The National Museum of Qatar is a national museum in Doha, Qatar. The current building opened to the public on 28 March 2019, replacing the previous building which opened in 1975. The building was designed by architect Jean Nouvel who was inspired by the desert rose crystal, which can be found in Qatar. The museum site includes Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim Al Thani's Palace, which is the heart of the Qatari national identity.
A tour of the museum takes visitors through a loop of galleries that address three major, interrelated themes. The galleries are loosely arranged in chronological order, beginning with exhibitions on the natural history of the desert and the Persian Gulf, artefacts from Bedouin culture, historical exhibitions on the tribal wars, the establishment of the Qatari state, and finally the discovery of oil to the present.
Visitor Info
Rating
★ 4.7 896 reviews
Visit Time
~120 min
Best Time
Late morning or afternoon
Insider Tips
- · Give yourself enough time to read the galleries in order
- · The building and the exhibits are both part of the visit
- · Combine it with a Corniche walk nearby
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the building's unusual shape inspired by? ▾
The interlocking disc structure was designed by French architect Jean Nouvel to mimic a desert rose, the crystalline mineral formation found in the Qatari desert.
When did this museum open? ▾
The current building opened on 28 March 2019, replacing the original museum that opened in 1975 inside the old Amiri Palace.
What does the museum cover? ▾
It tells the story of Qatar from the formation of the peninsula millions of years ago through to the present day, spread across 11 interconnected galleries.
Is there an entrance fee? ▾
Yes, admission is 50 QAR for adults; children under 16 and Qatar residents enter free.
Can you see the old palace inside? ▾
Yes — the original Amiri Palace, which once served as Qatar's first museum, is preserved inside and forms the historic heart of the new building.
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National Museum of Qatar — offline map & tips