterpiece. TIME’s magazine added the National Museum of Qatar to the list of 100 ‘World’s greatest places 2019’’.
Qatar Museums organized the grand inauguration of National Museum of Qatar on 28 March 2019, attended by His Highness the Emir of Qatar, the Royal family, and local and international VIPs and celebrities. The National Museum of Qatar comes under the umbrella of Qatar Museums.
‘’Qatar Museums’’ is a Qatari government entity and preeminent institution for art and culture dedicated to providing authentic cultural experiences through an expanding network of museums, heritage sites, festivals, public art, and programming. The museums that are under the network of Qatar Museums are as follows:
- National Museum of Qatar
- Museum of Islamic Art
- Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art
- 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum
Significance of National Museum of Qatar
Her Excellency Sheikha Al-Mayassa bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani stated, ‘’The National Museum of Qatar is the physical manifestation of Qatar’s proud identity, connecting the country’s history with its diverse and cosmopolitan present. It will reflect a part of every Qatari’s life, representing our roots and identity.’’
If you wish to have an exciting & informative day out with facilities to educate and entertain all ages, the National Museum of Qatar will not disappoint you. Let’s have a short rundown of why you should visit this museum:
- The museum building is a life-size mimicry of the Desert Rose crystal found in Arabian deserts, which alone offers a great reason to explore what’s inside!
- You will be introduced to the story of Qatar through the most interactive and informative galleries.
- A visit to this museum is one of the best things you can do in this country as it is an excellent documentation of Qatar’s unique history and one of the best museums you will visit!
- It is an unforgettable museum that you would like even others to visit
- The museum caters to everyone, from a children’s park, interactive galleries, and dining options to a gift shop, libraries & a historical building restored within.
- It is advisable to dedicate a minimum of 3 hours to this museum as you would not want to leave it earlier than that.
TIME’s magazine added the National Museum of Qatar to the list of 100 ‘World’s greatest places 2019’’ and here is why this museum is the greatest place to visit for anyone.
The architecture: From the first look, the museum will phenomenally strike you with its fascinating architecture. The building mimics the Desert Rose Crystal found in the Qatari deserts. Architect Jean Nouvel took inspiration from the Desert Rose crystal and designed the building composed of large interlocking discs of different diameters and curvatures. The concept of the Desert Rose design of the museum perfectly demonstrates Qatari pride in their culture and geography.
Interestingly, the museum’s building has been carefully constructed around the existing Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim Al Thani’s original palace. At the heart of the National Museum of Qatar, the palace is an architectural treasure that was once the home of the ruler of Qatar in the 20th century. Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim Al Thani is considered to be the father of modern Qatar. Within the museum, the palace can be enjoyed by visitors.
What’s inside: The NMoQ is set up as a chronological and thematic arrangement of galleries that lead the visitor on a 1.5-km walk through immersive, multidimensional experiences that offer a variety of insights.
You will experience the story of Qatar unfold as you will walk through the 11 striking galleries and each will provide a unique perspective across time connecting you to the experiences of the Qatari people between land and sea.
The museum is smartly designed to engage all of your senses through a creative combination of sights, sounds, and even evocative aromas.
The first gallery introduces you to the Arab world, the Bedouin culture, and everything leading to the formation of Qatar. As you progress while enjoying the historic scenes, music, and commentaries you will get to interact with a lot of elements that will allow you to connect with the information. The next galleries take you to learn about the natural environment of this country, the archaeology, the people of Qatar, and their lives in the Desert and the sea.
It is such an immersive experience that you will smoothly end up in the last sections where you will be introduced to the modern history and elements of Qatar. The last gallery describing Qatar Today will leave you mesmerized by how far this country has come and developed over a beautiful course of time.
A number of the galleries present films by famous international filmmakers who were commissioned to make lively, immersive experiences. The films, which are made by the Doha Film Institute, are projected at enormous scales and with hypnotic clarity against the galleries’ curved walls, turning the actual walls into moving spectacles of light, sound, and vision.
Other exciting things at NMoQ
THE PARK at the National Museum of Qatar:
Even the park at the national museum of Qatar is a learning experience that you would not want to miss. The park features a heritage garden that consists of a selection of native Qatari plants. You can read about them on the information boards present.
You will be surprised by the cave of wonders at the park. What you will learn through this feature is that in certain places of Qatar, the ground suddenly drops away into a deep cave called a sinkhole or Dahl.
You will explore a realistic representation of an underground rocky cave and children can wander freely, discovering places to climb, crawl and hide. Visitors will encounter strange glowing rocks, carvings, artifacts hidden in the sand, bats hanging from the ceiling, and a giant gecko climbing up the wall!
An absolute treat for the children visiting the museum, the Nakilat Adventure Ship at the park is unmissable. Get your kids to explore the Nakilat Adventure Ship playground that is constructed to look like the wreck of a traditional Qatari boat.
The next thing you would explore is The National Museum of Qatar’s newest playground in its museum park – Qatar TotalEnergies Playground. Organized into 15 distinct zones, or ‘pods’, the playground teaches about energy from the formation of natural resources through oil and gas exploration up to energy production and consumption.
Each pod includes the opportunity for hands-on learning and exploration. Kids (and adults) will have fun while learning.
NMOQ GIFT SHOP & Children’s Gift Shop
If we call the gift shop a spectacular wooden wonder within the museum, it would be the perfect description of the place. Till now, you would have noticed that each section of the museum is so spectacular that you can not afford to miss anything, be it a gift shop.
The National Museum of Qatar gift shop is special for so many reasons and it is guaranteed that you would not be able to forget this gift shop. Thanks to the beauty of the interiors and the attractive merchandise that will surely make you want to buy something and visit again.
The gift shops at the National Museum of Qatar offer a large collection of exclusive gifts, many of which draw their inspiration from Qatar’s history, heritage, and culture.
Dining experiences at NMoQ
A variety of dining experiences await you at the museum. Whether you want a laid-back, quiet coffee treat while relaxing in the beautiful museum interiors or an absolute traditional experience of tasting the best Qatari dishes with views of the beautiful city of Doha.
JIWAN RESTAURANT: Located on the fourth floor of the museum, Jiwan Restaurant promises an unforgettable Qatari cuisine experience, offering a refined menu that shines a light on local produce. With the restaurant, you get to enjoy a brilliant indoor dining experience or an absolutely magical outdoor dining experience with views of beautiful Doha. Jiwan will be temporarily closed from 28 June until 13 August.
DESERT ROSE CAFÉ: The cafe offers a perfect spot for anyone to relax after an impressive exploration of the National Museum of Qatar galleries.
THALATHEEN CAFÉ: Keeping in mind certain dietary requirements, the museum also houses a cafe that offers plant-based dishes! Located outside the entrance to NMoQ, Thalatheen offers Qatari-inspired flavourful and beautifully plated vegan dishes.
Café 875: Another cafe that offers visitors a chance to experience the unique majlis experience with local and international flavors, coffee, snacks, and meticulously crafted meals on the café menu.
Temporary galleries at NMoQ
A Sneak Peek at Qatar Auto Museum Project – Until January 2, 2026
This is a temporary exhibition in honor of the future museum, Qatar Auto Museum. The new museum will bring Qatar’s car community under one roof and one mission.
The gallery celebrates the mission to drive culture forward and to inspire the next generation of innovators, designers, engineers, collectors and policymakers through a shared passion for cars.
The new Qatar Auto Museum will explore the past, present and future of the automobile and its impact on global life and culture. It will spotlight the car as a proud marker of Qatar’s growth, a common thread between a diverse population and a unifying vehicle of culture and innovation. In line with Qatar’s National Vision 2030, the development of Qatar Auto Museum will complement the state’s efforts to support the cultural, educational and tourism sectors, its strong investments in the automotive industry and its position as a host for global automotive events, such as the Qatar Geneva International Motor Show and the Formula 1.
Key Information about the National Museum of Qatar
Timings:
Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Wednesday: 9 AM – 7 PM
Tuesday: Closed
Thursday: 9 AM – 9 PM
Friday: 1:30 PM – 7 PM
Access: Free entry for all Qatar residents (Qatar ID holders)
When you buy a ticket to the museum it will cover admission to the museum and all the special exhibitions of the museum.
Ticket holders must present an accepted and valid ID for entry.
Ticket prices for non-residents of Qatar and GCC:
Student – QAR 25
Child (Age 16 and under) – Free
Adult – QAR 50
Click here to book or buy your tickets
Location: Museum Park Street, Doha
Contact: 4452 5555
Website: nmoq.org.qa
Instagram: @nmoqatar
The museum has ample parking available.
Nearest Doha metro station: National Museum station (Gold Line)