Things to Do in Katara: Family Attractions & Activities
Katara Cultural Village is a vibrant destination in Doha where culture, art, entertainment, leisure and family experiences come together. Whether you’re planning a fun day out with the kids, looking for places to relax, or want to explore Qatar’s creative and cultural scene, Katara offers plenty of opportunities to enjoy time with family and friends. With its distinctive architecture, open spaces, waterfront setting and variety of experiences, it is a destination worth exploring throughout the year.
Things to do in Katara at a Glance
OliOli Children's Museum
OliOli® Doha Children’s Museum is an interactive children’s play museum at Katara Cultural Village where kids can learn, explore and have fun through hands-on experiences. With more than 40 interactive exhibits across themed galleries, children can splash and experiment in the Water Gallery, get active in the Fitness Gallery, explore movement and gravity in the Kinetic Gallery, and let their creativity and imagination take the lead in spaces such as WonderSphere and Future Park. Designed around learning through play, OliOli® offers families an engaging indoor experience where children can discover new things while having fun.
- Location
Children’s Mall, 21 High Street, Katara
- Price
2 hours visit
Child(2-16 years) – QAR 135
Toddler(12-23 Months) – QAR 67
1 Adult included
Extra Adult (16+ years) – QAR 45
- Phone
4408 1266
- Timing
Sun – Thu: 1:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Fri: 1:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Sat: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Website
Al Thuraya Planetarium
Al Thuraya Planetarium offers families a fascinating journey into space at Qatar’s first planetarium. Located at Katara Cultural Village, the planetarium features a 22-metre dome screen and a 200-seat digital theatre where visitors can experience educational 2D and 3D shows exploring the universe, astronomy and the wonders of space. Visitors can also explore interactive exhibits covering topics including astronomy, geology, weather and oceans, while the museum area features space-related displays and replicas. With shows presented in both Arabic and English, Al Thuraya Planetarium combines education and entertainment for children and adults.
- Location
Building 41, Katara
- Price
Free
- Website
Katara Hills Promenade
Katara Hills Promenade is a relaxing spot to explore within Katara Cultural Village, surrounded by landscaped green spaces, walking paths, gardens and scenic views. The hills feature lush plants, lawns, water features and elevated viewpoints overlooking Katara and the waterfront, making it a pleasant place for a family stroll, a leisurely walk or a quiet break surrounded by nature.
Katara Beach Playground
Katara Beach Playground is a dedicated children’s play area at Katara Beach, giving kids a fun place to play while families enjoy a day by the sea. The playground features swings, slides, climbing structures and other play areas, making it a great spot for children to take a break from swimming, splashing in the water or playing in the sand. With the beach, shaded seating and family facilities nearby, it’s an easy addition to a family day out at Katara.
- Price
Included on Beach Ticket
21 High Street
21 High Street is a pedestrian shopping and dining destination in Katara Cultural Village, offering an outdoor street-style experience with integrated cooling designed to make the area comfortable even during Qatar’s warmer months. The destination brings together luxury retail, boutiques, restaurants and cafés in a walkable setting near Katara’s cultural attractions and beach. There is no entry fee to visit the street, making it a good option for families looking to stroll, shop, dine or explore Katara.
- Timing
Sunday – Wednesday: 10:00AM – 10:00PM
Thursday: 10:00AM – 1:00AM
Friday: 1:30PM – 1:00AM
Saturday: 10:00AM – 10:00PM
Art Murals
Katara Cultural Village is home to a collection of large-scale murals displayed across its buildings, turning the cultural district into an open-air art gallery. The murals have been created by both Qatari and international artists and explore themes including Qatar’s heritage, nature, friendship and cultural exchange. Some notable works include “The Friends of Qatar and Cuba” at Building 15, “Birds’ Game” at Building 16, and “The Arabian Oryx Advances” on Building 40. Katara has continued expanding its mural programme, with newer works such as “A Cultural Bridge Through Art” and “Rawda, in the Embrace of the South.”
Katara Beach
Katara Beach is a family-friendly beachfront destination within Katara Cultural Village, offering a 1.5-kilometre stretch of coastline where visitors can enjoy swimming, relaxing on the sand and a range of water activities. The beach is divided into six sections for families, general visitors and recreational activities, with water sports including kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, water skiing and boat rides available on-site. It is also close to Katara’s restaurants, cultural attractions and walking areas, making it easy to combine a beach visit with a wider day out at Katara.
- Price
Adults (15 years old & above) – QAR 10
Children (Below 15 years) Free Entrance
Adults (60 years old & above) – Free Entrance
Chair – QAR 5
Umbrella – QAR 5
- Phone
5544 9862
Katara Mosque
Katara Mosque, also known as the Blue Mosque, is one of the most distinctive landmarks in Katara Cultural Village. Designed by Turkish architect Zeynep Fadıllıoğlu, the mosque is decorated with intricate Persian and Turkish tile and enamel work in striking shades of blue, purple and gold. Its design incorporates influences from famous mosques across the Islamic world, while the detailed minaret, domes and mihrab add to its architectural appeal. The mosque is also located beside Katara’s distinctive pigeon towers, making the area particularly interesting to explore and photograph.
Halls & Galleries at Katara
Katara Cultural Village is home to a range of halls, exhibition spaces and art galleries that host art exhibitions, cultural events, workshops, performances and other programmes throughout the year. The venues provide opportunities to discover local, regional and international art, with exhibitions and events changing throughout the year. Among the spaces is QM Gallery Katara, located in Building 10, which presents temporary exhibitions and public art projects, while Al Markhiya Gallery in Building 5 showcases contemporary artists from the Arab world. Katara also has dedicated halls and performance spaces used for cultural and community events.
Katara Beach Water Sports Activities
Katara Beach offers a variety of water sports and marine activities, making it a popular choice for families and visitors looking for more than swimming. Depending on availability and sea conditions, activities include kayaking, pedal boats, boat and dhow rides, water skiing, wakeboarding, kneeboarding, parasailing and other water-based experiences. Visit Qatar also highlights boat rides, stand-up paddleboarding and water skiing among the beach’s activities.
- Location
Katara Beach
- Phone
50501048
Restaurants at Katara
Katara Cultural Village has a wide selection of restaurants and cafés, making it easy to combine sightseeing and family activities with a meal or coffee break. Dining options range from Qatari, Levantine, Turkish, Armenian, Egyptian, Indian and Persian cuisine to seafood, Italian and international restaurants, with choices ranging from casual cafés to upscale restaurants with sea, city or Katara Hills views.
Katara Amphitheatre
Katara Amphitheatre is one of the most iconic landmarks in Katara Cultural Village, combining the architectural style of a classical Greek amphitheatre with traditional Islamic design elements. Covering around 3,275 square metres, the open-air venue can accommodate up to 5,000 people and overlooks the Arabian Gulf. It hosts a variety of concerts, cultural performances, festivals and other major events throughout the year, making it an important part of Katara’s arts and entertainment scene.
The Golden Mosque
The Golden Mosque, also known as the Golden Masjid, is one of the distinctive landmarks at Katara Cultural Village. Located facing the Katara Amphitheatre, the smaller mosque is covered with thousands of tiny golden tiles that shimmer in the sunlight. Its design reflects Ottoman architectural influences, while the detailed golden exterior makes it a striking stop for visitors exploring Katara. The mosque is also used for religious programmes and Quran memorisation activities organised at Katara.
- Location
Facing the Katara Amphitheatre
Cafés at Katara Cultural Village
Katara has a good selection of cafés where visitors can stop for coffee, karak, desserts and light bites while exploring the cultural village. Options range from casual local favourites to specialty coffee shops and cafés along 21 High Street, with several offering outdoor or air-conditioned seating.
