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Mohamod Fasil CC BY-SA 4.0 Wikimedia Commons

Museum of Islamic Art

Museum

Doha's Museum of Islamic Art, designed by I. M. Pei, sits on the Corniche and displays manuscripts, ceramics, textiles, and metalwork spanning centuries. Visitors take guided tours and photograph the geometric architecture against the bay.

Museum of Islamic Art DohaAl WakrahZubarahMuseum of Islamic Art
In this guide

Museum of Islamic Art essentials

Address: Corniche, Doha, Qatar
Website: mia.org.qa
Hours: Sat-Thu 9:00am-7:00pm, Fri 1:00pm-9:00pm
Admission: Free entry to the permanent galleries for Qatar residents; general adult ticket 50 QAR (~$14) for non-residents for selected exhibitions and special displays (prices may vary).
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About Museum of Islamic Art

Museum of Islamic Art (Doha) is a purpose-built museum on Doha’s Corniche, designed by I.M. Pei and opened in 2008 to display Islamic art from across the world. The building occupies a prominent waterfront site and is noted for its geometric volumes and central atrium.

Galleries contain objects ranging from ceramics and metalwork to textiles and manuscripts that illustrate developments across more than a thousand years of Islamic art. The site also includes a waterfront plaza and MIA Park, which provide views of the Doha skyline and outdoor event space.

The museum was commissioned by the Qatari authorities to assemble, conserve and display Islamic art for public access; the building and its galleries were created specifically for that purpose and opened in 2008. Since opening it has hosted temporary exhibitions, educational programmes and research activities.

The museum stands on a man-made peninsula on the Corniche, within central Doha and immediately visible from the waterfront promenade; it is a short drive from Doha’s main commercial districts and other cultural sites.

  • Architect and opening: Designed by architect I.M. Pei and opened to the public in 2008, the building sits on a man-made peninsula on Doha’s Corniche.
  • Collection scope: The collection spans more than a millennium of material culture from across the Islamic world, with strengths in ceramics, metalwork and manuscripts.

What to See#

  • Exhibition galleries: Permanent and temporary exhibition spaces that present material culture from across the Islamic world, arranged chronologically and by object type.
  • MIA Park: Waterfront park and landscaped open space adjacent to the museum building, used for outdoor events, promenading and skyline views of Doha.
  • Education and research facilities: Facilities for study and public programming including education rooms, a reference library and visitor services.
Things to Do
When to Go

Best Time to Visit Museum of Islamic Art

Visit in winter (November-March) for comfortable outdoor weather and long daylight hours to enjoy the waterfront.

Winter (Nov-Mar)
November-March · 18-28°C (64-82°F)
Pleasant outdoor weather for walking the Doha Corniche and viewing the museum exterior.
Spring/Autumn (Apr, Oct)
April, October · 25-35°C (77-95°F)
Warmer but manageable; indoor galleries provide relief from the heat.
Summer (May-Sep)
May-September · 33-42°C (91-108°F)
Very hot; visit in the evening when galleries are cooler and less crowded.

Weather & Climate near Museum of Islamic Art

Climate

Museum of Islamic Art's climate is classified as Hot Desert - Hot Desert climate with very hot summers (peaking in July) and mild winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 13°C to 41°C. Very dry conditions with minimal rainfall with a pronounced dry season.

Air Quality: AQI 162 Unhealthy
Best Time to Visit
NovemberAprilDecember
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
48°
Warmest Month
8°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions
Month Comfort Temp Feels Rain Sky Humidity Wind UV Daylight
January Excellent 13° - 21° 17° 12 mm partly cloudy 63% 4.3 m/s 0.8 moderate 10.6h
February Excellent 14° - 23° 18° 19 mm partly cloudy 61% 4.8 m/s 1.1 high 11.2h
March Excellent 17° - 26° 21° 27 mm partly cloudy 53% 4.5 m/s 1.4 high 11.9h
April Ideal 21° - 32° 26° 6 mm partly cloudy 46% 5.0 m/s 1.7 very high 12.6h
May Excellent 26° - 38° 32° 1 mm some cloud 39% 4.5 m/s 2.0 very high 13.3h
June Very Good 28° - 40° 34° 0 mm mostly sunny 39% 4.5 m/s 2.1 extreme 13.6h
July Very Good 29° - 41° 38° 0 mm some cloud 43% 4.1 m/s 2.0 extreme 13.4h
August Very Good 29° - 40° 39° 0 mm some cloud 47% 4.0 m/s 2.0 very high 12.9h
September Excellent 27° - 38° 35° 0 mm mostly sunny 49% 3.9 m/s 1.6 very high 12.2h
October Excellent 24° - 35° 30° 1 mm mostly sunny 52% 3.6 m/s 1.2 high 11.4h
November Ideal 20° - 29° 24° 7 mm some cloud 57% 3.9 m/s 0.9 moderate 10.8h
December Ideal 15° - 24° 20° 12 mm some cloud 64% 4.0 m/s 0.7 moderate 10.4h
Getting There & Around

How to Get to Museum of Islamic Art

The MIA is on the Doha Corniche. From downtown Doha, taxi or ride-hailing services take 10-20 minutes depending on traffic. There is limited on-site parking; the museum is also a 20-25 minute walk from Souq Waqif and a short drive from the National Museum of Qatar.

Tips for Visiting Museum of Islamic Art

  • Book timed-entry tickets online for the special exhibitions to avoid queues.
  • Walk the museum's waterfront promenade at sunset-the light on I. M. Pei's geometric forms is exceptional.
  • Most visitors miss the MIA's conservation studio viewing windows; those show-restoration work on Islamic manuscripts and textiles.