What to do in Doha

Qatar’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry has introduced a new regulation that will affect businesses across the country. Starting from August 18, 2025, most commercial and industrial establishments will be required to close for 90 minutes during Friday prayers. This closure is mandatory for most commercial and industrial establishments. The decision, announced in the country’s Official Gazette, was made by Sheikh Faisal bin Thani bin Faisal Al Thani, the Minister of Commerce and Industry. The Ministry has stated that the new rule is meant to serve the public interest and support the well-being of society. The regulation encourages alignment with...

If your child has been asking to use WhatsApp, a new feature coming in the next few months may ease the concerns about the safety of the app. WhatsApp introduces parent-managed accounts for kids under 13. The feature lets younger users stay in touch with family and friends while parents keep control over the account’s privacy and communication settings. How Parent-managed WhatsApp Accounts Work With this feature, a parent or guardian can create and supervise the account for a kids under 13. Only adults aged 18 or older can manage the setup. Here's what parents can manage: decide who is...

Primark is about to make a big splash in the GCC, with plans to expand into two more countries. The brand is officially heading to Bahrain and Qatar, with new stores opening by the end of 2026. From everyday wear to homeware, cosmetics, and seasonal décor, Primark is all about offering quality products at accessible prices. You've probably seen those unpacking videos on social media; well, now those great finds are coming your way! Bahrain will get its first Primark at City Centre Bahrain later this year; and Qatar will open its first store at Doha Festival City by the...

Planning a visit to Mina District this summer? You can still drive right into the colorful waterfront destination at Old Doha Port. Mina District will remain open to vehicles until October 15. Vehicle access costs QAR 30 per car and includes parking within the district. Here's what drivers need to know before heading there: Operating hours: 3 PM to 11 PM (no overnight parking) Speed limit: 15 km/h Parking only in designated areas A one-way traffic system will be in place in the area, make sure to follow the signs. Visitors are asked to respect the atmosphere of Mina District...

The United States is high on many travellers' lists, and if you're planning your own American adventure, here's another option coming this summer. Qatar Airways has confirmed the return of daily flights between Doha and Philadelphia starting on August 1, 2026. Flight timings between Hamad International Airport (DOH) and Philadelphia International Airport (PHL): Doha to Philadelphia: departs at 8 AM and arrives at 3:05 PM Philadelphia to Doha: departs at 9:30 PM and arrives at 5 PM Qatar Airways' North American network now includes 14 destinations: US East Coast: Atlanta, Boston, Miami, New York, and Washington, D.C. US Central: Chicago,...

Ready for match day? Doha has the right spot to enjoy the FIFA World Cup 2026 atmosphere for free. Head to Snoonu Arena at Mall of Qatar, where a Fan Zone is open until July 19. Come here for interactive experiences, football-themed attractions, and Wall of Wishes, where you can leave a football wish of your own. A lucky goal, a surprise winner, your team lifting the trophy... anything is fair game. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Michael Anderson (@michaelmx8) The FIFA World Cup Fan Zone at Mall of Qatar is free to enter, though you'll...

If your shopping list keeps getting longer, June might be your favorite month in Doha. The 5th edition of Qatar Outlet Exhibition is coming to the city, bringing five days packed with fashion, beauty, electronics, home items, perfumes, travel essentials, and plenty more in one place. Save the dates: June 5 to 9, at Doha Exhibition & Convention Center (DECC). The entire exhibition takes place at Hall 1 in DECC, so you can browse everything from clothing and accessories to kids’ products and home décor without jumping between malls and stores. Whether you’re updating your wardrobe, shopping for home décor,...

Currently, it takes over six hours to travel between Riyadh and Doha by road, but that will soon change! Saudi Arabia and Qatar have just signed an agreement for a high-speed rail project that will cut the journey time between their capitals to just two hours. The project could be completed in as little as six years, and both countries have ambitious plans for this development. Here are the first details about the rail network between Riyadh and Doha: The rail link will reduce the travel time between Riyadh and Doha to just 2 hours Trains will travel at speeds...

Looking for a new spot in Doha for family outings? Dugong Adventure World is opening on April 23, and you can already plan your visit. With games, food, and different areas to explore, it’s the kind of place where you might end up staying longer than expected. The park is split into three zones: Zone 1: Games and challengesAdventure games and carnival-style setups fill this area Zone 2: Food and shoppingBazaar-style stalls offer quick bites and small shops Zone 3: Pet areaA calm space for family pet activities, where you can take a pause from games and activities View this...

Have you been using Instagram's end-to-end encrypted messaging feature? Well, it’s time to say goodbye. Meta recently announced that it will no longer support this feature starting May 8, 2026. End-to-end encryption ensures that only the sender and receiver can read the content of their messages. So, when this was enabled on Instagram, Meta couldn’t access your conversations. According to Meta spokesperson Dina El-Kassaby Luce, the feature didn’t get enough use, that's why it's being removed. Starting May 8, Instagram will return to its standard encryption model, where the platform can access data if needed. Before this date, Meta will...