Car enthusiasts could get themselves quite busy in Qatar, whether they’re looking for a rush of adrenaline and high-speed racing or are interested in chilly car spotting and spending time in a car-themed cafe or restaurant. Here are some of the places where you can enjoy automobile aesthetics.
Museums
While the 30,000-square-meter Qatar Auto Museum is still in the works, there are two great exhibitions car enthusiasts should put on their must-visit list.
3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum
The 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum is the first sports-related venue in the Middle East with so many artifacts to show (including the bobsled used by the Jamaican team at the 1988 Winter Olympics).
But since we speak about cars, there’s one particular gem: Scuderia Ferrari 1933 Alfa 6C Gran Sport 1500. It was custom-made for Anna Maria Peduzzi, the first woman to drive for the Ferrari team, right at the beginning of her prolific racing career. Modern F1 cars are also exhibited there.
Tickets: QAR 50 for adult non-residents of Qatar, QAR 25 for student non-residents, and free for Qatar residents and kids below the age of 16
FBQ Museum
The FBQ Museum (Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani Museum) stands a bit far from the Doha center — a 30-minute drive. But it’s worth taking a trip to the desert outskirts.
Among over 30,000 items is a large selection of cars that represent the entire history of automobile development, from early 1900s vintage classics to modern ones. Sadly, the car section is currently closed for renovation, so the collection is limited, but the museum promises to reopen it soon.
Tickets: QAR 50 for adults, QAR 30 for students, seniors, and teachers, and free for children under 12
Racing clubs and tracks
Qatar Racing Club
If you look for the Need for Speed vibe, Qatar Racing Club is definitely the place to visit. Drivers compete here regularly in the Arabian Drag Racing League and drifting competitions.
Tickets: Free for domestic races
Lusail International Circuit
Located in the North, just outside Doha, Lusail International Circuit hosts the F1 Qatar Grand Prix once a year. It’s also home to many other motorsport tournaments and community events like the Qatar Karting Championship and Car Track Day. Manufacturers use the Lusail track as a testing ground to check if the car design matches Qatar's climate conditions.
Tickets: Pricing depends on the event, usually around QAR 500
Mawater Center
Sealine Qatar Racing Club, known as Mawater Center, was established in 2014 specifically to promote automobile culture among young people. The Center is home to frequent championships and youth meetings about cars and most of them are free and open to the public.
Tickets: Free entrance
ATV and Buggy Racing Area in Mesaieed
Though not quite posh, buggy and all-terrain vehicles racing could be a lot of fun. To reach Mesaieed, where races are held, take a trip to the South from Doha (it takes around 30 minutes via car). No fixed opening hours, but it’s recommended to get there when the sun goes down.
Here are some ATV rental services in the Mesaieed area:
Tickets: Pricing depends on the provider, usually ranging from QAR 200 to QAR 500
Cafes and restaurants
McLaren Cafe
The world’s first McLaren Cafe sits right next to the McLaren showroom at Al Hazm Mall. Coffee and hand-crafted desserts are on the menu, two TV screens on the walls, baristas wearing black and orange driver suits, and interior design instantly reminding you of F1. If McLaren is your team, you can also browse its merchandise.
Average bill: QAR 50–100
Reservations: +974 6627 9813
The Engine Room
The Engine Room is a stylish lounge at the St. Regis Hotel in the West Bay. It’s great for those who like classic elegance and a few slick vintage cars as a part of the decor (i.e., replica of 1954 Jaguar XK roadster). Great food and relaxing music will complete the picture.
Average bill: QAR 70–120
Reservations: +974 4446 0007
GX+ Restaurant
New GX+ Restaurant in the West Bay area created a car-themed vibe with photos, drawings, and little toys and props. It’s all in decorations and details, with a great selection of burgers, pizzas, pasta, grilled meat, and desserts. The restaurant mostly offers fast food and has frequent offers.
Average bill: QAR 70–120
Reservations: +974 6682 1668
Car spotting
Car spotting usually requires patience and luck, but in Doha, you have a lot of opportunities to see fascinating or exotic car designs (not to mention the annual car parade during Ramadan at Lusail Boulevard). We selected five places to start, but that’s just the beginning of the list that, for true car spotters, could be very long:
The first one is Souq Waqif, an especially vibrant place on holidays, so consider this as a reaping season. Then, check out Mshereib Downtown, where a blend of a grand shopping hall (Mshereib Galleria), a museum complex, and luxury hotels significantly increases the chances of seeing a great automobile. You can’t miss out on The Pearl, championed by real estate agencies as one of the best places to live in Qatar: a wealthy neighborhood where a lot of elite cars can be seen.
Furthermore, Katara’s cultural village, opera house, cinema, planetarium, beach, and conference hall routinely attract a lot of fashionable cars. Lastly, Doha Corniche, a 7-kilometer promenade and highway that goes along the waterfront, is a well-known spot for car enthusiasts. Sitting at a nearby cafe on weekends will feel like you’re in an auto museum!
GIMS Qatar convention
And for a closing act, something to look for: the major automobile exhibition, Geneva International Motor Show, is held in Qatar National Convention Center from November 27 to December 6, at the exact time when the F1 Qatar Grand Prix will be held.
Expect some exclusive premieres of cars and cutting-edge technologies, as well as showcases, seminars, and interactive exhibits. There’s still no info on ticket prices, but last year, the exhibition was free on weekdays and QAR 50 on the weekend.
