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A trip to Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani Museum promises you a great time on the outskirts of Doha, away from the city’s hustle and bustle and an experience of a super unique museum with a different layout from all the other museums of Qatar. This museum, built of local stone with traditional turrets, stands as a testament to Qatar’s heritage amidst its rapidly modernizing landscape.
Inside, you’ll find over 30,000 objects spanning hundreds of years, from the Jurassic age to the early Islamic period and beyond. Each item tells a unique story, connecting cultures from Southern Europe to South Asia. This museum offers a rare glimpse into the diverse and eclectic collection of Sheikh Faisal, making it a must-visit for anyone interested in the rich history of Qatar.
Here is a rundown of why you should visit this museum:
- This museum is literally a modern version of the Cabinet of Curiosities
- It is one huge museum that contains the private collection of Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani.
- This museum has the greatest surprise element. Prepare to be amazed by the number of things Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani has collected over his lifetime and still adding to it.
- The museum is a 40 to 50-minute drive away from Doha and would feel like a nice road trip.
- You will have the opportunity to have pictures with some of the very cool collections (huge & miniature).
- If you are a fan of vintage cars, then add this museum to your must-visit place in Qatar as it showcases more than 600 antique vehicles.
Key Information
Timings: Sunday: closed
Monday – Thursday: 9 am – 5 pm
Friday: 2 pm – 7 pm
Saturday: 10 am – 6 pm
Ticket prices for all: QAR 50 per adult
QAR 30 for 12 – 22 years old
FREE for kids under 12 years old
To pre-book tickets, click here. Tickets can also be bought at the counter in the museum counter.
Location: Dukhan Road, Al Shahaniya
Contact: 4490 2340 / 6687 4177
WhatsApp: 55446818
Website: alsamriyaestate.com/museum
Instagram: @fbqmuseum
The Architecture: Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani FBQ Museum is built with local stone with traditional turrets, the building represents a collector’s piece in itself in contrast with Qatar’s fast-paced growing landscape.
FBQ Museum is located within the Al Samriya estate. So, it’s not just the museum that you will get to enjoy when you plan a trip to this museum. Additionally, you will get to enjoy a date farm, a riding school and an oryx reserve.
What it features: Everything in the museum is the collection of Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani. He is an important player in Qatar, promoting the heritage and culture of the country. Sheikh Faisal is a hugely successful businessman and a cultural pioneer with variegated holdings around the world. He is also an avid antique collector and the objects have been amassed during his travels around the world.
This Museum goes beyond traditional gallery spaces. Since the main Museum opened in Al Shahaniya in 1998, followed by the Carpet Museum in Doha in 2014, and the Car Museum, FBQ Museums have fostered a deep connection to Qatari heritage, celebrating diversity & hospitality and engaging communities with rich cultural narratives.
Visitors can explore twelve themed sections, each offering something intriguing and unexpected. The museum’s layout is designed to reflect the depth and variety of the collection, making it a captivating destination for anyone interested in history and art.
The FBQ museum displays items spanning from the Jurassic age through to the early Islamic period and up to the present day, across twelve themes: from Islamic Art to Qatar Heritage, Vehicles, Jewelry & Currency.
Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani’s collections reveal the common thread of cultures that connect communities from as far apart as Southern Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia. The museum has a dedicated car and carpet museum.
Car Museum
The most astonishing part of the museum is the Car museum which is soon to reopen. For car enthusiasts, the museum offers a nostalgic trip through the history of over 120 years of motorized development. The Car Museum welcomes visitors to view around its 300 stunning cars from classic models and sports cars to convertibles and limousines.
Carpet Museum
While exploring the most precious to the most random things at the museum you will find yourself heading to a Carpet Museum, where you will witness a huge number of carpets from around the world.
Located on the sixth floor of the Marriott Marquis Hotel in Doha, the Carpet Museum which is soon to reopen houses over six hundred hand-woven rugs from Iran, India, Turkey, and beyond. These carpets reflect the stories and traditions of their weavers, with intricate patterns and unique dyes.
The collection includes pieces showcasing Qatari sadu, a traditional Bedouin weaving technique. Each carpet in the museum tells a story, offering visitors a rich and textured view of cultural history through the art of weaving.
Museum Café
Take a break and unwind in a cozy ambiance to taste snacks, refreshing drinks and traditional coffee at the Museum cafe. The cafe offers indoor and outdoor seating with a lake and a display of Dhows.
Gift Shop
The gift shop celebrates artisans throughout the Silk Route as well as customized products for all ages. Beyond a book selection of Arab authors, silver jewelry and chinaware, designed kids’ toys and artful stationery represent a keepsake of your journey at FBQ Museum.
A visit to the Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani Museum offers a genuine dive into history and culture. With 30,000 unique exhibits ranging from Islamic art to international artifacts, carpets, jewelry, and textiles, it provides a rich tapestry of Qatar’s heritage and beyond. This museum stands as a testament to a deep-seated passion for collecting and preserving cultural treasures.
FBQ Museums offers tours and programs for all ages. School programs, both in-person and virtual, focus on visual literacy and critical thinking, while FBQ.Uni Program engages university students with themes like Islamic art and Qatari heritage. Guided tours in Arabic and English provide deeper insights into the collections. Click here to learn more.