Close to the heart of Doha, just to the right of Doha Corniche, lies the popular Mina District of Old Doha Port—a must-visit for those who appreciate photogenic spots in the city. The pastel-colored buildings beautifully contrast with the turquoise sea, giving Mina District a vibrant Santorini vibe. The area features colorful, unique buildings housing shops, cafes, and restaurants. As a pedestrian-friendly seafront destination with charming cobblestone streets and ample parking, it’s easily accessible by car. Here’s why we suggest you don’t miss it:
Mina Park
On your journey to explore Old Doha Port, you will be welcomed by Mina Park. It is a luscious green park with lighting, benches, and the utmost cleanliness. It has cushioned walkways/ jogging tracks.
Containers Yard (Box Park)
Next up will be the seafront area called the Containers Yard. Though popularly known as Box Park, this place has been everyone’s favorite spot to click pictures for their Instagram feed. Here you will see a number of colorful containers housing some of Qatar’s popular cafes and marine retail stores. Grab a snack from Tea Time or Chapati & Karak and enjoy scenic views from a height or relax in any of the two available air conditioned containers. If you’re into fishing or marine activities, you’ll find plenty of stores in Mina District and Box Park offering related products and services.
During the summer, you can enjoy a variety of water activities including jet skiing, speed boating, and more.
Arabic Dhow Ride
You can enjoy a traditional Arabic dhow experience at Old Doha Port for just QAR 35.
Mina District
The Mina District is what captivates everyone’s attention and rightfully so with its beautiful buildings watching over the Grand Cruise Terminal set on Doha waters. The Mina District is a pedestrian-friendly area with cobblestone pathways in between the iconic pastel color, sugar-cube cave houses. The Mina District is a promenade as well where people enjoy walks or relaxing on benches by the sea.
It is also home to Mina Hotel and Residences where visitors can enjoy a beautiful stay.
Although it is not as known for its abundance of restaurants as other areas of Doha, there are still a few notable spots that offer a taste of traditional Qatari cuisine, freshly caught seafood, and international dishes, with the most popular ones mentioned below:
- Tim Hortons
- La Mesa restaurant
- Karak Mqanes
- Oriental Pearl
- Crome London
- Al Mandarin
- Chabrat Al Mina
- Exit55
A popular tradition is to drive to Old Doha Port, grab a karak from local cafes, and take in the skyline views at the end of the Mina District, where ample parking and spots like Ice Cream Plaza are available.
The Terminal
Your last stop is The Terminal, which serves as the official cruise terminal and transforms into a world-class attraction during the cruise season. You can also visit the free City Gallery aquarium, which offers a unique mix of visual and aquatic experiences, including rare aquatic species and immersive audiovisual presentations.
Key Information
Old Doha Port is a vibrant district with a rich cultural heritage. With its cafes, restaurants, and exceptional views of the sea and skyline, Old Doha Port is a destination you shouldn’t miss while in Qatar.
Old Doha Port can be visited any time of the day or night. Plenty of parking is available throughout Old Doha Port and opposite to the Mina District.
During the day most restaurants open between 10 AM to 12 PM. For breakfast the earliest time for a restaurant to open is at 8 AM.
At night, most cafes & restaurants are open till midnight, like Quill Cafe, Delord Cafe, Arabesq Restaurant, Layali Restaurant, and more.
Location: Old Doha Port
Instagram: @olddohaport