Do not be misled by the name! Education City is an education & research campus but it is also a great place to make a stop when in Qatar. Residents of Qatar very often visit Education City because it hosts one of the iconic mosques in Qatar, the Qatar National Library, Education City Stadium, and more.
At a glance, Education City is a 12-square-kilometer campus that is home to multiple educational and research institutes. Supporting this education-driven campus, there are a few tourist & leisure spots that are worthy to explore. Here is a short rundown of why this place is worth your visit:
- Education City houses the largest public library in the country, the Qatar National Library, where there are more than one million books in the collection.
- It is a great place for admirers of greenery and nature walks.
- Oxygen park in Education City is a gem and one must not miss the walking/jogging tracks covered with a waterfall on one side.
- It is also home to historical sites like Al-Khater House as part of the heritage houses at Education City.
- If you have a love of horses, Education City should be your place to visit as it has the world-class equestrian center, Al Shaqab.
- At Education City you will be mesmerized by Minaretein, a mosque and a learning center based on Islam’s ethics and values.
- Education City is supported by the Education City tram which helps everyone to move to different areas of the city and it is free!
- Want to get a closer look at one of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 stadiums, hop on the tram and make a stop at The Education City Stadium.
- For all art lovers, Education City has ‘’Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art’’ that houses a unique collection of modern and contemporary art from the Arab world.
- Education City has a relaxed student center called Multaqa that houses a bowling alley and restaurants and can be used by anyone.
- Education City also boasts Education City Golf Club with three distinct courses – an 18-hole Championship Course, a 9-hole Par-3 Course, and a captivating 6-hole Championship Course.
Education City, as a destination, stands out in Qatar. It can be seen as a vast green area with exceptionally architectural buildings that house branch campuses of some of the world’s leading educational institutes, a homegrown research university, start-up incubators, technology parks, heritage sites, cultural institutions, unique parks, equestrian centers, and much more.
Read below for a map of key areas in Education City that are of interest to first-time visitors and often-visited place of residents in Qatar:
Qatar National Library
The magnificent structure of the Qatar National Library is easily noticeable in the city. The library contains the country’s national library, public library and university library, and preserves the Heritage Collection, which consists of valuable texts and manuscripts related to the Arab-Islamic civilization. As a public library, it provides equal access for all of Qatar’s residents and visitors to an environment that provides knowledge, peace, leisure time, and more.
The 45,000-square-meter architecture was designed by renowned architect Rem Koolhaas to mimic two sheets of paper that are split apart and folded diagonally at the corners to form a shell-like structure that encloses the open-plan interior. The interior of the library is so stunning, lit by sunlight during the daytime, a vast place with seating options of various types that anyone would be happy to just sit around to read a book or unwind.
In the best interest of the visitors Qatar National Library covers everything you need to spend some good hours, it is supported by the following amenities:
- A number of computers, tabs, and other stations with adjustable leveling, equipped with cutting-edge hardware and software technologies
- A dedicated area for young adults
- A gaming center
- A 686-square-meter Children’s Library
- 8 group study rooms
- 28 individual study carrels
- Washrooms and prayer rooms
For a completely stimulating experience, you will be welcomed by the aroma of coffee at the Safahat. Safahat is a coffee bar and bakehouse inside the Qatar National Library, created to recharge visitors and take a break. The library also has its restaurant with delicious main courses, desserts, hot and cold snacks, fresh juices, and more.
Qatar National Library’s also has a mobile app which provides quick and easy access to a wealth of information about the library’s services and collections. Click here to download for Android and click here to download for iOS.
Opening hours of the library: Saturday to Thursday: 8 AM to 8 PM
Friday: 4 PM – 8 PM
The Children’s Library closes at 6:30 PM, except on Friday and Saturday when it closes at 8 PM.
Minaretein building – Education City Mosque
Minaretein is an Arabic word that translates to ‘’two minarets’’. Minaretein building is a part of Hamad Bin Khalifa University’s College of Islamic Studies (CIS) and is a learning center based on Islam’s ethics and values. Education City Mosque is located inside the building. From a distance, the tall minarets grab the attention of the visitors.
Approaching close, the Minaratein building rests on five large columns representing the five pillars of Islam, with each featuring a verse drawn from the Holy Qur’an. The Education City Mosque’s outside spaces have four streams that channel water to a garden in the middle of the building. Each of these represents the four rivers of heaven promised in the Qur’an: water, honey, milk, and wine.
Education City Mosque is free to explore for all visitors.
Quranic Botanic Park
Opposite the Minaratein building, a place worthy of a visit is the Qur’anic Botanic Garden. The garden is occupied with Qatar’s native flora along with plants that are mentioned in the Holy Qur’an. The garden focuses on peace, sustaining and preserving plant diversity worldwide and was created to mirror Islamic art and architecture.
The park features water fountains and seating areas to enjoy in the green surroundings. The park also features a unique children’s play area. It is free for all to visit.
Oxygen Park
The idea behind the 130,000 square meter Oxygen Park is to create a green lung in Education City. The park encourages both students and tourists to engage in exercise and observe the symbiotic relationships between oxygen, plants, and healthy, clean living.
The park provides a refreshing sensation to the senses with its greenery, waterfalls, lighting, and fresh environment. The park is equipped with jogging trails, volleyball and football pitches, and much more. The covered walkways of the park are a delight supported by waterfalls and colorful lights.
Multaqa (Student Center)
Multaqa is a multipurpose student center but it is open to all to visit, enjoy and have food. It is traditionally considered as the ‘living room’ of Education City where students connect, relax, and engage.
The center is inspired by the traditional Souqs of Arab towns, different sections of the center are connected with interior alleys and plazas, creating a relaxed and convivial atmosphere.The student center is also equipped with a gym, bowling alley, arcade, billiards, group fitness classes by F45 Training and much more for visitors.
The bowling center is a great place inside Multaqa for a fun time with friends or family.
Price 15 QAR per person per game
Timings: Friday, Saturday, Monday, Wednesday 8 AM – 9:30 PM
Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday 4 PM – 9:30 PM
The cherry on top, the student center also features many cafes and restaurants to enjoy food and refreshments.
Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art
Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art is housed within Education City and would be a great stop while exploring the area. If you are a serious art lover and enjoy art galleries, this is one museum that exhibits art pieces from the Middle East & North Africa MENA region. Mathaf houses the world’s largest collection of modern and contemporary Arab art. Click here to read more about the museum.
Education City Golf Club
Located in the center of Education City, this golf club is a model of golfing excellence. Three different courses can be found there, including an 18-hole Championship Course, a 9-hole Par-3 Course, and an alluring 6-hole Championship Course. Each one presents players with a different level of difficulty and attraction.
Golfers and visitors can enjoy a wide range of excellent facilities, including cutting-edge practice areas, Trackman at the golf course, Padel courts, and a fine dining restaurant.
Opening Hours
The Golf Club opens at 6 AM with the first Tee time at 6 am and the last tee time at 7:30 PM.
The Driving Range is open from 6 AM with the last range balls at 9 PM
For details on pricing and more visit their webiste: www.ecgolf.com/
Al Shaqab
Al Shaqab is a global equine center that preserves Qatar’s cultural legacy and appreciation of the Arabian horse breed. Al Shaqab is stretched out over 980,000 square meters and stands out for its distinctive architectural design put out in a horseshoe shape.
Visitors can walk around, explore the center, and get up close with the magnificent horses. Right outside Al Shaqab has‘’Charriot’’ restaurant which is a great option for lunch, dinner or breakfast.
Al-Mujadilah Center and Mosque for Women
Al-Mujadilah is the destination for Muslim women to study, engage in dialogue and worship together in a community inspired by the tradition of the Mosque as the axis of society.
It offers religious, developmental, and social programming to Muslim women of all ages and backgrounds to study, dialogue, and worship together. Click here to know all details about the center.
Instagram: @almujadilah.qa
Key Information about Education City
Education City is accessible via Doha Metro Green Line. To move in and around Education City, Education tram is available for free. Ample parking of Qatar National Library and Education City Mosque is available for public.
Education City can be visited during day and night as well.
Location: Education City, Ar-Rayyan
Instagram: @educationcity.qa
Website: https://educationcity.qa/